12 days/ 11 nights including Bordeaux (wine capital), Arcachon, Dune du Pilat, Biarritz, Saint-Jean de Luz, Pau, Lourdes, Pyrénées Mountains, Toulouse, Carcassonne (medieval fortress), Albi, Pech Merle, Rocamadour, Sarlat, Dordogne, Saint-Emilion and more.

Over the last half-century, the French have aggressively and tenaciously recovered, and although recently rocked by the violent protests of youth, modern France is a strong economic force and a consequential leader among European nations. Its presidential democracy is stable and it proudly stood at the forefront in the development of the European Union (EU).

France today is a sophisticated powerhouse of architecture, art, cinema, cuisine, fashion, literature, music and wine. Its countless attractions, enchanting culture and pastoral countryside attract more visitors than any other country on the planet.

As always, the celebration of life continues here, non-stop, so pop the cork and fill your glass to the brim with the sparkling champagne that is France. Viva La France!

Tour: France: Southwest Tour

Tour Length: 12 days / 11 nights

Departures:

   • by request

Tour Price:

   • Contact us for pricing information.

Travel Agent Reservations

Day 01: Bordeaux - city tour - wine tasting - Bordeaux
In the morning, your personal driver-guide collects you from your Bordeaux accommodation (not included), airport or railway station. This first day of our tour is dedicated to Bordeaux, the wine capital. Besides wine, Bordeaux also offers an interesting architecture, with 5,000 odd buildings from the 18th century, all built in the local ocher stone. Numerous amazing sculptures. Wine caves tour. Accommodation overnight out of Bordeaux town, in a quiet and picturesque hotel. (L,D)

Day 02: Bordeaux - Arcachon - Biarritz
Arcachon waterfront tour. Dune du Pilat: an enormous, ever changing sand dune. Accommodation two nights in Biarritz area, a popular holiday resort on the Atlantic coast. (B,L,D)

Day 03: Biarritz - Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Biarritz
Biarritz tour: Rocher de la Vierge, waterfront, old port. In the afternoon, tour to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Corniche Basque. Abbadie Castle, Urrugne Church, Uturbie Castle. Cogwheel train ride to the Rhune, the icon mountain of the Pays Basque: splendid panorama over the Atlantic Ocean, Landes Forest and Pyrenees Mountains. Second night in Biarritz.(B,L,D)

Day 04: Biarritz - Pau - Lourdes - Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Pau, the birthplace of King Henri IV of France: boulevard tour, Henri IV castle tour. Lourdes, a pilgrimage city where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared several times (tour of the most important spots). Two nights in Luz-Saint-Sauveur. (B,L,D)

Day 05: Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Val Jeret tour: Lutour waterfall, Gaube lake. Garvanie valley. Natural landscapes and nature walks. Second night in Luz-Saint-Sauveur. (B,L,D)

Day 06: Luz-Saint-Sauveur - Saint-Lary-Soulan
Scenic road from Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan: Tourmalet pass, Pyrenees Mountains panorama, Garet cascade. In the afternoon, Aspin pass, Oredon lake, Aumar lake. Néouvielle mountains and nature reserve (part of the Pyrénées). Overnight in Saint-Lary-Soulan. (B,L,D)

Day 07: Saint-Lary-Soulan - Toulouse - Carcassonne
Discover Toulouse, a city with mixed colors and architectural periods. Renaissance courtyards, Saint-Raymond museum (archeology). Carcassonne, an amazing city-fortress. Two nights near Carcassonne. (B,L,D)

Day 08: Carcassonne - Cabardes - Montolieu - Carcassonne
In the morning, Carcassonne tour: Europe's largest fortress, surrounded by a double wall comprising 36 towers. In the afternoon, driving tour of the area including Villelongue Abbey (13th century), Clamoux Gorge, Conques-sur-Orbiel picturesque village. Second night in Carcassonne. (B,L,D)

Day 09: Carcassonne - Albi - Cordes-du-Ciel
Leave Carcassonne to Albi. Albi city tour: Sainte-Cécile cathedral, Albi la Rouge walk, Toulouse-Lautrec museum. In the afternoon, short drive to Ambialet village and its fortified castle. Then on to Cordes-du-Ciel mediaeval town with. Gothic architecture walk. Overnight in Cordes-du-Ciel. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Cordes-du-Ciel - Pech Merle Caves - Rocamadour
Pech Merle caves tour: amazing prehistoric cave paintings. Rocamadour breathtaking historic town. Guided tour in Rocamadour. Gouffre de Padirac natural site. Overnight in Rocamadour area. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Rocamadour - Sarlat
Tourist route Sarlat la Caneda. Picturesque Dordogne valley, in the South of Périgord area of France. Castelnaud Castle, Beynac-et-Cazenac cliff village. Sarlat tour: gothic and Renaissance houses, mediaeval streets. Overnight in Sarlat. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Sarlat - Saint-Emilion
Saint-Emilion, a pleasant village of the Aquitaine region of France. Village walk and wine tasting. In the afternoon, drop-off in Bordeaux or at Bordeaux airport for your transfer to Paris. Au revoir et bon voyage, honorés voyageurs. (B,L)

Tours must be booked at least 45 days prior to arrival.

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