LANGUEDOC I: BEST KEPT SECRETS
5 DAY TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 - SATURDAY
Arrival...
This afternoon you will be picked up from Narbonne train station or Carcassonne train station or airport (other pickups by prior arrangement).
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You will check-in to our award winning B & B which has been ranked in the top 25 in France!
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Sleep on deep sumptuous super king mattresses with the finest 100% cotton linen usually found in exclusive hotels. All of our contemporary en-suite bathrooms have luxurious pure cotton bath towels and beautiful organic bathroom products.
This evening you will join us for our welcome dinner…
DAY 2 - SUNDAY
Narbonne & Fontfroide Abbey
Following breakfast our first stop is Narbonne where we will explore the beautiful Cathédral de St-Just and view the Archbishops Palace and even see a slice of the Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in the region linking Italy and Spain. We will also visit the last remaining building from Roman times. The picturesque Canal de la Robine runs right through the centre of the city.
Just before lunch we visit the famous covered food market called Les Halles, which is open every morning of the year. We have time to enjoy the sights and smells of the market before enjoying a tapas style lunch with one of the local wine producers.
Les Halles, Narbonne © LMW
Mid afternoon we head to arguably the most beautiful abbey in our region and our personal favourite,
Fontfroide Abbey which is a fully preserved former Cistercian monastery built in the 12th Century.
© Fontfroide Abbey
The Abbey is situated in 2 hectares of restored terraced gardens from the 16th Century including one of the largest rose gardens in southern France. We tour the abbey and gardens before heading back to Sainte-Hélène to relax before dinner at your leisure.
DAY 3 - MONDAY
UNESCO listed La Cité of Carcassonne & Olive Tour
This morning we visit the world renowned UNESCO listed La Cité, the old walled town of Carcassonne which is the largest medieval fortress in Europe. It has picturesque cobblestoned streets and houses, the beautiful Basilica of St Nazaire, and ramparts containing 52 towers – all of which we will explore. We also view it from afar so you see the full grandeur of this imposing site.
UNESCO Listed La Cité of Carcassonne © SS
Lunch today is a gourmet picnic in a relaxed location, hidden in the heart of the Minervois wine region....
The fabulous local Lucques olives © LMW
After lunch we tour one of the best olive producers in France. We learn how the olives are grown and harvested and made into oil with particular emphasis on local varieties including the premium olive variety called Lucques.
Time for a well earned rest before we have a fun and informative tapas and wine tasting evening presented by one of our local wine masters.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY
Olonzac Market, Plus beau village of Minerve and Canal du Midi
Late morning we visit Minerve which is the most well known village in the Minervois. It sits high above the confluence of two large river gorges, the Cesse and the Brian (pronounced bree-on!) and is primarily known as being the site of one of the first Cathar strongholds held siege by the Crusaders. It is listed as one of France’s plus beaux (most beautiful) villages. Today lunch is at the renowned Michelin Star restaurant Relais Chantovent in Minerve overlooking the Brian Gorge.
Plus Beau Village of Minerve © LMW
In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the UNESCO listed Canal du Midi .
UNESCO Listed Canal du Midi © LMW
Dinner at your leisure...
Olonzac Market © LMW
This morning we will visit the lively Olonzac market which is the largest in the region and only a couple of minutes walk from your front door! There are plenty of stalls to sample and buy the fantastic variety of local produce – wine, cheese, meats, honey, olives, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, men's and women's clothing, as well as everything else you would expect to find at a great market!
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY
Tour of Plus Beau village Lagrasse
After breakfast we head off to the Corbières region where we visit the spectacular pink roofed village of Lagrasse. We take a walking tour through the village which is nestled on the banks of the River Orbieu, surrounded by the vine and scrub covered Corbières hills.
Ancient bridge at Lagrasse © LMW
It is also another of France’s plus beaux (most beautiful) villages. Two of the highlights of the village are the still working Abbey and the medieval bridges over the river Orbieu, although the villages narrow alleyways with timber-framed houses are also very attractive and the remains of the original walls can still be seen.
Today we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a leisurely drive back through some of the villages of the stunning Corbières and Minervois wine regions.
Time for a well earned rest after a fabulous week before we have our sensational private farewell dinner...a food and wine spectacular!
DAY 6 - THURSDAY
Farewell...
After breakfast we say farewell to our new found friends as we transfer you to our designated drop off points to continue your travels.
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