Selected departures from May to October 2020
Immersed in France’s bucolic rural heart, see its charming honey-coloured rural villages, sophisticated prehistoric art, gorgeous gardens and timeless medieval towns bursting with market-day life.
Far removed from the noise and pace of modern life, on this fascinating tour you can completely immerse yourself in deepest France. Here is a hauntingly beautiful, undulating rural landscape covered with a verdant carpet of dense oak, walnut and chestnut forests slashed by deep, twisting gorges lined by craggy cliffs filled with sparklingly pure, trout-filled rivers. It’s bisected by dry-stone walls, studded with isolated farm houses and wonderfully medieval, honey-coloured stone villages which spring into vibrant life on market days just as they have always done. Unchanged for centuries and blessed with a wonderfully benign climate, its magnificence will take your breath away.
From the very dawn of European art and civilisation come the remarkable stone-age cave paintings of Lascaux. The sheer intricacy of this work and the skill and imagination used is beyond belief. There are troglodytic villages set into huge cliffs which remarkably are still inhabited.
The Romans ruled here for 400 years introducing the vine which of course was immediately adopted with gusto! Then came the Cathars and the Wars of Religion, after which France became, more or less a united country. During medieval times, after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to our own Henry II, the fate of England and France became very much intertwined. With future succession disputed, the Hundred Years’ War commenced and legacies of this violent period abound throughout the region. Today these splendid walled towns and hill-top castles are a delight to explore and it is difficult to imagine this wonderfully quiet and peaceful scene was once so violent. This history culminates as you gaze in wonder at the turrets and ramparts of the extraordinary walled city of 13th century Carcassonne. Art and culture are an ever present theme too, from the many craftsmen and artisans that have embraced the peaceful villages as their ideal home, to the extensive religious works in Albi’s remarkable Cathedral. Beautifully brick-built, Albi nestles serenely on the banks of the majestic River Tarn and was home to Toulouse- Lautrec, one of the world’s great artists and you can see a superb exhibition of his finest work.
There is so much to experience on this tour but the memories which will probably last longest is the stunning beauty of the countryside, the charm and allure of the enchanting villages and the seemingly idyllic lifestyle of the French themselves.
The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights or Eurostar and onward rail, seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and five dinners, all tours as mentioned, all local accommodation taxes and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.
Included excursions are: guided tours of Sarlat, Albi and Carcassonne, entrance to the Marqueyssac Gardens, entrance to Beynac Castle, a ‘garbare’ river cruise, entrance to and tour of the Lascaux IV caves and visits to Domme, Rocamadour and La Roque-Gageac.
Fact File
Hotel Information
Where the hotel features a swimming pool, this will be open during the summer months according to weather conditions.
Visa Information
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter France however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
Mobility
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitabilty of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found here.
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Arrival airport or train station | First hotel location | Transfer time | Final hotel location | Departure airport or train station | Transfer time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toulouse Airport | Sarlat-la-Caneda | 3 hrs | Carcassonne | Toulouse Airport | 1 hr 30 mins |
Carcassonne Airport | 20 mins | ||||
Carcassonne Airport | 4 hrs | Gare de Montpellier | 2 hrs | ||
Albi | Toulouse Airport | 1 hour 30 mins | |||
Gare de Souillac Station | 45 mins | Carcassonne Airport | 2 hrs | ||
Gare de Montpellier | 3 hrs 30 mins |