Day One - Toulouse to Saint Beauzeil
Arrive in Toulouse, where you will be met by your driver/guide
and transfered to your hotel in the Quercy. Dinner and overnight
in Saint-Beauzeil.
Day Two - Fourcès / Larressingle / St Beauzeil
This morning the day begins with the visit of the picturesque
fortified village of Fourcès. One of the rare bastides
with a circular central 'square', admirably restored, and surrounded
by XIIIth and XIVth century buildings, among which the Tour
de l'Horloge (Clock tower) and Xvth century chateau stand out.
This central point is accessed through the ancient city gate,
bridge and portcullis.
We continue our morning with the exploration of a gallo-romaine
villa at Séviac, Montréal-du-Gers, known for the
quality of its mosaics and sumptuous baths.
In the afternoon, we visit Larressingle, the 'little Carcassonne':
not only is the romanesque church in the village interior fortified
against invaders but it lies behind a 270 metre line of ramparts.
Larresingle is a gem of religious and military art.
The afternoon finishes with a wine tasting session in this,
the Armagnac region.
Dinner and overnight in St Beauzeil.
Day Three - Perigord / Sarlat visit / Boat ride / St Beauzeil
Today, experience a unique outing in the Perigord region as
you'll discover some authentic little villages all classified
as among the 'most beautiful of France'. Free time for lunch
and visit of Sarlat.
In the afternoon, a delightful boat ride on the Dordogne river
will reveal the numerous castles that line the banks.
Your day ends by the visit of Domme On the edge of a cliff,
Domme offers a vast panorama over the Dordogne valley. Enclosed
by walls, the 13th century bastide exudes its glorious past
thanks to its fortified gates and its towers once used as prisons.
The visitor will also discover the consuls’ and the goldsmiths’
houses, the old covered market and the governor’s hotel.
Dinner and overnight in St Beauzeil.
Day Four - Auvillar / Moissac / Cooking lesson */ St Beauzeil
Guy Héraut, a renowned local cook, welcomes you this
morning into his kitchen for a hands-on session all about the
preparation and service of Foie Gras, fish or dessert –
according to your wishes. At lunch time you will eat the fruit
of your own labour and wine is included!
In the afternoon, head towards Moissac to admire its world famous
Abbey of Saint Pierre from the XIth century, its superb cloisters
with their finely sculpted 76 pillars and the remarkable tympanum
at the southern end representing St Jean's vision of the Apocalypse.Your
tour ends with the visit of delightful Auvillar: a village perched
on a headland overlooking the Garonne valley with an unusual
circular corn market.
Dinner and overnight in St Beauzeil.
Day Five - Pêch Merle Caves / Saint Cirq / St Beauzeil
The Lot 'department' will be your destination today. Via the
city of Cahors, famous for possessing one of the only remaining
medieval military bridges of Europe, discover the Cahors vineyards,
where wine tasting awaits.
In the afternoon, you'll be enchanted with the visit to the
Pech Merle Prehistoric Caves that will transport you back 50
000 years and to the cliff-top village of Saint Cirq Lapopie
that many consider to be the most beautiful of all the villages
in France!
Dinner and overnight in St Beauzeil..
Day Six - Monbazillac / St Emilion / Toulouse
Today the tour ends with one of the most outstanding regions
of France, the Bordeaux vineyards.
Visit of the Château de Monbazillac. Built in the middle
of the XVIth century on top of the hill overlooking the pleasant
valley of Bergerac, Château de Monbazillac harmoniously
combines feudal military architecture and the elegant early
Renaissance style. During your visit, you will discover the
very interesting Museum of Wine and Vineyards, Museum of Furniture
in Périgord, Museum of Protestantism, and the "1001
Châteaux of Périgord".Continue with a wine
tasting session in Monbazillac, a regional vineyard that produces
a famous sweet white wine.
Head towards Saint Emilion for a another wine tasting experience
in a famous chateau and visit this beautiful village. The whole
jurisdiction is classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Free time for lunch. Return to Toulouse
Dinner and night in Toulouse.
Day Seven - Toulouse
Breakfast at your hotel, transfer to train station or airport
for departure.
Available on request for 2 - 6 passengers. Please consult
us for pricing for your preferred dates.
Copyright ©
2006
Latitudes Travel & Tours.
"Plus Beaux Villages" - most beautiful villages - exist
throughout France, but nowhere is there a greater concentration
of unspoiled gems than in the Southwest. If you love exploring
lesser known corners of the countryside and discovering new and
special places. this is the tour for you.