Looking for Advice on trip to Provence - Languedoc - Ariege - Gascony
Oct 19th, 2011, 12:27 PM
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Looking for Advice on trip to Provence - Languedoc - Ariege - Gascony
My friend and I are flying into Nice, renting a car and driving to Toulouse (where we will be flying out from). Our trip will be 16 days the last week of March and the first two weeks of April. We will be staying with his family in Nice for two or three nights then taking a road trip to Toulouse, stopping along the way at:
Aix-en-Provence
Orange (Triumphal Arch and Roman Theater)
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (mostly to see the Ruins of Glanum)
the Camargue (we want to see the flamingos, black bulls and white horses)
Carcassone (see the Cathar Castles)
Caves at Niaux in the Ariege region
le parc de l'art prehistorique in the Ariege region
Auch
Mirande
Montegut-Arros
Termes D'Armagnac
Montréal du Gers (mostly to see the Roman tiles).
My friend's main interests are photography and cuisine. My main interests are archaeology and ancient/pre-medieval history/culture. We both are really interested in meeting the locals (my friend speaks fluent French so conversing shouldn't be too much of an issue) and getting a idea of their daily life and culture as well as getting a chance to enjoy the natural wonders. We are hoping to get to see some village markets on their market days.
I am hoping to get some recommendations for:
1. Where to stay (we prefer bed and breakfasts in small villages, except for maybe a night or two in Aix-en-Provence)
2. Other points of interest along our route that we should not miss out on.
3. I imagine in late March/early April the Pyrenees will be covered in snow but will it be possible to some light hikes in the valleys and near the base of the mountain range? If so, does anyone having any suggestions as to which trails would be most scenic?
4. My friend would like to spend an evening in Andorra and see some of the natural wonders up there. At the time of year we are traveling, I'm wondering if the hiking would be too intense or dangerous. I am also wondering if the public transportation (I imagine there is a bus) is still running at that time of year. We have heard car rental companies don't want us taking their cars up there.
Aix-en-Provence
Orange (Triumphal Arch and Roman Theater)
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (mostly to see the Ruins of Glanum)
the Camargue (we want to see the flamingos, black bulls and white horses)
Carcassone (see the Cathar Castles)
Caves at Niaux in the Ariege region
le parc de l'art prehistorique in the Ariege region
Auch
Mirande
Montegut-Arros
Termes D'Armagnac
Montréal du Gers (mostly to see the Roman tiles).
My friend's main interests are photography and cuisine. My main interests are archaeology and ancient/pre-medieval history/culture. We both are really interested in meeting the locals (my friend speaks fluent French so conversing shouldn't be too much of an issue) and getting a idea of their daily life and culture as well as getting a chance to enjoy the natural wonders. We are hoping to get to see some village markets on their market days.
I am hoping to get some recommendations for:
1. Where to stay (we prefer bed and breakfasts in small villages, except for maybe a night or two in Aix-en-Provence)
2. Other points of interest along our route that we should not miss out on.
3. I imagine in late March/early April the Pyrenees will be covered in snow but will it be possible to some light hikes in the valleys and near the base of the mountain range? If so, does anyone having any suggestions as to which trails would be most scenic?
4. My friend would like to spend an evening in Andorra and see some of the natural wonders up there. At the time of year we are traveling, I'm wondering if the hiking would be too intense or dangerous. I am also wondering if the public transportation (I imagine there is a bus) is still running at that time of year. We have heard car rental companies don't want us taking their cars up there.
Oct 19th, 2011, 01:05 PM
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<i>We both are really interested in meeting the locals (my friend speaks fluent French so conversing shouldn't be too much of an issue) and getting a idea of their daily life and culture as well as getting a chance to enjoy the natural wonders. We are hoping to get to see some village markets on their market days.</i>
There's a certain Romanticism in this paragraph. Meeting locals and getting an idea of their lives is not likely. However friendly the people may be in a public way, their lives are private. I say this as someone who goes back to the same village every year and speaks fluent French. I say this even though I have known individuals and have managed to learn something about their life. See http://europetogo.yuku.com/topic/944...-was-not-to-be
Unless it is specified as a market of local producers, even small town markets are serviced by people whose profession is to go from market to market and who generally pick up their items at a central distribution center, although local cheese makers are becoming more common. You may want to get <u>A Food Lover's Guide to France</u> by Patricia Wells where she lists many day markets in the areas she covers.
