LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON, FRANCE: Travel day plus CASTLES of Carcassonne and Cathar! | Ep. 36
It’s a weekend with Maddy! We couldn't be more excited to escape to the Languedoc region with her for some off-the-grid explorations! After checking into the beautiful Camellas-Lloret, a boutique hotel with excellent hosts, we were set up our weekend itinerary.
We head to the fortified city, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, of Carcassonne to explore the castle and walk around the downtown area. Afterwards, we wind our way around the hills and head to the Cathar Castles for a pretty steep climb.
When it’s all said and done, we rewards ourselves with a nice glass of wine and call it a night!
VISITED PLACES:
Camellas-Lloret:
Carcassonne, France:
Cathar Castels:
Mirepoix, France:
MUSIC:
Bravery (Jonny Hughes)
Watch Me (Maya Isac)
OUR GEAR:
Main camera (
Small camera (
Action camera (
Drone (
Favorite lens (
Favorite B-Roll lens (
Wide angle lens (
Small Camera Gimbal (
FOLLOW THE NEAR AND AWAY:
Instagram:
Jet Journal ( @thenearandaway
ITEMS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Dog Backpack:
Camera Backpack:
Bose Headphones:
Our Suitcases:
Thanks! Amy & Eric
Visiting Southern France in Winter, Episode 148
Join Us in France Travel Podcast My guest today is Christine Hegerty from Australia, and she joins me today to talk about visiting Southern France in winter. They started their trip in Nice and exited via the Basque Country, so they really went all the way across.
What is it like in France in the winter? Are the weather conditions good enough for touring? Aren't most attractions closed? Christine answers all my questions and brings a lot of zest and astute observations about France in the winter.
Places Mentioned in this Episode: Nice, Toulouse, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Nîmes, Pont du Gard, Uzès, Montpellier, Carcassonne, Mirepoix, Forges de Pyrène, Grotte de Niaux, Foix, Camon (09), Rennes-le-Château, Carla-Bayle, Grotte du Mas d'Asil, Toulouse, Albi and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Moissac, Bordeaux, San-Sebastian, New Caledonia
Episode Highlights with Timestamps [7'15] Why did you choose to come to France in the winter? [8'50] What sort of weather did you encounter? [10'30] Flying into Nice instead of Paris [12'30] Finding accommodations where we could park a car + using a car elevator in Toulouse [15'] A lovely cooking class in Nice [22'] Panisse and Socca, food specialties from Nice [23'] Aix-en-Provence and Marseille by Regional Bus [24'] Cours Mirabeau, Les Deux Garçons, and the Christmas Market in Aix-en-Provence [24'45] A day in Marseille: Musée d'Histoire de Marseille, great street for restaurants, rue Sainte, lunch at Les Echevins (best steak ever says John!), [28'30] Walking tour with a volunteer greeter, meeting on Quai des Belges in Marseille, a look at the Mirror Pavilion by Foster [30'] Musée Archéologique de Marseille in Le Panier [31'45] Marseille City Greeters [33'06] Lovely Tea House called Cup of Tea, tea shop and book shop [34'] Great food in Marseille, and not just Bouillabaisse! [35'] The realities of planing a trip from home vs. taking the trip: cutting things out [36'] Worries about leaving luggage in the car and Annie's recommendation about that [37'48] Two nights in Nîmes and what they loved about it: les Arênes de Nîme, la Maison Carrée [39'] Carré d'Art by Norman Foster in Nîmes, a great place for photography, among other things [40'] Stumbling Upon a light show projected on the Maison Carrée in Nîmes. This happens a lot around Christmas, not just in Nîmes, but in other French cities too. [42'] Around Christmas is busy for people, but tourist attractions are empty. [43'] Pont du Gard and getting lost looking for it. Don't set your GPS to the village called Vers-Pont-du-Gard. Set your GPS to either the attraction called Pont du Gard OR the village of Remoulins or Collias. [46'] Lunch at Uzès on Place Aux Herbes, great place to spend a couple of hours. [47'] Tour Magne, Le Jardin de la Fontaine, le Temple de Diane in Nîmes [48'] Montpellier, a large and charming city. Air B&B apartment that used to be a butcher's shop for one night. [50'] Musée du Vieux Montpellier, running into churches with Crêches and Santons, and [50'30] More podcast listeners eating at L'Entrecôte, they should sponsor the show! [52'] What's nearby? Sète, Camargue [53'30] Daylight hours are shorter in winter, fewer hours for touring. [53'47] Christmas in Carcassonne, lunch at the Michelin Star at the Hôtel de la Cité, La Barbacane. [57'39] Carcassonne is not busy and crowded in the winter, and certainly not on Christmas Day! [58'33] The Christmas Market in Carcassonne. [62'] Staying in Mirepoix for one week. [65'] New Year's Even in Mirepoix, le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre with a group of all-French people who didn't speak English! <--Funny [68'] Typical New Year's Eve celebrations in France [72'] Attractions near Mirepoix: Montsegur (Cathat, hike), Les Forges de Pyrène (demonstrations of old techniques), Grotte de Niaux (painted caves), Foix (hike). [78'] Most Beautiful Villages in France: Camon. Beautiful but completely empty this time of year. This is an obvious problem with visiting southern France in winter: many things are closed! [80'] The Arriège is a part of France that doesn't get a lot of tourists any time of the year, and in the middle of the winter, you have to find ways to keep busy. [81'] Market Day in Mirepoix is Monday, the town comes to life. Visiting Rennes-le-Château, must read-up on the conspiracy theories. Pack a picnic! [83'] Even in a remote part of France that is not very touristy, the food is quite good. [84'] Visiting Carla-Bayle and the Grotte du Mas d'Asil on the way to Toulouse. Don't go in the middle of the winter, it's empty! [86'] Toulouse is like a small little Paris, a lot of life, even in the middle of the winter. [88'] Going to Albi and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, Cordes-sur-Ciel (Cordes is also dead in the winter!) [89'] Museums in Toulouse: Natural History Museum, Musée Saint-Raymond, Basilique Saint-Sernin, Musée des Augustins, Musée des...
