Carcassonne / Aix en Provence

You don't say what you are planning to do in Nice; but, unless you have some special reason, 9 nights is wa-a-ay too long. Personally, I am not a fan of
Carcassonne. The "old city" (actually a 19th century reconstruction) was jammed with tourists when we were there in springtime, and the streets are lined with shops selling shlocky souvenirs. Even if you go and like it, a day is enough. I can't comment on transportation connections - - we always rent a car - - but there are many wonderful cities and towns in the regions you plan to visit. Arles, Nimes, Orange, Vaison la Romaine, Albi, Rocamadour, Toulouse, to name a few. I love the Dordogne; but 8 nights seems like too much there, as well.

Thank you to both ladies that responded. I too feel that 9 ngts in Nice is fine, as we plan to visit the area by train & am sure we will find enough to amuse us. As for 8 ngts in the Dordogne, I've heard a week isn't enough...
I think we might go to Aix or elsewhere then instead of Carcassone & thank you for your info.

I agree with Rosalyn that Carcassonne is hokey. If you are doing your trip without a car, skip Carcassonne and go to Aix. I don't think 9 nights in Nice is too much because, of course, you can get to so many places by train from there in very little time and for very little money. I believe the bus service is good, too.

I like Carcassonne. Just avoid the tackiness--I mean the tourist traps are obvious. Two nights is plenty, you could even make do with one.

I might say otherwise if you were going out of your way to see it, but it sounds as though it will be enroute to destinations in the Dordogne valley.

Aix is in many ways the opposite of Carcassone--it's a lovely town but not really any "sights" there, though there is Cezanne's studio and it is convenient to Marseilles.

Here's my big unsolicited advice: It's going to be very hard for you to see what the Dordogne has to offer without a car for at least part of that trip. What a shame to go so far and miss out on so much! The area is just not well served by rail.

Hi Adam - thanks for the advice. I guess I didn't make myself clear - we won't have a car while in Nice or en route to the Dordogne. Once there, we will rent a car. I appreciate your thoughts!

Aix-en-Provence, Arles, or any other medium-sized town in that area will be fine. Aix is a sight in itself - and so is the rest of Provence. Enjoy.

FYI: Avignon and Aix both have two train stations: one for local trains and one for the TGV. Coming from Nice, use "AVIGNON TGV" as your destination. The TGV will stop at Gare d'Avignon TGV. From there, take the 2.80€ shuttle (navette) into town. It drops you off at the post office (La Poste). From Avignon, you can use "AIX EN PROVENCE TGV" or "AIX EN PROVENCE (CENTRE)."

If you opt for the TGV station, take the Aéroport-TGV-Aix shuttle to downtown Aix for 3.90€. If you select Centre, an SNCF bus will take you into the city. The price of the bus (autocar) will be included in the ticket.

Are you returning to Nice for your flight? You can save time and fly open-jaw out of Marseille (airport code: MRS).

I have been to Carcassone and it is a fabulous intact example of a grand medieval fortress outside. However within the walls it is tacky and touristy. I would say if you are just a sightseer then leave this for another time when you might be closer. Provence is a trip in itself so while in Avignon visit the real Provence ie Arles, Les Baux, Isle sur la Sorgue, it would be ashame to miss the real intimate beauty of village provenence. 8 days is a lot for Dordogne. I spent 4 days and felt relaxed and saw alot.