France & Spain: Tourist suggestions

[ajaxfetish]

Hi All,

I sing in an ensemble here at school, and this May we have a trip planned to sing in Cathedrals of France and Spain. I've not been to either country since I was old enough to remember, and since my two greatest passions in life are music and Medieval history, I'm very excited for the trip. I'm posting to get recommendations of what I should be sure to get to if I can. I'd especially like suggestions from folks like Louis or Meneldil, but anyone who knows a great spot, feel free to chime in. I'm mostly looking for history, and especially Medieval sites.

Here's our itinerary as it now stands:

May 4: Fly into Paris
May 5: Paris
May 6: Versailles, Chartres, then back to Paris

May 7: Paris
May 8: Rouen, Giverney, back to Paris
May 9: through the Loire valley to Tours
May 10: Loire valley
May 11: from Tours to Toulouse via Limoges
May 12: Toulouse
May 13: from Toulouse to Bilbao

May 14: Bilbao
May 15: from Bilbao to Burgos, then to Salamanca
May 16: Salamanca
May 17: through Avila and Segovia to Madrid
May 18: Madrid
May 19: Madrid
May 20: Toledo, then back to Madrid

May 21: Fly home

I know I want to try to get a day trip from Toulouse over to Carcassonne, but I'm not sure where to start for everything else. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Ajax

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Well, i would suggest Toledo, Ávila and Segovia each one with much to see in a day trip. However, there other medieval interesting places:

Near Salamanca:
Medina Del Campo, with a fantastic gothic castle - Castillo de la Mota http://www.delsolmedina.com/GuiaTuristicaMedina.htm
Tordesillas - http://www.tordesillas.net/

Not far from Madrid:
Cuenca, southeast from Madrid - http://www.cuenca.org/

[Louis VI the Fat]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Unfortunately, you don't seem to have a lot of time in any one place. So I'd suggest you'd stick with visiting the 'biggies'. From the looks of it, your school has got it pretty much figured out. Versailles, Chartres cathedral, the Loire, Carcasonne.

I guess you know what to see in Paris. For night-time entertainment, depending on your age a bit, take métro 2 to station 'Ménilmontant', and try rue Oberkampf ou rue Ménilmontant. In the XIe and XXe arrondissements.


If you get anywhere near it when you're travelling up the Loire, see the Château de Chenonceau. It's perfection. http://www.chenonceau.com/
For old cities, try Blois. On the Loire as well. http://www.ville-blois.fr/tourisme/ville-images.htm

If you're going to Carcassone, you're right in the middle of Cathar country. If you dig medieval, you couldn't do any better. Buy a book about them, bring you're hiking shoe's, and follow in their footsteps.

I mean this:


Yes, that's a well-preserved Cathar castle up there. Try to go to Peyrepertuse, the 'Carcassonne in the sky', and Quérebus.

[Vladimir]

It may be a good idea to avoid the Parisian suburbs and stick to the heart of the city. I think Paris and DC have a competition going for most dangerous slums. (just kidding my friend )

[Louis VI the Fat]

It may be a good idea to avoid the Parisian suburbs and stick to the heart of the city. I think Paris and DC have a competition going for most dangerous slums. (just kidding my friend )

Well that is actually good advice. I should've added it myself.

[ajaxfetish]

Thanks for the replies, folks! That castle shot is absolutely stunning, Louis. I just wish the picture was a little bigger. I'll see if I can make it to some of your suggested sites and maybe let everyone know how it went after I get back.

Ajax