We passed by Tarascon and Beaucaire on our two trips to Pont du Gard. Castle Beaucaire has a falcon/eagle show (in French only). We never made it to the two castles because we ran out of time.

The area is surrounded by industrial factories and when we passed by in Aug, there was a strong stench. One guidebook said that the tourist industry suffer greatly hence. Maybe someone who visited the castles can comment on this?

Arles is much more romantic - exceptionally so and a much smaller town. Nimes is an uninspiring large city with a few blockbuster sites - mainly its Roman relics which are amongst the best preserved in Europe outside of Italy.

Carcassonne, there is quite a bit of heavy industry arround Tarascon and Beaucaire, including a pulp mill immediately to the south. The mill was probably the source of the stench you mentioned.

It's all less noticeable once you get into the two towns.

Anselm

As for Tarascon/Beaucaire smelling badly... we have been to visit both a number of times and driven through or by there quite frequently. Have to say that I never noticed anything unusually smelly. Maybe we have always just been fortunate to be upwind?...

-Kevin

Hi Kevin. LOL. Yes, you must have been upwind. The pulp mill is on the east bank of the Rhône, right beside that new suspension bridge that crosses the river just below Tarascon and Beaucaire. I think the road is D986.

Being an eastern Canadian, the scent of a pulp mill is something I recollect from my childhood.

Regards,

Anselm

We stayed in a B&B in Beaucaire and yes, I can tell you that as you are passing by, you can definitely pick up odiferous smells! But not all the time. To us, it smelled kind of cabbage-like, but luckily its range is NOT very far-reaching, and as I said, not present 24/7. Whew.

Isabel, do make the time to see the castle in Tarascon! It was one of the highlights of our trip to Provence. It's not just a bunch of high old stone walls. When you enter through the gate you enter into a medeival world. All the rooms are intact, and you can visit the chapels, bedrooms of royalty, banquet rooms and various other chambers. And, even better, you can climb the spiral staircase to the ramparts and feast your eyes on the most glorious views of the countryside. The admission to the castle is about €6, which I first balked at thinking it was just a ruin, but it was worth every penny and then some. Don't miss it if you possibly can!

Look into the church across the street as well.