Avignon or Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
 

Quick question: We want to attend the big Sunday market in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on May 5th, but are undecided about spending the night before in Avignon or Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. We have only one day for each city and have heard that even though Avignon is bigger the main attraction is only the papal palace - and that it may be overrated? Would appreciate advice from those who've been there. Thanks.

Avignon has much more to offer than just the palace. Follow the walking itinerary in the Michelin Green Guide.

Things to consider:
- Shops will be closed in Avignon on Sunday & the city will be a lot more "dead" than it will be on Sat. Shops close Mon morning also - along with the "les Halles" food court.
- There's lots of ugly urban sprawl around Avignon - except to the west. You'll have to drive through that coming & going. Not the image of Provence you want to experience.
- Get to the market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue no later than 9am unless you like huge crowds. In June, July, Aug, & Sept get there around 8am & have a cafe creme by the church as you watch the vendors set up their stalls.

Stu Dudley

That's ridiculous that the only attraction in Avignon is the palace, al you have to do is go to their tourism website or a good guidebook to find out other thing.

Avignon is a city and Isle sur la Sorgue, is not, they aren't comparable. I found Isle sur la Sorgue to be of very little interest, but I suppose some people like it for some reason. There aren't a lot of attractions there, many fewer than in Avignon, for example. The crowds in that market are quite serious, you are about shoulder to shoulder in some cases, and you have to park a ways away and walk. I don't mind that, as I visit in the summer and like to walk, but I think I've parked up to 2 km away a couple times to go to that. Maybe not quite that far.

I don't think there are very many hotels in Isle sur la Sorgue, but perhaps they have some that are actually central (there are some on the outskirts, of course, but farther than where you'd have to park to go to the market). I wouldn't want to change hotels twice in 2 days, but it's up to you, really, if you don't mind doing that, I guess it would be fine if you plan to spend the whole day in Isle sur la Sorgue anyway.

Avignon is one of the most romantic old-world looking cities in its historic center in Europe - the sprawling palace of the Popes is an amazing edifice but the city is much more than that in its cobbled lanes - the only negative about Avignon IMO is in mid-summer when it can be way too crowded - the city is so nice it attracts droves here - spurred on by the famous Avignon Festival.

I Love Avignon!

Thanks so much for the tips everyone. And thank you, Stu, for the reminder about shops being closed Sundays etc.

>>reminder about shops being closed Sundays etc.<<

In Avignon. They will be open in l'Isle sur la Sorgue

Stu Dudley

If I was doing the same thing I would stay the night in Isle sur La Sorgue.There is a cute, clean and very reasonable hotel there called the Hotel Nevons. It has it's own parking lot and you can walk to the market and leave your car in their lot......therefore no hassle at all with parking. We stay in the newer wing of the Nevons ....the rooms with a balcony....very reasonable and a nice breakfast, too. Go early to the market. Also there are literally hundreds of little antique shoppes all over Isle. Get a map from the hotel.The antique shoppes are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday as most dealers have shoppes In other parts of France and Europe.There are even little restaurants in the little alley ways where the antique shoppes are.Have Fun!,,