Truly Unique Places

Hi Richard,
I can think of a lot of places that other people might consider unique but
at a certain point what was 'unique' starts showing up on lots of 'must see' places.
So I will mention here the ones other people will recommend:
Dali's museum (Spain) --ok if you like his art
Carcassonne (France) Don't get me wrong I love Carcasonne and visit it whenever I've been in the area (so quite often over a 10 year period) but
the old Cite was redone with tower caps not used in the south and other changes which do make it more attractive but....not authentic.
I've detoured twice to drive over the Viaduct du Millau. It is awesome in the best sense of the word. I think it's a true wonder of the world. But...is it worth the diversion...
Albi. No, just no.
Things I do like and respect.
As you cross the border, Collioure is old, nice and makes me think of an older era. Avoid Perpignan but you might consider turning left and heading up to Villefranche de Confluent.
You can catch a ride on the Little Yellow Train. Yes, it's known but it is unique and offers unique vistas. We had planned on riding it but it wasn't running the day we went, and when we drove the road that followed it up into the Pyrenees we were glad we didn't...some of the bridges would have strongly affected our fear of heights...
You could also drive up that route and at Mont Louis turn right and head down the D118 (the prefix of a D on a road number refers to the fact it is a road maintained by the department; N means National) by Chateau d'Usson (one of the Cathar chateaux in the area. Lesser known, more accessible.
Supposedly (some accounts) where the Cathar treasue was taken when Montsegur fell).
Follow the D118 through where the roadway which follows the Aude river was cut from stone...two lanes still.
At Axat D117 west will take you to the town of Lapradelle-Puilaurens
(more Cathar ruins) or D117 will combine with D118 to contineue to follow the river to Quillan. Not much there. Continue on to Esperaza and the Dinosaur Museum (yes, really) T-Rex is a nice resto, favorite of locals if you're peckish. Expat community here, nice people artists and such.
Further up the road is Montazels where you can turn off should you want to go to Rennes le Chateau but I don't think it's worth it. Good panoramic view, cheap conspiracy theories.
Alet-les-Bains has a ruined church, a casino and a former inhabitant was Nostradamus.
Limoux is the area where the first sparking wine was created....before the monks in Champagne came up with theirs. Limoux is known (but not that well) for their carnival which lasts weeks, not just one day. Various groups perform through the city, each with their own matching costumes.
If you continue on D118 it will take you to Carcassonne.

Back at Quillan you could follow D117 past Puivert (chateau) to Lavelanet. At Lavelanet you can turn left and go to the classic Cathar Chateau (and nice village below (La Patate Qui fume, Andy and Stephanie) for a restortive meal affter the climb). Or turn right to continue down to Mirepoix...my favorite village...only 900 years old, a flood from the dam breaking at Puivert wiped out the earlier town.
You can head north toward the Deux Mers peage and backtrack to Carcassonne...and make sure while you're in this area to check out the Canal du Midi...I always loved driving along it...quite an engineering accomplishment for its time.
There's more I could mention if you want this sort of thing...there is a valley with caves with prehistoric art which are still open (not recreations) and so much more.
I tend to get carried away, hope I haven't bored you.

Hi

If you like ghost villages, Aragon is a paradise for that. A link to a website with a list of the ruined villages in Huesca Province : Ruined village in Huesca province. It's in spanish but you will find plenty informations.
It's more difficult to find that in France as France was richer than Spain in XIX and XX centuries and didn't suffer such big migrations.
As suggested above, Aude and Ariege departments have remote places and among them interesting cathars castles ruins. Among them Montsegur and Peyrepertuse are, for me, the best to give this feeling of "ruins" and "history".

If you don't go to Aragon but straight from Barcelona to Aude area, there is Perillos near Salses which is partly abandoned.

If you go to Huesca province, I suggest you to go up to Oradour through Bielsa tunnel. Before Ainsa, you will see, in the middle of the lake, the top of the bell tower of the old church of Mediano....
In France, if interested in history make a break in Saint-Bertrand de Comminges (old medieval village with ruins but it's roman ones sorry...).
Up to the north, in Lot area, there are plenty old villages. Near Rocamadour, there is a path through les gorges de l'Alzou with plenty ruined mills. The last one, le moulin du Saut is quite impressive. In Lot department, in all the area around Figeac, the SS das Reich 2nd unit made a lot of massacres on their way to Oradour.
And then Oradour

Hi,sfgirl,
NOOOOOOOOOOO,,not bored at all,,in fact it was very informative and I appreciate your time and input.
Now I need to get out my French language CDs,,I'm sure English will be rare in that part of the country.

Thanks again,,

Richard

Hi sjeanmarc1,
"Ghost towns",,,they do have a flavor all their own. Bodie Calif being one of my favorites.Thank you for your time and suggestions,,much appreciated.Both responses I received were quite helpful,since we have no idea where we will be.

Thanks again,
Richard

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.