Southwestern France next fall 1 week

Posted by June (Edmonton, Alberta) on 12/22/14 04:49 PM

I am considering spending a week in the very Southwest of France before a RS Spain tour that starts in Barcelona. I am seeking suggestions.

I will be using public transport only, needing to connect to Barcelona. I enjoy old architecture, wine, photography, good food. I will be travelling in mid October. I would like to fly into the area but am not sure of larger air connections, besides Marseille.

(Edit). There appears to be trains along the southwest coast of France, connecting on to Barcelona. Any suggestions of places to see along that coast?

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Christine

California

12/22/14 05:14 PM

773 posts

We enjoyed the Basque region. You can fly into Bilbao and visit the amazing Guggenheim Museum. From Bilbao it is an easy bus ride to San Sebastian. Then you can take the regional Topo train over the French border to Hendaye. In France we stayed in St-Jean-de-Luz and day tripped to Bayonne. The Basque people are wonderful and the food is great!

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

12/22/14 06:48 PM

16895 posts

Hi, June. The Basque chapter of Rick's Spain book (which you receive with your tour materials) covers the French towns of Bayonne, Biarritz, and St-Jean-de-Luz, all of which are served by train. If crossing the border at Hendaye/Irun, you always make a train connection there. From St-Jean-de-Luz to Barcelona, for instance, the fastest train connection is through France instead; 9.5 hours with connections at Bordeaux and Narbonne. Both French and Spanish trains usually require reservations and go on sale 3 months ahead for the best prices. Air France and Easy Jet both serve Paris-Biarritz. Or you can just as easily fly to Bilbao or San Sebastian, on the Spanish side of Basque territory.

How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. Currently published through spring.

Posted by Cyn

Colorado Mountains, USA

12/22/14 07:36 PM

7937 posts

In 2003 we spent an enjoyable week in the Bordeaux region, staying at a rented gite (http://en.gites-de-france.com/) in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, the birthplace and burial site of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. There was a train strike just after we arrived, which made transportation more challenging than we'd expected, and we wound up renting a car, which was handy for visiting wine estates, tastings, and touring the countryside. As a large city with impressive architecture, Bordeaux could be worth some time itself, although we were only in the city for part of a day, and haven't yet made it back for a second visit. We enjoyed the bottle of 2001 Saint-Emilion that we picked up on that trip with dinner on our anniversary this past September.

Posted by June OP

Edmonton, Alberta

12/23/14 01:54 AM

797 posts

Thanks so much. Planning the trip is so exciting.

Posted by Dick

Olympia, WA, USA

12/23/14 02:16 AM

6713 posts

Bordeaux and Toulouse have large airports with flights from London, Amsterdam, Dublin, Madrid and other European gateways.

The Dordogne and the Cathar country (Albi, Carcassonne, etc.) would be great but difficult to tour without a car.

Posted by Peter Horrocks

Grasse

12/23/14 09:50 AM

43 posts

Hi June

As you are travelling mid-October I suggest you stick to the larger cities as it can be rather quiet on the coast and a bit bleak, also the weather can be poor. I would go for Toulouse as the chances of decent weather are better and it is a fabulous city which should accommodate all your interests. Otherwise Bordeaux.