Hi- not sure I can be much help as I have only been to that area when calling in on a cruise- (2ce). We called at Toulon, which was very nice for shopping, restaurants, bars, harbour, markets, beach area about a mile out of town. However, it is quite a big naval town, not really a holiday town. We loved Aix-en Provence, but that it is probably a bit too far inland. The place I have heard a lot of good things about is Sanary-sur Mer, between Marseilles and Toulon. Might be worth investigating. The Provence area is beautiful, and the scenery, towns and villages very varied.