New England
Hiking Holidays

Country Inn, Guided Hiking and Walking Tours

southern france
southern france -

“Walking Through History”

Our “Walking through History” program offers travelers more gentle walking (on both country roads and trails) with more focus on the historical and cultural aspects of the region.
 
Our guides will make the history of the area come alive with fascinating pre-dinner talks and their extensive knowledge of the area.
Our 8-day trip explores the medieval towns and villages of the Lot Valley, the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, the imposing Cathar fortresses and castles nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the great walled city of Carcassonne. This is an area of several great, unsolved mysteries, continuing challenges for many writers and historians, including Dan Brown of Da Vinci Code fame. Your guides will offer their own theories!
 
We begin our tour south of Toulouse at a 16th-century chateau in Couiza, the gateway to the rugged landscape of limestone gorges, isolated villages and breathtaking fortresses that mark the first wall of the French Pyrenees. We then head north with a stop at the incomparable Hotel de la Cite within the walled city of Carcassonne.
 
Continuing north, we reach Conques, the pilgrim town universally recognized as a jewel of medieval France. For three nights we shall be “looking out on the year 1,000” from the elegant Sainte Foy Hotel. We walk in the steps of the pilgrims, visit remote and ancient villages and contemplate great medieval works of art.
 
On our last full day we travel along the Lot valley to the Chateau de Mercues, a magnificent bishop’s palace set high above the river in the celebrated wine district of Cahors. On the way we visit the famous caves of Peche Merle, to see the wonderful pre-historic paintings from the Cro-Magnon and later eras.
 
The last morning we head back to Toulouse following breakfast.

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southern france   Sainte Foy Hotel
dates
June 16th - June 24th

• Medieval City of Carcassonne
• Grand Chateaux
• Pilgrims’ trail
• Cathar fortresses
• Prehistoric caves

meals included
8 dinners
8 breakfasts
7 lunches

price $4095
8 days, 8 nights

lodging
Hotel de la Cite
Sainte Foy Hotel
The Chateau de Mercues
CHATEAU DES DUCS DE JOYEUSE

Download Itinerary

Call Us (800) 869 - 0949