{"id":364409,"date":"2025-08-22T10:30:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/364409\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T10:30:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:30:25","slug":"i-saw-the-best-of-unspoilt-france-on-a-e1-train-ticket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/364409\/","title":{"rendered":"I saw the best of unspoilt France on a \u20ac1 train ticket"},"content":{"rendered":"

On an early morning train, surrounded by locals clutching bags stuffed with towels, we hurtled towards the southern coast of France<\/a> for a day at Narbonne Plage. Here, sprawling sandy shores fill with families from across the region, with enough space to settle in for the day.<\/p>\n

Framed by the hazy outline of the Pyrenees, the train journey from Toulouse<\/a> takes just an hour and a half and costs less than a caf\u00e9 au lait.<\/p>\n

In recent years, destinations along the neighbouring C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur<\/a>, like Marseille<\/a>, have enjoyed a resurgence among cosmopolitan crowds. Nonetheless, with this attention comes hiked prices, packed beaches and, inevitably, a watering down of authentic French culture.<\/p>\n

Nestled between this famed coastline and the Spanish<\/a> border is the lesser-known region of L\u2019Occitanie, or Occitania.<\/p>\n

Previously known as Languedoc-Roussillon, this swathe of France has so much to offer: ancient ruins, cultural centres, calm waterways, national parks and, more recently, affordable rail travel.<\/p>\n

Regional train company liO launched its \u20ac1 (87p) deal several years ago and has since doubled the number of lines included.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a real palette cleanser for anyone fed up with the rising cost of travel in the UK<\/a>. With a growing appetite for sustainable, slow and affordable tourism, L\u2019Occitanie makes the perfect location for a summer adventure.<\/p>\n

I first fell in love with the region after spending a summer in Montpellier<\/a> brushing up on my French. This walkable city has an understated cosmopolitanism, balancing modern energy with deep historical roots.<\/p>\n

\"Montpellier<\/p>\n

Montpellier has an \u2018an understated cosmopolitanism\u2019 (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

After battling with French grammar in morning classes, I\u2019d escape to the free museum MO.CO La Panac\u00e9e<\/a>. Located in the heart of the city and housed in the stunning 12th-century Royal College of Medicine, it even has an affordable cafe with an adventurous menu to boot.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve had your fill of history and culture, hop on a short tram ride to Palavas-les-Flots: Montpellier\u2019s answer to Margate.<\/p>\n

\"Palavas-les-Flots<\/p>\n

Palavas-les-Flots is Montpellier\u2019s answer to Margate (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

From Montpellier, you can travel along the coast through the vast salt flats of the Camargue, or head inland towards the C\u00e9vennes National Park<\/a>. On the coastal route, plenty of stops merit a visit.<\/p>\n

Frontignan offers quaint bistros, timeless architecture and, of course, a beach. Or immerse yourself in nature at Arles<\/a>, where you\u2019ll find yet another Roman amphitheatre alongside access to the national park, home to France\u2019s native flamingos.<\/p>\n

Just under an hour away lies N\u00eemes, dubbed \u201cthe most Roman city outside of Rome.\u201d It boasts one of the best-preserved amphitheatres and temples outside of Italy. Come for the ancient architecture, stay for the 17th century Les Jardins des Fontaines and lose yourself in a Bridgerton fantasy.<\/p>\n

\"Place<\/p>\n

Place St Pierre in Toulouse offers an authentic atmosphere (Flora Medford)<\/p>\n

Much like Montpellier, Toulouse makes an excellent base for exploring the region.<\/p>\n

As L\u2019Occitanie\u2019s capital, it\u2019s by far the largest city, with routes from Toulouse Matabiau station connecting you both to the coast and inland towns like Montauban.<\/p>\n

Its Parisian<\/a> feel and wealth of historical architecture make wandering its streets entertainment enough. The Chapelle des Carm\u00e9lites<\/a> is a calm oasis hidden down an alleyway, its unassuming cerulean door opening onto captivating frescoes. Locals even use the adjoining caf\u00e9 with its soothing music as a remote working space.<\/p>\n

While most visitors gravitate towards Capitole, the city\u2019s central square, head instead to Place St Pierre for an aperitif in a more authentic haunt.<\/p>\n

From there, cross the Garonne river and you\u2019ll find \u201cToulouse Plage<\/a>\u201d, a misleading name, given there\u2019s no beach, but plenty of watersports and outdoor games to keep you busy for just a few euros.<\/p>\n

Despite the cities\u2019 endless offerings, I\u2019ve found it impossible to resist the lure of the region\u2019s countryside. After roaming the medieval walled city of Carcasonne<\/a>, I swapped my train for a bike and followed the flat, shaded waterways of the Canal du Midi.<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors can cycle along the shaded waterways of the Canal du Midi (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Less than an hour\u2019s ride from Bram, the Villelongue Abbey<\/a> is an isolated gem in the heart of the wilderness. Saved from crumbling into ruins by private investors, this unique space transports you to the 12th century.<\/p>\n

Back along the canal route, there are endless rolling hills punctuated by cypress trees rising around medieval villages perched on hilltops.<\/p>\n

Provence can keep its lavender fields \u2014 I\u2019ll take L\u2019Occitanie\u2019s verdant forests and paths lined with wild mint and thyme any day.<\/p>\n

How to do it<\/p>\n

Head to TER Occitanie<\/a> to book your \u20ac1 train journeys. Plan in advance for the best prices and availability.<\/p>\n

Ryanair<\/a> flights from London Stansted to Toulouse start at \u00a334 return. Return flights from Manchester start at \u00a344.<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/p>\n

Toulouse:<\/strong> La Cour des Consuls Hotel & Spa<\/a> is a luxurious boutique spot in the heart of the city (from \u00a3176 per night.)<\/p>\n

Montpellier:<\/strong> H\u00f4tel Oceania Le M\u00e9tropole<\/a> is an elegant option, equipped with a pool and close to the station (from \u00a394 per night.)<\/p>\n

Carcassonne<\/strong>: H\u00f4tel de la Cit\u00e9<\/a> is a fairytale-style spot inside the medieval citadel (from \u00a3315 per night) or try H\u00f4tel du Ch\u00e2teau<\/a>, a boutique stay with a pool and spa, just outside the old city walls (from \u00a396 per night.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On an early morning train, surrounded by locals clutching bags stuffed with towels, we hurtled towards the southern…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":364410,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[127740,2000,299,36,395,37038,127738,2385,127739],"class_list":{"0":"post-364409","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-cafe-au-lait","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-france","12":"tag-getty-images","13":"tag-montpellier","14":"tag-narbonne-plage","15":"tag-toulouse","16":"tag-train-journeys"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115071957367933223","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=364409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364409\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/364410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=364409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=364409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=364409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}