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Sarlat to Saint-Remy? Overnight in Albi or Carcassonne?

Sept trip- 2 adults- 67/63- experienced travelers--

We will spend 4 nights in Sarlat then 4 nights in Saint-Remy and have 1 night in between for a stopover. We would like to break up the long drive.

Originally planned Carcassonne overnight but to be honest it doesn’t really appeal to us.
Now we are leaning towards Albi- which looks just lovely!- plan to get there by 12/1 spend the day/overnight and head out first thing for Provence.

Can anyone offer insight as to what the drive from Albi to Saint-Remy is like? Looks like D999 to A75- taking a good 4+ hours? (Any longer than that is a bit over our daily driving limit and almost defeats the purpose of "breaking up" the Sarlat to St-Remy drive!)
Would also like to stop at Pont du Gard before getting to Saint-Remy but if the day is getting too long we can visit Pont du Gard later in the week so not a top priority this day.

Thanks

Posted by
784 posts

I think an overnight in Albi would be great. It is a lovely town, very different than many towns in France, with an interesting cathedral and Toulouse Letrec museum. A nice stop on the way to St. Remy would be the Millau Viaduct, which has a nice visitor's center (read nice public restrooms) and great views of the bridge, even if you don't go over it. The entire drive will treat you with some nice scenery, sand I agree a better choice than Carcassone, though I do like it.

Posted by
3281 posts

If you do overnight in Albi, consider a detour to visit the bastide towns west of Albi recommended in Rick’s guide. Beautiful countryside, interesting villages, great local foods from the terroir. No need to visit them all - two or three would suffice. Puycelci was our favorite, especially the lunch in the courtyard of L’Ancienne Auberge.

Posted by
4132 posts

If those are your choices and you don't like the sound of Carcassonne, Albi is the one.

Get an early start the next day and you'll have plenty of time to stop at the Pont du Garde. Bring bathing suits!

Posted by
7169 posts

Thank you all- great advice!

Albi it is. We can stop and visit a few bastides and probably have lunch on our way from Sarlat.
Millau Viaduct was on our radar so we will try to see that as well.

Any recommendations for dinner in Albi?