boots08

We are a party of 5 flying into Paris for a week's stay before heading to Perpignan for 10 days, then to Nice for 7 days before flying home (from the Nice airport).

We are staying in a pedestrian area of Perpignan where there is no parking, yet would like to do some sightseeing nearby (would like to see Collioure, Toulouse, etc.)

So I'm wondering if we should take the train from Paris to Perpignan, then rent a large vehicle (?) or two vehicles (?) towards the end of the Perpignan stay to do some sightseeing before driving to Nice. And if there is no parking available in Nice, drop the vehicle off and use public transportation for any excursions outside the city.

If our vacation rental is near the beach or in town, we may just be content to lay low and forego any extensive sightseeing in that area til the next time.

Either way, I gratefully welcome any advice on how to best manage the ground travel part of our trip.

Thank you in advance,
Boots

boots08

(Subject line should read Nice, though Cannes is a possibility)

PalenQ

You do not need a car to go to Toulouse or Couliers as trains go there all the time and other lures such as Carcassonne.

But a car may be nice too but don't need one and in Nice no way unless you want to stay in another town like lovely Antibes - still need no car as trains trundle up and down the Riviera all the time and buses go to the iconic hill towns.

Actually if you do not want to do 10 days in Perpignan you could hit the Avignon area for a few days en route to Nice and see the heart of tourist Provence. Instead of Perpignan - why not stay in a seaside town so you can hit the beach anytime -Perpignan is several kms away from sea.

Anyway for lots on trains check www.seat61.com (great info on discounted tickets you can book yourself); www.sncf/voyages.com - official site of French Railways; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

PalenQ

Cannes definitely has a lot of easy hotels to drive to in its beach area. But still- maybe drive there but ditch car on arrival.

boots08

Thank you PalenQ - we will be staying in Perpignan on a home exchange so are using it as a home base.

Good to know about Cannes - we will keep that in mind.

Boots

PalenQ

when are you going - month makes a big difference in Nice area as to highway crowding. mid-July thru end of August is the worst.

boots08

We will be in France the last 3 weeks of September.

PalenQ

Well then Nice area will still be busy but nothing like in July and August or even first weeks of September. Driving may still be tough and a hassle.

In Peripgnan since you are staying in the city away from beaches yes rent a car and simply experience the various beaches in the area- a hassle taking bus or taxi from Perpignan to beaches. And these beaches are some of the finest in France! Not very crowded then as French families have to return home by the last weekend in August when schools start and the month-long August vacation - still quite a tradition -end. There will be northern Europeans and French retirees there enough - who wants to go to a deserted beach sans the usual beachside accouterments?

PalenQ

Well then Nice area will still be busy but nothing like in July and August or even first weeks of September. Driving may still be tough and a hassle.

In Peripgnan since you are staying in the city away from beaches yes rent a car and simply experience the various beaches in the area- a hassle taking bus or taxi from Perpignan to beaches. And these beaches are some of the finest in France! Not very crowded then as French families have to return home by the last weekend in August when schools start and the month-long August vacation - still quite a tradition -end. There will be northern Europeans and French retirees there enough - who wants to go to a deserted beach sans the usual beachside accouterments?

Sarastro

In Perpignan, I would definite rent a car. It´s the only way to reach the Carthar Castles, the only way to easily reach Carcassonne, St Cyprien, Banyuls, Collioure, and le petit train jeune.

PalenQ

le petit train jeune>

Yes a lovely narrow-gauge train running thru a valley in the Pyrenees -can take train from Perpignan there or drive to its start.

Gorgeous ride!