Hello. We are meeting friends with a car in Barcelona and taking 10-12 days to drive from Barcelona to Genoa and back. We would like to stay and/or visit in the most interesting/charming/beautiful towns possible. Can drive as much as 2-4 hours per day if needed. So far I've come up with a working list of Carcassone, Arles, Avignon, Nice and L'Isle Sur La-Sorgue (supposed to be beautiful). We've been to Nice, Eze, Monaco, and Vence before. So, we'd like to see something different. We love old architecture, beautiful nature, views, and local charm (hard to define). Any recommendations for towns to stay or visit would be welcomed. Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
When are you taking this trip?
My own first trip to southern France is coming up in May, so I can't help there. A guidebook to southern France will leave you with a list of dozens of places you feel you positively must see. Good luck winnowing that list down; I'm struggling with that myself at the moment.
In Spain, Girona is wonderful and worth a least one full day on your way to France if you haven't already done a day-trip there from Barcelona. It has a large, atmospheric historic district partially surrounded by a wall you can walk on, two interesting cathedrals, and a very interesting art museum. Girona's less than an hour by fast train from Barcelona, a bit longer by cheaper/slower train or car. No real reason to favor doing it by car unless you want to base there for a little while and see Figueres (Dali Theatre and Museum), Cadaques (beautiful former fishing village with Dali House and Museum nearby) and/or Besalu (old medieval town with fortified bridge). All three towns are somewhat off the direct driving route from Girona to France but are quicker to visit from Girona than from Barcelona. And the drive from Figueres to Cadaques is very scenic. All three towns can be reached by bus, too, if for some reason you want to delay picking up the car until right before you head for the border. Figueres also has train service from Barcelona/Girona.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Slow journey out. Quick journey back.
Barcelona to Cadaques (2N)
Cadaques to Arles (3N)
Arles to Antibes (3N)
Antibes to Genova (2N)
Genova to St Tropez (1N)
St Tropez to Carcassonne (1N)
Carcassonne to Barcelona.