I'll be traveling to Provence and staying for two weeks 30 km SE of Avignon.
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Sorry to dig up the thread if it's too late...
First, the Alpilles are a must, it's the limestone ridge between Saint Remy, Mouries and Les Baux... Les Baux itself is nice, but try out the Caisses de Jean-Jean (a climbing site) near Mouries, or the tiny Eygalieres chapel, and you won't be deceived either... If you're not there in the summer (too hot, and forbidden due to fire hazard), the best is to hike the ridge itself. There are good trails (the GR6 among others), but don't forget one or two bottles or water.
OT note : If you're more inclined towards colored drinks, try the Mas Sainte Berthe in les Baux - it's not the only vineyard in the country but they have some good stuff (especially in the whites).
On the Luberon side, the Carrieres d'Ocre of Roussillon are already mentioned, you could also go to the "Colorado provencal" near Rustrel, a few miles east (yes, the people in southern France are known for a slight tendancy towards exaggeration, but even if it's not exactly as big as the Grand Canyon it's a nice place).
Gordes is in a really lovely location, but is a bit constricted by tourism, and unless there has been a nuclear war just before your visit (or it is freezing and there is 80mph of mistral, which has the same cosmetic effect), you may well appreciate some other nearby villages as Murs, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Saumane de Vaucluse...
Hope this helps!
