Are you a history fan and want to discover Southern France and the Spanish region of Catalonia beyond major cities like Montpellier and Barcelona? This road trip from Carcassonne to Girona is for you!
In this guide, Maerle from Traveltocatalonia.com takes you through some of the most fascinating historical sites in both regions, from fortified citadels and mountain castles to beautifully preserved medieval towns.
Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by the impressive landscapes of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast, making this route incredibly diverse.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
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What to Expect From This Medieval Road Trip in Southern France and Catalonia, Spain
Traveling from Carcassonne to Girona by car is one of the best ways to experience this part of Southern France and Catalonia, and this itinerary is ideal for travelers who enjoy want to enjoy history, culture, and nature in one trip.
How Much Time Do You Need
The driving distance for this route is about 450–500 km, and it’ll take you around 7 to 8 hours of driving in total.
This means the time spent driving between destinations is quite manageable, but because there are so many worthwhile stops along the way, this road trip is best enjoyed slowly.
Ideally, I would recommend taking 10 to 14 days to fully experience the route without rushing.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for this medieval road trip is during spring or autumn, thanks to the mild temperatures and fewer crowds compared to summer.
Destinations like Collioure and Carcassonne can become quite busy during the peak summer months, which can make the experience feel more crowded and less relaxed.
Car Rental & Driving
The route is relatively easy to drive, and because both France and Spain are part of the Schengen Area, crossing the border is very straightforward. In most cases, you won’t encounter any border checks.
Instead of taking the highways, I recommend following the smaller roads whenever possible, since they are often much more scenic.
You’ll pass dramatic mountain viewpoints as well as lookouts on the coastline and the turquoise-colored water of the sea.
If you are renting a car, a smaller vehicle is usually more convenient for navigating narrow streets and parking areas in medieval towns.
Car rental is widely available in larger cities such as Toulouse, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Girona, and Barcelona (meaning you can also switch it up and take a Barcelona/Girona to Carcassonne road trip).
During my visits, I also found that it’s often easier to park just outside the historic centers and continue exploring on foot.
Road Trip From Carcassonne to Girona: A 12-Day Medieval Itinerary
I’ve set up a possible route itinerary for you below, but it’s just to give you an idea. Of course, you can plan it according to the time you have.
Quick Route Overview & Map
Day 1-2: Carcassonne
Day 3: Mirepoix and Foix
Day 4: Foix
Day 5-6: Perpignan
Day 7: Castelnou and Collioure
Day 8-9: Collioure
Day 10: Besalú and Girona
Day 11-12: Girona
You can see these towns on the map here.
Carcassonne (2 Nights)
The starting point of this historic road trip is Carcassonne, and it’s already one of the most important stops of this trip, one you cannot miss.
The medieval Cité de Carcassonne is the best-preserved fortified city in Europe and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It dates back to Roman times, but it was further developed into the medieval fortress we know today between the 11th and 13th centuries.
My aunt and uncle used to live close to this city, and when they took me there for a visit, I was amazed by both its beauty and its incredible state of preservation. I remember it felt like stepping into a medieval movie.
You enter via the old stone bridge and city gate, where you encounter one of the medieval highlights: Château Comtal. When continuing along the narrow streets, you see lots of old stone houses, restaurants, and little shops.
You cannot miss the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, which is another must-see within the walls of Cité de Carcassonne.
The rest of the city outside of the walls is also worth exploring on foot. Head to Le Pont Vieux, the old bridge, from where you have incredible views of the old citadel.
After that, take a look at Porte des Jacobins and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne, with its perfect façade. I also loved the square Place Carnot for some drinks.
I recommend staying in Carcassonne for 2 nights, to take the time to see the whole walled city and the area around it.
Where to Stay in Carcassonne
Mercure Carcassonne La Cité is a great place to stay. The hotel has an amazing garden and swimming pool, and is located just a 5-minute walk from the Cité de Carcassonne.
Other highly rated options include Sur le quai and SalutBB Chambre d’hote.
Mirepoix
After leaving Carcassonne, you will reach the following stop, Mirepoix, in just a 50-minute drive.
Mirepoix is a tiny medieval town, which was rebuilt in the 15th century after a massive flood. It’s an impressive place to stop for a morning or afternoon.
The square ‘Place Maréchal Leclerc’ is the absolute highlight of Mirepoix. It’s surrounded by old houses, and I’m sure you will be amazed by their unique medieval architecture. They are half-timbered houses, which are all painted in different colors.
La Maison des Consuls is the most impressive one, with beautifully carved details.
Nowadays, it houses a 4-star hotel. If you have the time, it’s a nice place to stay during this historic Southern France and Catalonia road trip. From some rooms, you’ll have impressive views of the square and the cathedral opposite the hotel.
I also really enjoyed visiting the cathedral, and I recommend a visit here too. Also, sitting down for a drink on the square is lovely if you want to take a break from sightseeing.
If you happen to be in Mirepoix on a Monday morning, you will be able to visit the local market and add some local produce shopping to your itinerary.
Foix (2 Nights)
You’ll reach Foix in just about 40 minutes from Mirepoix. Foix is beautifully located on the river crossing of L’ Ariège and L’ Arget. The medieval city center of Foix is very charming, with countless lovely streets and restaurants.
A must-visit is the Chateau de Foix, which you can see from the town center. It originated in the 10th century and was further expanded and strengthened between the 12th and 14th centuries.
At the castle, there’s a museum where you can learn more about its history. You can also walk around the castle to get a sense of what life was like there in the Middle Ages.
From up there, you have incredible views of the hills, the town, and its surroundings, so it’s an unforgettable place to visit.
Tip: If you want to take a break on the way from Foix to Perpignan, which is the longest driving distance in this itinerary, you can make an optional stop at Château de Montségur.
