LANGUEDOC I: BEST KEPT SECRETS
7 DAY TOUR ITINERARY
This tour is recommended for people who haven't visited this region of France before
but of course will still be enjoyed if you're revisiting!
DAY 1 - Welcome to the 'Real' South of France...
Today you will be picked up from Narbonne train station or Carcassonne train station or airport (other pickups by prior arrangement).
You will check-in to our award winning Bed & Breakfast Sainte-Hélène in the thriving village of Olonzac. Our Bed & Breakfast has been ranked in the top 25 in France!
Sleep on deep sumptuous super king mattresses with the finest 100% cotton linen usually found in exclusive hotels. All of our bedrooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning for your comfort. Our contemporary en-suite bathrooms have luxurious pure cotton bath towels and beautiful organic bathroom products.
This evening you will join us for our fun and informative tapas and wine tasting evening presented by one of our local wine masters.…
Scenes of Narbonne © KMW
DAY 2 - Narbonne & Fontfroide Abbey
Following breakfast our first stop is Narbonne where we will explore the beautiful Cathédral de St-Just and view the Archbishops Palace and even see a slice of the Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in the region linking Italy and Spain. We will also visit the last remaining building from Roman times. The picturesque Canal de la Robine runs right through the centre of the city.
Just before lunch we visit the famous covered food market called Les Halles, which is open every morning of the year. In 2022 it was voted the best indoor food market in France! We have time to enjoy the sights and smells of the market before enjoying a tapas style lunch together with locally produced wine.
Les Halles, Narbonne © LMW
Mid afternoon we head to arguably the most beautiful abbey in our region and our personal favourite, Fontfroide Abbey which is a fully preserved former Cistercian monastery built in the 11th Century.
© Fontfroide Abbey
The Abbey is situated in 2 hectares of restored terraced gardens from the 16th Century including one of the largest rose gardens in southern France. We tour the abbey and gardens before heading back to Sainte-Hélène to relax before we share a grazing platter and some local wine...
DAY 4 - Plus Beau Village of Minerve & Canal Boat Tour
This morning we take a short drive to visit the another beautiful Plus Beau Village, the village of Minerve, perched high above the confluence of the rivers Cesse and Brian (pronounced Bree-on!).
As well as it's natural beauty, Minerve has a long and storied history dating back to Roman times. It also played a significant role during the Cathar crusade, when the village was the site of a siege by the infamous Simon de Montfort in 1210.
For those feeling energetic we will venture down to the riverbeds!
Plus Beau Village of Minerve © LMW
Today lunch is at the renowned Michelin rated restaurant Relais Chantovent in Minerve overlooking the Brian Gorge.
In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the UNESCO listed Canal du Midi leaving from the pretty village of Le Somail.
This evening we will share a grazing platter at Sainte-Hélène...
UNESCO Listed Canal du Midi © LMW
DAY 3 - Corbières Wine Region & the Plus Beau Village of Lagrasse
This morning our tour to the Corbières & Lagrasse will take you to a magical place of contrasts where cicadas sing, and buzzards circle lazily against a blue sky above the wild and windswept Corbières hills.
After this fabulous visit and tasting, we head to the Plus Beau medieval village of Lagrasse to a great little restaurant, where the menu du jour is always tasty and is accompanied by local wines of course!
Plus beau village of Lagrasse
We will finish our day in Lagrasse with a visit to a unique artisanal vinegar company Cyril Codina for a tour and an intriguing tasting of a large range of natural and infused wine and balsamic vinegars.
After a fun day of tastings we will head back to Sainte-Hélène with time for a rest before dinner at a local restaurant...
After lunch you will take a slow stroll around Lagrasse and learn a little of the history that spans at least 1000 years.
Our route will take us along the narrow cobbled ‘ruelles’ with a view across the river to the abbey and through the medieval market square.
First up today we visit a centuries old family run winery. The 14th-century underground cellars offer a unique historical glimpse into the region. Every bottle from this family is an invitation to discover the terroir. The wines' personality is shaped by the beautiful topography of the Corbières; "just as a stained-glass window lets in sunlight, the wines reveal the character of the landscape."
A vinegar maker for 20 years now, Cyril Codina dedicates his energy to creating new varieties of vinegar and exploring increasingly demanding artisanal techniques.
DAY 5 - UNESCO listed La Cité of Carcassonne & Cabrespine Cavern
This morning we visit the world renowned UNESCO listed La Cité, the old walled town of Carcassonne which is the largest medieval fortress in Europe. It has picturesque cobblestoned streets and houses, the beautiful Basilica of St Nazaire, and ramparts containing 52 towers – some of which we will explore. We also view it from afar so you see the full grandeur of this imposing site.
Enjoy a private gourmet lunch in a relaxed location in the heart of the Minervois wine region....
UNESCO Listed La Cité of Carcassonne © SS
This afternoon we visit Cabrespine Cavern which is one of the largest caves in France open to the public. It’s as tall as the Eiffel Tower and quite spectacular! It has also been judged as one of the top ten caves in France.
Time for a well earned rest before sharing a grazing platter this evening.
Cabrespine Cavern © LMW
DAY 6 - Olonzac Market & Cooking Class - A foodies delight!
This morning you are free to visit the lively Olonzac market which is the largest in the region and only a couple of minutes walk from your front door! There are plenty of stalls to sample the fantastic variety of local produce – wine, cheese, meats, honey, olives, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as everything else you would expect to find at a great market!
Olonzac Market
At midday we will share a light lunch at Sainte-Hélène with produce bought from the Olonzac market.
After lunch we will head to the foothills of the Black Mountains to cook and enjoy 'French food with a twist' with Chef Nathalie. We will be using organic seasonal produce all sourced from within our region.
The cooking classes with Nathalie are relaxed, fun and not too technical! You may be a skilled cook who wants to be “hands-on” or someone who just likes to sit back, watch and learn...
You'll be shown traditional and modern methods providing you with useful skills and simple tips that help you to create French cuisine with a modern twist! You will also learn to adapt each dish to suit the produce available and share tips on traditional techniques.
THEN ENJOY – in the early evening you will relax and enjoy the meal that you have prepared accompanied by local wine.
DAY 7 - Olive Tour & Gruissan
The fabulous local Lucques olives © LMW
First stop today is a tour of one of the best olive producers in France. We learn how the olives are grown and harvested and made into oil with particular emphasis on local varieties including the premium olive variety called Lucques and known locally as the Green Diamond. We enjoy a tasting of olives and olive oil with time to enjoy their fabulous shop.
Today lunch is at a fabulous restaurant in the grounds of a beautiful chateau near Gruissan...
After lunch we will enjoy the amazing landscape of the local pink salt pans. You will have time to visit the salt museum and salt shop where different varieties of salt can be purchased as well as the fabulous local pottery and art.
The salt pans, Gruissan © LMW
Time for a well earned rest after a fabulous week before we have our sensational private farewell dinner...a food and wine spectacular!
DAY 8 - Farewell...
After breakfast we say farewell to our new found friends as we transfer you to our designated drop off points to continue your travels.
