We are planning to rent some lodgings in Carcassonne for a week next April/May. We will not be renting a car. The plan is to spend a few days in Carcassonne and then use public transport to visit nearby towns about one hour away. I have read reports that you will see Carcassonne in one day and that a week would be too long. What do others think and recommend?
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It probably depends on what sort of holiday you like - if you have a list of %26#39;sights%26#39; to tick off, then I think even a day in Carcassonne would be too much. We%26#39;ve just been there for a week , but we potter, have lunch, potter some more, read a bit more about the place we just visited, so go back and have another look ..... and we also had a car and used that on 3 days. That said, we had a couple of days %26#39;doing%26#39; the Cité and its surroundings and another day in the bastide, with a trip on a canal boat (Lou Gabaret). We%26#39;d intended to have a walk along the river, but that didn%26#39;t happen, and we didn%26#39;t go to the museum or one of the churches, or see particular private mansions - or either of the wild-life parks. And we%26#39;d wondered about hiring bikes for a day, but didn%26#39;t do that either.
Have a look at the Carcassonne website www.carcassonne-tourisme.com/ to identify the main tourist sights. Beyond Carcassonne, I know there are trains to Toulouse and Narbonne, but we didn%26#39;t actually go into either place, so can%26#39;t recommend anything. We *did* go to Collioure on the coast (I assume you%26#39;d need to change trains in Narbonne?) which was well worth a day trip.
We found lodgings in the Cité, overlooking the square, and that was nice, as we could watch the world go by :-)
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There is a lot more to the Aude than Carcassonne although I would reccomened a car to really take advantage of all it has to offer. Check out www.frenchentree-aude-po.com for more info. The diversity of landscape within one hour of Carcassonne alone is worth the trip.
Enjoy,
Jimjams
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I too think you would be much better off with a car. It would be a pity to spend a week in the area and not be able to explore the many delightful places nearby that you would have a hard time reaching any other way. There are not many interesting places you can get to easily within an hour by train.
With a car you could explore much of the eastern Pyrenees, including the splendid Cathar strongholds such as Peyrepertuse. Fontfroide and Perpigan are also worth the trip as is Collioure and the other seaside places along the Côte Vermeille. The coast would be especially delightful in April/May before the summer tourist crowds arrive.
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I don%26#39;t disagree with what everyone says about having a car to explore further, especially as it looks like the day trips advertised by the tourist information centre only run in peak season. However - just another thought here - it%26#39;s quite a long drive (well over an hour each way) from Carcassonne to see major Cathar castles like Peyrepertuise or Queribus and it%26#39;s similar to Collioure on the Cote Vermeille. They are all easier to reach from Perpignan, and I%26#39;d guess it%26#39;s probably cheaper to fly to Perpignan with Ryanair than drive from Carcassonne!
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I could happily spend a week in carcassonne(and have) Like the others say a car would be helpful, but I dont think nessecessary.
The canal in nice weather makes a great days walking , so thats 2 days one oneway the next the other. You need 2 days to explore the old cite one to explore the shops one to take the tour explaning the history. A day or 2 exploring the new town which is loverly. The train station is easy to walk to so you will have opputunities from there. recommend exploring the pyerenees by train. spend saturday in old town as that is market day, and just sit in the square have coffee and watch the world go by. If you contact a local taxi person you can haggel with him to take you where you want for a day out . (If your french is good) I have been to carcassonne many times and we have just brought a holiday home nearby, You will find that the time goes to quickly.I dont think I will ever get tired of it its a beutiful place and I hope you have a wonderful time.
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Well it%26#39;s booked...but for September. Can anyone give us their opinion on visiting the towns of Mazamet and Castres? Are they worth a day trip?
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Not a lot in Mazamet , but saying that still worth going to see for a morning especially if you pick a market day, have lunch there and then spend your afternoon slowly driving back via the pic de nor (take your camera) from there down to Pradelles and sit by the lake,
vakantiewereld.nl/languedoc/english/uitstapj…
then on to Cabrespine where there are some amazing undergroud caves
frenchentree.com/languedoc-roussillon-holida…
The scenery on this route is some of the best in the area .
and your be back in carcassonne for your evening meal.
hope you enjoy your stay
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Mirepoix is les than one hour drive from Carcassonne - this is a charming town (Market day Monday), have a look on the internet. We based ourselves there for 2 weeks, and did many lovely trips from Mirepoix. There is a beautiful market square and 12th century cathedral. In the other direction - climbing to the top of Queribus Cathar stronghold is one of the most wonderful things I have ever done!! Magnificent views. I also agree with the suggestions of CFollioure - reallyt worth visiting, especially if you are interested in art - this is where Matisse and others %26quot;began%26quot; the Fauvre movement. A very pretty town, lovely situation. You could also consider Albi - we loved this town - stunning cathedral, and the Toulouse Lautrec museum in the former Bisphops Palace - a beautiful town, beautiful location on the river.
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Thanks for the suggestions. We will not have a car but will be relying on public transport. Just wondering can I get a bus to the places mentioned from Carcassonne?
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