1. We will be in southwestern France from September 17-27, and want to make a circular car trip, beginning and ending in Barcelona. We plan to spend the first night in Girona, then two nights in Cadaques to get over jet lag (We are both 66 and are coming from California) .

2. We'll probably stay in four places, two nights each, and some of the places we are interested in are Foix, Carcassonne, Castres and Albi. We like to travel on small roads and see historical sights, old ruins, cathedrals, museums and caves...really not interested in shopping.

3. We'd love to hear from people who have traveled in that area and could give us some advice. We'll need reasonably priced hotels and hopefully some advice on which roads to take. We don't mind driving some time on the faster roads but would certainly enjoy some slower ones.

Do you have my 35 page Languedoc itinerary??? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.

Stu Dudley

Hi G,

I think that a day and a night for Carcassone is quite sufficient.

We had a very pleasant drive from Carcassonne to Albi which might interest you. You could deviate to go via Castres.

See Ira Does France (Bordeaux, Dordogne, Paris) 2005
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34676645

Enjoy your visit.

I would not spend 2 nights in Foix; nor would I spend 2 nights in Carcassonne (ideally, I wouldn't spend even one night there). I probably wouldn't spend two nights in Castres, either, although it's a fascinating place.
There are lots and lots of wonderful towns in the area. Pick carefully and do your research. I would spend a night in Collioure. I'd also consider Castelnaudary, Revel, Gramat, Castelnau-de-Montmiral.

Actually, although I am rarely a proponent of moving around to a new place every night, the Languedoc is a place where that is actually quite appealing.

I'll see if I can dig up my trip report about some of the more remote (and fascinating) towns in the area and post it.

Carcassone was worth both of the hours we spent there.
Cordes-sur-ciel, if you're nearby, was very enjoyable.

Thank you all so much for your responses. Of course, now I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed about making the decisions, especially since September is not far away! I think we'd like to stay in some of the small towns suggested and maybe spend a day in Carcassonne and in Toulouse and definitely go to Albi.

Does anyone know about gites in this area? Or can you recommend some hotels? My guy is especially interested in the history of the Cathars so we would appreciate any references to relevant sites we might visit.

Contrary to many, I think Carcassone is an excellent base especially if you want to visit "Cathar Land".
Coming from Spain and Perpignan, go to Carcassonne via Saint Paul de Fenouillet. Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens are along the way. Aguilar is not far.

From Carcassonne, go to Lastours (castles), Castres and Albi, it is doable in a day.

From Carcassonne, go to Lagrasse (abbeye) and stop in Villerouge Termenes (castle) and Arques.

From Carcassonne you can also drive to Caunes Minervois and visit Minerve.

From Carcassonne, go to Mirepoix via Fanjeaux (Saint Dominique headquarters !) and drive on to Monsegur and Puivert (castles)