Dordogne, Albi and Carcassonne
Dordogne, Albi and Carcassonne
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Dordogne, Albi and Carcassonne
8 Days Starting in Sarlat, 19390 Saint-Augustin, France and ending in Albi, France
Visiting: Sarlat, Lascaux, The Marqueyssac gardens, Rocamadour, Beynac, La Roque-Gageac, Cahors, Carcassonne, Albi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 25
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Riviera Travel with specific dietary requests.
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Immersed in France’s bucolic rural heart, see its charming honey-coloured rural villages, sophisticated prehistoric art, gorgeous gardens and timeless medieval towns bursting with market-day life.
Far removed from the noise and pace of modern life, on this fascinating France tour you can completely immerse yourself in deepest France. Here is a hauntingly beautiful, undulating rural landscape covered with a verdant carpet of dense oak, walnut and chestnut forests slashed by deep, twisting gorges lined by craggy cliffs filled with sparklingly pure, trout-filled rivers. It’s bisected by dry-stone walls, studded with isolated farm houses and wonderfully medieval, honey-coloured stone villages which spring into vibrant life on market days just as they have always done. Unchanged for centuries and blessed with a wonderfully benign climate, its magnificence will take your breath away.
From the very dawn of European art and civilisation come the remarkable stone-age cave paintings of Lascaux. The sheer intricacy of this work and the skill and imagination used is beyond belief. There are troglodytic villages set into huge cliffs which remarkably are still inhabited.
The Romans ruled here for 400 years, introducing the vine which of course was immediately adopted with gusto! Then came the Cathars and the Wars of Religion, after which France became, more or less a united country. During medieval times, after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to our own Henry II, the fates of England and France became very much intertwined. With future succession disputed, the Hundred Years’ War commenced and legacies of this violent period abound throughout the region. Today, these splendid walled towns and hill-top castles are a delight to explore and it is difficult to imagine this wonderfully quiet and peaceful scene was once so violent. This history culminates as you gaze in wonder at the turrets and ramparts of the extraordinary walled city of 13th century Carcassonne. Art and culture are an ever present theme too, from the many craftsmen and artisans that have embraced the peaceful villages as their ideal home, to the extensive religious works in Albi’s remarkable Cathedral. Beautifully brick-built, Albi nestles serenely on the banks of the majestic River Tarn and was home to Toulouse- Lautrec, one of the world’s great artists, and you can see a superb exhibition of his finest work.
There is so much to experience on this multi destination European tour but the memories which will probably last longest are the stunning beauty of the countryside, the charm and allure of the enchanting villages, and the seemingly idyllic lifestyle of the French themselves.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Sarlat
Accommodation: Hotel
Arrival in Sarlat
Day 2
Location: Sarlat, Lascaux
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sarlat & Lascaux - After breakfast we get an insight into the fascinating history of Sarlat on a walking tour of this ancient market town. It grew after a Benedictine monastery was built there in the early 9th century during the reign of Charlemagne.
As we meander through the atmospheric cobbled streets, we’ll discover how the town was shaped by the various conflicts that brought upheaval to the Dordogne in the Middle Ages. A stunning architectural jewel, Sarlat’s handsome medieval buildings – including the imposing Cathedral of Saint Sacerdos – are constructed from luminous local golden stone and line a maze of cobbled streets.
Such is its striking state of preservation, Sarlat has been the setting for a host of period feature films, including Les Misérables and Joan of Arc. The town’s street life is especially vibrant – observe locals tasting delicious market produce: pungent cheeses, fine charcuterie and colourful ripe vegetables.
Watch friends meet in the street, kiss on both cheeks and then catch up on the local gossip… Sarlat is provincial France at its most quintessential.
This afternoon we travel back around 17,000 years to prehistoric France and the famous cave of Lascaux. This UNESCO World Heritage Site near the village of Montignac is an elaborate cave system where chambers, galleries and shafts are adorned with almost 2,000 Upper Paleolithic paintings and engraved figures.
Described by a local cave art scholar as the ‘Sistine Chapel of prehistory’, the chambers were only discovered in 1940, but have been closed to the public since 1963 to prevent degradation of the immensely delicate works.
What we experience when we visit the recently opened International Centre for Cave Art (Lascaux 4) adjacent to the original cave is equally impressive – an exact copy of the decorated caverns that took three years to recreate. We discover the story of the four teenagers who stumbled across the cave and – through screens, interactive tablets and the latest 3D technology – are taken back nearly 20,000 years to the prehistoric Vézère Valley.
We then enter the replica cave for a truly unforgettable experience – the muffled sounds, eerie light and cool temperature are reproduced exactly as in the original cavern, while astonishingly detailed drawings of humans, symbols and animals – including horses, bulls and stags – decorate the walls.
You’ll have the opportunity to draw using the same tools and techniques employed by the Stone Age cave artists, touch original artefacts found by archaeologists around Lascaux and enjoy a 3D film that shines a light on some of the cave’s major artworks. It’s a strikingly realistic and thought-provoking experience, one that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Day 3
Location: The Marqueyssac gardens, Rocamadour
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rocamadour & Marqueyssac Gardens - Today we follow the extraordinarily picturesque river Dordogne to one of France’s most instantly recognisable sights – the remarkable village and monastery of Rocamadour. As we round the twisting and ever-ascending lanes, the view of this eclectic, near-vertical village assaults you. Hewn from the rock itself and dominating the riverbed below, its contours and overall beauty are highlighted by the bright sunlight.
