Aix en Provence??

You missed the bull's eye, but hit the nine ring.

Take a look at Nimes, instead.

Car rental places are everywhere. Settle on a spot first.

Aix-en-Provence is not really a quaint, charming little town. It's a pretty large city - busy, with lots of toursits - pretty fast-paced. My suggestion would be to take the TGV from Paris to Avignon (only about a 3 hour trip) and pick up a car at the train station. You really need a car to get around in Provence. Lots of great quaint, quiet, beautiful towns - L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes, Rousillon, Carpentras, Cavaillon, Bonnieux, Orange...

Pick a home base and take day trips.

You could consider Provence Coast places (between Marseille and Toulon).
Easy access by train (less than one hour from Marseille), quiet yet full of unique local charms.

See http://www.provence-coast-travel.com

Aix-en-Provence is not small, but it is fun. It's was our French Editor's favorite city in France. I visited it a few years ago for a very short time and decided that I want to go back someday. All that said, I don't think it's very centrally located.

I took a TGV train from Paris to Avignon and picked up a car at the TGV train station. That might be a good way to go. I liked St. Remy and stayed in Roussillon which I really liked.

Pam

Aix is over-touristed, in my opinion. Meaning that the chain Euro stores overwhelm any sense of being in a place.

Plus, it's at the edge of Provence. If you're not renting a car, I'd suggest Avignon or Nimes.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm shocked!

Looks like I'm probably going to have to go for the car rental! Good thing I'm traveling with someone who can drive stick shift!

Thanks again and let me know of any further suggestions!!

Your train-station requirement limits your choices a lot, and rules out the Luberon hill towns.

You certainly don't need to be on a TGV line. Just transfer from the TGV when you arrive.

Rick Steves recommends L'Isle Sur La Sorgue, which is served by rail. I've never been there, but the Sorgue valley is very pretty.

If you really just want to spend the whole time in a small town without a car, there are buses, and taxis, for your one trip there and one trip back.

Aix is charming and, though I wouldn't choose it, it might meet your needs. It's not a small town, though, as others have noted.

We spent 4 nights in Aix at the Hotel Cezanne and it was wonderful. Yes, it's actually a large city, but the main things you'd want to see are all easily walkable. Wonderful restaurants, farmers markets, lively at night, or do the car rental (we did for 2 days) and tour the dozens of small villages within just a few miles. TGV is a bit out of town, but easy to get back and forth....also consider the local train, just a block from Hotel Cezanne, that took us to Marseilles and Cassis. Lots to do in and from Aix!

There is car rentals at the Avignon TGV train station. We rented a car and stayed 2 nights in St. Remy and 2 in Arles. If you have a car you can get around and see more of the countryside that is not easily accessible by train.

We stayed in Arles and loved it. And as an extra bonus when I watched the movie Ronin with Robert DeNiro a year later I recognized so many spots we visited. Also I think Rick has some good warnings on renting cars in Europe.

Can't comment on Aix since I've not been there, but there are many great options in Provence that others have suggested. One poster suggested Arles. We spent 5 days there a few years ago and loved it. But be aware, the streets are very narrow. Although you won't need a car in Arles itself, if you have a car parking it is a bit of a challenge. Don't rent anything larger than you absolutely need, but be sure to rent something as day trips to the ocean or out in the country are not to be missed!

Not meaning to "push" the Hotel Cezanne, but the Hertz rental was directly across the street and they spoke perfect English. Near many other hotels too. Pay the extra and get a GPS...it takes you throughout the countryside smoothly (including the many roundabouts)and back to their garage. Without the GPS, I might still be in Provence....somewhere.

I recommend a car and GPS too because you'll want to get out and explore, no matter where you stay. I could easily spend a week in Aix and take day trips. Smaller towns/villages you could consider that I love are Vaison la Romaine, Lourmarin, St Remy, and Uzes. Also Cassis. Take the train to Avignon and pick up your rental car there.

Not sure how long you're staying in Provence but I would consider renting a house. I've been happy with France Homestyle.

We took the train from Nice and got off in Arles. We walked 5 minutes from the train station to our hotel Le Regence on the river. We have been back twice already, with a car these last 2 times. Arles may be small and I have heard some say it is "gritty" but we love it!

KOL