re: Planning a France trip...

Provence seems to be a well liked region and I can add my name to that list with Charlie, swag22, and ChEgrad too. I worked out or Arles and it was an ideal location for a base.

I have worked in a number of the various regions and each has its strengths, but Provence stands above them. I admit to never getting to Normandy area and am planning that trip for next year.

One caution about the Provence region is to avoid the last 2 weeks of July and all of August. Too many tourists! Most working Europeans are required to take 2 or more weeks of vacation during this time. And many head to this area, making traveling difficult. A 2 hour drive from Arles to Limoges soared to a 6 hour drive - in early August.