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Arrival by train
A relaxed arrival day: after arriving, all you need to do is check in and let the evening unwind in Nîmes.
Only book the hire car from tomorrow — today the walk from the station to the hotel is all you need.
A long leg — build in breaks.
This is where your journey starts. From Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the train takes you south into France.
An elegant grand hotel on the edge of the Jardins de la Fontaine, just a few minutes' walk from the arena. An ideal, peaceful base for the first few days, with a good restaurant and bar on site.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The ancient city on foot
A full day on foot with no car needed — all the sights are close together.
A combined ticket for the arena, Maison Carrée and Tour Magne is cheaper than buying tickets separately.
One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, still used for events today. The audio guide takes you through the tiers and passageways, vividly explaining life in the age of the gladiators.
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A nearly fully preserved Roman temple and, since 2023, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, a short film tells the story of the city's founding.
One of the first public gardens in Europe, with balustrades, waterways and the ancient Temple of Diana. The climb up to the Tour Magne rewards you with sweeping views over the city.
First day with the car
A relaxed driving day, with under an hour of driving in total.
Keep the hire car for the rest of the week — the base changes from tomorrow.
This three-tiered Roman aqueduct over the Gardon is one of the most impressive structures of antiquity in France. A modern museum explains the engineering and water flow, and the riverbank is a lovely spot for a break.
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A small former duchy town with an arcaded market square and the striking Fenestrelle tower. On Saturdays the market is a highlight; otherwise, cafés and delicatessens beckon under the arcades.
Change of base with a stop en route
A total of around 2.5 hours' driving spread over the day, with two relaxed stops in between.
Access to the Cité is restricted: register your arrival with the hotel in advance, or use the car park at the foot of the fortress otherwise.
Once the Roman capital of the province, with exposed ancient paving — the Via Domitia — right in the middle of the town hall square. The Les Halles market hall is a treat for food lovers, alongside the never-finished Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Just.
One of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in France, tucked away in a quiet valley with a cloister, church and terraced rose gardens. The guided tour through the medieval buildings is impressive and rarely crowded.
A historic hotel right inside the medieval fortress city, just a few steps from the basilica. Staying here means having the Cité almost to yourself once the day-trippers have gone.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Medieval fortress city
No driving today — everything is within walking distance.
Start early in the Cité, as it gets busy from later morning onwards.
The largest surviving fortress city in Europe, with a double ring of walls, 52 towers and the Château Comtal. Explore the ramparts and the Basilique Saint-Nazaire at leisure before the day visitors arrive.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
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The lower new town, dating from the 13th century, has a grid layout and a lively market square, Place Carnot. Market days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with good bistros nearby, away from the bustle of the Cité.
Waterway and wine country
Around 2.5 hours' driving spread over the day, along quiet country roads through the Minervois.
If you'd rather experience the Canal du Midi closer to Carcassonne, you can take a boat trip directly from the Port de Carcassonne instead.
One of the most famous flights of locks on the Canal du Midi, with eight staggered chambers that raise boats over 21 metres. This UNESCO World Heritage Site can be experienced with a short boat trip or on foot along the towpath.
One of the most beautiful villages in France, dramatically perched on a rocky spur above two gorges. The village was once a Cathar stronghold and still bears the marks of the 1210 siege, and there's local wine to taste too.
A Cathar castle and gorge on the way to the coast
A slightly longer driving day, with around 3 hours behind the wheel, but spectacular scenery.
In Collioure the old town is narrow, but the hotel has parking available nearby.
The last Cathar stronghold, perched high on a dizzying rocky spike with far-reaching views to the Pyrenees and the sea. The short, steep climb rewards you with a dramatic setting and the ruins of the keep.
A narrow, deeply cut limestone gorge with a hermitage built into the rock. The narrow road requires careful driving; a short walk leads to the Ermitage above the turquoise river.
A charming hotel in an old Catalan villa with a palm-lined garden and pool, just a few steps from the harbour. A peaceful base for the final days on the coast.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Coast, art and Catalonia
A car-free day, with everything in Collioure within walking distance.
If you fancy more, you can take a short drive to the neighbouring village of Port-Vendres or to Cap Béar.
The imposing fortress by the harbour was extended by the Kings of Majorca and later by the Templars and the Spanish. From the ramparts you look out over the bay painted by Matisse and Derain, with its famous bell tower.
The church with its distinctive round bell tower, once used as a lighthouse, is the symbol of Collioure. Inside, a gilded Baroque altar from the 18th century is a real highlight.
Colourful fishermen's houses, anchovy workshops and small galleries define this Catalan town. In the afternoon the coves invite you for a swim, while in the evening the waterside restaurants tempt with fresh fish and Roussillon wine.
Journey home
A long day of travel by train to finish, so return the hire car early in the morning.
If you'd like to split up the journey, you could plan an overnight stop in Lyon or Strasbourg.
A long leg — build in breaks.
The Catalan capital of Roussillon, with the Palace of the Kings of Majorca and the distinctive Castillet. Before your train departs, there's time for one last coffee in one of the squares and a look back over the trip.
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