Day 1: Bordeaux
Bordeaux : The second most beautiful city in France after Paris, Bordeaux’s splendour amazes its visitors and it enjoys place of pride on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Discover its beautiful squares and architectural wonders, quaint antique district, along the Garonne River, the Girondins Monument (perfect for selfies!), the Place des Quinconces, the Notre Dame Church, the Cour Mably, the Grand Théâtre, the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood, the iconic Gate of the Big Bell… and the Darwin Ecosystem, an alternative place to hang out on the Right Bank!
Visit of the Cite du vin : On the left bank of the Garonne river, not so far from Darwin Ecosystem, stand the brand new Cité du Vin. This modern museum takes you through the history of wine around the world and open all your senses. End the visit with a small tasting at the Belvedere, overlooking Bordeaux with a 360° view.
Darwin Ecosystem : Head to the Darwin Ecosystem for lunch. Enjoy the modern ambiance of this alternative place that combines restaurants and bars, with working spaces and cultural activities.
Hôtel de Tourny – Standard room & breakfast : Overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Arcachon- Bordeaux
Arcachon : Stretching out along the Arcachon Bay is the oyster harvesting seaside resort of Arcachon. 7 kms of sandy beaches invite you to soak up the sun or enjoy an array of watersports. Its seafront is best discovered through a leisurely stroll. The town is home to glorious villas reminscent of the town’s rich past. Explore the Pointe de l’Aiguillon the oytser farming village characterised by little houses with red tiled roofs and small verandas. On an amble along its port, you will discover a heritage quay reserved for the traditional pinasses (long narrowed flatbottomed boats), sailing barges and tall boats. For an adventurous escapade, head off to the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune located not frar from Arcachon.
Pilat dune : The highest sand dune of Europe, the Dune of Pilat is a “must-see” site in South-West France! Standing tall between the Ocean and the forest, this dune moves towards the East from 1 to 5 meters every year. A walk through a pine forest brings you to the top where stunning views of the Arcachon area await. Soak in different views as you walk from peak to peak.
Cruise Ile aux Oiseaux : A one-hour cruise brings you to the “Ile aux Oiseaux” where you discover the famous Cabanes Tchanquées ideal for admiring many bird species!
Hôtel de Tourny – Standard room & breakfast : Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3:02-Jan-2019, Saint Emilion- Sarlat
Visit of Saint-Emilion : Today, you enjoy an exciting combination of panoramic scenery, the “terroir” and a discovery of prestigious appellations such as Saint-Emilion, Sauternes, Fronsac, Bordeaux- Entre-deux-Mers or Pomerol in the company of an English-speaking wine expert. Interesting interactions with passionate wine-growers give you many insights on wine-making that are perfect to share with those back home! Enjoy lunch on one of their properties.
Sarlat-la-Caneda : Capital of the Perigord Noir (Black Perigord) region, where the truffle cultivation is world renowned, Sarlat-la-Caneda classified as a city of art and history, is home to numerous mansions constructed in Gothic or Renaissance styles that can be admired while strolling along with its narrow streets.
In the city centre, the renovation of the Sainte Marie Church was entrusted to the architect Jean Nouvel. Made of lauze Replete with glazed bay windows, monumetal steel doors over 15m high, the church houses a covered market. A panoramic glass lift takes you to the bell-tower which offers a bird’s eye view of the city.
As night falls, the narrow streets of Sarlat-la-Caneda bask in the soft glow of the gas lightings.
Les Glycines : Night at the hotel.
Day 4: Beynac – La Roque Gageac – Sarlat
Marqueyssac castle and its hanging gardens : Around a chateau with lauze roofs, this 22 hectare park dominates the Dordogne Valley and is classifed as a masterpiece of topiary art thanks to its 150000 hand-pruned boxwoods.
Visitors can avail of an electric shuttle that reduces distances.
Stop by at the wood turners workshop to catch glimpses of his creations.
Beynac-et-Cazenac : Nestled on a rocky spur, the medieval castle of Beynac immerses its visitors in the history of the valley and life in the times of Richard Lionheart. It overlooks the Dordogne and offers a spectacular view of all the richness of the valley.
In the medival village of Beynac, barges (traditional flat bottomed boats) wait to take you on a tranquil promenade along the water for up,close and personal discoveries of the richness of the fauna.
An aerial discovery of the region on a hot-air balloon ride lets you embrace the valley, its castles, its gardens, its walnut plantations and oak trees.
La Roque-Gageac : Perched on a huge limestone cliff, the village (one of the 3 most visited sites in France) can be visited by walking along its narrow streets bordered by magnificent Renaissance mansions. Make a stop in front of the Manoir de Tarde, the ancient residence of the Bishops of Sarlat. From the courtyard of the small church, marvel at the view of the exotic garden and the bamboo plantation.
A steep staircase overlooking the void leads you to the Troglodyite Fort of the 12th century.
Dordogne cruise : Embark upon a picturesque cruise that starts from La Roque-Gageac (classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France) to the Castelnaud Bridge. On the way, you are sure to be charmed by the aesthetic beauty of the Dordogne region that reveals itself through its castles, flora and fauna. Cruising on an authentic reproduction of an 18th century boat, relive the times of yore when most transport was carried out by boat under trying conditions.
Les Glycines : Night at the hotel.
Day 6: Padirac – Rocamadour – Toulouse
Visit of the Padirac Cave : Prepare for an incredible subterranean adventure at the Padirac Cave. Situated at a depth of 103 metres, the cave unveils its marvels step by step through its galleries, extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites, water bodies of an incredible blue and a river navigable by boat trips. An unforgettable experience at the centre of the earth awaits!
Rocamadour : The second most visited site in France, a high place of pilgrimage, in this wild landscape, the medieval city nestles against the high limestone wall, dominating the Alzou canyon and under the protection of the 7 sanctuaries which dominate it and which can be reached by the only street and the 216 steps of the staircase. (an elevator leads to the top of the site)
People gather in the churches, the basilica and the chapel of Our Lady where the statue of the Black Madonna from the 12th century stands guard. According to the legend, Roland de Roncesvalles threw his sword which was put there, just above the door of the chapel.
The sacred museum exhibits a beautiful collection of religious works.
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.
Residence Concorde Nemea Appart’Hotel : Night at the appart’hotel.
Day 7: Toulouse
Airbus Discovery Tour : 1st stage / Telemetry room: presentation of the A380 programme and its certification campaign (first flights & test campaigns)
2nd stage / J.L. Lagardère Plant: from a belvedere built into the plant, enjoy the view over the interior stations and exterior general testing stations, and over the whole site. Detailed presentation of the A380 production process.
3rd stage / Visit inside the A400M : on board, visitors will discover every missions of a military aircraft for transport and in-flight refuelling and particularly the ones of the aircraft they are visiting, the MSN1, the very first A400M for flight tests.
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.
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!
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.
Residence Concorde Nemea Appart’Hotel : Night at the appart’hotel.
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