Good base to explore Arles to Carcassone?
Jan 13th, 2003, 07:56 AM
#1
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Good base to explore Arles to Carcassone?
My husband and I are planning a trip for April, starting in Lyon and driving south. We want to visit Avignon, Arles and that area and head west (and southwest) to Carcassone and the Cartha castles. Is there one place we could use as a base and take day trips or should we spend a couple of nights in Arles or Avignon and then a couple of nights in someplace like Montpellier?
Jan 13th, 2003, 10:02 AM
#3
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Hmm, we're planning a similar trip. While I prefer your approach--staying in one place and branching out--my husband is leaning toward a different place each night (yikes!).<BR><BR>I think Montpellier would be fine for Arles, Nimes, and Avignon (that's what we're doing, except we're not really doing Avignon; have already been there). Then we're staying somewhere between Montpelier and Carcassone for one night, probably in the Minervois. Then we'll leave for the Corbieres and use that base for the Cathar castles before heading to either Colliure or Perpignan and back to Montpellier (phew!)<BR><BR>I'm trying to convince him that we don't need to stay mid-way between Montpellier and Carcassone and that instead we can just use Montpellier and Carcassone as two bases for two-three days each before heading to Colliure/Perp area. But I doubt I'll succeed. . .<BR><BR>
Jan 13th, 2003, 10:07 AM
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I did a similar trip last year only I started in Nice and went to Carcassonne and back. My trip included Arles, Sete (consider Auques Mortes(sp)too), Carcasonne, Avignon and Nice. If you stay in Sete (recommended large fishing town) there is little english spoken- but I made it okay as a non-french speaking person. I had a great time but I don't mind moving around to new places. I would guess in april you should have little problem finding a place to stay.
Jan 13th, 2003, 12:14 PM
#7
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Johanna, it took us about 3 hours (plus lunch) to drive from the Arles area to the Chateau de Peyrepertuse, one of the Cathars castles. Please don't plan on doing both this castle and Carcassonne in the same day. The drive from the Cathar castle area to Carcassonne gives you the chance to see the Galamus gorges, which are breathtaking. However, the road is narrow and winding and can't be rushed. <BR><BR>If you're interested you can pull up my trip report Southern France to Paris, London; it will give you an idea of timing. Good luck.
Jan 13th, 2003, 02:44 PM
#10
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Johanna<BR><BR>Sete is a fishing port and has all that goes along with it, from seedy bars to interesting local color. We went there because it was off the beaten path, had few english speaking tourist and offered a different take on France. It is the anti-Disney of the South of France, just what we wanted. I could only recommend Sete for those who like to have a few beers or wine along the canals with local fishermen and eat at very good, but not fancy, restaurants.
Jan 13th, 2003, 05:25 PM
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elle, since I don't know when you'll next be on the board, type in 'trip report southern' (only don't put in the quote marks) in the text search box and specify 'france' as the region of interest. There should be only one thread come up when you specify these search terms. I should warn you it's a bit long, but if you scroll down, you'll find the info you want around day 3 to day 7, I think...hope it is of some help. Enjoy France.
Jan 14th, 2003, 06:13 AM
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Sue, Thanks for pointing me to your trip report. I've just had a chance to glance through it and it looks very helpful. <BR><BR>Did you reserve the hotels in advance or just play it by ear? We're very much the reserve in advance people, but just winging it certainly gives you more flexibility. Of course, you have to balance that with hunting for a hotel late in the day when you are tired and cranky!
Jan 14th, 2003, 06:34 AM
#13
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Johanna<BR><BR>If you scan down the trip report to the near end, you will find someone asked me that very question. Vacancy rates in a given region can vary quite a bit, even from one week to the next. So given that it's often difficult to know what's going to happen in a given town, you have to go with what you know about yourself, your 'worry profile.' Will you feel more constrained by knowing where you have to be on night x, or will you feel more constrained by, well, not knowing where you'll sleep on night x? <BR><BR>Glad you found the report helpful. But truly, I'm open to any pointers for improvement. Such as what things could have been cut, for example.
Jan 14th, 2003, 10:19 AM
#14
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Johanna: We stayed at Avignon and within the castle walls at Carcassone. Wouldn't have missed either experience. Arles was an easy trip from Avignon as was Nime. Avignon at night was magical.<BR>Carcassone in the early morning and again at night was enchanting; no crowds, the place to yourself. Great fun. There are some excellent restaurants within the castle walls. I remember a great cassoulet. <BR>Our rule of thumb, if the road trip in a given day is going to be more than an hour and a half each way, we move our lodgings to the area in question. Otherwise, in our humble opinion, you just lose too much touring time. Travelling in July/August, we did have advance reservations at both places. Have a great trip.
Jan 14th, 2003, 12:26 PM
#15
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we spent two nights in carcassone, at la dite- it was the highlight of our 3 week trip to france in august of 2001. by nighttime, the crowds are gone, and the city is magical. my two teenage daughters still talk about it. We also stayed in the camargue, but i wouldnt do that again- it just was not as extraordinary as carcassone/ rest of provence.
