Traveling to France - photography suggestions?

My wife and I are traveling to France in July and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions with respect to photography. I'm a huge Tour de France fan so we'll be following the Tour through the South for a few days. We'll then leave the Tour and explore Provence. We'll end the trip with a few days in Paris after meeting up with the Tour again for the finish on the Champs Elysees. It should be a magical trip filled with great photo opportunties (bikes and sunflower fields, old hillside villages, lavender fields, vineyards, Paris etc etc). Have any of you photographed Provence before? Can you suggest particular villages? In my experience I get my best shots when "stumble upon" clashes with "the plan" so I was hoping someone who has been to the area before can help with "the plan" part. As far as the business side of the trip goes, I do know that French law views the rights of models and property owners differently so I have specific release waivers for France. Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Peter, you will find a lot of wonderful villages and surrounding landcapes in Provence. Visit Fontaine de Vaucluse with a short hike to the Fontaine (I belive morning is a good time), Rousillion with a short hike through the ochre (best time is evening), Bonnieux, Buoux with short trip to Fort Buoux (best time is evening). Visit also Abtei Senanque (with lavender field in front!!. I belive morning is a good time, but evening too).
You can take a great hike (Martel hike) into the Canyon of Verdon (takes about 6 ours, you need good shoos and a headlamp or handlamp for that trip -tunnels) but you can also surround the Verdon by car or better by bike. If you go to Verdon visit Moustiers a very nice village.
In July you find hot temperatures and harsh light over midday. Best time for all photography and trips is morning or evening. Have a great time.