There's a certain Romanticism in this paragraph. Meeting locals and getting an idea of their lives is not likely. However friendly the people may be in a public way, their lives are private. I say this as someone who goes back to the same village every year and speaks fluent French. I say this even though I have known individuals and have managed to learn something about their life. See http://europetogo.yuku.com/topic/944...-was-not-to-be
Unless it is specified as a market of local producers, even small town markets are serviced by people whose profession is to go from market to market and who generally pick up their items at a central distribution center, although local cheese makers are becoming more common. You may want to get <u>A Food Lover's Guide to France</u> by Patricia Wells where she lists many day markets in the areas she covers.
Oct 20th, 2011, 12:50 PM
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StCirq: I'm still not completely sure what other castles. I'm really liking the idea of checking out Lastours at Cabaret, Château de Montségur, Château de Roquefixade, and Château de Foix. Please let me know if you have an opinion of any of these and if you know of any others that are amazing. I understand many are ruins and require a climb. Personally, my favorite castle in England is a ruined tower from approx. 1086. As for hiking, I am fine with it but will the trails be very slick in the beginning of April?
Michael: Thank you for the link and book recommendation. I'm hoping that I may get a chance to see a little of what life is like for those in very small communities. I really won't have much time to spend there (unless one of us breaks an ankle, I guess) so it is likely I will not. My family is actually from Montegut-Arros and I was hoping that might help people open up if I asked about any stories they may have heard about the family, etc. I was also told about a distant cousin who still lived there about 5 years ago and I'm hoping he is still there/still alive.
Michael: Thank you for the link and book recommendation. I'm hoping that I may get a chance to see a little of what life is like for those in very small communities. I really won't have much time to spend there (unless one of us breaks an ankle, I guess) so it is likely I will not. My family is actually from Montegut-Arros and I was hoping that might help people open up if I asked about any stories they may have heard about the family, etc. I was also told about a distant cousin who still lived there about 5 years ago and I'm hoping he is still there/still alive.
Oct 20th, 2011, 01:28 PM
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You may want to take a look at the Michelin Green Guide for the Languedoc.
http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/agr...arn_gorges.jpg
http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/agr...arn_gorges.jpg
Oct 21st, 2011, 04:44 AM
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airillusion,
In september this year I visited the Pont du Gard and the roman theatre of Orange in the one day. From an interest viewpoint, for me there was no comparison. The roman theatre was a bit dull compared to the Pont du gard. Also from a photographical viewpoint it is difficult to obtain a good photo in the theatre due to shadows; there maybe be a particular time of the day where this isn't a problem but timing would be important. I had planned visiting Uzes aswell, but spent quite a bit of time at the pont du Gard, and if I was asked of my opinion, I would omit the theatre in Orange and visit the source of the Pont du gards water in Uzes. Others may comment on the town if you decide to add that to your list.
just some thoughts
In september this year I visited the Pont du Gard and the roman theatre of Orange in the one day. From an interest viewpoint, for me there was no comparison. The roman theatre was a bit dull compared to the Pont du gard. Also from a photographical viewpoint it is difficult to obtain a good photo in the theatre due to shadows; there maybe be a particular time of the day where this isn't a problem but timing would be important. I had planned visiting Uzes aswell, but spent quite a bit of time at the pont du Gard, and if I was asked of my opinion, I would omit the theatre in Orange and visit the source of the Pont du gards water in Uzes. Others may comment on the town if you decide to add that to your list.
just some thoughts
Oct 21st, 2011, 05:21 AM
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HI Airillusion,
The cave at Niaux is extraordinary. You should check the website or call if you need a tour in English, as there are only a few per day, and probably even fewer in April. Across the valley in another mountain is la Grotte de la Vache, which has some interesting artifacts on display but I found the cave itself to be rather boring.
It's not on your list, but Ceret has a huge market on Saturday mornings. If you're interested in art you should also check out the Museum of Modern Art here, which has an amazing collection. I loved this little town and can't wait to return for a visit someday.
The cave at Niaux is extraordinary. You should check the website or call if you need a tour in English, as there are only a few per day, and probably even fewer in April. Across the valley in another mountain is la Grotte de la Vache, which has some interesting artifacts on display but I found the cave itself to be rather boring.
It's not on your list, but Ceret has a huge market on Saturday mornings. If you're interested in art you should also check out the Museum of Modern Art here, which has an amazing collection. I loved this little town and can't wait to return for a visit someday.