This hilltop fortress is known for its dramatic history as the last stronghold of the Cathars in the 13th century.
The setting is incredible, and it’s definitely worth a visit, although today it is less intact than other medieval sites on this road trip.
Where to Stay in Foix
If you’re looking for a great place to stay near the castle, take a look at l’Arche des Chapeliers.
This bed and breakfast is located in a charming old building right in the center of Foix. The rooms are comfortable, and the host is super friendly and helpful.
Perpignan (2 Nights)
After Foix, it’s time to head further toward the Mediterranean coast, where you will find Perpignan after a drive of 2h35m. Perpignan is not a very large city, but it’s the regional capital city, and it’s worth a visit.
I didn’t expect much from it, but I was pleasantly surprised. In Perpignan, the medieval highlights mainly date from the 13th and 14th centuries.
What I loved most was the medieval Palais des Rois de Majorque, an incredible Gothic-style palace, which was used by the kings of Mallorca.
Think of large stained-glass windows, beautiful arches, and courtyards, and in addition, the palace offers the most amazing views of the city.
I also enjoyed admiring Le Castillet, the old city gate, and the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Perpignan.
Perpignan is a nice city to wander around in for a while, enjoy some of the street art you’ll encounter, and sit down on one of the nice terraces for a long lunch to take a break after all the strolling around.
Where to Stay in Perpignan
An amazing hotel to stay in when visiting Perpignan is Dali Hôtel.
The rooms are lovely, and the breakfast is excellent. Upstairs, you find a nice rooftop terrace, and opposite the hotel, there’s a beautiful green park.
Another highly rated option is Nyx Hôtel Indépendant Perpignan Centre Gare.
Castelnou
When you’ve seen everything you want to see in Perpignan, you can continue your road trip.
Your next stop is Castelnou, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in the Pyrenees. It’s just a short drive of 30 minutes inland from Perpignan.
This small, fortified village dates back to the 10th century, with most of its castle and defensive structures developed between the 10th and 13th centuries.
Castelnou is dramatically located on a hill with amazing views of the surroundings from the castle.
I loved wandering around the village of Castelnou as it felt like stepping back in time. It is quite steep, but it’s a nice stroll along the narrow streets.
There are some small shops selling local products, so take a look around. One of the shops I liked was selling local honey. You can find it on Place de l’École, which is a lovely little square.
Collioure (3-4 Nights)
From Castelnou, it’s about a 45-minute drive to the coast in the far south of France, where you’ll visit Collioure. Collioure dates back to the 13th century. At that time, the town was an important fortress of the Kings of Mallorca.
If you are interested in history, you cannot miss a visit to the Château Royal de Collioure, the most important surviving medieval structure. This fortified castle is built right on the Mediterranean Sea, which makes it an impressive sight.
You could easily spend 3 or 4 days in Collioure and around.
I’ve been there a couple of times, and what I like most is its colorful houses, relaxed vibe, and its location directly on the coast. There are lots of nice restaurants and bars, so it’s fun to spend some time soaking in the atmosphere.
Collioure is also a perfect destination if you would like to add some relaxing beach time to this road trip.
After this beautiful coastal town, it’s time to cross the border and discover more of Catalonia in the northeastern part of Spain.
Where to Stay in Collioure
The gorgeous Hôtel La Casa Pairal is located in a magnificent old house right in the middle of it all. Everything is within walking distance, which makes this hotel very convenient when visiting Collioure.
It has a very welcoming ambiance, and what I love most about this place is the peaceful garden, which is great for some relaxation time.
Besalú
The drive from Collioure to Besalú only takes about 1h15m.
You will encounter a well-preserved medieval town whose main highlights date from the 10th to 12th centuries, when Besalú was an important fortified village in medieval Catalonia.
Try to park your car near the medieval stone bridge so that you can enter the village on this side of the river.
The bridge immediately shows you why Besalú is a must-visit, because it’s so beautifully intact, and it looks like it’s from a movie.
It was damaged in the Spanish Civil War and restored in the mid-20th century. The village itself is also very well preserved, with old stone houses, typical small squares, and a labyrinth of streets to wander around in.
Besides visiting Besalú, you could opt for spending some more time in and around the village, for instance, to discover Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, but you can also continue on to Girona to spend a few nights there.
Girona (3 Nights)
After leaving Besalú, it’s only about 40 minutes to Girona, the final destination on this Catalonia and Southern France road trip, starting in Carcassonne.
The old city center is incredible and mostly dates from the 11th to 15th centuries. The cathedral, the Jewish quarter, the colorful houses on the Onyar river – they are all worth visiting.
You can also explore the city with this highly rated history, legends, and food tour of Girona.
If you’re planning to spend a few days here, this detailed Girona travel guide covers the best restaurants, hotels, and things to do.
Tip: If you have more time, you could head to the Costa Brava for some relaxation time before heading back home. Want to find out where to go? Check out my favorite coastal towns on the Costa Brava.
Where to Stay in Girona
One of the best places to stay in Girona is Hotel Nord 1901. It’s very centrally located in the city center and offers clean and comfortable rooms.
This hotel is one of the few with a pool, which is perfect after a long day of sightseeing in the warmer months.
Final Thoughts
This medieval Carcassonne to Girona road trip is perfect for travelers who enjoy combining history, culture, and nature in one itinerary.
Every stop along the route offers something different. You will see incredible medieval towns, mountain castles, and natural areas in both France and Spain, so take your time to explore and enjoy.
Author bio: Maerle is a passionate traveler from the Netherlands who has called Catalonia home since 2016. On Traveltocatalonia.com, she writes about her favorite places in the region, from stunning natural areas like the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava to vibrant cities such as Barcelona and Girona. Follow Travel to Catalonia on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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