caseyhen

We're close to nailing down our itinerary for 3 days of driving into Languedoc/Pyrenees, out and back from Barcelona, in about 3 weeks from now. One specific question...in planning this drive, we had thought we'd spend one night in Carcassonne, but we're thinking that Foix or Mirepoix might make more sense logistically. Does anyone have favorite places to stay in any of these towns/cities or a strong opinion about which you prefer? We won't necessarily be in the hotel long, but are Foix or Mirepoix towns we'd want to spend a night in? Enlighten us!

klondike

Can;t speak for Foix or Mirepoix - we will be vising these this September.

I have to say that the night view of the foritified ville of Carcasonne all lit up at night IS spectacular and on of my fondest memories of that area...but to get the view don't stay within the walls, obviously.

It has been too many years for me to remember the hotel we stayed at, or I would offer it as an option . There are many contributors who have visited all 3 who will offer you opinions, I'm sure.

stevelyon

I know its a matter of opinion, but having just literally comeback (yesterday) from the Languedoc area, Carcassone is the most pretentious and uninteresting and touristy town I visited there. I'm probably not on my own in this respect. I would therefore consider Foix or Mirepoix, although I haven't personally visited them. The place that moved me most was Pezenas, which although is frequented by tourists was absolutely stunning. Languedoc on the whole was one of the best trips I have ever made (Carcassone apart). I would be interested in hearing how it goes regardless of where you plum for.

fall06

Not having been to Mirepoix, I can't compare. Foix is a lively hub -- especially in comparison to the tiny towns of the region . The picture perfect castle, flying its flags, dominate the town, but the main streets have nice architectural touches, including one of the best 1930s art deco post offices I've seen outside of New York. I would try

You can use Michelin online to find recommended restaurants and possible hotels.

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...eCoverTour.htm

fall06

You'll also find this website useful

http://france-for-visitors.com/pyrenees/index.html

fall06

and some pix

http://france-for-visitors.com/photo...ix-castle.html

http://france-for-visitors.com/pyren...iege/foix.html

ira

Hi C,

We stayed overnight in Carcassone at www.lemontmorency.com/carcassonne/hotel.html which is just outside the main entrance to the town.

Yes, C is touristy. Yes, the reconstruction isn't accurate.

However, we enjoyed a day there, and it was even better at night, when you can walk through a very dimly lit town and get a feel for medieval life, without the smells.

TommieG

Carcassone is beautiful, but very touristy. Foix is a lively town, indeed a lot bigegr than most of the towns in this surroundings, so probably a bigger chance of finding a hotel.

But I personally would try staying in Mirepoix. It is a small but really beautiful medieval town, with a great market-place. A beautiful hotel in Mirepoix is the Relais Royal www.relaisroyal.com.

blackduff

I've neither stayed nor slept in Mirepoix but everybody says it's beautiful.

I have a friend who spent two weeks in Mirepoix this summer and sent me photos almost each day. It rained, and rained, and rained even more.

If you travel to Mirepoix, bring clothes for the rain. It looked nice, even though it was raining in the photos.

blackduff

StuDudley

We've visited all three places, but only overnighted in Foix. There is mixed opinion aboout Carcassonne, but we've visited it twice & we enjoyed it. I hate touristy places and it has some of that, but not nearly as much as Mt St Michele and Rocamadour. I think to minimize the impact of the touristy stuff and the crowds that will probably be there in August, I would stay in Carcassonne overnight and visit it in the early am or late afternoon.

Foix is charming, and Morepoix is one of my favorite Bastide towns.

Here is a description of the dinner we had in Foix (from my wife's diary)

We reserved for dinner at Restaurant Phoebus, with an enclosed terrace with a panoramic view that included the Chateau and the mountains. We started with complementary champagne aperitifs – 1 cassis & 1 peach with sugar on the rim. Then 2 separate amuse bouches
- Prune wrapped in bacon
- Sandre mousse in an Asian soup spoon & a mustard/dill cream sauce topped with a bit of caviar

I had the menu a 30E
- Saumon Marinee with caviar plus lamb carpaccio served with pink peppercorns
- Croustillant de sandre with fennel
- I choose a pear mousse for dessert, and it consisted of a beautiful large rectangular plate with a fresh marigold, a white flower, a fennel sprig, and a small puddle of raspberry coulis – 4 items spread across the top half of the plate. The lower half was 3 dollops of pear mousse with a bittersweet chocolate wafer sticking up from the mousse.

Stu had the 43E menu
- Two preparations of foie gras – a soufflé, accompanied by 3 slices of mi-cuit with fleur de sel
- Canneton on a bed of zucchini with an accompanyment of tomato ragout
- Vanilla poached apple with a saffron cream sauce

Stu Dudley

hopingtotravel

I believe the name of the place we stayed in 2005 was La Maison Sur Colline. It was actually a b&b but our room was as large as a suite -- and beautifully decorated. It sat on a little hill looking down on the walls of Carcassone. As someone said, you want the view from outside.