Travel from Paris to Provence

Not sure exactly what you are going to see, so here are a few thoughts. Fly into Paris and fly out of Marseilles, or vice-versa. That will save you time and money. Assuming into Paris, take the high speed TGV train from Paris to Avignon and if Avignon is on your list spend one night there. The TGV station is on the outskirts of Avignon, but do NOT take the train to the center of the city. Instead use the bus or a taxi. After you spend whatever amount of time, or days, in Avignon go back to the TGV station and rent a car. You don' want or need a car in Avignon. The Pont du Gard is an easy drive to the west and then Nimes and Arles are a similar distance south of The Pont. When you finish your visit to Provence, first or last, return your car to the TGV and take the train to your next stop. Several years ago I took my wife and her then 88 year old mother to Normandy and Provence. We flew into and out of Paris because of this itinerary, but doing it again would do what I just described. We rented a two bedroom farmhouse in the town of St. Remy de Provence, quaint and charming, and centrally located to the surrounding towns. Each day as like the spokes on a bicycle wheel we headed in a different direction and loved it. Your choice of lodging will depend on what you want to see in Provence. If you're interested in more details of our trip please send a private message. Lastly, I think I'd visit Paris first, especially if you've never been there. It is big, hectic and lots of fun, while Provence is about as laid back as you can get, a great place to unwind from Paris.

If you want to make the most of your time, take the train. (Except during the strike, of course!) The train is way faster, and you will have more time in Provence and Paris.

I'd have to agree with fly into one (Paris) and out of the other (Marseilles) or visa-versa. I tried booking a train from CDG to Avignon and after much research it was faster and cheaper to fly from CDG to MRS. I know I know trains.... but it isn't always the case. We are even flying back from NCE to CDG - again - faster and cheaper.

With 9 days, I'd fly into Paris, spend four/five nights, fly/train to Marseille (air from Orly) and rent a car, then spend your remaining four to five nights in Provence and fly home from Marseille. A car is necessary to get around Provence unless you have a lot of time.

Many on this site favor train transportation over any other option. In this case a TGV train will take a little over 3 hours vs. a little over an hour on a plane. The cost is about the same if you purchase either ahead of time (about 50 euro per ticket). Air will take some time to get to the airport so, after you factor that in, it's close enough to go with either one. I haven't been on that train so I can't say whether it's a scenic route or not. Most of the time the train is the same as driving on a freeway.

For those of you who responded, I have a question about the transportation as well. If I fly into Marseilles and rent a car to drive around Provence, can I then easily drop it off at the Avignon TGV station?

Paris to Nice may be a little faster and a little cheaper to fly compared to Train ; ORY instead of CDG may help if flying.
BUT
Paris to Avignon ; no way a flight is faster than the train when the added security and typical airport issues are factored in.

In Avignon you can rent a car at the train station.

Train is high speed to Avignon. From there to Nice it switches to a slow track which is why the flight included time for security will overall be a little faster if going Paris to Nice.

If you prefer to fly into MRS rent a car there and return it to the Avignon train station yes, that is fine as well. Should be no extra charge to do that but not always so check the rates on Autoeurope or similar to be sure.
Unlike in the US in France it is usually not a problem or extra cost to rent from one location and drop off in another within France as long as same company has an office at both places of course.

This is the Trip that I have planned for May. Flying into ORLY, then cab or Uber to the Gare de Lyon station area. From there a little over 2.5 hours to Avignon. TGV to Avignon. Staying inside the wall near the Palais for 6 days and will rent a car. Plan to use car for Pont du Gard, Chatueneuf, Château de Beaucastel and Les Baux-de-Provence & St. Remy. Most likely train to Arles and may tarin another day somewhere.

Uber can't provide services unless you have already paid for them by app. It's a pain trying to find a phone when you need one to find the driver.
I'd take a regular taxi, instead. Or rent a car from the station.