Languedoc
3
Day Itinerary •
France
Three days in Languedoc-Roussillon gives you the essential ancient south, from the extraordinary Roman aqueduct of the Pont du Gard, one of the finest Roman monuments in the world, to the magnificent walled city of Carcassonne, the greatest medieval fortress in Europe, and the extraordinary Cathar castles perched on their impossible limestone peaks above the Aude gorges. This route covers the soul of Languedoc. The extraordinary Pont du Gard spanning its gorge in perfect Roman precision, the UNESCO walled city of Carcassonne at sunset, the extraordinary Canal du Midi linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the finest oysters of the Etang de Thau and the wild Camargue horses on the extraordinary lagoon shores of the Mediterranean coast.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly to Montpellier (MPL) or Nimes (FNI), or TGV from Paris
Getting Around
Rental car recommended throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 85 to 140 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
NIMES AND THE PONT DU GARD
MORNING
NIMES, THE MOST ROMAN CITY IN FRANCE
Nimes is the finest Roman city in France, its extraordinary arena the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world, still hosting 24,000 spectators for bullfights and concerts as it has for 2,000 years. The extraordinary Maison Carree, a perfectly preserved Roman temple of the 1st century BC, faces the extraordinary contemporary art gallery by Norman Foster. The Jardins de la Fontaine with the Temple of Diana are extraordinary. Entry to arena approx 10 euros. Drive: 25 min drive
MIDDAY
PONT DU GARD, THE GREATEST ROMAN MONUMENT IN FRANCE
The Pont du Gard is the most extraordinary Roman monument in France and the finest aqueduct in the world, its three tiers of golden limestone arches spanning the Gardon gorge with extraordinary precision. Built in the 1st century AD to carry water 50km to Nimes, it stands 49 metres high without a single drop of mortar. The site museum is outstanding. Entry approx 9 euros. Arrive at opening to experience it alone. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
UZES, THE FIRST DUCHY OF FRANCE
Uzes is the most extraordinary small town in Languedoc, its extraordinary medieval towers rising above a perfectly preserved old town of ochre stone. The Duche d'Uzes, the finest intact ducal palace in France, has been continuously inhabited since the 11th century. The extraordinary Saturday market is the finest in the Gard. Entry to ducal palace approx 14 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pont du Gard can be viewed free from the river bank below by swimming or kayaking the Gardon. Hire a canoe from Collias, 8km upstream, and paddle down to the aqueduct arriving from the water. The view looking up at 49 metres of Roman masonry from river level is the most extraordinary perspective. Canoe hire approx 14 euros. The finest free experience in Languedoc.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Place de la Maison Carree Coffee facing the finest Roman temple in the world before the arena opens. | Lunch: Le Bouchon et l'Assiette, Nimes Outstanding local gardianne de taureau, brandade de morue and Costieres de Nimes red. | Dinner: La Maison de Nimes Extraordinary creative cuisine in the finest restaurant in the city. Local produce and Languedoc wines.
DAY 2
MONTPELLIER AND THE ETANG DE THAU
MORNING
MONTPELLIER OLD TOWN AND THE PLACE DE LA COMEDIE
Montpellier is the most vibrant city in Languedoc, its extraordinary medieval Ecusson old town a maze of Renaissance hotels particuliers and lively squares. The extraordinary Place de la Comedie, the finest public square in southern France, is lined with cafes and anchored by the three Graces fountain. The Musee Fabre has the finest collection of Flemish and French paintings in southern France. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
BOUZIGUES AND THE ETANG DE THAU OYSTER BEDS
The Etang de Thau is the largest lagoon in France and produces the finest oysters and mussels in the Mediterranean. The extraordinary waterfront village of Bouzigues is where the oyster farmers sell their catch directly from wooden tables on the quay. The view across the lagoon to the extraordinary silhouette of Sete and the Pyrenees beyond is extraordinary. Eat oysters with white Picpoul de Pinet wine. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
SETE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FISHING PORT IN LANGUEDOC
Sete is the finest and most authentic port city in Languedoc, its extraordinary network of canals lined with fishing boats and seafood restaurants entirely different in character from the tourist coast. The extraordinary Mont Saint-Clair above the town gives views over both the lagoon and the open Mediterranean. The waterfront fish market at the Grand Canal is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Abbaye de Valmagne, a perfectly preserved 12th-century Cistercian abbey 15km from Montpellier, has stored wine barrels in its extraordinary Gothic nave since the Revolution. The monks replaced the choir stalls with wine vats. The abbey wine is extraordinary and the setting unique in France. Entry approx 9 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Montpellier old town Coffee in the Ecusson before the streets fill with students and shoppers. | Lunch: Chez Philippe, Bouzigues Extraordinary oysters, tellines and mussels directly on the Etang de Thau waterfront. Picpoul de Pinet. | Dinner: La Palangre, Sete Outstanding fresh fish on the Grand Canal. Local tielle seteoise pie, sea bass and local rose.
