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Jewels of Southwest France

Name: Jewels of Southwest France
Brand: Elife Travel
Price: 4739 USD
Availability: InStock

Country:

France

Flight:

Not included

Favorite

Tour id:

231575

Operator:

Blue-Roads Touring
Length:

11 days
Group size:

18 pax
Age:

18 to 80
Difficulty:
Difficulty levels:
- Relaxing
- Easy
- Moderate
- Serious
- Heart-pumping

16.09-26.09.25 guaranteed
23.09-03.10.25 guaranteed
14.04-24.04.26 scheduled
28.04-08.05.26 scheduled
12.05-22.05.26 scheduled
19.05-29.05.26 guaranteed
23.06-03.07.26 guaranteed
01.09-11.09.26 guaranteed
08.09-18.09.26 scheduled
06.10-16.10.26 scheduled

Itinerary

Close your eyes and imagine the ripple of grapevines swaying in Bordeaux’s warm breeze. The satisfying crunch of fresh Atlantic oysters being shucked in Arachon Bay. The tap of footsteps meandering slowly along the cobblestones of ancient Carcassonne. The honeyed scent of fresh Périgord strawberries at the Sarlat Market. These are just some of the moments you can experience in Southwest France – and we can’t wait for you to relish them with us on this intimate tour.

Tour program

Day 1

Bordeaux (France)

Where better to begin our journey of Southwest France than beautiful Bordeaux? After meeting the group, we’ll clink glasses over a delicious welcome meal. Bon appétit!

Meals:
- Dinner

Day 2

Bordeaux – Arcachon Bay – Biarritz

This morning we'll move on to Atlantic Ocean-fringed Arcachon Bay, where we'll get our first taste of coastal cuisine with fresh oysters and a glass of local wine from one of the port's traditional cabins. We'll then stop to see the Great Dune of Pilat – Europe's highest sand dune, with panoramic views over the bay. This afternoon, we’ll round off our day in the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz – where we’ll have the evening free to wander the waterfront promenade and sample more local delicacies at our leisure.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Day 3

Biarritz – Bayonne – Biarritz

Today we’ve a full day taking in the beauty of the French Basque Country. First, we’ll indulge our cultural sides in Bayonne – an art and history hub just a short drive away from Biarritz. Here, we’ll discover a local family business going back three generations at the Bayonne Ham Museum – where we’ll indulge in a ham tasting before returning to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure time.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Day 4

Biarritz – Lourdes – Midi-Pyrénées

Today we’ll turn to the east – and on to beautiful Pau. We’ll then travel through the Midi-Pyrénées region (along roads made famous by the Tour de France), pausing en route at the spiritual town of Lourdes. Whilst here, we’ll have the opportunity to see the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Massabielle Grotto – a significantly holy site within the Christian faith. In keeping with the spirit of our surroundings, we’ll check into our atmospheric accommodation before enjoying this evening’s included dinner.

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Day 5

Midi-Pyrénées – Carcassonne

Following the trail of knights, we’ll continue our own crusade through the Midi-Pyrénées and past picture-perfect bastides. Along the way, we’ll visit a local winery and enjoy a glass of the region’s speciality – a sparkling Blanquette. Our final stop of the day will be medieval Carcassonne, where we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Day 6

Carcassonne

Today you’ll be free to discover Carcassonne’s chivalric secrets at your own pace. From the alleys, passageways and 52 towers of the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel (which dates back two millennia) to the Château Comtal and its ramparts, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Later this evening, we’ll come together for an included dinner at a local restaurant – swapping stories and photographs of the day’s discoveries.

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Day 7

Carcassonne – Albi Region

Today we’ll leave the stronghold of Carcassonne behind and make tracks to the ‘red city’ of Albi. Here, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walking tour around the town – taking in the magnificent Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile as we go. Enjoy some free time for lunch before we venture onwards to our hotel for the night that’s tucked away in a nearby medieval village typical to the Albi region. Tonight, we’ll savour a sumptuous meal together.

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Day 8

Albi Region – Sarlat-la-Canéda

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll have a little free time to wander the village’s charming streets. Then, it’s onwards to one of the most beautiful towns in the Dordogne: Sarlat-la-Canéda. En route, we'll stop off in several idyllic French villages to stretch our legs and admire the scenery.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Day 9

Sarlat-la-Canéda – Beynac-et-Cazenac – Sarlat-la-Canéda

On the itinerary this morning: a stroll through stunning Sarlat-la-Canéda with our Tour Leader, including a visit to the town’s traditional market. We’ll follow this up with a delightful visit to the riverside town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. We’ll enjoy some free time to explore the town’s magnificently well-preserved medieval château – which has kept watch over the Dordogne from its hilltop position for nine centuries. Afterwards, we’ll return to Sarlat-la-Canéda for an evening spent at our leisure – perhaps exploring the picturesque alleyways or dining at one of the charming local restaurants in town.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Day 10

Sarlat-la-Canéda – Vézère Valley – Sarlat-la-Canéda

Today our travels through the Dordogne will lead us to the prehistoric paintings of the UNESCO-protected Lascaux Cave – which was discovered when it was happened upon by a group of teenagers back in 1940. We’ll admire the replica Lascaux Cave II before making a stop at the pretty village of Les Eyzies. Then, we’ll follow the ‘Royal Road’, winding between craggy rocks and flowing rivers until we get to a local truffle farm. Local guides will give us an exclusive lesson in seeking out the rare delicacies and we’ll have a chance to savour some delicious truffle products during a tasting session. Tonight, we’ll come together in Sarlat-la-Canéda and savour a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Day 11

Sarlat-la-Canéda – Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux

We’ll spend the final day of our tour in historic Saint-Émilion, a village perched above beautiful rolling countryside and countless vineyards. Here, we’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s ‘heavy reds’ and say a final santé. We’ll then return to Bordeaux, where we’ll say our goodbyes.

Meals:
- Breakfast

Tour Details

Accommodation

10 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation

Transport

Luxury minicoach

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Additional services

Savour the tantalising flavours of fresh Arcachon Bay oysters, Bayonne ham, Blanquette de Limoux wine and world-famous Bordeaux reds

Admire the famous prehistoric paintings of the UNESCO-protected Lascaux Cave at Lascaux II

Visit the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel of Carcassonne

Additional services

Other activities and services are not included

Meals

10 breakfasts

5 dinners

Guide

- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Good to know

Currency

€

Euro

France

Customer reviews

Operator

4.4

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?

You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.

Which payment options are available?

We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.

What documents are required to participate in the tour?

You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.