Any suggestions for easy day trips from Carcassonne? We'll be based there for three to four days in mid May.

Wow, this is a busy forum! I've been watching other posts and getting some ideas, but hope for suggestions from folks who know this area...thanks!

What time of the year are you going? Are you a beach person? Barcelona in a day might be pushing it. Are you using the train or driving?

Will you have a car? What do you prefer: Beaches? Small french villages? Mountains? A glimpse of Spain? Some great architectural sites like churches or castles?

Yes, we'll have a car; we'll be there mid-May. Key word is "easy" -- we don't want to spend more than a couple of hours in the car each way. Villages or towns with nice places for lunch; castles or churches are good; scenery should be stunning, of course!
Thanks.

magdalen, I'll assume you have a car. If you are interested in history, ruined castles, and spectacular scenery, you can drive south from Carcassonne on highway D118 to Quinlan. Highway D117 heading east will take you past three of the so-called Cathar Castles. Château Puilaurens is about 14 kilometres east of Quinlan. Drive about 25 kilomteres further east to the village of Maury and Château de Peyrepertuse and Château de Quéribus are just a bit to the north.

I've only been to Puilaurens, however, so I can't be confident that you could comfortably see all three ruins in one day, especially if you decided to climb to each one. Perhaps someone else can chime in with some more advice.

Have a good trip.

Anselm

Thanks, that sounds perfect. Anybody else have thoughts?

The towns of Agde and Sete along the water are beautiful. Check to make sure it is not too windy before you go.

Oh, one other idea. If you take a look at this thread, you'll notice that Stu Dudley has some notes on Languedoc that he is willing to share with feloow-Fodorites. He includes his e-mail address, although I don't know whether he is at home or abroad at the moment:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34749802

There is another poster on that thread called mpprh who lives in that area and has an interesting web site about Languedoc.

Anselm

Albi might be a consideration.

If you're interested in architecture and history, the cathedral of Ste. Cecile was built just after the Albigensian wars ended, but obviously still with defense in mind. It's a strange brick fortress from the outside, I believe the largest brick building in the world even now.

Inside it's obviously designed as a beautiful and holy place. Among cathedrals it's unique.

>>Stu Dudley has some notes on Languedoc that he is willing to share with feloow-Fodorites. He includes his e-mail address, although I don't know whether he is at home or abroad at the momentlt;<

I'm here - not leaving for Europe till June 9.

Click on my name & you will also see some suggestions for routes around Carcassone. Carcassone itself is kinda isolated in an area with not much else to see close by.

Email me at [email protected] if you want my Languedoc Itinerary.

Anselm - in June we'll spend 2 weeks in a Gite just west of Clermont Ferrand. I have your "favorite drives", but it looks like just about any road in that area is scenic. We'll dine at Radio.

Stu Dudley

Thanks, all! I did get Stu's excellent itinerary. Keep the ideas coming!
Anselm, where are your "favorite drives"?

Stu, I'm delighted to hear that. Safe travels, and with the richness of scenery there, I'm sure you'll be able to add some more good routes.

magdalen, Stu was referring to some roads that I liked in the Auvergne region. A lo-o-o-n-g way from Carcassonne, unfortunately.

Anselm

I would take a day's canal trip on the Canal du Midi. You can hire a canal ride in various towns, maybe Castlenaudry, I forget. I would go to Minerve and look at the ancient Cathar ruins in a very dramatic gorge area. Albi is highly regarded as a destination and you aren't too far from the pink city of Toulouse. I would read up on the Cathar religion before going so that the castles and references that you might encounter will have more meaning for you. Be sure to try the Languedoc red wines, which are often a bit cheaper and are often served chilled. And sample too some Moule Frites!

letour

I'm just finished an excellent mystery/movel with a Cathar theme, Caroline Roe's "Consolation for an Exile." I highly recommend it as background reading, especially as there's a a good introduction to the strange Cathar religion.

Underhill, thanks for recommending that book. It sounds interesting.

magdalen, I really support letour's idea of learning a bit of history of the area. Another possibility is Stephen O'Shea's <i>The Perfect Heresy</i>, a very readable account of the Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade. A lot of medieval history is pretty grim, but this was a particularly brutal episode.

Anselm

Thanks -- I love reading novels that are set in places I'm traveling to.

The Perfect Heresy is outstanding and should be a must read for visiting this region.

Underhill - thanks for the heads up on the novel.

Definitely a visit to Albi or Toulouse.

There have been a number of threads about places to visit/see in this area. A search will certainly find them for you. Oh, and don't forget a good Michelin map.

We're partial to the coast, especially Collioure...a delightful seaside town with a fort, walking trails,... and a bit further toward the Spanish border, Banyuls-sur Mere...this was the major &quot;underground way station&quot; for refugees escaping France after the Nazi occupying force began to concentrate on the Vichy-controlled regions. The good citizens of Banyuls were exceptionally helpful to the refugees and many served as guides to escort them safely over the mountains into Franco's Spain. Surprisingly, the dictator actually turned the other cheek (most of the time) and allowed them to exit to Portugal.
Returning to Carcassonne, at Perpignan, don't get back on the Autoroute, but find the D-117 west to Quillan and thence the D-118 north back to Carcassonne.

Carcassonne-Collioure, about 100 miles, mostly fast Autoroute driving...back to Carcassonne, about another 100 miles on the suggested routes above. You should have no more than 3 and 1/2 to 4 hours of driving. I've driven this route ..very pleasant.

STu T.

Stu T.

ttt