Overnight suggestions between Arles to Barcelona

I'm sure Carcassonne would be Rick's choice.

Mine too, since Albi doesn't seem to be well-connected by the southern trains. No matter which destination you chose, it seems all high-speed westbound routes originate in Nimes. So you might want to plan a half day there before heading on your voyage.

I agree with Carcassonne. Try to stay in the old city.

We wussed out and took a taxi from the train station up the hill to the old city walls, then walked to our B&B inside them. We walked down to the train station the next morning, taking advantage of a laundromat along the way. We also had lunch in a little cafe across from the train station before we had to board the train for Barcelona. We came from Antibes, so depending on the current train schedules, you may have more time to explore than we did. Everything is lovely, both night and day.

We stayed at L'Echappee Belle -- http://www.lechappeebelle.co.uk/index.html.

Don't be surprised if the train is stopped when crossing the border from France into Spain. Or if you have to show your passport and ticket when that happens. We were stopped twice and a backpacking student was actually removed from our car. Also don't be surprised at the requirement to go through airport-like security for Spanish trains.

We arrived about 22:00 pm due to the train security checks. It was dark, so rather than mess with public transportation, we took a taxi to our hotel on the Ramblas. If we had arrived when it was still daylight, we would not have done that.

Joke on me -- I was concerned about getting something to eat so late. I forgot we were in Spain, where dinner doesn't really start until about 21:00.

Lo, Was your ride soon after the rail bombing in Spain because we rode the (new) TGV from Narbonne to Barcelona last summer and had no delay, no passport check, etc.

Agree that Carcassonne is a good stop.

I would also agree with Carcassonne (a charming destination that really only needs one night) or Nimes (the natural connection point for the fastest trains). If you don't stop en-route, the whole Arles-Barcelona trip takes only 4.5 hours, including connection in Nimes.

Hi Amy,
you can spend the night in Sète, little harbor on the Mediterranée. It's not an "highlight" but a really nice place to stay anyway. It's on the way to Barcelona. By train:
- Arles-Nîmes-Sète: 1h30
-Sète-Narbonne-Barcelona: 2h55
You also can stay in Collioure, near Spain border, another amazing place!
Enjoy!

Céline