Honeymoon in Paris and Provence/Cote d'azur...need itinerary help!

so many choices so little time... really you can't go wrong w/ Arles, Isle sur La Sorgue, Rousillion or Les Baux. Of course they are touristy but oh so beautiful , romantic and classic Provence.

I can't think of a more romantic honeymoon. Where exactly will you rent a car? I would suggest the Avignon--TGV station, which is reached by direct TGV service from Paris. There must be at least a dozen car rental companies present there (incl Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Budget, etc) and they have hundreds of rental cars parked in an enormous, airport-like parking lot.

Then Avignon and the Pont du Gard are a very short drive away. Isle sur la Sorgue is also a short drive (in the opposite direction from the Pont du Gard). It is a lovely little town with a fabulous market twice a week (see Rick's book for details) and it makes a superb base for day trips out into Provence. Arles, which my wife and I dearly loved, is close enough (45 min) for a day trip. Given the time of year, get a GPS or good map and plot out a day trip to Mt. Ventoux and the tiny town of Sault. The lavender fields seem to spread out forever...and in mid June they should be in full bloom.
We loved Nice, but they aren't kidding when they tell you to buy cheap plastic beach shoes...the rocks were murder on our feet. Don't pass up the opportunity to eat gelato at Fenocchio's in Old Nice....it is astounding.
If you can drive up above Nice to Eze-le-Village, you will have views and food you'll remember for a lifetime.

Thank you both for the suggestions!! This is exactly what I needed! We were actually thinking last night that we'd take the train to Aix en Provence and make that our home base for a few days and do day trips from there before heading to Nice. I'll check out Avignon and Isle sur la Sorgue as well. It sounds like we should definitely visit Arles and I plan on incorporating more of (both of) your suggestions into our itinerary. A friend recommended Eze le Village too. I'll be spending a lot of time on the internet today. I'm so excited!! Thank you again!

Since you are art lovers, Nice will be a great place to base yourselves for a few days. Outside of Paris, Nice and the surrounding area have the best art museums in France. The most obvious ones are the Chagall and Matisse museums in Nice, the Picasso museum in Antibes, the Fondation Maeght in Saint Paul-de-Vence, and the Leger museum in Biot.

Elizabeth, if you are flying out of Nice, then a day in Monaco is a must. It is wonderfully Romantic, the ocean is as blue as it gets, the food is outstanding. The Cathedral there where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier are buried is a wonderful stop. Don't for get to visit Eze. Traveling the Corniche is a pleasure in itself. You really can't go wrong. You may want to rethink the car; it depends on your objectives. The trains are excellent in the South of France and you seem to be seeking the bigger highlights, all of which are serviced by trains. The car is necessary for out of the way places and country visits. Of course, if you are packing heavy a car also makes it easier to schlep around with six bags. Also, ask yourself is this a time to just be together or to sightsee. Being together is enhanced by not needed to "move" every day so fewer places will be key (and trains will be the way to go). If it is really sightseeing, then take a car; however, moving every day adds a lot of stress. Paris is nice, but the south of France is heaven. Enjoy a great time together.

Our honeymoon was a week each in Paris and Provence. Highlights in Provence (and environs) for us were the Pont du Gard and the walking tour in Rick's book/ Saturday market in Arles. Les Baux was very worthwhile too. The driving tour of hilltowns in Rick's book is nice, and we had fun wine tasting at some of his recommended wineries. We didn't find Isle sur la Sorgue very pretty or interesting.

Our hotel/restaurant highlight was Auberge du Presbytere in the tiny hilltown of Saignon. It is a gorgeous little inn with a great restaurant, and very reasonably priced for what it is. There's nothing to do IN the hilltown besides watch old men play boules, so one night is fine (or you can use it as a base).
http://www.auberge-presbytere.com/shade.html

Villefranche (sp?) is a wonderful little coastal town, very romantic. Check it out! I agree re Sur la Sorgue also.

Compared to Aix, the towns near the Rhone--Avignon, St. Remy, Arles and the like--would be a better base from which to visit many of the more popular sights in Provence in such a short time, if that's your goal.

Think about where you want to be at night, since it sounds as though you will be out sightseeing during the day.

I loved Arles, stayed at Le Calendal (recommended by Rick) and had a room with a little terrace. The farmers market there is amazing! You can get paella that they are cooking right at the market, Wednesday is a bigger market but the Saturday market is also great. For a wonderful meal (a little expensive) La Atelier by Jean Luc Rabenel (also in Rick's book).

Elizabeth..... if you can, try to go to Isle-sur-la- Sorgue on Sunday... early, very early to see the Magnificent market. We stayed there on Saturday night because it is hard to find a parking place, but it is wonderful,many antiques and collectibles.. some small so you can get them in your luggage. The town has many antique stores. 200-300.There is also a food market , lovely scarves, a lot of things.

We were in this area of France last year, loved Aix en Provence, loved Monaco, Arles is great, didn't like Nice as much, seemed big/loud/touristy. Some people like it though. We did all trains and didnt have a problem.
Enjoy!