The Dordogne, Albi & Carcassonne

In the Dordogne/Lot region you will stay at the comfortable 3-star Relais du Castelnau near Rocamadour or the Hotel du Quercy in Brive la Gaillarde. Hotel amenities include a restaurant and bar. All rooms feature private facilities and telephone. Your hotel will be confirmed in your final documents.

In Albi you will stay at the 3-star Hotel Le Cantepau situated a short walk away from the historic centre of Albi. The hotel has a breakfast room and all the rooms have private facilities, TV and telephone.

Overnight hotels en route will typically be comfortable, 2-star standard, conveniently situated for your onward travel to your final destination.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Day 1: UK/Paris

Local departure and an afternoon crossing to Calais. Continue to the northern outskirts of Paris for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Dordogne

Continue on your journey through France to your hotel in the beautiful Dordogne/Lot region, for a four night stay.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Days 3 - 5: Dordogne

Free to relax or enjoy our excursion programme. The following tours are included:

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Collonges La Rouge, Rocamadour and Carennac

On this full day excursion you will explore the medieval village of Collonges La Rouge, an attractive town dating from the 8th century. It was built from a local stone which gives the buildings a red look. We then head on to Rocamadour, spectacularly situated on a rock with wonderful views over the Alzou Valley. Finally you will visit the lovely village of Carennac on the banks of the Dordogne. This 14th century edifice towers above a village that clings to a sheer cliff overlooking a beautiful stretch of the river.

Sarlat, La Roque-Gageac and Beynac

This full day excursion takes you to the attractive town of Sarlat, with its streets of impressive medieval buildings and maze of cobbled alleyways, then on to La Roque-Gageac for a relaxing boat trip along the River Dordogne. Afterwards you will visit Beynac, probably the most spectacular of the fortresses along the Dordogne.

The following tour is optional:

St-Cirq-Lapopie, Cele Valley and Figeac

Stop in the beautiful town of Figeac, where you will visit the medieval quarter, before driving through the scenic Cele Valley to St-Cirq-Lapopie, dramatically perched on a cliff above the River Lot, take time to wander through the cobbled lanes of half-timbered houses.

Day 6: Albi

You will leave the Dordogne/Lot area, stopping at Cahors - famous for its Pont Valentre, one of the few remaining fortified bridges in Europe, as well as its delicious red wine - and Cordes-Sur-Ciel on your way to Albi, where you stay for three nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Days 7 - 8: Albi

Standing proudly on the banks of the River Tarn, Albi is a delightful red-brick town steeped in the history of the religious wars between the cathars and the crusaders. Over the next two days you are free to relax and enjoy the surroundings of this historic town. We include a full day excursion featuring visits to Carcassonne and Castres.

Carcassonne has to be one of the most dramatic towns of the Languedoc region. The view as we approach the double walled, turreted fortress that crowns the hill above the River Aude will take your breath away. This is the largest fortress in Europe and certainly the most impressive. Wander through the narrow streets, take in the panoramic views over the countryside from the battlemented walls and don’t miss the beautiful church of St. Nazaire with its exquisite stained glass and intricate stone carvings. En route to Carcassonne we stop at the pretty town of Castres for a stroll through the charming riverside quarter, where old tanners’ and weavers’ houses overhang the River Agout.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Orleans

Depart after breakfast for your journey home, returning to the Orléans area for an overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Orleans/UK

Continue to Calais for a late afternoon crossing to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast