Further afield: The transport links are excellent and therefore it is not difficult to venture further a field and take in some of the features of the south of France.

• Toulouse. Take the train from Carcassonne and enjoy the beauty and shopping of the capital of the south. Toulouse station is in the centre of the city.

• Narbonne and Narbonne Plage. Narbonne is an interesting university town that is full of history. Narbonne Plage is 10 kms to the east. Depending on the weather and the season, the time to get there varies. The beaches are sandy and spacious but they can get busy. It’s developed and parking can be fun! The sea slopes gently with a sandy bottom.

• The Spanish border and Barcelona. The Spanish border is about one and a half hours away and Jonquera is well used for duty free purchases. Ceret (in France, before the border), is noted for its cherry blossom and subsequent cherry festival in May – delicious! 

• Barcelona is about a three hour drive and needs no further recommendation. The timetable suggests that Barcelona by train is not as convenient as by road.

•  Andorra and skiing. This well known state is famed for its duty free purchases and its skiing. It’s about two and a half hours by road (depending on conditions) and takes in some spectacular Pyrenean scenery. There are other more local French ski stations (information available), that are not as far, offering winter sports in a more relaxed manner