Stop Between Provence and Beaune?

We drove straight through from Beaune to Provence. It was a long day, and I practically held my breath driving through Lyon and had no interest in stopping. I think 4 nights in Beaune are more than adequate, so would suggest adding the 2 extra nights to Provence.

I would recommend Lyon -- if not for an extended stop on your drive -- it is called the stomach of France and the culinary capital for good reason. The food choice and quality at all price points is very high -- and at a good value -- so even budget minded travelers will eat well. The size of the city can be intimidating but the old town and center/Presqu'ile are quite easy to get around with central, good underground parking. And, there is much to see beyond just eating or hitting the markets and shops. (By the way, the area around Macon is also quite nice, for the white wines).

I like Lyon a lot but with a car I think you're better off stopping somewhere that the car is helpful and that's not so easily served by train on another trip. This might be at Chamonix, Annecy, or south from there around Gap/Sisteron/Digne, the Gorge du Verdon, or an eastern Provence/Luberon town if your other base will be further west.

If you are a foodie, I recommend you research Lyon some more. It's the gastronomic heart of France. One of my favorite memories from our France My Way tour last summer was spending Sunday morning at the Marché de la Croix-Rousse, purchasing picnic supplies, and finding a bench in a nearby park overlooking the city. Chicken, sausage, cherries, strawberries, cheese, bread, olives, and a lovely bottle of rosé that cost 4 euro. The lady even gave us little plastic cups. There was some sort of small festival in the park, locals eating, kids playing - it was just one of those serendipitous days you could never plan. I say give Lyon a couple of days.
(I think four is too much for Beaune.)

Lyon is so great I wold recommend switching from all-car all the time to mutlimodal: return the car when you leave Provence, take the train to Lyon, and pick up a second car enroute to Burgundy. Best of all worlds.

You can't go wrong spending more time in Provence, though.

Question: Can you arrange to visit Lyon first w/o car? Or last?

Annecy or Chamonix. No doubt. I've been to all 3 places (Provence, Beaune, and the Alps) and while I love them all, the Alps was my favorite (by the slimmest margin over Burgundy.

Vienne and the upper Rhone valley. This is just south of Lyon and offers a lot of Roman ruins, countryside, and gastronomy.

I would definitely want to break up the drive between the Provence and Beaune. Chamonix is a pretty long drive but would be good for a two night stop. Annecy is a little less out of the way, it wouldn't be two nights for me but might be perfect for you. Lyon has good sights and would be the most direct using major roads.

I plan to visit Vienne next month. I'm told the drive between Lyon and Vienne is industrial (not pretty at all) but plan to see the ruins.

A little past Lyon, but in the right direction, may be another good choice - Perouges.