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Looking for some itinerary advice on trip for spring

Hi fellow travelers. Can someone tell me if this seems ok and what should be altered?

I'm mainly interested in historical places, stately homes/castles/old caves and food. Any recommendations for where to stay (cities or hotels) in Dardogne or Loire is welcome since I'm still trying to plan that out, though I know for certain I don't want to be repacking every single evening. I'm thinking more midpriced, must have a parking lot that is secure (since we'll be driving), also non-see through bathroom since I'm going with a buddy not a spouse. I go for photos my friend goes for historical tours and we both are food obsessed (not wine so much).

Day 1 Fly to Tolouse, cab or train to Carcassonne
Day 2 Day -Carcassonne tour in morning, visit nearby sites outside of city in afternoon
Day 3 Day - Carcassonne visit nearby sites outside of city in afternoon
Day 4 Drive to Dordogne, visit maybe 1-2 things (perhaps Sarlat or a cave)
Day 5 Dordogne
Day 6 Dordogne
Day 7 - Drive to eastern part of Loire valley visit maybe one sight
Day 8 - Visit Eastern/central part of Loire valley
Day 9 - Visit western part of Loire Valley
Day 10 - visit western part of Loire valley
Day 11 - Le Puy du Fou (I assume I might stay here overnight tbh unless its super lame someone please tell me if you've been how is it)
Day 12- Drive to Mont St Michel, take a bunch of photos
Day 13- Mont St Michel - go early visit before it gets crazy, maybe visit adjacent area (any insight would be very helpful).
Day 14- Drive to D-Day beaches and visit war museum, meander down to somewhere near Versaille (suggestions please)
Day 15- Versaille (indoors)
Day 16- Versaille (outdoors)
Day 17- Paris
Day 18- Paris
Day 19 - Paris
Day 20- Paris
Day 21- Paris
Day 22- Paris
Day 23- Fly Home

Is this ok, should i chop a day off of paris and add it Loire valley? My friend and I dislike modern art, but we do old cemeteries/old art (Louvre will be a must for a day), and whatnot. Any day trips from Paris recommended? I've only ever been to France once and just Strasbourg, so the other areas I'm entirely unfamiliar with.

Posted by
6592 posts

I'll limit my replies to only a couple of your planned visits. For the Loire, pick one place to stay. Especially since you have a car, most of the Loire is easily reached as day trips, with proper planning. We stayed in Amboise and found it convenient for seeing the chateaux in both the eastern and western parts of the Loire.

I think you mean Mont St Michel. It's certainly worth a night's stay.

You propose less than a day, and orobably less than a half day, not even staying over night for the whole D Day area. While you can see a very limited amount in that time, I'm afraid any history buff would be disappointed by the amount you wouldn't have time for. If possible, try to at least spend a night, and hopefully arrange a guided tour.

In the mean time, you have lots of time to read through a few guide books to see exactly what you want to see and do in each of these places.

Posted by
3176 posts

I don't understand your Day 1. You're flying to Toulouse, but where are you leaving from? You're not even staying one night in Toulouse and you want to go to Carcassonne on Day 1?

Toulouse, the pink city, deserves at least two full days to explore it.

A taxi from Toulouse to Carcassonne will cost you a fortune. If you take the train, it's an hour's journey and less than €20.

I don't know what you want to visit near Carcassonne on Days 2 and 3 (Cathar castles, Corbières vineyards?), but keep in mind that without a car you won't be able to go anywhere.
Speaking of which, I don't see the point of staying more than one night in Carcassonne. If it's for the photos, a few hours are enough. For the historical aspect, know that what you'll see (the Walt Disney castle aspect) dates back to the 19th century. The medieval city was rebuilt starting in 1852 and is nothing like it was in the 13th century.

If you're looking for castles, you'll find some real ones in the Dordogne; I've listed over 50 on this map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OdPOg8AgsNn0Jlv1cNHkujaWv9p_Jpc&usp=sharing

My itinerary advice for these first days: stay in Toulouse for three nights, with a day trip by train to Carcassonne.

Puy du Fou (not Pou du Fou) is an amusement park well known for its historical-medieval show and there's nothing else to do or see nearby. Is that what you're referring to?

Posted by
223 posts
  • Yes I'm interested in the (Cathar castles) --- I'm very interested in as many castles as possible, and I will 100% rent a car for everything but Paris. The main reason I'm thinking of being in Carassonne 2 days is to see it both at night and during the day vs taking a train there twice, but this is useful information.

Sorry yes I meant Le Puy du Fou~ it looks insanely cheesy and I'm interested in how weird it will be. 100% wouldn't spend money at disney but if I can go somewhere domestic and interesting I'll check it out.

Your map is insanely helpful.

Posted by
3176 posts

Cheesy, undoubtedly! It's also the best show in the world according to its organizers. It's a matter of perspective. I never go to these things unless I have to take children.

Regarding the Cathar castles, you can find a map here:

https://www.audetourisme.com/en/see-and-do/not-to-be-missed/royal-fortresses-and-cathar-country-sites/visit/

Rent a car from Toulouse, but you'll have to make some choices, two days is too short to see even a small part of it
The difficulty of access being the basic principle for building these castles at this time, some are not accessible by car, you'll have to walk.