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Savour the tantalising flavours of fresh Arcachon Bay oysters, Bayonne ham, Blanquette de Limoux wine and world-famous Bordeaux reds Admire the famous prehistoric paintings of the UNESCO-protected Lascaux Cave at Lascaux II Visit the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel of Carcassonne

Guide

- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

Premium mini-coach transportation

Meals

10 breakfasts 5 dinners

Accommodation

- 10 nights in hand-picked accommodation

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bordeaux (France)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bordeaux (France)

Where better to begin our journey of Southwest France than beautiful Bordeaux? After meeting the group, we’ll clink glasses over a delicious welcome meal. Bon appétit! Accommodation: Hôtel de Normandie (or similar)

Meals:
- Dinner
Day 2 Day 2: Bordeaux – Arcachon Bay – Biarritz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bordeaux – Arcachon Bay – Biarritz

This morning we’ll move on to Atlantic Ocean-fringed Arcachon Bay, where we’ll get our first taste of coastal cuisine with fresh oysters and a glass of local wine from one of the port’s traditional cabins. We’ll then stop to see the Great Dune of Pilat – Europe’s highest sand dune, with panoramic views over the bay. This afternoon, we’ll round off our day in the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz – where we’ll have the evening free to wander the waterfront promenade and sample more local delicacies at our leisure. Accommodation: Alfred Hotels Port-Vieux (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 3 Day 3: Biarritz – Bayonne – Biarritz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Biarritz – Bayonne – Biarritz

Today we’ve a full day taking in the beauty of the French Basque Country. First, we’ll indulge our cultural sides in Bayonne – an art and history hub just a short drive away from Biarritz. Here, we’ll discover a local family business going back three generations at the Bayonne Ham Museum – where we’ll indulge in a ham tasting before returning to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure time. Accommodation: Alfred Hotels Port-Vieux (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 4 Day 4: Biarritz – Lourdes – Midi-Pyrénées
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Biarritz – Lourdes – Midi-Pyrénées

Today we’ll turn to the east – and on to beautiful Pau. We’ll then travel through the Midi-Pyrénées region (along roads made famous by the Tour de France), pausing en route at the spiritual town of Lourdes. Whilst here, we’ll have the opportunity to see the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Massabielle Grotto – a significantly holy site within the Christian faith. In keeping with the spirit of our surroundings, we’ll check into our atmospheric accommodation before enjoying this evening’s included dinner. Accommodation: Hotel du Barry (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 5 Day 5: Midi-Pyrénées – Carcassonne
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Midi-Pyrénées – Carcassonne

Following the trail of knights, we’ll continue our own crusade through the Midi-Pyrénées and past picture-perfect bastides. Along the way, we’ll visit a local winery and enjoy a glass of the region’s speciality – a sparkling Blanquette. Our final stop of the day will be medieval Carcassonne, where we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon or Mercure Carcassonne Cité (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 6 Day 6: Carcassonne
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Carcassonne

Today you’ll be free to discover Carcassonne’s chivalric secrets at your own pace. From the alleys, passageways and 52 towers of the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel (which dates back two millennia) to the Château Comtal and its ramparts, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Later this evening, we’ll come together for an included dinner at a local restaurant – swapping stories and photographs of the day’s discoveries. Accommodation: Hôtel Le Donjon or Mercure Carcassonne Cité (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 Day 7: Carcassonne – Albi Region
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Carcassonne – Albi Region

Today we’ll leave the stronghold of Carcassonne behind and make tracks to the ‘red city’ of Albi. Here, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walking tour around the town – taking in the magnificent Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile as we go. Enjoy some free time for lunch before we venture onwards to our hotel for the night that’s tucked away in a nearby medieval village typical to the Albi region. Tonight, we’ll savour a sumptuous meal together. Accommodation: Hôtel des Consuls (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 8 Day 8: Albi Region – Sarlat-La-Canéda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Albi Region – Sarlat-La-Canéda

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll have a little free time to wander the village’s charming streets. Then, it’s onwards to one of the most beautiful towns in the Dordogne: Sarlat-la-Canéda. En route, we’’ll stop off in several idyllic French villages to stretch our legs and admire the scenery. Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 9 Day 9: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Beynac-Et-Cazenac – Sarlat-La-Canéda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Beynac-Et-Cazenac – Sarlat-La-Canéda

On the itinerary this morning: a stroll through stunning Sarlat-la-Canéda with our Tour Leader, including a visit to the town’s traditional market. We’ll follow this up with a delightful visit to the riverside town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. We’ll enjoy some free time to explore the town’s magnificently well-preserved medieval château – which has kept watch over the Dordogne from its hilltop position for nine centuries. Afterwards, we’ll return to Sarlat-la-Canéda for an evening spent at our leisure – perhaps exploring the picturesque alleyways or dining at one of the charming local restaurants in town. Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
Day 10 Day 10: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Vézère Valley – Sarlat-La-Canéda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Vézère Valley – Sarlat-La-Canéda

Today our travels through the Dordogne will lead us to the prehistoric paintings of the UNESCO-protected Lascaux Cave – which was discovered when it was happened upon by a group of teenagers back in 1940. We’ll admire the replica Lascaux Cave II before making a stop at the pretty village of Les Eyzies. Then, we’ll follow the ‘Royal Road’, winding between craggy rocks and flowing rivers until we get to a local truffle farm. Local guides will give us an exclusive lesson in seeking out the rare delicacies and we’ll have a chance to savour some delicious truffle products during a tasting session. Tonight, we’ll come together in Sarlat-la-Canéda and savour a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Hôtel Saint-Albert (or similar)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 11 Day 11: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux

We’ll spend the final day of our tour in historic Saint-Émilion, a village perched above beautiful rolling countryside and countless vineyards. Here, we’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s ‘heavy reds’ and say a final santé. We’ll then return to Bordeaux, where we’ll say our goodbyes.

Meals:
- Breakfast

11 days tour

Jewels Of Southwest France

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Jewels Of Southwest France

Day 1: Bordeaux (France)

Day 2: Bordeaux – Arcachon Bay – Biarritz

Day 3: Biarritz – Bayonne – Biarritz

Day 4: Biarritz – Lourdes – Midi-Pyrénées

Day 5: Midi-Pyrénées – Carcassonne

Day 6: Carcassonne

Day 7: Carcassonne – Albi Region

Day 8: Albi Region – Sarlat-La-Canéda

Day 9: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Beynac-Et-Cazenac – Sarlat-La-Canéda

Day 10: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Vézère Valley – Sarlat-La-Canéda

Day 11: Sarlat-La-Canéda – Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux

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