Driving all across southern France
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Apr 4, 2012 9:50 PM Last Post By: sfgirl42
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Driving all across southern France
We are planning a leisurely drive from Zurich to Barcelona through southern France around September. We are in our early and mid-50s. Any advice as to what we should be doing? Route we should be following (detours are not a problem)? We just want to experience natural, historical, and architectural beauty (no night clubs for us, thank you!). We are thinking of three to five nights but can increase to six or seven if necessary.1
Have a look at viamichelin. There you can put in you startin g point as well as you final destination and the type of trip, fast, scenery etc. The website also gives you the apprtoximate costs for fuel as well as the toll. By clicking on the little map, yopu get a map, which allows you to put waypoints to change from the indicated roue.Good luck and happy driving.
2
I did that back in the late 90's with a friend for about the same length of time. We stayed along the sea much of the way and stopped were we found something of interest. You might spend a day in Monaco and near Nice is Saint Paul de Vence. There are many beautiful small towns and villages in the hills over looking the sea. I am sure you will have a great trip. If Carcasonne is not to much out of the way you might consider it.3
First suggestion: Get Rough Guide Languedoc-Roussillon--my all time favorite (over 10 years visiting the area) book.Second: http://www.creme-de-languedoc.com/Languedoc/
Good general intro website.
And to whet your appetite for trave, feast your eyes on the photos on:
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=france
There is little I can write that would capture the insight, dedication and talent of those who write and share their travels with others on this site. If someone were to ask me: Why do you go to France? (I live in California) I would show them this site.
I've spent most of my time in Aude & Ariege so that's why I'm only recommending info on those areas...
Have a wonderful time--
Edited by: sfgirl42
4
Take your time and have a look here: http://www.france-voyage.com/en/5
Use the route Napoleon rather than the Rhone valley for Grenoble to Nice (N85) - stunning scenery and less traffic.Then wind your way east through the villages west of Montpelier.6
About this trip:2 different possibilities:
1st: http://g.co/maps/87px8 , easy, by road or highway
2nd: http://g.co/maps/sqm7j , more interesting, by the mountain with easy roads
good trip !
7
I am the OP and I apologize for the delayed acknowledgement to all your very useful suggestions and links. I've spent time looking at what the area has to offer and we are now seriously considering making southern France (especially LR) a destination in its own right!@sfgirl42: I've ordered the Rough Guide book (all the online reviews praise it highly) and have already spent more time than I should have on the "creme-de..." site.
Thanks again, all. I'll be back should I need specific guidance.
