Day 1: Paris- Nîmes
Train ticket : Transfer from Paris to Nîmes.
Nîmes : The town of Nîmes was built during the Antiquity. From the roman period, Nîmes has conserved monuments as the “arênes”, the “Maison Carrée”, the “Tour de Magne” and the “jardins de la fontaine” and is often now called the “French Roma”.
Nîmes amphitheatre visit : The Roman amphitheatre (or arena) in Nîmes is the best-conserved of the Roman world. It was used for hunting wild animals and for gladiator combats from the end of the first century AD onwards. Many events are held there today.
Day 2: Uzes
Visit of the Pont du Gard : The Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the most striking examples of Roman construction. Located in the Occitanie region, this UNESCO World Heritage monument was built to supply water to the city of Nimes. Discover this historical site and its 3 levels. Ensconced in a remarkable natural setting, the Pont du Gard is also known as a site of remarkable natural beauty.
Day 3: Le Grau du Roi- Montpellier
Jeep Safari in Camargue (small group) : Jeep safari in Camargue:
Today, create unforgettable memories as you take off on a half day jeep safari (small group of 8 passengers maximum) to discover the exotic “Petite Camargue”. Delve, step by step, into these mythical wild landscapes inhabited by bulls and horses. You drive through swamps, along channels, rice fields before discovering the ramparts of the medieval walled city of Aigues-Mortes. Your adventurous excursion ends with a visit of a ‘manade’ (herd of bulls and horses), welcomed by the guardians (Camargue’s traditional cowboys) !
Montpellier : Montpellier seduce from its medieval streets ideal for shopping, to the new neighborhoods combining natural spaces and buildings signed by the greatest international architects.
Day 4: Montpellier
Excursion to Saint-Jean-de-Fos , Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Clamouse caves : Take the direction of the charming village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert which is also a stop on the famous pilgrim trail of Santiago de Compostela. Its narrow streets take you on a discovery of the village. Make a stop at the beautiful Abbey of Gellone founded in 804. Possibility to visit the “Grotte de Clamouse” which reveals to you an incredible subterrenean world.
Continue with a visit of the Devil Bridge and onwards to Saint-Jean-de-Fos, a quaint village of the XIth century, well known for its pottery.
Day 5: Bouzigues- Sete
Oyster tasting at the edge of the Thau Lagoon : The small port of Bouzigues is a gourmet treasure, entirely devoted to shellfish farming, with a privileged view of the town of Sète and the Thau Lagoon.
Here, after a stroll along the lagoon, you can enjoy a sunny aperitif with local products such as oysters, mussels and Picpoul de Pinet wine!
Sète : A Mont Saint Clair which emerges like an island between the Etang de Thau and the Mediterranean Sea, an important fishing port, a seaport where cruise ships rub shoulders with marvellous sailing boats, canals including the Canal du Midi which hosts memorable jousting on colourful boats, a theatre of the sea, a marine cemetery where illustrious citizens are buried, alleys that climb to the top of the mountain to offer a breathtaking panorama and visit the chapel Notre Dame de la Salette with its astonishing frescoes and moving ex-votos, Sète invites you to stroll around and discover its jewels.
Day 6: Canal du Midi- Carcassonne
Canal du Midi : The UNESCO World Heritage classified Canal du Midi is one of Europe’s oldest canals that is still in operation. Linking Toulouse to the Mediterranean sea, enjoy up, close and personal encounters with this iconic monument on leisurely cruises.
Carcassonne entrance tickets : The beauty and power of the fortifications that stand out in the landscape and dominate the valley from the top are stunning. 2 majestic walls and 52 towers protect this medieval city and only allows the view of the Comtal Castle and some pointed roofs covered with slate. This is one of the most beautiful ensembles of military architecture in Europe. You can cross one of the 2 doors on foot, before treading the paved lanes lined with old houses, to enter the basilica with the exceptional rosace, to soak up the particular atmosphere. The visit of the Comtal Castle gives access to the ramparts from where one can enjoy an exceptional view of the plain. Many festivals take place in the open-air theater of the city – classical concerts, choreographies, contemporary music, not to mention the fireworks of July 14 that ignites the city.
Day 7: Toulouse
Toulouse : Capital of Occitania, cosmopolitan, historical, student, dynamic, Toulouse is a sparkling city that flows its days along the river Garonne where it is good to stroll.
We visit Toulouse admiring the rose of the brick which are built its many historic monuments and beautiful buildings with a high point on the Capitole. We do not call her the pink city for nothing.
Toulouse since 1917, is linked to the history of civil aviation, named after the pioneers of the airmail Antoine de Saint Exupery, Jean Mermoz and Henri Guillaumet who took off to distribute mail in Africa and South America, and today to the Airbus A 380 and the Ariane rocket.
Visit of the Halle de la Machine and Minotaur excursion : The halle de la Machine is one of the must-see of Toulouse. Opened in November 2018, the Halle de la Machine is a menagerie of street performance machines which come into life and interact with the public. A part from the visit, you will enjoy an excursion on the back of the 10 m high Minautor!
Day 8: Toulouse
Visit of the Cite de l’Espace : Explore the wonders of space at the Cite de l’Espace. Unravel the secrets of space, discover actual spacecraft, go on space odysseys at its Imax theatre and enjoy a variety of fascinating shows at its planetarium.
The basilica of Saint-Sernin : The largest Romanesque basilica in France and a pure masterpiece of Romanesque brick and stone art, the Saint-Sernin Basilica was restored to its original simplicity in the 20th century. The majesty of its structure, its vast area, its crypts, the beauty of the stone and marble sculptures, the gorgeous Romanesque paintings, are all the testimonies of the fervor of Christians for their Bishop.
The history of the basilica began in 250 after J.C. when Saturnin (or Sernin), the bishop of Toulouse, was martyred because of his faith in Christianity, attached to a bull who carried away his remains to the place where the young women buried him and came secretly to pray for him. More and more Christians started coming there and built a small church. It was the first basilica in the 4th century and was replaced by that of the 11th century that we admire today. Christians come to bow on the relics of Saint-Sernin preserved in a reliquary bust.
The convent of the Jacobins : The massive and rigid shape of the red brick buildings of the entire Jacobin Convent hides a medieval gem and from the entrance to the church, one is struck by its delicacy and beauty, complemented by the windows and rosettes which magnify the colours. One is captivated by the elegance and finesse of the huge pillars that support the vault and that of the palm-shaped choir which is unique in the world and forms a perfect setting for the altar and relics of St Thomas Aquinas. Chapels of the Virgin Mary and the Saints have beautifully painted decorations. The peace and harmony of the cloister with marble pillars, the soothing garden, and the charming living rooms, everything was conducive to prayer for the religious community that lived here.