Is There Anything to See in Tarascon and Beaucaire, France?

On a big trip, sometimes convenience is as good a reason as any to stop somewhere. That’s what brought me to the twin towns of Tarascon and Beaucaire at least. During my trip through the South of France I had a loose day between the cities of Montpellier and Avignon. A session of online research later and I settled on visiting Tarascon, despite knowing next to nothing about the town.

The towns of Tarascon and Beaucaire sit either side of the Rhone River, roughly halfway between Nimes and Avignon. Despite this prime spot in the ever-popular tourist South of France, the two towns seem mostly untravelled. I suppose that’s what happens in a region crowded with big names.

All of this meant I really didn’t know whether Beaucaire or Tarascon were worth visiting when I went. The one deciding factor that sold me was that both towns have castles and I’m a sucker for a good castle. If you’re wondering whether or not to give Tarascon and Beaucaire a shot, here’s what these two towns have in store for you.

Tarascon

Let’s start with Tarascon as that’s where my visit began. Also known as Tarascon sur Rhone, this town rests on the eastern bank of the Rhone River. It’s fair to say that Tarascon is quite a humble town, in the nicest possible way, of course. The historical centre clearly hasn’t seen much love and it all seemed pretty quiet when I was there. That is except for the morning market that took place the day I left, when Cours Aristide Briand was suddenly full of stalls and people.

In contrast to restored cities like Avignon, Ville de Tarascon may not seem as pretty but I don’t think it’s wise to compare the two. Tarascon’s well-worn look shows that it’s a real place, giving it a genuine feel with plenty of character. Wandering around I saw plenty of kids and teenagers, but few tourists, which isn’t a bad thing is it?

I’m sure there are many towns throughout France that show you life away from the main tourist trail. It’s places like Tarascon that help give you perspective about how tourism can effect a place, for good and bad. Even ignoring the town’s sights, and there are a few, that insight alone is worth a visit.

Tarascon Old Town

Exploring the Old Town of Tarascon, one place you’re bound to come across is the Rue des Halles. The street is quite special due to the stone arcades that date back to the Middle Ages. This heritage site was the heart of the town’s trade, with butchers and fishmongers divided on each side of the street. With its stone arches and old-fashioned shutters, Rue des Halles is one of the more scenic spots in town.

Just along from the Rue des Halles stands the Town Hall on Place du Marché. Dating from 1648 it matches the humble look of Tarascon, with just a few embellishments to reflect its importance. Place du Marché is where you’ll find several cafes and restaurants, giving it the feel of a main square.

Tarascon Castle

We now come to the big attraction in town, Tarascon Castle. Overlooking the Rhone River, this great big stone stronghold is sure hard to miss. The Dukes of Anjou finished the castle in 1449 and used it to protect the border of Provence. Later in its life, the castle served as a military prison up until 1932. Unfortunately, the castle was closed the day I was there so I wasn’t able to go inside or see the view from its walls. Timing is everything when travelling outside high-season and it just wasn’t on my side here. Still, the castle makes quite an impression so I wasn’t too disappointed admiring it from the outside.

Beaucaire

Heading across the Pont de Beaucaire and the Rhone River it’s time for the town of Beaucaire. Interestingly, the river not only separates the two towns, but forms the border between regions. So, while Tarascon is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Beaucaire belongs to Occitanie.

Of the two towns, I’d argue that Ville de Beaucaire is slightly prettier, mostly thanks to the town’s canal waterfront and several leafy squares. Even though they’re roughly the same size in population and area, Beaucaire somehow felt larger, perhaps because it’s a little more open. Another interesting tidbit is that there is a “Rue du Brexit” in the outskirts of town, which I now regret missing.

Canal du Rhône à Sète

As I mentioned earlier, one of the nicer spots in Beaucaire is the waterfront area along the Canal du Rhône à Sète. With canal boats docked along it and various restaurants and cafes, it will be a familiar scene for those travelling through the South of France. The canals in this region fascinate me, so I quite enjoy strolling along them and here was no exception.

Beaucaire Castle

Finally, we get to Beaucaire Castle. Chances are you spotted the castle as you crossed the river, as it’s position overlooking the town makes it quite obvious. Unlike Tarascon Castle, this one sits on sheer rocky cliffs and has ramparts that run along the small hill it’s on. Honestly, aside from both being castles from the Middle Ages and both being closed when I tried to visit, the two aren’t very much alike. I’m a little more disappointed I couldn’t visit Beaucaire Castle as I’m sure the views from up there are hard to beat. Next time I guess.

Tips for Visiting Tarascon and Beaucaire

Now that you know what to expect when you visit Tarascon and Beaucaire, here are some tips for when you go. Getting to Tarascon and Beaucaire is quite simple as you can take the train from Montpellier, Nimes and Avignon. Avignon is just 15 minutes away and even Montpellier is only an hour by train.

This means you could just easily do a day trip here if you felt like it. Stopping here would also work if you were doing a road trip through the South of France, as you can fit both towns into a day sightseeing. If you do choose to stay in Tarascon overnight, there’s a small selection of accommodation to choose from. I spent the night at Le Provencal which was fine thanks to friendly staff, although like many French hotels was overpriced.

Have you heard of either of these towns before? Would you consider spending a day to explore Tarascon France? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.