53302SWE
Montpellier, Carcassonne, Pau, Biarritz
Routes
Carcassonne Walking tour of the Cité with TM, no entrances
Pau Sightseeing with TM, see TM notes, no entrances
- Lunch might be a slight problem as you will be on the N117 or D622 during lunch time. You could stop in one of the small towns eg. St. Gaudens or warn the group that it will be early/late snacks/lunch.
Carcassonne
Walking tour of the Cité with TM, no entrances
NB – Adjust timings according to where you will be overnighting in Provence.
The Château Comtal can only be visited on a guided tour in French (approx. 40 minutes.) Most groups do not do this.
There are many souvenir shops in the Cité. Advise the group that if they buy swords etc., such items must be properly packaged for security purposes in respect of their return flight. (MOST teachers are against this as they cause issues State side on the way home.)
Visit
Set down on the bus drop off (see map) and make a rendezvous with your driver for departure. There are relatively good public toilets on your left as you walk towards the entrance – Porte Narbonnaise.
Carcassonne Bus Drop Off:
Lead the group through the double curtain wall. You don’t have to guide, but it’s a good idea to lead straight along the central street (full of souvenir shops selling weapons from all periods) until you see the Château Comtal ahead to your right. Point it out to the group.
Take the street to your left and lead the group into Place Marcou (great place for lunch – lots of cafés/restaurants selling local dishes).
From the Place Marcou take the street to your right (following the inner wall). Keep walking for a few minutes. Eventually you come to the Basilique St. Nazaire. There are more public toilets on your right.
Give free time to explore.
If time allows they can visit the Chateau as individuals – 13€ or free Under 18. It is possible to reserve a school group visit in advance (35 max + 2 adults) for 40€. Call 04 68 11 70 70. This also gives access to the South and West facing Remparts. Allow 45 mins – 1 hour.
There is an ATM machine on your left, just before you turn into the Place Marcou from the main street.
Pau
Consider stopping on the motorway before arrival for toilets – there are no group toilets in the city.
From the Motorway exit follow signs to the Chateau. This will take you down the Ave de la Resistance to the Place de Verdun. Follow signs to “Chateau and SNCF” down rue Corisandre and ask the driver to drop you on the Place Gramont. He can turn left and go back to the Place de Verdun to wait. Your tour should take about one hour.
Pau Bus Drop Off at Place Gramont:
After the walking tour give them some free time for shopping and lunch.
There are only a couple of pay toilet booths on the Bvd des Pyrenees, which would take too long for a whole group to use! There are McDonalds etc in the town centre.