Jewels of Southwest France
France
Loading...
Delicious oysters. Exquisite wines. Rich Bayonne ham. Take time to savour the finer things in life on this journey of discovery through Southwest France. Starting in Bordeaux (just a two-hour train journey from Paris), we’ll seek out the region’s gastronomic gems and treasured vineyards – travelling over soaring mountains, along the Atlantic coast, and into enchanting castles and prehistoric caves as we go.
Availability
From 15/04/2025 to 17/10/2025
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
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.
.
Itinerary
-
DAY 1 - Bordeaux 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 app?tit! Accommodation: H?tel de Normandie (or similar)
-
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. Accommodation: Alfred Hotels Port-Vieux (or similar)
-
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. Accommodation: Alfred Hotels Port-Vieux (or similar)
-
DAY 4 - Biarritz - Lourdes - Midi-Pyr?n?es Today we'll turn to the east - and on to beautiful Pau. We'll then travel through the Midi-Pyr?n?es 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. Accommodation: Hotel du Barry (or similar)
-
DAY 5 - Midi-Pyr?n?es - Carcassonne Following the trail of knights, we'll continue our own crusade through the Midi-Pyr?n?es 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. Accommodation: H?tel Le Donjon or Mercure Carcassonne Cit? (or similar)
-
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 Ch?teau 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. Accommodation: H?tel Le Donjon or Mercure Carcassonne Cit? (or similar)
-
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 Cath?drale Sainte-C?cile 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. Accommodation: H?tel des Consuls (or similar)
-
DAY 8 - Albi Region - Sarlat-la-Can?da 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-Can?da. En route, we''ll stop off in several idyllic French villages to stretch our legs and admire the scenery. Accommodation: H?tel Saint-Albert (or similar)
-
DAY 9 - Sarlat-la-Can?da - Beynac-et-Cazenac - Sarlat-la-Can?da On the itinerary this morning: a stroll through stunning Sarlat-la-Can?da 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 ch?teau - which has kept watch over the Dordogne from its hilltop position for nine centuries. Afterwards, we'll return to Sarlat-la-Can?da for an evening spent at our leisure - perhaps exploring the picturesque alleyways or dining at one of the charming local restaurants in town. Accommodation: H?tel Saint-Albert (or similar)
-
DAY 10 - Sarlat-la-Can?da - V?z?re Valley - Sarlat-la-Can?da 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-Can?da and savour a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: H?tel Saint-Albert (or similar)
-
DAY 11 - Sarlat-la-Can?da - Saint-?milion - Bordeaux We'll spend the final day of our tour in historic Saint-?milion, 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 sant?. We'll then return to Bordeaux, where we'll say our goodbyes.
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 24 April 2025 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
- Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
- Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
- Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
- Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
- Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
- Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or by BPAY.
- Payments made in store by credit card will incur a surcharge (see Booking Terms and Conditions for further details).
- These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details..
- We receive payment from third party travel service providers when you use us to book travel and travel-related products and services with them on your behalf.
- Our liability to you is limited in certain situations, and we may charge you a cancellation fee(s) in certain circumstances. See our booking terms and conditions for further details.
- We may provide your personal information to third parties, including travel service providers with whom you make a booking. See our privacy policy for further details.
Tell us about your travel plans
Loading...
Why choose Flight Centre?
Not only do we have an incredible, worldwide team with decades of experience and a genuine passion for travel, we also have the widest choice of travel options covering tours, cruises, holiday packages and more. Flight Centre gives you free holiday planning and personalised service, Interest Free* Holiday Finance so you can book now, pay later, and 24/7 worldwide customer care on 133 133.