Most
beautiful villages of France
(6 days / 5 nights)
Price per person : €825 (base 2 people: double occupancy)
There
is an official designation 'Un des plus beaux villages de France'
which you will sometimes see proudly displayed at a village
entrance in France. A much sought-after title it is usually
bestowed on villages which have preserved their architectural,
cultural and historical merits in an atrractive and yet authentic
manner. Many of these villages are located in South-West France:
our little self-drive tour allows you t visit and enjoy these
unique and beautiful places.
Day 1: Toulouse / Saint Beauzeil
Car delivery and depart to the Quercy and check in at your hotel.
Dinner and overnight in St Beauzeil.
Day 2: Saint Beauzeil : Suggested excursion : Gascony
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.
Continue the 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 you can 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 night in St Beauzeil.
Day 3: Saint Beauzeil : Suggested excursion : Perigord
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, enjoy a delightful boat ride on the Dordogne
river which 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 night in St Beauzeil.
Day 4: Saint Beauzeil : Suggested excursion : Auvillar / Moissac
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 (not available from mid-June until mid–September,
for those dates there's a demonstration of foie gras
transformation and a visit to the Foie gras museum).
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.
The 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 night in St Beauzeil.
Day 5: Saint Beauzeil : Suggested excursion : Pêch
Merle Caves / Saint Cirq
The
Lot 'department' is 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 night in St Beauzeil.
Day 6: Saint Beauzeil/ Toulouse
Breakfast at your hotel. Departure to Toulouse
Suggested 2 hours walking tour “Discovering Toulouse”:
this tour offers a comprehensive overview of the main sites and
monuments. During the tour, you will be able to admire the Capitole
town hall and Saint-Sernin basilica, as well as many churches and
private mansions, and appreciate wonderful views along the Garonne
River.
Depart to Toulouse Airport. Car drop off.
ENQUIRE
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