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Nice - Lourdes stopover in between

Posted by on

Hi All,

I am going to drive from Nice - Lourdes. We plan to have stopover in between. I have chosen Carcassonne as a stopover before Lourdes. I see from gmaps that all quicker driving routes must pass Carcassonne and Toulouse before Lourdes.

I am looking for sightseeing mostly. a bit touristy like Carcassonne is fine. not a big fan of ruins, museums and mid-sized cities. Shopping is also unnecessary as some of the places might close during Christmas NYE period but I won't expect a complete ghost town either.

I plan to have one stopover in between Nice and Carcassonne. I need input on this.
I've checked on gmaps and the cities/town passed along are Aix-en-provence - Arles - Nimes - Montpellier - Beziers - Narbonne - Carcassonne - Toulouse
I've checked each cities by gmaps and not really fond on any of them (aside Carcassonne which is why I choose it over stopping in Toulouse)

I've checked Avignon too but it is similar in terms of view to Beziers and the only attractions are Papal Palace and its lovely square Place de l'Horloge. The Papal Palace itself aside from the grand size, most of the interiors have been moved leaving them mostly empty. The only scenic point is from across the Rhone River. The good thing is Avignon is lively all year round.

Nimes and Arles are also full with monuments which mostly are ruins. Montpellier and Toulouse are similar to big cities with its big squares and historical streets. Nothing much to me. Aix-en-Provence and Narbonne are pretty but Cote d'Azur from my itinerary should fill in that part.

Then, I went back to RS and look for Luberon villages. I am attracted to its Plus Beaux Villages, Gordes and Rousillon in particular (I'd still need to pass Gordes on the way to Rousillon). But I have my concerns:
1. How is Luberon around 27th-30th of December? I check that some of the villages have Christmas (Truffle and Olive Oil) Market and Festival. Would they have the 12pm-3pm siesta?
2. The driving track
would it be difficult winding with very narrow lanes? Does the narrow lanes fit for 2cars or only one way? and would it be covered by heavy snow?
So far I check that snow in Provence is uncommon but Gordes and Rousillon are uphill in northern Luberon so I wonder.

I wonder if Luberon villages over the other Provence villages would be a better choice especially in terms of view. I also choose Luberon as it's quite the middle point between Nice and Carcassonne. Any idea of other Provence villages that fits my route and better than Gordes and Rousillon.
Also, I am still open with any input in regards to cities aside from what I've mentioned above.

TIA

Posted by
7937 posts

Gordes is stunning from a distance, and up-close. The road is twisty heading up to the town, and the biggest danger is maybe taking your eyes off the road while admiring the view. Rousillon's ochre gorge is also magnificent. I've been to much of Provence in the summer but never at Christmas. Roads are wider than you'll find in parts of Scotland and Ireland, but the locals seem to be fond of speeding and tailgaiting, so that adds to the driving challenge. That, and some roads are lined with plane trees right at the edge of the road, so you don't want to stray off of the pavement!

Just south of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is another hilltop (or ridgetop, in this case) village, Les Baux de Provence, with a ruined castle and a boutique-filled town beneath it.

In my opinion, Avignon and the surrounding area actually has a lot to offer, and I spent nearly a month there this summer, visiting the Les Halles market, some fabulous restaurants, and the many, many, charming squares around the old town.

Arles is a major Vincent Van Gogh site, and has a wonderful museum full of ancient Roman artefacts, including a preserved Roman-era sailing freight ship.

If you stay along the Mediterranean coast, just don't stay in Sete.

Posted by
464 posts

Hi Cyn,

I never drive in France so thanks heaps for the tips :) first time driving was in germany and it's really a good experience aside from the roadworks on one of the toll. Thanks for the info about the lined trees, that's pretty dangerous, i'll warn my hubby about it.

Provence must be heaven during summer. Hopefully i'd have the opportunity to visit during summer.
I don't lost hope with the view during winter though. I think it'd offer something different.

I do read lots of good reviews about Avignon, Nimes and Arles but when i check on gmaps somehow i am not sold. But things could look different in real life. I think what i need more is something more laid back, fresh air with locals cultural experience.

I live in big city and one of the most polluted in the world thus, i think that's why I'm a bit reluctant w/ visiting other cities for holiday even for mid-sized cities. Last time we went to Wurzburg and I felt it's hectic n too big for me already >_<

What about the Provence villages in Verdon or nearby Cote d'Azur area like Grasse or St Paul de Vence? Would Luberon's offer more views and more laid back?

TIA

Posted by
7937 posts

Grasse is one of my least favorite places in Southern France, so I really can't recommend it - industrial and not pretty. I would recommend Vaison la Romaine or St. Remy de Provence just because they are easy to access and truly are small villages with character. The distances are very short in Southern France and I have driven the roads by myself for a number of years with no issues. As for the roads in and around the Gorges du Verdon, thay're very slow for regular drivers, with lots of tight, blind curves and speeding locals.

St. Paul de Vence is really not a real town because hardly anyone lives there any more; it is mostly art galleries and touristy restaurants. It is very beautiful but so close to Nice that it is an easy visit without staying there.

I am very partial to Avignon, but never leave the area inside the walls. I stayed there for 3 weeks this summer and walked to explore the whole area inside the walls. I understand that it really is a large town, but the area inside the walls (intramuros) feels very much like a small town. It will be lovely at Christmastime with lots of open restaurants and holiday activities.

Good luck. You can't go wrong almost any place in Southern France.

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