Slow TV. Scenic drives - The road trip quarterly - Montségur to Belesta in France
Slow TV. Scenic drives - The road trip quarterly, brings you independent slow-travel journalism documentaries through raw road trip movies shot in 48fps/1080p.
This time we'll drive from Montségur to Belesta in magnificent France. Yes, this is the village below the famous Château de Montségur, one of the last strongholds of the Cathars.
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Loire Valley Drone Video Tour | Expedia
Check out the best sights and attractions Loire, France has to offer through aerial drone footage of the city.
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Randonnée à Montségur - Hiking at Montségur (France)
France surprising WWI sites in France
Just over 100 years ago, the First World War was raging in North Eastern France along the line known as the Western Front. In this video, follow Darley Newman on her discovery of authentic historic sites of battles as an introduction to the WWI series « Travels with Darley » produced for PBS channel. Among the sites of Lorraine Meuse are Vauquois, Douaumont Ossuary and Fort Douaumont near Verdun.
The Ultimate Cathar Experience Tour 2018
There exists an ancient realm in southern France, where forbidden history and unsolved mysteries reign; a land of stunning natural beauty, incredible French cuisine, ancient castles, goddesses and energetic power places. To visit Occitania is more than just exploring historic sites; Occitania allows you to click back into the footprint of your soul.
Join us on a very special group tour from 15th to 22nd September 2018! There are only 6 places available on this unique tour, so make sure you secure your seat by registering on time and, at the same time, profit from an early bird discount! More info:
Music: Jo Blankenburg - Elysium ♥
A Visit to the 12th Century Cathar Hilltop Town of Minerve, France
A Visit to Minerve - Hotel Barging in France. Our hotel barges gently introduce you to some of Europe's finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture.
We take an excursion out to Minerve, the ancient capital of the Minervois, which boasts a 12th century Cathar fort surrounded by deep limestone gorges. Besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1215, its hilltop location affords spectacular views. A fascinating recreation in miniature of the bloodthirsty Cathar rebellion and small museum complete the intriguing picture.
Minerve
Sitting atop a rocky outcropping at the junction of the Cesse and Briant Rivers is Minerve, the ancient capital of Minervois, considered by many to be the quintessential medieval village. Its 12th century Cathar fort, which is surrounded by deep limestone gorges, affords magnificent views of surrounding countryside. Along the riverbed are caves and bridges carved out of limestone by the action of the water. Candela, an octagonal tower, is all that remains of the medieval château.
The Canal du Midi
The 300 year old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. This canal is defined by its beauty, lined with plane trees and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The Mediterranean weather and pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as you cruise sedately along.
This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on deck with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at chateaux en route, locations that vary with your choice of barge.
You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this region of historical importance. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the walled city of Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence.
Our Hotel Barges
Our classic Canal du Midi cruise is aboard our pretty 8 passenger vessel Anjodi, which has been cruising the Canal du Midi for more than 25 years. Anjodi has never been more popular since Rick Stein brought her to the attention of the world in his very successful TV series 'French Odyssey'.
Our ultra deluxe Canal du Midi cruise is aboard the 8 passenger Enchanté. This is the only double-decker hotel barge on the Canal du Midi, providing room for large cabins and additional facilities whilst still able to squeeze through the waterway's old locks.
We also offer the 10 passenger Athos for larger groups.
For more information on this cruise please see:
*Music by Crocodile Music
South of France Part 1.
In April 2012, four of us met in Toulouse and after two nights there, went by train to Carcassonne where two friends met us and took us to their cottage in Lacombe (a small hamlet outside Lastours). Using this as a base we visited many historical sites and wineries in the Western Languedoc. Of particular interest were the four Cathar castles at Lastours.
Costes, Paris | allthegoodies.com
The restaurant at Hotel Costes is still upp there among the trendiest in Paris
Music:
Our French Cafe by Jimmy Fontanez