Luberon base

Although this is not one of the villages you mention, we rented an apartment from Holly Poirier (an American) in Aix-en-Provence. She has 3 properties in the area and Maison Akette is in the Luberon (http://www.provencesejour.com/maisonakette.html). If you are going to be in the area long enough, you might consider staying there. It is also listing #57385 on VRBO. We had a great time, she was great to work with and her properties are fabulous.

I wouldn't consider Aix to be a quaint village.

My favorite for a base would be Ile-sur-le-Sorgue.

I would suggest Lourmarin - our favorite. It's a bit farther from Arles/Avignon but it's listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Carol - I wouldn't stress over which town. All of the ones you list are charming and you really can't go wrong. We stayed in Lourmarin and loved it. I'd focus on finding accommodations that suit you. We (four women) found a house to rent just outside Lourmarin that fit our needs perfectly as it had three bathrooms. I will say that one thing about Bonnieux is it doesn't have a town square like Gordes or Roussillon has. Be sure to visit the markets - the Friday market in Lourmarin is one of my favorites.

Ooops! Perhaps instead of just giving the website address, the VRBO number and praising the owner (based on our experience in Aix), I should have mentioned that the Luberon property she rents is in the small village of Peypin D'Aigues. The listings I cited talk about its location in relationship to Gordes, Roussillon and other Provence and Cote d'Azur places of interest.

I would second Lourmarin, it is really beautiful. It is in Rick's book on Provence and it is well located being about an hour's drive from everywhere you want to see. We stayed at La Cordiere (cordiere.com), a very reasonable and pleasant place that was in Rick's book and we would happpily stay there again. Lournarin is one place you won't run into a lot of American tourists but there is ample English spoken there. Don't forget a good map and a GPS.

Thank you Now I will read a bit more about Loumarin. I have been thinking of Gordes or St. Remy. I appreciate all your help.

Carol, I just spent 5 night in Roussillon at the Hotel Reves d'Ocres. I enjoyed it a lot and it makes a great base for visiting the area, very easy to get to Bonnieux, Gordes, Joucas, Isle sur la Sorgue, Avignon, etc. One thing I would say is that it's a great place to sleep, very quiet at night, but it doesn't have a large selection of restaurants. It worked for me because I made my main meal of the day lunch in one of the other towns.

Spent 5 days in Lourmarin in apartment owned by NYer.-loved the flexibility. Took day trips to your aforementioned cities and more. Will pm if you want more info

The Luberon is a great place to stay. The town of Lourmarin has many nice places to stay (like Les Olivettes). You may also want to supplement Rick's book with Open Road's Best of Provence and the French Riviera. That guide has great tips for a week in the Luberon area with photos and color maps.