Coast above Perpignan
 

We've been to Perpignan, from where we've seen the coast down to Barcelona and inland to Carcassonne. We've not yet been North and then East through Narbonne, Beziers and up to Montpellier and were wondering if this is worthwhile area to visit.

We would look for a seaside town with a good choice of restaurants and hotels and access to "things to see and do". Any suggestions for a 4 or 5 day break, probably in April?

I certainly think it is worthwhile, I like that part of France very much. I haven't stayed in a seaside town, though, as that's not of any particular interest to me so can't help you on hotel recommends. I've been in Narbonne and Montpellier.

I too like that part of France very much.

There's an article in the London Telegraph about Sete that might give you some ideas: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/th...ect-break.html

I've also spent time in Toulon and Hyeres, a little further along to the east. In fact, Hyeres is one of my favorite 'haunts' along the Med. Here's some info from an earlier post of mine:

"I can recommend Hyeres, one of my favorite places along the Provençal coast and easily accessed by train or bus. The town itself rises up a hillside a couple of miles from the sea, with a maze of interesting old streets leading upward and winding through: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51833574.html

Hyeres is very different from most of the other seaside resorts along the Med, because it's also a real town for real people, as well as being a resort, mainly for the French. There's a lovely square with large old plane trees and cafes and a good market - I'm not sure but I think the market is on Saturdays: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51840827.html

Place Massillon, another open square, features a Knights' Templars tower from the 13th century http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51840834.html
watching over the small cafes that spread their tables out onto the pavement http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51833631.html and
http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p56429918.html.

Another market, this one for fruit and vegetables and olives, stretches away down one of the side streets http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51833650.html. At the top of the hill are the remains of an old castle and wonderful views out over the mountains and the sea and islands. Just below the castle is Park St-Bernard, where there is the Villa Noailles, famous for its 1920s/Art Deco/Modernist garden, and also Castel Ste-Claire, once the home and garden of author Edith Wharton. The garden is open to the public and it, as well as Park St-Bernard, have trails and good walks as well as beautiful views over the red tile rooftops of the town http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51833573.html.

Beyond Hyeres ville is the peninsula Presqu'ile de Giens, connected to Hyeres by a beautiful 4-mile-long wide and sandy beach, from Almanarres on the west side and Hyeres plage on the east: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p56429920.html

Between the two are ancient Salines des Pesquiers, where the 2,000-year-old shallow salt pans shimmer in blue and aqua and violet because of the varying rates of evaporation and salt concentration in the water http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51840831.html. These and the large Etang des Pesquiers attract migrating flamingos which can often be seen in large flocks along the shallower edges feeding on small shrimps.

On Giens there are a couple of small villages and some good walks, one of which will take you to a large sea-water pool carved out of the rock, where you're welcome to swim sans-suit if you wish http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p51833592.html. There's also a small port and from here you can catch ferries to the Porquerolles Islands - the islands are another story of their own!

There are also more salines and often more flamingos, a long sandy beach and a couple of small villages about a 20-minute walk or short bus ride to the east of town, near the Port d'Hyeres, with a small restaurant which served heavenly crepes the last time I was there. The beach is about a 10-minute walk from where the local bus stops: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p56429911.html There is an area for naturists at the far end, if you enjoy sunning in the altogether.

Nearby, a short ride on a local bus, Bormes-les-Mimosas is a lovely, but at some seasons rather heavily-touristed, small town on the hillside above La Lavendou. Bandol is also a short bus ride away, another pretty but often heavily touristed town, but the beach is beautiful and the wine is good.

Here are more of my photos from south of France, if you're interested: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1542303.html"

Thanks for the replies, not sure about the "sans suit" though. I don't want to frighten the wildlife.

Julia, Sete sounds something like what we are looking for and thank you for time you put into your post. I've saved the links. Does anyone know of any other similar places along this coast?

Can vouch for Sète as being a great town, great location with loads of good restaurants and a pleasantly chilled vibe. If there recommend a trip to Pézenas where there's a good saturday market and do try and get to Montpellier, Nimes etc - I'd hire a car if I was you if you weren't already planning to.

Dr D.

Near Narbonne, drive around the Massif de la Clape - beautiful views of the Mediterranea. Gruissan is a pretty village. So is Peyriac de Mer.
Further up, Marseillan and if you like oysters, Bouzigues.

Thanks Doc and Pv. I've noted those locations. We certainly would have a car from and to the airport, so getting around is not a problem.

I'll pass on the oysters though!