Marseille airport to Carcasonne

The closest major airport to Carcassonne is Toulouse (TLS).

Marseille to Carcassonne is a 3-hour drive per viamichelin.com.

For detailed train timetables go to www.bahn.de. Click on the drop-down flag menu for English. After you get summary timetables for Marseille-St-Charles to Carcassonne, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points (if any).

Do the same for Toulouse-Matabiau to Carcassonne.

I think for this itinerary I would pick up the car in Carcasonne and return it in Bordeaux. The trains just don't go as often or directly in that part of France.

It is a bit of a drive from Carcasonne to Sarlat, but if you can steal a day from Bordeaux and turn it into a two-day trip there are some marvelous sights to see along the way, such as Albi or Cahors or the Grotte du Peche Merle. Maybe spend the night in St. Cyrq?

In any case I'd look into Toulouse as gateway.

Have a great trip!

Myna

Adam stole my thunder, so I've had to retype. He, however, has entered the status of GreatPerson since he knows about Pech Merle (alternate spelling, I've seen both). Speaking of which, it's hard to find on google maps unless you stick in "grotte" as well -- it's near the village of Cabrerets. The cave paintings beat anything in the Les Eyzies area -- except for the pre-history museum which is world-class.

I think I'd snag the car in Toulouse, however, since Carcassonne is probably less than an hour away (super-fast freeway along there). Also, you might well be done with Carcassonne quicker than you think. You can see the whole place in three or four hours. If you get there early enough you might even be done by dark. Good grub, good price, good amibiance places are a hundred yards inside the gate, up, and to the left.

I also suspect that you will stay in Sarlat only one night. Interesting town, but small and not spectacular. Okay as a base, I guess, but there's more to see along the way rather than making circles.

Maybe press on and spend the night in Perigueux, which nobody seems to know about, but is fascinating.

Ditch the car at Bordeaux. Paris is a good five hour drive with not really that much to see unless you want to eyeball a chateau or two around Blois. Well, maybe not. You've got to see the cathedral at Chartres somehow.

Hey everyone,thanks so much for the great advice.About an hour after I posted the question,I discovered Toulouse was closer than Marseille and that reversing the order of the trip will save me ALOT of time(fly into Bordeaux-drive south-train to and from toulouse from Carcasonne-fly to Paris) The flights are less time and money this way.Had to pay alot for airfare-1075.00 from Fresno to Heathrow on Cheapoair,but the flight to Bordeaux from Gatwick is only 81.00.Toulouse to Paris only 44.00.I will alter my plan for the Dordogne to include some of the sights you all mentioned.Is it worth it to include Rocamadour? Myna

Yes, go to Rocamadour.

Good for you, Myna. Just make sure you are okay with jumping in a car after a long trip.

Rocamadour is worthwhile, though it does not rate as high for me as some other attractions. It is crowded in season, much like Mt. St. Michel (to which it compares itself). Some similar crowd-beating tricks can be helpful (e.g., arriving late).

Hi Adam,Thanks for your concern about the long drive.I won't be doing it until I have spent 2-3 nights in Bordeaux,1-2 nights in Sarlat,Then Toulouse! I have been to Mt St Michele and totally loved it-despite the crowds.Also, this will be my 1st driving trip-have always used the train. A little nervous-should I be? Myna