Hi all,
My friend and I are going to Avignon in September and neither one of us knows how to drive a manual car. Automatic is a lot more expensive so we are thinking of alternatives (i.e. bus or train). I've been to Provence last year so I've seen all the small villages. I want to take my friend to Lourmarin and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (for the Sunday market!). Are there *easy* public transportation to those 2 towns from Avignon?
We prefer not to rent a car not only because its expense for an automatic but also we're a bit nervous driving within the city walls of Avignon (narrow streets, we'd get lost easy, etc...)
Thanks for any feedback!

I took the train to Isle for the Sunday market from Avignon. there's a wonderfu restaurant/garden by the station in isle
'Quai de la Gare"

Thanks, Cigalechanta! Is the Isle train station within walking distance to the market?

Isle sur la Sorgue isn't that big and the train station is on the edge of town. It's a very short walk to the market area (maybe 10 min).

there is a bus from Avignon through Cavaillon to Lourmarin, takes about 1:30 hr. I don't know if the schedule will be that convenient for you or not to go/come back, but you can check with the bus station in Avignon when you are there (gare routiere, it's right next to the old main train station in town).

So, you can see these two places if you want, but I've rented a car with AT in that exact area and it really wasn't that expensive at all in comparison to a manual. Maybe $10 more a day, and there are two of you splitting the costs. I would still rent a car if that's the only reason -- maybe you haven't gotten quotes from the right places. I used Autoeurope. It's really the size of the car that affects price a lot more -- but a subcompact with AT wasn't that much more than without. I rented for a week, however.

I wouldn't want to drive in the center of Avignon that much (you can't, partly), but you could easily get a hotel on the outskirts of the city where that wouldn't be a big issue, either.

Anyway, I'm not saying you have to rent a car, if you just want to see those places and concentrate on the towns/cities, it makes a lot of sense and relieves you of some problems and costs.

Yes, if you go be sure to Visit Michel Biehn in his home/boutique on the main street. He's written several beautiful books on provence. In Loumarin, there is a lovely "Cote Bastide"my favorite line of Provence fragrances but they sell other beautiful things. I bought a linen dress and cotton shoulder bag that you can pack flat. Theres a great wine bar "Cave de la tour"but it's fun to dine on one of the bridges on the canal.

sorry, I jumped from Isle to Lourmarin and back to Isle.