A Taste of Southern France - Bordeaux to Toulouse

Arrive in Bordeaux, a vibrant and historic city located in southwestern France, known for its rich wine culture, beautiful architecture, and picturesque surroundings. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) which is around 45 minutes from the hotel depending on traffic. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for a guided walk of the highlights of Bordeaux including the Monument of Girondins, St Andre Cathedral, and the Place de la Bourse. The tour will end with an aperitif in a local bar with the opportunity to go for dinner as a group afterwards. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you may like to take a stroll along the quays of the Garonne River, admire the city's neoclassical buildings, charming squares, and grand monuments or visit the Contemporary Art Museum.

We start the day with a tram ride followed by scenic train journey from Bordeaux to the picturesque seaside town of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast. Upon arrival we dive into the lively atmosphere of the vibrant fish market, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch. After taking a good look around, we will have the opportunity to try some of the fresh oysters that Arcachon is famous for. For a special lunch experience, we'll take a seat in the famous Les Halles d'Arcachon Market, an indoor treasure trove of local produce, artisanal goods, and local specialities. Returning to Bordeaux by train in the afternoon we plan to stop at a local patisserie and refuel on the famous mouth-watering Cannelé pastry, a classic French set custard known for its distinctive small, fluted shape and caramelized crust, originating from the Bordeaux region. Our Tour Leader will explain the labour-intensive process behind making these delicate sweet treats.

Today we take the train to the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, nestled in the heart of Bordeaux's wine country, it's famous for picturesque vineyards and rolling hills. On arrival we'll be driven by electric buggy to nearby Chateau Coutet, an esteemed wine estate established in 1604. They produce the finest St Emilion Grand Cru under the direction and management of the Beaulieu family. We 'll discover the secrets of winemaking and sample some of the world-class vintages that have made this village a wine lover's paradise. After our tou of the wine estate and tasting we return to Saint-Emilion to explore the village with its charming, cobbled streets, steeped in centuries of winemaking tradition. We return to Bordeaux and cap off the day with a visit to the city's renowned wine museum, the Cite du Vin, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Bordeaux's world-class wines. We'll cruise along the Garonne by river ferry to the museum (or take the tram if the timetable does not suit our arrival) and after an initial introduction with your Tour Leader you are free to explore the vast museum and make your own way back to the hotel when you are ready. It's around a half hour pleasant walk back to the hotel along the riverside promenade or, if you prefer, you can return by boat, bus or tram using the 3-day public transport pass included with this holiday.

We say farewell to Bordeaux this morning and head by train to Sarlat, a town known for its beauty and well-preserved medieval architecture, gothic cathedral, and rich food history. The region around Sarlat is famous for the traditional dishes of duck confit, foie gras, walnut based desserts and truffles. Truffles are a type of fungi that grow underground, typically near the roots of certain trees, such as oak and hazelnut trees. They are highly prized in the culinary world for their strong, unique flavour and aroma. On arrival to Sarlat we head to a local black truffle producer where we learn more about these prized fungi and with specially trained dogs, head outside with our hosts using the traditional methods to locate these elusive earthy treasures. Summer truffles are typically available from late spring to the end of August, while black truffles, also known as winter truffles, are found from December to March. If your trip falls outside of these periods, the likelihood of finding truffles may be lower, but the experience is still incredibly valuable. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the truffle-producing process, including how they are grown and harvested with the help of specially trained dogs. It's a fascinating journey into the world of culinary treasures and agricultural practices, regardless of the season. Returning to Sarlat, we'll take an orientation tour of the town with our Tour Leader. Making our way through the narrow winding streets with their timber houses and stone buildings dating back to the 14th century, we'll end up at the impressive 12th century cathedral. We then go for dinner at a local family-run restaurant to try one of the many delicious duck dishes the area is famed for.

This morning we head out on foot to the famous Sarlat market. Exploring the markets is not only a great way to sample the produce and flavours of the region but also to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this charming French town. As we walk through the market your Tour Leader will explain the produce and offer samples to try, these might include regional cheeses, duck sausage and walnut cakes. The French delicacy Foie gras will no doubt be a discussion point, the process of force-feeding geese or ducks to enlarge their liver is banned in the UK due to animal welfare laws but not in France. France is the world's largest producer and consumer of fois gras, and it will be on sale throughout the market. After our tasting tour of the market there is free time to explore more of the food stalls or the local handicrafts section of the market. This afternoon there is the opportunity to take a cookery class with a chef known locally for his garden to plate seasonal menus and learn more about the principal cooking techniques and ingredients of the region. Alternatively, you could head out on the Dordogne River and take a guided canoe tour, weather permitting and enjoy and afternoon paddling downstream.

After breakfast we leave the hotel by chartered bus and head to Gouffre du Padirac cave, located in the Lot region. The cave system is a mesmerizing subterranean world of underground rivers and stunning rock formations. We stroll through the winding tunnels and take a boat ride on the underground river, an experience that will leave you in awe of the Earth's natural wonders. After exploration of the cave, it's time to savour the local flavours with a delightful cheese-themed lunch. The Dordogne region is renowned for its exceptional cheese production with the most famous being Rocamadour, a small, creamy, and disc-shaped cheese with a mild, smooth flavour. Our picnic lunch, at a local cheese producers farm, will feature an array of regional cheeses, fresh bread, and perhaps some local wines. Once we've satisfied our taste buds, our journey continues as we drive to the enchanting, medieval pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, perched dramatically on a cliffside. We will enjoy the majestic views of this village perched on the rock and of the surrounding landscapes. Next, we drive to the vibrant city of Toulouse. Toulouse is known as 'La Ville Rose', The Pink City, due to its distinctive terracotta buildings. On arrival, we will make a delightful stop at a local pastry shop, where we can uncover the secrets behind the renowned chocolatine! We try the chocolate filled flaky pastry creation and learn why it's not called a pain au chocolate in this region of France. Toulouse is a dynamic and culturally rich city, this evening has been left free to explore its historic centre, enjoy a gourmet dinner (not included) at one of the city's fine restaurants, or simply wander through the lively streets and soak in the atmosphere - a fitting finale to the day.

Today we make a day trip to one of the region's most visually spectacular settings, the walled fortress of Carcassonne. It was once one of the most important and powerful cities in the south, before the all-consuming Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars saw the town fall to the notorious onslaught of the forces of Simon de Montfort. We will have an orientation walk with our Tour leader to explore the heart of Carcassonne known as 'La Cité,' including the outside of the Château Comtal (Count's Castle), which offers a glimpse into the medieval history of the city and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, an impressive Gothic cathedral. After free time for lunch, we meet again to visit a local bar to sample Blanquette de Limoux. A local sparkling wine similar to Crémant, it has a crisp and refreshing character and is one of the oldest sparkling wines in the world, with a history dating back several centuries, even before the famous sparkling wines of Champagne. We end the day back in Toulouse with a group meal at a small local restaurant known for the dish Cassoulet, a hearty and flavourful casserole-like dish made with a variety of ingredients, including beans, meat (usually pork or sausages), and sometimes duck or other poultry. Cassoulet is known for its rich and satisfying flavours, making it a beloved comfort food in French cuisine.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Toulouse. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Toulouse at any time. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS). Depending on the schedule of your flights, you may have some additional time to wander in the streets of Toulouse or buy your last souvenirs before departure.