St Martin du Canigou and Serrabone priory in Pyrenees
Mar 4th, 2011, 05:21 PM
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St Martin du Canigou and Serrabone priory in Pyrenees
We are planning to explore the area south of Toulouse for a week in July, basing ourselves in Tarascon for a few days then heading over to Cucugnan. (Mostly hiking, castles and a visit to Niaux.) In between we are thinking of going to St Martin and Serrabone as we are interested in the architecture. Has anyone done both in a day? We would be going to Tarascon and ending up in Cucugnan hopefully, but don't want to arrive after dark. It will be July so at least we have a long day. Or should we stay somewhere in between? ViaMichelin leads me to believe its a short distance but everything depends on the roads.
We are also wondering how bad the road to Serrabone is.The guidebooks mention harrowing and perilous. So- can two cars pass? Is it like driving in Italy or worse (no guard rails, steep sides?) And if its perilous-why is it mentioned in the guidebooks. PS I really dislike goat path driving but this appears to be worth it. Anyone have experience on this part of the world?
We are also wondering how bad the road to Serrabone is.The guidebooks mention harrowing and perilous. So- can two cars pass? Is it like driving in Italy or worse (no guard rails, steep sides?) And if its perilous-why is it mentioned in the guidebooks. PS I really dislike goat path driving but this appears to be worth it. Anyone have experience on this part of the world?
Mar 4th, 2011, 09:07 PM
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Firstly, I'm assuming that you are referring to Tarascon-sur-Ariège, near Niaux, rather than Tarascon, near Arles.
The drive from, Tarascon s/Ariège to Cucugnan is quite manageable within a day - 2-3 hours - and is on good roads. It would be a different story if you were to visit St Martin & Serrabone as part of that trip as they are both in the next valley to the south and the driving time would be more like 4 hours.
St Martin de Canigou is well worth a visit for its spectacular location - access is from Vernet les Bains, by foot up a very steep road, or by FWD taxi. The road to Serrabone Priory is not particularly spooky - narrow and twisty but only for 10-12kms and only normal care required.
If your schedule permits it might be more relaxed to go to Cucugnan - maybe visit a couple of the 'cathar' castles on your way through - and then visit St Martin & Serrabone the following day.
Niaux is great by the way, I'd love to go back for a second look.
The drive from, Tarascon s/Ariège to Cucugnan is quite manageable within a day - 2-3 hours - and is on good roads. It would be a different story if you were to visit St Martin & Serrabone as part of that trip as they are both in the next valley to the south and the driving time would be more like 4 hours.
St Martin de Canigou is well worth a visit for its spectacular location - access is from Vernet les Bains, by foot up a very steep road, or by FWD taxi. The road to Serrabone Priory is not particularly spooky - narrow and twisty but only for 10-12kms and only normal care required.
If your schedule permits it might be more relaxed to go to Cucugnan - maybe visit a couple of the 'cathar' castles on your way through - and then visit St Martin & Serrabone the following day.
Niaux is great by the way, I'd love to go back for a second look.
Mar 4th, 2011, 09:39 PM
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Tarascon-sur Ariège to Cucugnan is 120 km and as indicated above, going to St Martin and Serrabonne on the same day would not be very enjoyable.
Visit Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse and Queribus castles on your way and save Serrabonne, St Martin du Canigou and possibly St-Michel-de-Cuxa (near Prades) and Villefranche-de-Conflent for the next day.
To drive back to Cucugnan and avoid going all the way down to Perpignan, take the road from Millas to Estagel.
The road from Bouleternère to Serrabone is not dangerous but it is winding.
Visit Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse and Queribus castles on your way and save Serrabonne, St Martin du Canigou and possibly St-Michel-de-Cuxa (near Prades) and Villefranche-de-Conflent for the next day.
To drive back to Cucugnan and avoid going all the way down to Perpignan, take the road from Millas to Estagel.
The road from Bouleternère to Serrabone is not dangerous but it is winding.
Mar 5th, 2011, 03:13 AM
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Maybe we should stay the night at Ille sur Tet or somewhere nearer Serrabone? Any ideas for lodging? Then we won't be so rushed.
Or maybe we should change our days and do the castles first as we have some nice options in Cucugnan. But we are planning the third of those days in Carcasonne...so many options! Any help on this area welcome.
Yes, Tarascon sur Ariege. Thanks!
Or maybe we should change our days and do the castles first as we have some nice options in Cucugnan. But we are planning the third of those days in Carcasonne...so many options! Any help on this area welcome.
Yes, Tarascon sur Ariege. Thanks!
Mar 5th, 2011, 03:56 AM
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You could leave Tarascon-sur Ariege early in the morning and visit Carcassonne. On your way to Cucugnan you'll have time to visit one or 2 Cathar castles.
The next day, drive
1. from Cucugnan to Saint-Paul de Fenouillédes to Estagel to Millas to Ille sur Têt
or
2. from Saint-Paul to Perpignan to Ille-sur-Têt, visit St Martin de Canigou and Serrabone. It will be a long day but it is doable. Except for the part Estagel-Millas and Ille-Serrabone, the roads are not twisty.
Bear in mind that in the middle of July, you may have problems finding a room for one night. There is nothing near Serrabone, it is in the middle of nowhere
There is a nice hotel in Molitg-les-bains near Prades, Château de Riell
http://www.relaischateaux.com/fr/sea...taurant/riell/
The next day, drive
1. from Cucugnan to Saint-Paul de Fenouillédes to Estagel to Millas to Ille sur Têt
or
2. from Saint-Paul to Perpignan to Ille-sur-Têt, visit St Martin de Canigou and Serrabone. It will be a long day but it is doable. Except for the part Estagel-Millas and Ille-Serrabone, the roads are not twisty.
Bear in mind that in the middle of July, you may have problems finding a room for one night. There is nothing near Serrabone, it is in the middle of nowhere
There is a nice hotel in Molitg-les-bains near Prades, Château de Riell
http://www.relaischateaux.com/fr/sea...taurant/riell/
Mar 5th, 2011, 04:03 AM
#6
As suggested, Serrabonne, St. Martin du Canigou and Villefranche-de-Conigou would make for a delighfull day of sightseeing. We climbed the the road to St. Martin and it took about 40 minutes. Depends on your fitness. Our hotel was in Prades and a good location for this day trip. www.castellrose-prades.com Very nice people. Would be an easy drive to Carcassonne the next day. Less than two hours. Richard
