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...
What towns to visit in the Pyrenees?
List about what towns to visit in the Pyrenees?
Traveling to faraway places is fashionable, but what about those charming towns that are next door? We are going to take a tour of some of the most beautiful villages in the Pyrenees. Which one do you like the most?
In this list about what towns to visit in the Pyrenees? you can find:
20. Castejón de Sos
19. Candanchú
18. Beget
17. Saint-Lizier
16. Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
15. Artajona
14. Mirepoix
13. Aïnhoa
12. Llívia
11. Puente la Reina
10. Ordino
9. Camprodón
8. Ochagavía
7. Taüll
6. Olite
5. Ansó
4. Vielha
3. Alquézar
2. Torla
1. Ainsa
21. ELIZONDO
Elizondo is a town in the Pyrenees located in the Baztán Valley, Navarre Pyrenees. It has a unique architectural heritage, with stately homes and many palaces. The hazelnut chocolate Urrakin Aegina is famous throughout the world.
20. Castejón de Sos
Castejón de Sos is located in the Aragonese Pyrenees in the Benaque Valley. Legar up here is quite a spectacle since you have to go through the Ventamillo Congosto. Castejón de Sos is a paradise for hikers and lovers of Paragliding.
19. Candanchú
Candanchú, in the Aragón Valley and first stage of the Camino de Santiago in Aragon. It is located next to the border of France and is a place where nature merges with history, art, culture and sports.
18. Beget
One of the most beautiful villages of the Catalan Pyrenees, walking through its streets transports us to the medieval era.
17. Saint-Lizier
Without reaching 1500 inhabitants, this French commune has two cathedrals: Saint-Lizier and Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède, both Romanesque. You can also visit an eighteenth century pharmacy or the Palace of Bishops.
16. Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
This Occitan town is just over 200 inhabitants. However, it has a Romanesque Cathedral World Heritage Site and the remains of the Roman villa of Lugdunum Convenarum.
15. Artajona
Surrounded by 'El Cerco' (the wall of the eleventh century), this town of Navarre has places of interest such as its 18th century palaces, the church of San Pedro or the Basilica of Our Lady of Jerusalem.
14. Mirepoix
On the other side of the border you can also find beautiful villages such as Mirepoix, with its wooden houses and its Gothic cathedral whose spire measures 60 meters.
13. Aïnhoa
In addition to a woman's name, Ainhoa is one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its white Basque-style houses, its church, its pediment and the discoidal steles of its cemetery.
12. Llívia
This enclave of the province of Gerona in the French department of Pyrenees Orientales is not only a geographical curiosity, but also houses places such as the oldest pharmacy in Spain, the fifteenth century and now converted into a museum, or its Gothic church.
11. Puente la Reina
In addition to the Romanesque bridge that gives it its name, this Navarrese town known in Basque as Gares also has numerous churches and convents.
10. Ordino
That Andorra la Vella is more than shopping is shown by landscapes such as Ordino, with its ancestral homes and the mural paintings of the church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada.
The images you can find in this video are property of 20 minutos
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
Top 10 Best Things To Do In Uzes, France
Uzes Travel Guide. MUST WATCH. Top 10 things you have to do in Uzes. We have sorted Tourist Attractions in Uzes for You. Discover Uzes as per the Traveler Resources given by our Travel Specialists. You will not miss any fun thing to do in Uzes.
This Video has covered top 10 Best Things to do in Uzes.
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List of Best Things to do in Uzes, France
Musee 1900
Un Siecle de Roulottes
Vallee D'eure
Uzes Cathedral
Medieval Garden
Parc Aquatique La Bouscarasse
Brasserie Artisanale Meduz
Tourist Board Pays d'Uzes
Musee de la Poterie Mediterraneenne
Le Jardin Des Oules
Tour the South West of France, Episode 147
Join Us in France Travel Podcast
Places mentioned in this episode: Toulouse, Aeroscopia, Airbus, Bonrepos-Riquet, Carcassonne, Mirepoix, Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Château de Saurs, Cahors, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Puycelsi, Penne, Bruniquel, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
Episode Highlights
[53”] Thank you Patreon Supporters! New installment of Lunch-Break French.
[1’56] Resources to Get Started in French: Duolingo App, Coffee Break French, Lawless French.
[2’46] Extended Show Notes will be out within a few days
[5’15] Related Episodes: Episode 43 on Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Episode 62 on Cahors in the Lot
[6’] Annie’s Personal Update: How Easter works in France
[7’10] I invite you to connect with me and the Join Us in France community on Facebook.
[7’55] Start Annie and Elyse Conversation
[8’25] Tour the South West of France with Annie and Elyse!
