I'm picking up a car at Perpighan at noon the first part of May and plan to drive to Carcassonne via Chateau Peyrepertuse, Gorge de Galamus and Quilan. I'd like to get to Carcassonne late afternoon, say by 5:00pm, to avoid at least some of the tourists. I'd probably do a quick lunch or eat something on the train from Barcelona. Am I trying to do too much? Any thoughts on a better itinerary?

I think it will be a very full afternoon, and I'm not sure you'll get to Carcassonne by 5 p.m., even though the distance (discounting the drive through the gorge) is only 75 miles.

The Gorge de Galamus is essentially a one-way road. Every time you encounter a car coming in the other direction, the two of you will have to stop and negotiate a way around each other. Depending on how much traffic there is, that can eat up time. You'll also want to stop to take pictures, and maybe to swim or dabble your feet in the river at the bottom.

The walk from the town up to Peyrepertuse takes an hour going at a fairly brisk speed. It's a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. The tours take an hour and a half. So that's half an afternoon right there.

So, all in all, I think the gorge and the castle will pretty much eat up your afternoon. It sounds like the type of plan I'd come up with, though, even if it is ambitious. If you're not set on getting to Carcassonne by 5:00, then go for it.

Thats quite a bit. Those mountain roads are very slow going and are tiring to drive on. I have driven in that area often. You cannot make any time on them. From Quillan to Carcassonne count 1 hour or so and the road is fine. The drive from Perpignan to Quillan is longer and when you get off the main road to go to Peyrepertuse it is very slow going. Peyrepertuse takes at least 1.5 hours and really 2 to visit.

The Gorge de Galamus is lovey and you can spend as little or as long as you like. I usually park the car and walk though it. You will find that there are more pedistrians than cars. At least 1 hour here.

Keep in mind that after about 2 you can no longer eat because all the restaurants will be closed. You may want to pack something if you plan to eat on the way. Peyrepertuse would be a great place for a picnic.

Thanks StCirq and MorganB. It does sound like I'm being a little too ambitious, even if it's a beautiful day. On the other hand, as long as I get to Carcassonne before dark, I think it would be okay. Perhaps I should skip one and have more time to enjoy the other. Also I may want to consider that this will be my first day with the car. By the way, I just realized the city should be spelled "Perpignan."

the advice of others is on the mark. But do plan to spend some time in Carcassonne - tourists and all it is worthwhile!

If you're overnighting in Carcassonne, they usually don't allow hotel patrons with cars into the city until closer to 6pm. We traveled at end-October and knew to arrive late, however, we arrived at about 5:30pm and were surprised when the guard at the lot for hotel guests told us we could enter.

This wasn't very pleasant, even at 2-mph, there are tourists all around the town and the entry is so narrow that it was a miracle we didn't knock into anyone. Once through the entry, the town is very small, just trying to locate the hotel on the two main streets was taxing with tourists all around.

The city empties the closer to 6pm and it won't be so dark on the roads that you can't find your way to Carcassonne. But once inside, and after 6pm, is the best time to enjoy a bit of fantasy of knights & maidens.

You can walk the outer ramparts and through the town unhampered by tourists; restaurants are welcoming and always have a table. The following morning you can again enjoy the town before the crowds start arriving from 9am on. But do try to get the first (believe at 10am) English-speaking tour (for a fee) of the inner ramparts which is very interesting.

Sandi, I'm staying at the Hotel Montmorency just outside the walls. I hope this makes getting around easier. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeff - Well if outside the walls, no problem; whenever you get there will be fine. But do walk into the city after the crowds have left as it's so wonderful to be there alone. And do get in the morning Inner Ramparts Tour. Enjoy your holiday

How was your stay at Hotel Montmorency? Would you stay there again? Please advise as to the good and bad concerning your visit to Carcassonne.

Yes,

Please do.

Just saw your question about the Montmorency. I should make a point at looking at my previous messages.

The hotel was quite nice--as were the owners. I stayed at the more upscale motel looking building across a narrow street from the main building. The main building had a nice lobby reception area and the building itself had more charm than the building I was in. I didn't see those rooms.

My room (deluxe on the website)looked newly remodeled. It had a double+ size bed that pretty much filled up the room. So it wasn't a large room but certainly adequate. A simple breakfast in a nice room with view of the lawn and garden area. It has free gated parking between the buildings. And, it's a great location directly across from the Cite. It was raining the afternoon and evening I was there so didn't use the pool or spa. It was quiet, convenient and reasonable. And probably because of the gray weather,I almost had the Cite to myself--even in the early afternoon.

http://www.lemontmorency.com/carcassonne/hotel.html