Following the discovery of St Amadour’s perfectly preserved body, Rocamadour became a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages, the ‘Lourdes of its time’, famed for its healing powers and visited by numerous monarchs. There’s time to explore the village under your own steam.
We then journey west to visit the unusual ‘Overhanging Gardens’ of Marqueyssac. This beautiful formal display took 30 years to create and the superbly relaxing path through clipped box hedges and indigenous trees, plus one of the best panoramic views in the Dordogne, put these gardens in a class apart.
Day 4
Location: Beynac, La Roque-Gageac
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Beynac & La Roque-Gageac - Within a couple of lazy meanders of the graceful river, Dordogne is a remarkable collection of places embodying the fascinating melange of dramatic natural features, centuries of history and varied cultural delights which make the Dordogne one of the most special parts of France.
Firstly, we see the great fortress of Beynac, towering above the river and once captured by Richard the Lionheart. With amazing views, cobbled squares and a maze of narrow alleys, the village is recognised as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’.
A short drive then takes us to Domme, a magnificent walled town with several fortified gates, yet more stunning views, an array of fine medieval dwellings plus goldsmiths’ houses and a delightful covered market.
Afterwards we drive back towards the river to discover one of France’s prettiest villages. With its riverside location and cream-coloured stone houses, La Roque-Gageac is a delight to explore. Here we board a traditional ‘gabare’ boat, once used for transporting wine, for a sense of the way of life that once dominated the region.
Day 5
Location: Cahors
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cahors - This morning we bid farewell to the Dordogne travelling south to delightful Cahors, with its splendid 14th century fortified Valentré Bridge majestically spanning the River Lot. Continuing, the countryside gradually changes from rolling wooded slopes of lush green to the paler yellows, ochres and endless fields of the instantly recognisable sunflowers so typical of southern France.
You stay three nights with breakfast and one dinner in Carcassonne. We use two hotels, both owned by the same family who are third-generation hoteliers and very professional in their approach. Enjoy a stay at either the four-star Mercure Carcassonne La Cité Hotel or the three-star superior hotel Le Donjon. Some dates will stay in Albi at the four-star hotel Saint-Antoine.
Day 6
Location: Carcassonne
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Carcassonne & free afternoon - There are many historic ‘old towns’ in France but none quite compares to Carcassonne with its magnificent medieval citadel, its fairy-tale-like, cone-topped turrets and serrated cream-coloured Battlements.
You will have a guided tour during which you will experience a wonderful sense of timelessness, wandering ancient, cobbled lanes founded by Romans and trodden over the centuries by Visigoths, Saracens and rich medieval merchants.
The citadel remains a living village and this afternoon you will have time to discover its more peaceful corners, absorbing the unique atmosphere of this truly special place.
Signature experience -
After our guided tour of Carcassonne, take a scenic drive into the heart of the Languedoc to one of the region’s most famous wineries in the Cabardès appellation. The impressive 17th-century Chateau de Pennautier, affectionately referred to as a mini-Versailles, has remained in the same family for twelve generations. They still live here and manage the glorious estate and its fertile vineyards.
A private tour of the cellars will reveal more of this magnificent chateau’s rich history and the art of wine production, after which there will be the opportunity to sample some of the very best vintages with an expert sommelier. Relax over a late lunch in the lovely ambience of the restaurant, a former sheepfold, during which you will be served local specialities, paired with their excellent wine.
Day 7
Location: Albi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Albi - Albi came to prominence as a centre of Catharism, an unusual Christian sect but with some rather ‘strange’ views including the worship of two gods with the Pope being the representative of neither, all men being equal – as wealth itself should be and all should have a vote - including women. Obviously, this was pretty radical stuff for the 12th century! The Pope declared them heretics and initiated a crusade against them.
Today, on approaching Albi, you will see the stunning brick-built city, dominated by one of the finest gothic cathedrals you will ever see. The overall ambience here is different from the Dordogne, more Mediterranean in character and during our guided tour we will learn all about this once independent state featuring a visit to the cathedral, arguably the largest brick building in the world.
Its sumptuous interior is breath-taking in its detail and boasts one of Europe’s most important medieval works, an enormous mural of the Last Judgement.
This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. The renowned artist Toulouse-Lautrec was born here, and a museum houses a rich collection of his most famous works. It is just lovely though to amble around Albi’s old town, one of France’s largest conservation areas. Please note that for tours staying in Albi, Days 6 and 7 will be operated in reverse order.
Signature experience -
This evening enjoy an exceptional dining experience at the Michelin star restaurant La Barbacane, located in one of Carcassonne’s finest five-star hotels. In the atmospheric heart of the medieval old town on the site of the former Bishop’s Palace, the chef – hailing from Bourg-en-Bresse northeast of Lyon, takes enormous pride in showcasing his culinary talents using Mediterranean as well as typical Lyonnaise ingredients. Impeccable service and the finest wines complement a creative, seasonal menu delivered with flair and imagination, ensuring an evening to remember.
Day 8
Location: Albi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home
What's Included
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Return flights or Eurostar and onward rail
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Seven nights’ in three-star superior and four-star accommodation
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Daily breakfast and five dinners plus a lunch (for 2022, price includes daily breakfast and four dinners)
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All tours as mentioned
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All local accommodation taxes
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The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
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Included excursions are: guided tours of Sarlat, Albi and Carcassonne, entrance to the Marqueyssac Gardens, entrance to Beynac Castle, a ‘garbare’ river cruise, entrance to and tour of the Lascaux IV caves and visits to Domme, Rocamadour and La Roque-Gage
What's Not Included
Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
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I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
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Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
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What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
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Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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