Trip Report - Minerve, Carcassonne, Collioure
Apr 16th, 2010, 01:04 PM
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Trip Report - Minerve, Carcassonne, Collioure
My fiance, sister and brother and law trained to Monpellier on March 2 and picked up a Ford Mondeo rented through Kemwel at Europcar. We drove to Minerve, which is a charming small city...almost like an artists colony...accessible only by a really cool bridge. We spent about an hour walking around and checking out the catapult on the backside of town. Gorgeous and worth a stop on the way to Carcassonne.
In Carcassonne we stayed at the Hotel Montmorency. It or something next door was under construction so it was noisy early in the morning, but great location to explore the old town. Rooms were decorated nicely. Teeny bathrooms, but that's par for the course in Europe.
Carcassonne was virtually shut down when we walked into town for dinner. We tried cassoulet at one of the only places open - LaTaverne Du Chateau . Thumbs up on the cassoulet and the apple tart.
Walked diagonally across the square after dinner to a bar/restaurant to drink more red wine. The cool owners let us buy a bottle and take it back to our hotel. I love France.
Drove to Limoux the next day to buy Blanchette. Picked up a bottle from a little cafe. VERY sweet. Headed up some extremely curvy (literally vomit-inducing) roads to Peyreperteuse Castle - a Cathar ruin. Totally worth the drive. We were the only people there and climbed and explored for hours. One of the best parts of the trip!
Drove to Collioure to our hotel, Princes de Catalogne. Modern - big rooms. Crappy TV channels, but that was the only downside. Hidden in a courtyard off the main drag - easy to drive by. It was pouring rain that night, but the next day was sunny and stunning. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Walked around town and bought some original paintings. Can't wait to return in the spring when things are blooming. I can't recall the name of the restaurant where we ate dinner...tried the local anchovies but they weren't for us. The grape-juice tasting local red wine was excellent, though!
In Carcassonne we stayed at the Hotel Montmorency. It or something next door was under construction so it was noisy early in the morning, but great location to explore the old town. Rooms were decorated nicely. Teeny bathrooms, but that's par for the course in Europe.
Carcassonne was virtually shut down when we walked into town for dinner. We tried cassoulet at one of the only places open - LaTaverne Du Chateau . Thumbs up on the cassoulet and the apple tart.
Walked diagonally across the square after dinner to a bar/restaurant to drink more red wine. The cool owners let us buy a bottle and take it back to our hotel. I love France.
Drove to Limoux the next day to buy Blanchette. Picked up a bottle from a little cafe. VERY sweet. Headed up some extremely curvy (literally vomit-inducing) roads to Peyreperteuse Castle - a Cathar ruin. Totally worth the drive. We were the only people there and climbed and explored for hours. One of the best parts of the trip!
Drove to Collioure to our hotel, Princes de Catalogne. Modern - big rooms. Crappy TV channels, but that was the only downside. Hidden in a courtyard off the main drag - easy to drive by. It was pouring rain that night, but the next day was sunny and stunning. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Walked around town and bought some original paintings. Can't wait to return in the spring when things are blooming. I can't recall the name of the restaurant where we ate dinner...tried the local anchovies but they weren't for us. The grape-juice tasting local red wine was excellent, though!
Apr 16th, 2010, 02:03 PM
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I'm currently planning a trip to this area in September/October and your report was both interesting and helpful. Which route did you take from Limoux to Peyreperteuse Castle? Also hoping to visit Collioure while staying in Prades and trying to work in a stop at Minerve (for its Cathar history) on our way from Carcassonne to La Malene. Thanks.
Apr 16th, 2010, 03:52 PM
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You are going to love it! We took the d118 to the d14 to the d613. We picked up a Michelin regional map at a gas station, which was very helpful. We also printed directions in advance from viamichelin.com and those were great. Bring your dramamine!