DAY 3
CARCASSONNE AND CATHAR COUNTRY
MORNING
CARCASSONNE, THE GREATEST MEDIEVAL FORTRESS IN EUROPE
The Cite of Carcassonne is the most extraordinary medieval walled city in Europe, its extraordinary double ring of 3km of walls, 52 towers and the Chateau Comtal rising above the Aude valley in extraordinary condition. A UNESCO World Heritage Site restored by Viollet-le-Duc. Enter through the Porte Narbonnaise at 9am opening before the crowds arrive. The view from the Tour du Treseau over the vineyards is extraordinary. Entry to chateau approx 9 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
CANAL DU MIDI, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT IN FRANCE
The Canal du Midi, completed in 1681 by Pierre-Paul Riquet, is the most extraordinary canal in the world, its 240km linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean through a staircase of extraordinary locks, tunnels and bridges. The extraordinary plane-tree tunnel along the towpath between Carcassonne and Trebes is the finest stretch of the canal. Hire a bicycle from Carcassonne for the finest afternoon in Languedoc. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CATHAR COUNTRY AND THE CHATEAU DE PEYREPERTUSE
The Chateau de Peyrepertuse is the most extraordinary Cathar castle in Languedoc, its extraordinary ruins clinging to a limestone ridge 800 metres above the Aude gorge, so narrow in places that the walls follow the natural rock edge. Built in the 11th century and taken by the French crown in 1240, it is the largest and most extraordinary of all the Cathar castles. Entry approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chateau de Queribus, 12km from Peyrepertuse, was the last Cathar castle to fall to the French Inquisition in 1255, thirteen years after Montsegur. Its extraordinary single tower on an impossibly narrow limestone pinnacle at 728 metres is the most dramatic silhouette in Cathar country. Entry approx 8 euros. Combined ticket with Peyrepertuse available.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Carcassonne lower town Coffee before the walk up to the cite. The lower town has better bakeries than inside the walls. | Lunch: Au Comte Roger, Carcassonne Outstanding cassoulet, the finest in Carcassonne, inside the medieval walls. Local Corbières red. | Dinner: La Marquiere, Carcassonne Extraordinary Languedoc cuisine in a medieval setting. Local duck, foie gras and Minervois wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Nimes, Night 1 Hotel Imperator or Maison Albar. Central, steps from the Roman arena. Approx 100 to 170 euros. Montpellier, Night 2 Hotel du Palais or Hotel Les Troenes. Old town location essential. Approx 90 to 150 euros. Carcassonne, Night 3 Hotel de la Cite inside the walled city is extraordinary. Approx 150 to 280 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. The Pont du Gard at dawn, before the car parks open, is the most extraordinary Roman monument in France.
2. Carcassonne inside the walls at night, after the day visitors leave, is an extraordinary medieval experience.
3. Oysters from the Etang de Thau at Bouzigues are the finest in France. Eat them on the waterfront at noon.
4. The Canal du Midi by bicycle from Carcassonne to Homps is 50km of extraordinary plane-tree-lined towpath.
5. Nimes Roman arena still hosts bullfights and concerts. The finest Roman amphitheatre in France.
6. Cathar castles at Peyrepertuse and Queribus are extraordinary. Visit both in one day from Carcassonne.
Total Budget
85 to 140 euros/day