drive from Paris to Gordes.

Crowded, over-stomped, over-fawned upon Beaune is right about at the midpoint. You can do sophisticated wine things and ride bikes through the vinyard area. Or you can leave early and blast into Gordes in time for a late lunch.

are there any lovely inns to stop at?

wendy, google logis-de-france.com for small family-owned- and-run inns all over France. You are bound to find several of them on your route.

I would also recommend beaune (if that first post was actually a recommendation). Great little walled city, excellent wine and food, great cafe and market opportunities (depnding on your day) and as mentioned, biking. If you have the time, rent some bikes and ride the vineyards. It was one of my best days in Europe. Really quite fun.
We did the reverse (provence - beaune- paris) and it was very doable.

Yup I'd Beaune even with any downside. We have another poster here who is enthusiastic over Dijon. Maybe the best for you might be a small town country house in the vineyards near Beaune. No I don't know of one, but the Logis suggestion is a good one. Happy hunting....

I found my notes on a Logis de France hotel we stayed at south of Dijon. It was le Sainte Marie in the village of Nolay. There is on site parking, as there usually is with Logis de France places. The hotel has a wonderful restaurant, too, and if you have dinner there (or at any restaurant in Beaune, for that matter) when the cheese course comes around, do try the Epoisses. It is divine!

Dijon iis a pleasant place for an overnight stop over; pleasant town and countryside. I believe the hotel we were at was something like louis d Poste. But not sure. seemed the equivalent of an English Coaching Inn

Thank you all for your very helpful hints...I am processing them and we will stay halfway near Baune then head to Gordes. Any more hints are always welcome of where to eat in Paris, or Provence or later inCap Ferat/ beaulieu sur mer. Wendy