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Backroads of Southern France
Backroads of Southern France
This tour is a sample of a tour that offers a chance to see many of the gems of Southern France, travelling from the Alps to the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean to Bordeaux. This tour is often adapted to be purely food and wine and of course we can help with similar tours in all the regions of France. At specific times of year we operate tours that focus on lavender, lemons and notable carnivals such as that in Nice.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Nice Arrival
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the short journey to enter the calm beauty of St-Paul-de-Vence, a walled village rising above the rolling countryside near Vence. St Paul was “discovered” in the 1920s by painters such as Signac, Modigliani, Bonnard and Soutine. On arrival join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink at the world-famous Auberge de la Colombes d’Or. Overnight stay in Saint-Paul-de Vence.
Day 2 — Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Before leaving St Paul visit the Foundation Maeght, a modern art museum exhibiting the work of such artists as Braque, Chagall, Miro and Giacometti. Afterwards wind your way up into the Alps to the Gorges du Verdon, frequently called the Grand Canyon of France. Spend the night in the small village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. Overnight stay in Moustiers-Ste-Marie.
Day 3 — Arles
Today travel west to the city of Arles. On the way admire views of the Mont St. Victoire, the mountain which inspired Cezanne on more than 60 occasions! Time it correctly to view the extensive lavender fields of this area. Afterwards continue to Arles, where Van Gogh produced more than 200 paintings and 100 drawings. Find the café from the painting starry night on a self guided Van Gogh walking trail of the town. Overnight stay in Arles.
Day 4 — Nimes
After breakfast depart for a full day excursion to Nimes. Visit one of the best preserved Roman Temples still standing, the Maison Carree. Afterwards drive a few miles north of Nimes to admire another wonder of the Ancient World, the Pont du Gard. Built in 19 BC this aqueduct has stood for more than 2,000 years without the aid of mortar! Overnight stay in Arles.
Day 5 — Collioure
From Arles travel southwest along the Mediterranean to the picturesque village of Collioure nestled between the sea and the foothills of the Pyrenees. On the way stop in Montpellier for lunch and visit the collection of 18th and 19th century paintings housed in the Musee Fabre. Overnight stay in Collioure.
Day 6 — Vernet-les-Bains
From Collioure climb into the Pyrenees towards the snow peak of Canigou. Take the one hour hike up the foot path to St Martin du Canigou, a Romanesque abbey perched 3,500 ft above sea level! Return to the valley and enjoy Vernet-les-Bains famous for its particularly sunny climate and thermal baths. Overnight stay in Vernet-les-Bains.
Day 7 — Carcassonne
Today depart for the walled city of Carcassonne one of the largest fortress cities in Europe. Enjoy visits to the Cite’s Chateau Comtal and the Romanesque Basilique of St Nazaire. Tonight sample the local gastronomic delight of Cassoulet. Overnight stay in Carcassonne.
Day 8 — Conques
Today continue northward into the Languedoc region and your next destination, the village of Conques. En route stop in Albi to visit the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec which houses the most comprehensive collection of the artist’s work anywhere in the world. Later continue to Conques, the recommended stopping point between Le Puy and Moissac for medieval pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela in north western Spain. Overnight stay in Conques.
Day 9 — Sarlat-la-Caneda
Travel west into the Dordogne, the region is noted for its concentration of prehistoric cave paintings. Spend the next three nights in the town of Sarlat-la-Caneda, a charming market town with numerous restored gothic and renaissance town houses. Overnight stay in Sarlat-la-Caneda.
Day 10— Souillac and Rocamadour
This day trip will take you to Souillac and to Rocamadour. Visit the Padirac Chasm, a great hole 338 feet deep believed to be the doorway to Hell by many inhabitants right up in the 19th century. Board a flat bottomed boat for a journey over the waters of an underground river. Overnight stay in Sarlat-la-Caneda.
Day 11 — Les Eyzies de Tayac
After breakfast travel to Les Eyzies de Tayac, the prehistoric capital of France. Tour the Font-de-Gaume Cave with its painting of horses, bison, mammoths and reindeer, the finest group of polychrome prehistoric paintings still open to the public. Overnight stay in Sarlat-la-Caneda.
Day 12 — St. Emilion
Today travel west to the most famous wine producing region of the world, the vineyards of Bordeaux. On the way stop in Perigueux to visit the Cathedral of St Front, one of the largest and most curious churches in France. After the tour continue onto St Emilion for overnight. Overnight stay in St Emilion.
Day 13 — Bordeaux
Spend the day exploring and tasting the finest wines of the region: from Medoc, the heart of Bordeaux’s great reds to the great whites of Sauternes and Bersac. Tonight celebrate the end of the tour at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Bordeaux.
Day 14 — Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Bordeaux International Airport.