LouisvilleCO

Will be in Toulouse on business next month and will be tacking on a few nights to the end. I was thinking about going to Montpellier but some of my friends are telling me to go to Carcassonne instead. I suppose I could fit in both but would one be better than the other to stay a few nights?

iris1745

Hi; Carcassonne is much closer. You could also probably include Albi in a day trip or Castres. Montpellier is perhaps a bit over two hours, where these other towns are about an hour. Albi and Castres are just north of Carcassonne. Richard

StCirq

I certainly wouldn't spend a few nights in Carcassonne. I'd stop there for a few hours on the way to Montpellier and make that your base. But there's a wealth of places to visit even closer to Toulouse if you wanted to: Castelnaudary, Castelau-de-Montmiral, St-Férriol, Revel, Puylaurent, Graulhet, Albi, Castres,Lavaur....

mpprh

Most would say that visiting Carcassonne is half a day only. Do some research on it, and you will find that the "medieval" walls are a fake bearing no resemblance to the original.

So, my advice is Montpellier, and if you want to see a genuine walled city from the 12thC visit Aigues Moprtes.

Peter

skibumette

I'd second Richard's suggestion of Carcassone, Albi and Castres. Carcasonne is SE of Toulouse via motorway; Albi is NE of Toulouse -- and Castres is half way between the two on the east side of the triangle. Great architecture, walled city (Carcassone), art museums (Toulouse-Latrec in Albi and Goya in Castres) -- and, of course, good food and wine. If you go by Michelin green guide ratings, Carcasonne/Albi/Castres is two "worth a journey"s and and one "interesting" versus one "worth a detour" for Montpellier.

kerouac

Carcassonne is nice to visit, but it is just a brief "site" and not a place to spend much time. Montpellier, on the other hand, is a "real place" with a variety of things to do and see.

LouisvilleCO

Thanks for the replies. I won't have a car so that probably eliminates alot of the small towns. It sounds like Montpellier is large and interesting enough to spend a couple days.

kerouac

Wise decision. The local commuter train lines in Montpellier will indeed offer other opportunities to you once you read up on the attractions of the area.

iris1745

Hey Louisville; Very good decision without a car. Richard P.S. Loved Louisville--played in the Senior Olympics in 2007 in that city. Enjoyed going to Churchhill Downs.

Christina

You couldn't pay me to spend several days in Carcassonne.
I like Montpellier a lot, but you could certainly go to Narbonne, also, that's a nice city.

michele_d

Hi LouisvilleCO,
We visited Carcassonne for two nights last year. We stayed just outside the walls. Although it is a pretty site to look at and walk around in briefly, it was packed with tourists and tons of vendors. It just sort of ruined it for me. I guess I was thinking it would be some romantic castle to stroll around in, but it wasn't. Too overwhelming. Although I have not been to Montpelier I sure wouldn't go back to Carcassonne.

Michele

iris1745

Hey Louisville; You made a good choice in going to Montpellier, but if you had a chance, Carcassonne would be a good stop. It's not just a pretty sight, but as is much of France, it's the the history of this city. Been twice, once staying inside and once outside and we go because of it's history. So we have divided opinions on this site. Richard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/carcassonne At least read about the history of the city.

Sue4

After reading Henry James' "A Little Tour in France" (written in the late 1800's when he toured part of France by train) I've wanted to go to Carcassonne. However, all the comments on here make me wonder. Henry James made it sound magical, but he probably had it almost all to himself! By the way, this is a really fun book to read for those interested in France.

iris1745

Sue4; Listen to Henry James. Much of this city is still origional, but restored. Much in France had to be restored. But France is the most visited country in the world, 80 million plus. Many of those millions visit Carcassonne. Decide for yourself and don't let a FEW opinions sway your dreams. Richard

StCirq

Cartcassonne, like le Mont-St-Michel, is a very important historical site. If you know nothing about what you're seeing or the history of either, sure, it's just going to look kitschy and over-touristed (much as it did when it was first there, by the way - le MSM was as overrun with pilgrims and vendors selling trinkets in the Middle Ages as it is today with tourists and vendors selling trinkets). It's true that the reconstruction of Carcassonne isn't accurate, but that does not diminish the importance of what it was. Conceiving of Carcassonne as "a romantic castle" is just so wrong on so many levels. Don't go if you don't want to, or leave if it bores you, but at least if you do go, read about what significance it holds and understand what you're seeing.

zeppole

Like Cortona!

Michael

Moissac for its abbey church and Montauban for its town square might also be worth a visit. The bishop's palace in Montauban is an Ingres museum.

LouisvilleCO

Thanks again to everyone. Not sure if I will be able to do anything other than Montpellier in just a couple days without a car but it sounds like it is the right choice. I don't really have time to move around much. I will have 3 night in Toulouse while on business which will allow me to see that city and then two nights in Montpellier followed by a final night in Toulouse before flying out. Has anyone tried the Velomagg bike service in Montpellier? Sounds like there are many automated bike stations that have cheap rentals and can be ridden to neighboring towns or to the beach.

StCirq

The vélos are a great idea, as long as you're aware of your surroundings, have a good map, and understand that French traffic in a big city is possibly going to be a bit more frenetic than in Louisville. There are lots of great places you could go, like Bouzigues, and sit on the water and eat the most delectable oysters. Montpellier is the oldest university town in France and as such is a lively place with lots of cultural and historical offerings. You can find loads of inifo on the internet, of course. Also check out www.whatsonwhen.com to see if there are any special exhibitions or events that appeal to you. It's a great city - enjoy!

LouisvilleCO

Thanks to everyone who suggested Montpellier. Had a fantastic time there. Rode a bike to the beach - nice bike path all the way. Very vibrant town and the Les Estivales on Friday night was great fun. Stayed at the New Hotel du Midi. I highly recommend it.