2 wk holiday in south of France. any suggestions for towns?

Hi,

My family and I are planning on a 2 week holiday in the South of France this august.
Any suggestions for a nice town to stay?
We plan on renting a house or gites somewhere in the country, maybe renting a car. we would like to be close enough to a town for interest, markets, restaurants etc.
we want to relax, drink wine, and eat cheese!
I speak a little French.

Thanks in advance,
Jenny.

I've not been on holiday in south of France (or France even, for that matter, except Paris) in August, partly because many of the locals are on holiday themselves, and partly it's the high season for travel so prices can go up considerably during this period. So I can only give my personal opinions, and perhaps someone else can provide more information.

I like areas of Provence just outside of Marseille, and they're usually small towns, some up on hills/mountains (so absolutely gorgeous views) and a car is definitely something you should rent to get around. Market days vary from town to town, and there will be plenty to see and to visit. Shops and restaurants that will be open, that's hard to say exactly. Certainly if the owners are on holiday, it'll limit the choices that you get.

I'd imagine the French riviera would be pretty packed, with sun/sea seekers, at that time of year. Since I don't fancy wrestling for a spot at the beach with a gazillion other holidaymakers, I will not go near the most popular towns such as Nice.

In August, not only do people from all over Europe descend on the south of France but the French themselves do so too. You need to book fairly soon to get the place you want. It's a matter of deciding what you want to be near and then picking one of the many gites in the area which is just expensive rather than ridiculously expensive.

Some years ago I drove along the coast from Spain into Italy and was not impressed with any of the towns or the tiny beaches. Unless you particularly want the beaches, I would head some distance inland, away from the huge holiday crowds.

Take a look at Biot and St Paul de Vence