[10’14] Visit Aeroscopia and Airbus
[10’44] The Tour will also take us to the Pierre-Paul Riquet Château (Bonrepos-Riquet)
[11’08] Carcassonne and Mirepoix
[11’39] The tour will take us to Albi
[12’] Cordes-sur-Ciel
[12’40] Wine Tasting at the Château de Saurs
[13’] Informal French Class
[14’31] Cahors and Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
[14’55] Why We Can Only Have 7 People
[16’40] Introduction to Puycelsi, Penne and Bruniquel
[18’36] Puycelsi
[22’51] La Forêt de Grésigne
[26’13] The War Against the Cathars, Raymond VI and Baudouin de Toulouse
[29’38] Glass-making in this area
[30’56] Small Place Yet Full of History
[32’27] Next Stop: the Village of Bruniquel
[35’34] Bruniquel and Queen Brunehilde
[43’40] Stop in Penne if Time Permits
[44’53’] Last stop of the day in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
[50’] The Hundred Foot Journey Was Shot in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
[52’15] A Day Tour of the Medieval Riches of Gorgeous Villages Near Toulouse
[52’43] All the details of the tour the south west of france with Annie and Elyse are on Addicted to France
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France Travel Guide - French Village of La Couvertoirade
Take a tour of French Village of La Couvertoirade in La Couvertoirade, France -- part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.
For an exemplar Medieval French village, turn to a commune in southern France.
La Couvertoirade is a small but well maintained town with approximately 200 hundred inhabitants, most of whom are members of craft trades.
The town is most famous for the presence of the Knights Templar here. It was the Templars who built the fortress of the town in the 12th and 13th centuries. They were later replaced by the Knights of Saint John, who built the wall in the 15th century.
The ancient stone and tile structures coupled with pristine landscapes and angelic sky help to create the wholly ethereal atmosphere of this archetypal town.
Places to see in ( Carcassonne - France )
Places to see in ( Carcassonne - France )
Carcassonne, a hilltop town in southern France’s Languedoc area, is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cité, with numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. Château Comtal, a 12th-century castle within the Cité, offers archaeological exhibits and a tour of the inner ramparts. Carcassonne is a city in south-west France that is best known for its UNESCO World Heritage listed walled city. It can be visited comfortably as a day trip.
Carcassonne is divided into two main parts:
The Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval fortress settlement with a history that exceeds two and a half thousand years. Picturesque fortifications (over 3 km of walls with 52 towers, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was partly shot here) were reconstructed by Viollet-le-Duc in 19th century (like with most monuments reconstructed in that time authenticity was not the main objective). It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The town centre, known as the ville basse (literally 'lower city'), where the other sights and hotels are located.
Perched on a rocky hilltop and bristling with zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children’s storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it’s most people’s idea of the perfect medieval castle. La Cité, as the old walled town is now known, attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or better still for spring and autumn) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.
The Cité historic fortress (built upon ruins predating Christianity) that was featured in the movie Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. It is also told that the Cité inspired Walt Disney for the Castle of his Sleeping Beauty. You can enter the Cité through one of its four gates: Porte Narbonnaise (see picture, common entrance when you arrive by car).
Alot to see in ( Carcassonne - France ) such as :
Canal du Midi
Château de Quéribus
Château Comtal
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
Museum of the Inquisition
Musée de l'École
Maison des Mémoires
Maison de La Chevalerie
Musée des Beaux-Arts - Carcassonne
Chapelle des Dominicaines
Cité de Carcassonne
Lac de la Cavayère
Cite Médiévale
Le Parc Australien
Porte Narbonnaise
Carcassonne Cathedral
Porte d'Aude
Pont Vieux
Musee Des Beaux Arts
Parc Aquaviva
Eglise Saint-Gimer
Portail des Jacobins
Écluse double de Fresquel
Place Carnot
Parkplatz Carcassonne
Place Gaston Jordan
L'ancienne manufacture royale de draps de la Trivalle à Carcassonne
Carmelite church
L'ancien bâtiment des moteurs des fontaines de la Cité
Murs de Carcassonne
Carcassonne
Pont Neuf
André Chénier Garden
Écluse du Moulin
( Carcassonne - France ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Carcassonne . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Carcassonne - France
Join us for more :
Lyon, France travel 2018
Lyon, France
Jan 27 2018
Camera:
Fuji XA2
Gopro+LCD
Iphone 6s
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Adventures by A Himitsu
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0
Music released by Argofox
Music provided by Audio Library
Rocamadour, cité médiévale et religieuse, dans le Lot, France.
Rocamadour est un petit village en bord de falaise, au sud du centre de la France, située dans le département du Lot, en région Occitanie.
Things to Do in Chateau de Foix in France - Day Trip from Toulouse
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Foix is in southern France, an easy drive away from Toulouse. Foix is most famous for its medieval castle and winding narrow streets leading up to it. If you have the time, you should visit Foix from Toulouse as it is a pretty little city, making it well worth a trip.
Foix is a little over an hour's drive away from Toulouse, a major city in the south of France. You can also take the train from Toulouse Matabiau station, which is a direct ride, taking 1h14m.
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