Is it advisable to drive through Provence without pre-booking places to stay in late April-early May? We have enjoyed trips like this in pre-covid days in the Languedoc region, but suspect Provence might be a busier area. Do the local tourist offices that can recommend places to book still exist? Prefer smaller towns.
May 1 and 8 are holidays, so you have three-day weekends. There will be a lot of tourism those days. Better to nail down those two three-day weekends well in advance.
Edit: I just remembered and checked spring break. Since France is divided into three zones for school vacations, the dates of these two-week-long breaks spread from April 9 to May 8. Provence is a favorite destination during spring break after the winter cold. Reserve in advance. Some places can be a madhouse, I know from personal experience.