Cities near the French/Spanish border

[Ginmonkeyagain]

We are planning to go down to the French Spanish border (Med side) this July. We want a mix of beach and city break. In previous years we have based ourselves in Nimes and Montpellier. This time I am thinking further south and basing ourselves out of Perpignan, Tolouse or Narbonne.

Any thoughts?

We are child free and enjoy eating out, history, culture, drinking, music and just hanging out in cities. We both speak a reasonable standard of French.

We want a mix of beach and city break

Problem with Toulouse from that specific POV is it is just over an hour and a half from the Med on a good day... (and two and half hours plus from the Atlantic coast). There's usually a "plage" set up on the banks of the Garonne in the summer and a few of the local lakes have beach set ups but other than that?

Other than that it's got a bit of "history", Museums, etc, but is very much a tech centre these days. Perpignan might be a better bet if you're after more traditional culture and is obviously close to the sea..

Don't know Narbonne that well TBH..have you considered the bigger towns in that area such as Beziers?

Beziers is nice - not that big though.

What about the Atlantic side? Biaritz? St Jean de Luz?

Barcelona?

Are you planning to go into Spain?

Loads of great places. Girona, Roses, Empuribrava, lots of traditional little coastal towns, Roman ruins at Empuries.

Carcassonne is beautiful and certainly covers the history/culture aspect. But would only suggest for a few days, we did that and then headed over to Collioure on the coast for a few days.

If you were flexible about what side you wanted to be I thoroughly reckoned San Sebastian - it ticks off every one of your requirements. One of my favourite cities in the world.

*recommend

The Dali Museum at Figeuras.

Thank all - some food for thought. We will need to stay on the Med side as we will be spending a few days in the sea port of Sete.

Beziers has become really nice in recent years, the mayor has made a real effort to clean the place up and it's great in summer with loads of events.

I think Toulouse is great but it's definitely not near enough to the coast, although there are loads of places to eat out - it's very much a student city, no beach vibes.

I wouldn't aim for Narbonne, it's pretty boring even in the summer with restaurants/bars closing reasonably early. The best thing about it is the market on a Saturday or Sunday (can't remember) but you'll find much better places.

I visited Perpignan last week and actually really loved it, I think it's going to be really good in the summer so I'm going back in June. Collioure is only half an hour away, which is one of the most beautiful coastal villages in the area, so I'd stay there if you could. Loads of restaurants, (one fab tapas place I can give you the name of), 3 "cove" beaches, amazing views, really good wine and Banyuls, relaxed vibe, good market, great shops.

I love San Sebastian too.So beautiful.

Perpignan sounds like a winner. We are good with a bit gritty - Marseille is one of my favourite French cities - much to the horror of most of my French friends.

We have San Sebastian on the list for another time as Mr Monkey is considering running the marathon there.

Returning to this thread as we are off to Perpignan in a week. We are considering Le Train Jaune for a day trip, any advice?

Ginmonkeyagain · Today 11:12
Returning to this thread as we are off to Perpignan in a week. We are considering Le Train Jaune for a day trip, any advice?

Valium? Un petit vin?? No seriously it’s a lovely journey. I spent 8 years holidaying around Perpignan/Collioure/Argeles and enjoyed every minute. Beautiful coastline

Perpignan and Gerona are good calls if you want a town base. Argeles, imo, is a bit too holiday campy. Agree with Collioure but also Port Vendres, Cerberes and Banyuls. How are you getting there?

We drive at unsociable hours and tackle the periphique and usually stay just south of Limoges. Alternatively fly to Barcelona.

Eurostar to Paris and then TGV to Perpignan.

That works if you are staying in/near Perpignan. I am always put off by the schlep to central London to catch it. Will you hire a car when there or are you taking it down on the train?

I hope you have a wonderful time. We are off for August.

If you can get there, Ceret up in the hills inland for arty interest.
I haven't been in the yellow train in years. It didn't run for a long while due to financial difficulty/repairs. Check times as can be a bit erratic but lovely trip.
Paulilles beach is an interesting trip, an old munitions factory with old buildings to look round, small museum, cafe, beach good for snorkeling (gravelly not sandy). Nice look out tower, certainly a pleasant half day wander and all free bar parking charge (likely to be on the local cheap bus route too).
If you don't have a car the train up and down the coast is cheap and reliable.

I like both Bezier and Narbonne. They aren't huge tourist destinations but have a Roman history and worth a wander.
There is also a fort salses you can get to by train, but if you are going to Sete it's probably near their anyway perhaps.
Perpignan has lots to look around but not been to the centre in years.
My parents have lived in this area for 23 years and we still haven't done everything!
At this time of year may well be lots of local festivals on, esp when it gets to July and the holiday season begins so keep an eye out if you like music, drink and maybe dancing!

@RosesAndHellebores yes we are staying in the centre of Perpignan and are Londoners so St Pancras is just a 30 min can ride away.

We'll be using trains and buses when we get there, we're pretty confident public transport users.

Very excited! Just a week to go now.

So we are here and so far enjoying it a lot, it is a lovely city.