11 days in Marseille, Carcassonne Center & Olonzac Itinerary

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Head to Art Gallery Contemporary Tapiezo and L'Avenue 83for some retail therapy. Get some historical perspective at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and Cathédrale La Major. Explore Marseille's surroundings by going to Il Etait Une Flamme (in Roussillon), Carrieres des Lumieres (in Les Baux de Provence) and Poterie Point Fusion (in Cabrieres d'Aigues). The adventure continues: explore the world behind art at Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations and take in the dramatic natural features at Calanques.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Marseille road trip planner.

If you are flying in from Canada, the closest major aiports are Marseille Provence Airport, Nîmes-Arles-Camargue Airport and Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport. In May, daily temperatures in Marseille can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Carcassonne Center.

Cité de Carcassonne and Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne will appeal to history buffs. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Cooperative Artisanale de la Cite - Le Vieux Lavoir and Musee d'art moderne de Ceret. Get out of town with these interesting Carcassonne Center side-trips: Can Cago Galerie De La Main De Fer (in Ceret), Chateau de Castelnou (in Castelnou) and Orgues d'Ille Sur Tet (in Ille-sur-Tet).

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Carcassonne Center online tour itinerary maker.

Getting from Marseille to Carcassonne Center by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In May in Carcassonne Center, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Olonzac.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Olonzac Market. Start off your visit on the 27th (Mon): explore the ancient world of Abbaye de Lagrasse and then take in the exciting artwork at Galerie de la Cabrerisse.

For where to stay, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, read Olonzac planning website.

You can drive from Carcassonne Center to Olonzac in an hour. In May, daily temperatures in Olonzac can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 28th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.