To Languedoc or not to Languedoc, that is the question.
 

Itinerary suggestions deeply needed. I don't want to hop around from place to place. First of all it's exhausting after awhile; secondly my partner tends to forget where he's been when we get home when we do that and thirdly, as you all know it's not a great way to absorb the spirit of the place.

If all goes as planned but still waiting to hear back, we will stay for a week slightly outside of St. Remy de Provence in a lovely rental. Hopefully. This will be a good base to see a lot of the area and to beeeeeeeeeeeee in Provence and soak it in. A life long dream. Ok, that said after that I was planning to stay in the Aude area of Languedoc to enjoy the mountains and the hot springs. However, we fly out of Barcelona and between the time we leave St Remy and departure to US we have 7 days. Would like the last night in Barcelona and two night in Cadaques before that. From France we will drop off our car in Perpignan and take the train to Figureres and pick another car to see the area and Cadaques. Drop off fees between Spain and France are very high.

It seems a shame to fly through the Languedoc. Yet I also would like to experience the Costa Brava and mostly Cadaques since we will be so close. I can see a possibility of two nights in the Languedoc. But where to stay? I'm afraid the little village in the Aude where I was thinking of staying involves too much driving. Somewhere that is central and easy to get in and out of that will provide us with easier access to the places we want to see and an easy drive to Perpignan for the train in the morning would be good. Or do we let go of the Languedoc dream for now and head down to Spain?

Sorry for the long winded post. Any thoughts on the matter, anyone?
MarieV

What time of year are you going? Sorry,I forget.

Why not a B&B near Perpignan and explore that part of the Roussillon; the coast and the inland mountains?

I would kill a couple of birds with 1 stone.

Drive from Provence to Roussillon (Perpignan region), and stay 5 or so nights there. Take a day trip to the Costa Brava and the Cadaques. Keep the French car, and turn it in in Perpignan before your trip to Barcelona.

We stayed in a Gite near Ceret for 2 weeks - lots to do in that region - trips into the Pyrenees, Cathars castles, beautiful countryside, Collioure, Baynuls, Vauban Forts, Ceret, Perpignan, Carcassonne - we were busy almost every moment for 14 days (my wife still complains abnout that).

Do you have my 35 page Languedoc Itinerary. I think I sent you some Gite info this morning - should I send the Languedoc itinerary to the same e-mail?? I assume you have my Provence itinerary.

Stu Dudley

It's not a small village, but not a huge city either -- I'd suggest Narbonne. It is right off the A9 so is easy to get to and from (only about 35 miles from Perpignan), and is a very pleasant and attractive town. It has some interesting tourist sites, like the cathedral, and has some canals. It's just a pleasant place but is not so big that it would be difficult driving in or out, there are probalby places on the edges, also. Charles Trenet was from there. Population about 50K.

Otherwise, you could try Sete which is a fishing village on the coast, not too far SW of Montpellier. It's about twice as far to Perpignan, though.

Thank you all so much. It's difficult to plan when you can't get a visual in your mind and haven't been to a place.
Christina, Narbonne sounds perfect and I had been sensing that might be our base. So thanks for the confirmation and I will look into it today.

St.Cirq; I will be away from late May to mid-June,09.
A very last minute decision to travel. Usually I have months to plan; that's why I'm a little nervous now.

Stu; I have your Languedoc and Provence Itineraries; they are amazing!
Interesting idea: How far is Cadaques from Perpignan? I take it you find the French side more interesting than the Costa Brava?

I'm open to all ideas; but have to make some decisions in the next few days, so that I can sleep!
MarieV

Well, my bias will show here, because for me the Costa Brava is kind of a meh....but I wouldn't spend 2 days in Cadaques. I'd rather spend two days in Collioure. But overall I agree with either Stu's or Christina's plan.

I'd start by driving through the Camargue and seeing Aigues-Mortes, then follow the coast.

We were a little underwhelmed with Cadaques. We enjoyed the Costa Brava for it's scenery and Roman/Greek ruins. However, I prefer the French side. The drive south from Banyuls is quite scenic.

We liked Girona, but Figureres was "miss-able" unless you're a big Dali fan.

Stu Dudley

I like Perpignan with its bridges decked with flowers but did prefer staying in Sete or Collioure. We stayed on year in St Cyprien
overlooking the beach.

I have never gone wrong listening to the advice of the travelers on the Fodor's Forum. I think I will chuck Cadaques for Collioure. It looks stunning.

Stu; you say in your itineraries that you respect all the karen brown recommendations. Here's one near Ceret: Romantik Hotel Le Mas Trilles. You pass Ceret on D115 and go to Amelie les Bains. This seems conveniently located? What catches my eye is that you can fish in the river next to the hotel.

Good location for exploring both the Pyrenees and the coast.

Stu Dudley

Hi MarieVie,
I echo the advice of not spending two nights in rather isolated, bohemian, artsy Cadqués.
But I do love the area around Ceret (absolutely genuine and not as heavily touristed), and you can easily day trip to Collioure from there. Or stay in Collioure and day trip to Ceret. I haven't stayed at the Le Mas Trilles but I do have it on my "to do" list.

Make that Cadaqués. I've driven that slow and serpentine road in and out of Cadaqués several times, but I'm just not a fan of spending nights there because of the limits to touring around.