From Carcassonne to St Remy
 

I am driving from Carcassonne to St Remy.
I was looking for a day trip - We are spending three weeks in Provence region
in various locations St Remy - Saigon - Vence
So my thinking was on my way from Carcassonne we could spend the afternoon
visiting something that is more West and would be further to travel from St Remy.
I was thinking Nimes or UZes- but wasn't sure. Also we will be traveling on a Sunday and I think that might matter.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Nîmes or Uzès would certainly be good possibilities. I would also suggest Sète and/or Aigues-Mortes and the Camargue which are not far off a direct route.

For a preview, look at these kerouac photo-reports:

http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/5183

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-camargue.cfm

Béziers is a pretty city, as is Arles.

Both Nimes and Uzes would be fine, but neither are that far from St Remy, anyway. Uzes is only about a hour's drive from St Remy, and Nimes a bit closer.

I thought you meant you'd do something that you really wouldn't want to do from St Remy, such as Narbonne, which I greatly liked. It's on your driving route from Carcassonne, unless you plan to visit it during your stay in Carcassonne. Otherwise, you could visit Montpellier, as you wouldn't be going there, either. It's a bigger city, but not that bad if you visit it and just spend your time around the main square, which is the center, anyway. After all, the drive from Carcassonne to St Remy isn't really that long (about 3 hrs), so you could spend 3 hours there.

Narbonne, Beziers, Montpellier and Nimes are all on your route (as well as Sete).

On Sundays we like to spend time in the countryside. Not much going on in the cities on Sundays. Touristy places like Aigues Mortes are "alive" on Sundays, however. St Guilhem le Desert and nearby Grotte de Clamouse would be good choices too.

I love Montpellier - but I wouldn't go there on a Sunday when almost all the shops will be closed. The shop owners pull down the aluminum shutters over their storefronts to protect their windows from the graffiti "artists" - who write on the shutters instead.

Stu Dudley

I agree with Stu re St Guilhem le Désert. Also add Le Cirque de Navacelles in Saint-Maurice-Navacelles.

I'm not a fan of Montpellier. It's just like any big city and lacks charm (IMO).

Also near the Uzes are is Pont du Gard which is a lovely visit. I agree with Stu that St Guilhem le Desert is really worth visiting as well. If you go there and are willing to go a bit further the Millau Viaduct is also prettying interesting and a nice drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct

I had to laugh about MyriamC's comment on Montpellier. We recently visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, and they have original notes written by him to friends going on their first trip to Europe, and he waxes on and on about southern France until he gets to Montpellier where he writes, "nothing really of note here, not worth stopping" or something to that effect. So I guess not much has changed since the late 1700s :)

WE are actually driving down from Sarlat and spending a night in Carcassonne. So we will do Albi and Carcassonne then head to St Remy - You are right I wanted to do something farther from St Remy- So i will probably keep Nimes and Uzes for seeing when i get there -

All the suggestions of Beziers St Guilhem le Desert Grotto, Sete, Le Cirque de Navacelles in Saint-Maurice-Navacelles. - I was thinking of Montpellier but thank to Stu info I will skip that

Any other small Beaux villages you can recommend on the way ???

Many thanks All
liz

>>Any other small Beaux villages you can recommend on the way ???<<

Pezenas - but again, shops may be closed.

Stu Dudley

Yes, Pézenas ... and make sure to have lunch or dinner at La Pomme d'Amour.
Or Marseillan, which is not very special, but you don't want to miss lunch or dinner at Chez Philippe!

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Les Baux de Provence, which I'm sure you will visit from St. Rémy.

St Guilhem le Désert is pretty spectacular (it does take some doing to get to, and it can be hard to park). I love Uzes too.

For something easy just as a stop, Sommieres is a very pleasant town that's only 15 minutes from the motorway just east of Montpellier: http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ar...-sommieres.htm

Check out the "most beautiful villages" site, especially for Aveyron which is mostly on your route:

http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-d...xonomy/term/40

The main thing we have found on this route is that many of the villages go out in kind of a "star pattern"from Rodez, so it takes time to drive out and back-it is tough to do it in a circle tour in other words. But really the site will give you lots to choose from. Have a great trip-it is a lovely route.