We'll be heading back to Montpellier to get the TGV to Paris, but have one last night to spend somewhere between Carcassonne and the city. Rick doesn't cover this area in his book-- any thoughts about must see's and good places to stay? We'd love a small village with a few restaurants/bakeries, places we can walk around.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
It's only an hour and a half. Two options: Take the long way and stay in Albi. Follow the direct route and stay in Sete.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
My suggestion would probably be to (1) just go directly from Carcasonne to Paris (it's 5 hours by train) and (2) spend that spare day someplace before you get to Carcasonne or after you get to Paris. In other words, whatever you are doing before Carcassonne - Dordogne? Loire? Barcelona? - probably deserves an extra day. Shift Carcasonne back a day. Or get to Paris a day earlier.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Try Roquebrun, on the banks of the river Orb; it's just 40 minutes north of Beziers. We very much enjoyed that area and it gave us the chance to explore the lesser-known department of Hérault (truly off the RS radar!). On the way between Carcassonne and Roquebrun, you can visit the Cathar stronghold of Minerve. Between Roquebrun and Montpellier - the UNESCO site of St Guilhem-le-Desert (some of which is now part of NYC's The Cloisters). We stayed in this lovely B&B, owned by an English couple:
http://www.lesmimosas.net/enindex.html We enjoyed some great food and spend a lovely evening, tasting and discussing local wines, with the English-speaking owner of the village's Cave Saint Martin. 5 minutes away, in Berlou, we enjoyed a short hike in the vineyards with a pair of donkeys (Iris & Jade). The farm welcomes visitors and Dorothée, the owner, makes great soaps with donkey milk, including one that works wonders on eczema! http://www.auxpetitssabots.com/Accueil
Posted by
Arlington, VA, USA
123 posts
Or, you can try ALBI. We loved it. Very interesing place.