Carcassonne Travel Forum

My 12 year old daughter and I would like to spend a week in late June cycling and camping in this area. Is this a good idea? What is the best way to get to Carcassonne from Ireland? And is it easy to get a train to Paris or Amsterdam in early July?

There are various cheap airlines to Carcassone, which is somewhat touristy, but pleasant. I'd thought you would have got a hotel/campsite without too much trouble, but once you hit the school hols, forget it. There are many hills so take that into account. Bike spares are readily available at Decathlon at Beziers and they have mechanics on hand. Decathlon also sell good quality [own brand is very good] sports equipment, including all camping gear.

My only caution is that there are a number of naturist campsites in the area and naturist beaches. The one to avoid at all costs is Cap d'Agde, which is a swingers paradise and should be avoided at all costs.

Avoid Formula 1 hotels, whose clientelle leave a lot to be desired. Etape, Villages, Premiere Classe hotels are excellent value for money, and are clean, safe and secure. Campanille Hotels offer excellent evening meals, and there is often a discount on meals. Premiere Classe and Campanille Hotels are the same group - Campanille are a bit more luxurious, but you get a discount on the evening meal [normally 10% plus free apperitife] if you stay at Premiere Classe. The pretty village of St. Guillelm le Dessert is worth a visit, and makes for a good picnic area - food in the village is expensive, but it would be an ardouous climb up on a bike. Have fun

Ryanair has cheap flights from Dublin - Carcassonne direct. Carcassonne is definitly worth a visit. Not sure about the cycling part. The land is flat but not terribly interesting in the east/west direction. The mountains to the south are probably more interesting but will be tougher going.