A Historic Path

Languedoc-Roussillon & the Camargue in 1 Week

The history-rich regions of Languedoc, Roussillon, and the Camargue, comprise some of the most fascinating terrain in all of France. This region has not only world-class tourist meccas, including the walled city of Carcassonne and the ancient capital of Toulouse, but also the ancient university city of Montpellier, the capital of Mediterranean Languedoc, and the Roman city of Nîmes, with one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Moving with a certain speed, you can take in the chief glories of these provinces in a week, with time enough to dip into the "cowboy country" of France, the Camargue.

Day 1: Toulouse, Gateway to Languedoc

The fourth-largest city in France and the old capital of Languedoc, the cosmopolitan city of Toulouse can be reached by air, although most visitors from Paris take the high-speed TGV train, which arrives in Toulouse after only 5 hours.

After checking into a hotel for the night, you can spend 1 1/2 hours exploring the Basilique St-Sernin, the largest and best Romanesque church extant in Europe. Before lunch, you can also take in the Cathédrale St-Etienne, Toulouse's other major ecclesiastical monument. After a lunch of some of the specialties of Southwest France, visit the best museum of Toulouse in the afternoon: Musée des Augustins, a former monastery that today is the repository of splendid art, including some of the best works of old masters long associated with the southwest, including the incomparable Toulouse-Lautrec and Ingres. Allow at least 1 1/2 hours for a visit. Another attraction you might fit into a comfortable afternoon is the Eglise des Jacobins, a restored convent. Wind down in the day by heading for place Wilson, a fabulous 19th-century square known for its fashionable cafes.

Day 2: Albi, City of Toulouse-Lautrec

In a rented car from Toulouse on Day 2, head 76km (47 miles) to the "red city" of Albi on the banks of the River Tarn to see the world's greatest collection of the paintings of hometown boy Toulouse-Lautrec. After checking into a hotel, visit the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, allowing 1 1/2 to 2 hours for a visit. Before lunch, you can also visit the town's towering monument, Cathédrale Ste-Cécile, a cathedral from the 13th century that is fortified with ramparts and parapets. In the afternoon, you can visit the family seat of Toulouse-Lautrec, the Château de Bosc in Camjac, 46km (29 miles) from Toulouse. Getting there and back, as well as visiting the château, will eat up the rest of your afternoon. Overnight in Albi.

Day 3: Carcassonne, the Walled City

You can leave Albi early in the morning of Day 3, making the 105km (65-mile) drive south to Carcassonne, the most heavily visited city in the southwest of France. It is the picture postcard of the Middle Ages. After checking into a hotel, set out to explore the walled city, walking its ramparts. This will occupy the rest of your morning and part of your afternoon. After lunch, you can visit the Basilique St-Nazaire, Château Comtal. Overnight in Carcassonne.

Day 4: Narbonne & Perpignan

On Day 4, a busy two-city tour, you can drive 96km (60 miles) east of Carcassonne to medieval Narbonne, whose port rivaled Marseille in the days of the Romans. You can arrive early enough in the morning for a walk around its Old Town and a visit to its major monument, Cathédrale St-Just. Before lunch you can also spend an hour wandering the Palais des Archevêques. Of the three museums in this complex, the one that merits attention is the Musée Archéologique.

After lunch in Narbonne, continue to the ancient Catalonian city of Perpignan, 64km (40 miles) south of Narbonne. Check into a hotel here for the night. Walk around its historic core and visit Castillet/Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires Catalans and the Cathédrale St-Jean from the late Middle Ages.

Day 5: Montpellier, Capital of Mediterranean Languedoc

On Day 5, you'll need to backtrack from Perpignan to Narbonne, taking the E15 and bypassing Narbonne to arrive in the ancient university city of Montpellier, 96km (60 miles) east of Narbonne. Check into a hotel for the night.

In what remains of the morning, wander through the Jardin des Plantes and pay a visit to the Cathédrale St-Pierre, spending 1 1/2 to 2 hours taking in one of France's greatest provincial art galleries. Allow time for a long stroll along the 17th-century promenade de Peyrou, one of the great terraced parks of southwest France, opening onto the Mediterranean. If time remains, stroll place de la Comédie, where you'll find some 120 boutiques selling unusual merchandise.

Day 6: Nîmes & Its Roman Monuments

On Day 6, from Montpellier drive 88km (55 miles) northeast to the ancient city of Nîmes where you can check into a hotel for the night. Set out for a busy day of sightseeing, heading first for Maison Carrée, one of the world's greatest Roman temples. You can also go to the Amphithéâtre Romain, taking in the Roman amphitheater before lunch in a typical Nîmes restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Carrée d'Art/Musée d'Art Contemporain; walk through the beautiful gardens, Jardin de la Fontaine, taking in views of its Roman ruins. Try also to visit the city's largest museum, Musée des Beaux-Arts, with its mammoth collection of French painting and sculpture from the 17th century to modern times.

Day 7: Arles & the Camargue

On your final day, Day 7, set out in the morning to drive 32km (20 miles) southwest of Nîmes for a morning visit to Arles. Worthy of the trip are: Les Alyscamps, one of the world's most famous necropolises; Théâtre Antique/Amphithéâtre, a Roman theater founded by Augustus in the 1st century and an ancient amphitheater. Have lunch in Arles.

In the afternoon, continue south to the Camargue, heading for the capital of the Camargue, Aigues-Mortes, a distance of 48km (30 miles) southwest of Nîmes. Called "the city of dead waters," Aigues-Mortes is France's most preserved walled town and makes a good hotel base for the night. Spend what remains of the afternoon exploring its ancient streets and touring its ramparts. In the morning, journey to Marseille (139km/86 miles) where you can make rail or plane connections to anywhere in Europe.