Group
travel in France
Group
tours through France
Paris-Loire-Bordeaux
Carcassonne
& Cathar country
Bordeaux - Toulouse: cuisine & wine
FRANCE
A LA CARTE, incoming French agency, can organise tours to any
part of France for groups of 10 or more guests. The suggested
tours on this page are just outlines: each can be personalized
(extended, reduced, include other sites and sights) to your parameters
For individual travellers we refer you to our programme
of escorted or self-drive tours.
We also provide a SCHOOLS service:
BOOKING ENQUIRIES
| Group
tours in France
 |
CARCASSONNE
and the CATHAR COUNTRY
The
Cathar 'religion' was more a sect and distant branch
of Christianity based on the principles of a Good God
and a Bad God. By
the XIIIth century Catharisme was practiced over a wide
area of the Languedoc prompting the established Catholic
church to bring these 'heretics' to reason – by
force. This was the 'Albigensian Crusade' launched against
the last incorrigible fanatics who had taken refuge in
a number of castles and fortresses
perched in inaccessible locations on cliff-sides and
mountain-tops.
Our
tour enables the visitor to relive these dramatic times
by visiting the Cathar chateaux, drinking their wines and
eating their food. |
 |
PROVENCE - PARIS
Starting
in the Mediterranean port of Marseilles, this tour explores
the historical and artistic centres of Provence: the
medieval cities of Avignon, Orange, Nîmes and Arles all come
under close scutiny as your guide reveals the different
influences exercised on this region by Romans, popes
and impressionist painters. High-speed train allows to tour
to go north through the Rhone valley for a few days in the
nation's capital, Paris. |
 |
CUISINE & WINE: TOULOUSE to BORDEAUX
An
anything but direct meander from the 'pink' city of Toulouse,
home to Airbus and 16th century grandees, to the UNESCO
heritage city of Bordeaux amid its vines. The accent
is on French cuisine and wines so we include culinary
demonstrations and hands-on sessions as well as visits
to a number of wineries and cellars. The 13th century
citadel of Carcassonne, the monastery of Sorèze, the
cathedral at Albi and other sights are also programmed. |
 |
BORDEAUX
WINE EXPERIENCE
The
city of Bordeaux, the vineyards of Médoc and the
village and wines of St Emilion are at the base of this
decidedly wine-oriented tour. Your guide will show how
the world's wine capital has evolved and thrived before
introducing you into the finest wine chateaux and cellars
of the region. |
 |
DISCOVER the WINES of SW FRANCE
Gascony - Armagnac - Gaillac: this six day
sweep through the rolling country of the Three Musketeers explores
some well and lesser-known wines and spirits of the quieter
side of France. As well as tasting the universally acclaimed
Armagnac and Madiran, participants will discover the secrets
of the Côtes de Gascogne and Gaillac wines. |
 |
BIARRITZ & the
BASQUE COUNTRY
From
Biarritz's 'Grand Plage' where the Atlantic rollers break
on the sand at the foot of the Casino and Empress Eugenie's
palace to the astonishing Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao,
the Basque country is concentrated wonder. Tiny fishing
villages, a rugged mountain backdrop and a spicy cuisine
are the hallmarks of this Franco-Spanish region. |
 |
PARIS
- CHÂTEAUX of the LOIRE - BORDEAUX VINEYARDS
After
a couple of days in the French capital sight-seeing, strolling
the boulevards and banks of the Seine, our tour heads south
to the Loire valley, home to the most remarkable collection
of royal chateaux anywhere on earth. Chambord, Cheverney,
Chenonceaux ... the names may be familiar but our local guide
takes you into the historical heart of these intriguing palaces.
The final segment of the tour explores the city of Bordeaux
(now a UNESCO heritage site) and its famous vineyards. Return
to Paris by high-speed TGV train. |
To
organize group visits on any of these tours please contact FRANCE
A LA CARTE
|
