Could simply be supply and demand. While ordinary manual cars can be confirmed instantly (because they have a big fleet of them), an automatic is often by request only and has to be specifically sourced for your rental. It may even mean having to transport it from a larger depot (e.g. Nice, Marseilles) a day or so in advance, adding to the cost.

You might consider having a friend give helping you learn to drive a standard transmission car - it's very simple. Two outings should do the trick. Even if you are pretty sure an automatic will be waiting for, it's not a bad idea. The one automatic they had waiting could break down.

It is because it is Avignon. Now I understand. At offices that are not at airports, there are very few automatics usually available.
And therefore the increased price. It is supply and demand.

Good advice, Bardo1! We had an automatic reserved?...and there were only stick shifts available when we arrived. Learn a stick just in case.

Those new Citroën are about the most beautiful cars built since the 50s. I don't like the C1 because it's too small. But the rest are "super sexy cars" ;-).

Great, you didn't spoil the fun, by looking for an automatic transmission! Yuck!!
Have fun!

I learned to drive using manual transmission cars. They're all I drove for my first 20 years of driving. When I finally got my first automatic transmission car, it was heaven, and I've never looked back.

Unfortunately, on a trip to France a few years ago I decided to save some money (though it certainly wasn't any $1,000 difference!) and get a manual.

It wasn't pretty; it wasn't fun--especially in small towns and hilly areas or in the occasional traffic tieups that required a lot of shifting. I'm sure Avis had to replace that transmission. I like to drive, but it's been automatics (again) ever since for me.

The engine is your friend. Treat it nice and get a manual.
Not everybody knows how to to play the piano, but those who do enjoy it and they may become quite good at it.

Others have to buy an automatic. Unfortunately EU regulations 20 years ago forced the governments to accept those drivers without proper knowledge of driving on the roads.

That's weird . I just priced on Avis and there is only a $200.00 difference between manual and auto. Even an Auto Mercedes is way under $1350.00 fior a week

The price differences, and there always ARE price differences, between these two types REGARDLESS of which agency, broker, etc., you use.

Do you need an automatic in France. No! is it nice to have one? Sure. Are stick drivers better drivers than auto drivers and are they part of the tarmac and all that other NASCAR-hormone-driven BS? No, and i know because i drive a VERY VERY fast stick shift high performance car

My ONLY rec and as ridiculous as it sounds...DO NOT leave the lot with ANY stick until you KNOW how to get it into and out of reverse.

Avignon in October '09 offers plenty of automatics for 60% less than the price the OP posted here.

If you don't book an automatic at least six months in advance, especially during high season, you will be left with fewer choices and much higher prices. The OP never mentioned when the car would be needed.

I think the Mini Cooper is ugly and, considering what it costs to purchase, it's not worth $1350 for a week.

We just return from a 3 weeks driving vacation in France. We booked on May 30, 2009 a Mercedes A180, automatic to be picked up at CDG on June, 20. AutoEurope quote was $1380 for period from 6/20 to 7/8 – drop off – Nice, Airport. We found a lower rate at a competitor, and AutoEurope matched and bettered their rate. We paid, $980 for almost 3 weeks rental, plus they charged us additional $100, do not remember what was it is for. The rate included insurance, but we declined it.

If you get a manual car, just make sure you can do hills without rolling over the person in back of you after you've stopped and have to go forward again. I love manuals and have driven them since I was 15 and have only owned them since I was 16...and I'm early 50s now. Even bought my new 2008 in a manual. Happy Travels!

One project of visitors to Europe should be to learn to drive with manual transmission. It's one of those cultural things like learning a few words of the language. It won't kill you.

Anyway, I am in Avignon at the moment, during the height of the tourist season, and AutoEurope gave me a car through Hertz for a week for 195€ all inclusive.

By the way, a manual is FAR better for driving in hilly/mountainous area than an automatic. Why do you think "serious" 4WDs are manual. Automatics are great for city driving.

<i><font color=blue>"a manual is FAR better for driving in hilly/mountainous area than an automatic. Why do you think "serious" 4WDs are manual."</font></i>

One doesn't need a "serious" 4WD to enjoy the mountains of Lake Como or the undulating hill towns of Tuscany. This isn't Vermont or the Rocky Mountains in winter being discussed here.

I like to relax when I drive and manual transmissions in the stop-and-go of city traffic require more physical exertion and more mental focus, especially if you don't drive manual on a regular basis.

I once owned a manual in Manhattan. It was a pain. And Manhattan is relatively flat. As Guenmai said, <i>"If you get a manual car, just make sure you can do hills without rolling over the person in back of you after you've stopped and have to go forward again."</i> This is a serious situation to find oneself and it's bound to happen in Europe. You will need to know how to move forward from a complete stop on a steep incline with another car climbing up your behind. This is NOT a situation for a novice manual driver.

Manual transmissions are more cost effective in Europe and Middle Class Europeans are accustomed to working harder and enduring certain inconveniences to save money. If you do something long enough, you get used to it. I suspect many Europeans would switch to automatic transmission cars if gas was cheaper and they could get the car at a price-point lower than a manual.

I hope to be around drivers that are mentally focused.

That's why sometimes driving in the US scares the s*it out of me. If you're unable to move forward after you've stopped on a hill without rolling backward in a manual car, you should not be allowed to drive at all. Not even in a car with automatic transmission.

Actually, driving a manual can kill you if you aren't experienced with it.

Supply and demand. Too many tourists demand automatic transmissions and push the price up.

You can find similar savings on lodging if you don't insist on ensuite bathrooms.

NYCTS you did not read my post correctly. Who said anything about getting a 4WD? I stated that manuals are better in hilly terrain and that is why serious 4WDs are manuals. persoannly I think all licence testing should be required to be done in a manual car. Agree with logos999.