Provence Pickle Part II
Jan 4th, 2007, 10:59 AM
#21
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Thanks Stu, I had figured we would drop the car in Avignon (the rental place is open at the TGV station at 2:00), and take the train to Carcassonne, arriving later in the afternoon than we would have in Nimes. I had thought that Carcassonne might give more variety than Nimes, but we wouldn't have much time there.
Jan 4th, 2007, 11:18 AM
#22
No, Carcassone does not have variety but it is a site to see, a restore 13th century walled city that looks like out of a fairy tale. The overall view on the approach would have been enough for me. During the day and late morning, the crowds are astounding.
Jan 4th, 2007, 11:43 AM
#23
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I hadn't thought about the train - that would work.
I don't recall which month you'll be doing this adventure - but my Michelin Guide says that the tour of the Chateau at Carcassonne ends at 7:30 in June to Sept, 5pm Oct to March, and 6pm other months. The 2:00 train from Avignon arrives at 6 - but the train station is a ways away from the walled city.
We visited Carcassonne for the second time in '04. Most of the neat stuff there can only be visited via the tour - which is 1 hr. If your vacation is not in June to Sept, you obviously won't make the last tour, so I would just stay in Nimes. I agree with cigalchanta's assessment about variety in Nimes vs Carcassonne.
On a prior post to this thread, I mentioned 3 things that many infrequent visitors to France don't realize. Here is a fourth:
4. Many sites close for lunch and have posted evening closing times also. Quite often the closing time is NOT the last time that you can gain admittance to the site - especially if there is a tour. Quite often, the site may say that it closes at 7:30, for example - HOWEVER, the last tour may depart at 6:30. 7:30 is when the gift shop closes - which is always the last stop on most tours. We normally try to make the first tour after the site opens in the morning or afternoon. If we plan to take a later tour, we always call the site and ask when the last tour of the day leaves. If we can't call, we assume that the last tour is 1 hr before the posted closing time in the Michelin Guide. Sometimes the Michelin guide indicates the departure time of the last tour - but not always.
Stu Dudley
I don't recall which month you'll be doing this adventure - but my Michelin Guide says that the tour of the Chateau at Carcassonne ends at 7:30 in June to Sept, 5pm Oct to March, and 6pm other months. The 2:00 train from Avignon arrives at 6 - but the train station is a ways away from the walled city.
We visited Carcassonne for the second time in '04. Most of the neat stuff there can only be visited via the tour - which is 1 hr. If your vacation is not in June to Sept, you obviously won't make the last tour, so I would just stay in Nimes. I agree with cigalchanta's assessment about variety in Nimes vs Carcassonne.
On a prior post to this thread, I mentioned 3 things that many infrequent visitors to France don't realize. Here is a fourth:
4. Many sites close for lunch and have posted evening closing times also. Quite often the closing time is NOT the last time that you can gain admittance to the site - especially if there is a tour. Quite often, the site may say that it closes at 7:30, for example - HOWEVER, the last tour may depart at 6:30. 7:30 is when the gift shop closes - which is always the last stop on most tours. We normally try to make the first tour after the site opens in the morning or afternoon. If we plan to take a later tour, we always call the site and ask when the last tour of the day leaves. If we can't call, we assume that the last tour is 1 hr before the posted closing time in the Michelin Guide. Sometimes the Michelin guide indicates the departure time of the last tour - but not always.
Stu Dudley
Jan 4th, 2007, 11:50 AM
#24
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Thanks again,
When I said "variety", I meant overall during the course of the trip - not in that one place. I have read that Nimes is similar to Arles and Avignon, so thought that somewhere different would be good. (But you also mentioned that Carcassonne is similar to some of these cities aswell so . . .)
BUT I am going in May, so it sounds like we would not arrive in time for a tour, unless we were going to leave on a train earlier in the day.
When I said "variety", I meant overall during the course of the trip - not in that one place. I have read that Nimes is similar to Arles and Avignon, so thought that somewhere different would be good. (But you also mentioned that Carcassonne is similar to some of these cities aswell so . . .)
BUT I am going in May, so it sounds like we would not arrive in time for a tour, unless we were going to leave on a train earlier in the day.
Jan 4th, 2007, 12:12 PM
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>>BUT I am going in May, so it sounds like we would not arrive in time for a tour, unless we were going to leave on a train earlier in the day.<<
There is a "no-train-change" train that leaves Avignon center at 1:22 and arrives in Carcassonne at 4:00 - which would give you enough time to make the final tour. I think there are still car rental offices at the center station. It's easy to get to - that's where we always park when we visit Avignon for the day.
I think it's a "toss up" as far as Nimes vs Carcassonne is concerned, IMO. I'de probably stay in Carcassonne so I won't have to get up as early on Tues to catch the train.
Stu Dudley
There is a "no-train-change" train that leaves Avignon center at 1:22 and arrives in Carcassonne at 4:00 - which would give you enough time to make the final tour. I think there are still car rental offices at the center station. It's easy to get to - that's where we always park when we visit Avignon for the day.
I think it's a "toss up" as far as Nimes vs Carcassonne is concerned, IMO. I'de probably stay in Carcassonne so I won't have to get up as early on Tues to catch the train.
Stu Dudley
