First time france

Meadow 49ers

we are hoping to visit the battlefields in France early May and then travel further south for some warm weather.  We will be spending a couple of months travelling around  but would be happy to spend some time in one place before moving on to cut down on
great distances - don't want to be travelling all the time!  Can anyone suggest a route and an area.  We would prefer a smallish/quiet site but near lively towns if possible.  We are both retired.