Planning a road trip in southwest France and wondering where to start? In this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, titled "A Road Trip in Southwest France: Top Tips and Destinations," host Annie Sargent chats with guest Craig Anderson about a two-week itinerary through Occitanie, from Montpellier to Toulouse.

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Craig, a seasoned traveler from the U.S., shares how he and his wife Pamela explored the region by rental car, with stops in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Sète, Béziers, Carcassonne, Albi, Rabastens, and Toulouse. They dive into local experiences—like a wine tour with lunch at a winemaker's family farm, visiting Cathar castle ruins at Lastours, and eating oysters by the lagoon in Sète.

You’ll hear why Montpellier's university-town vibe is so lively, how Béziers surprised them with its charm and renovation, and why staying inside the medieval walls of Carcassonne makes for a magical evening. In Toulouse, they booked both a guided history tour and food tours to connect deeper with the city.

This episode is packed with practical travel tips, great food and wine stops, and ideas for travelers who want to experience more than just the highlights.

Subscribe to Join Us in France to hear more trip reports, cultural insights, and itinerary ideas all around France. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Francophile, Annie’s conversations will help you plan smarter and travel better.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• Introduction and Welcome
• Today on the podcast
• Podcast supporters
• The Magazine segment
• Craig and Pamela Anderson Interview
• Trip Overview and Past Travels
• Exploring Montpellier
• Wine Tours and Local Experiences
• Visiting Sète
• Discovering Béziers
• Journey to Carcassonne and Cathar Castles
• Exploring a Quaint Village and Its Restaurant
• Visiting Carcassonne: Tips and Experiences
• Albi
• Arriving in Toulouse and Exploring Capitol Square
• Food Tour and Private Tour with Elyse in Toulouse
• Toulouse Tour with Elyse
•  Toulouse Gourmet Tours
• Future Travel Plans and Reflections on France
• Thank you Patrons!
• Tour Reviews
•  The François Mitterrand site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France – BNF
• Buy your Metro Tickets on your Smartphone
• New Prices as of January 2025
• Navigo Easy Card
• Copyright

More episodes about the Occitanie region