* France - Languedoc - Carcassonne and Cathar Country

Step back in time for visiting in group this land of mediaeval towns and fortresses the length of the Canal du Midi, listen out for its very own language, the langue d’Oc, and sample cassoulet, its favourite dish.

4 days / 330 km : Group trip

Ref: 11B156

Dates

April , May , June , July , August , September , October

D1 Fontfroide Abbey & Carcassonne (70 km)

Arrive in Narbonne. After lunch take a guided tour of the Abbey of Fontfroide, tucked away at the bottom of the Corbieres valley. It’s an excellent example of Cistercian architecture of the 12th and 13th centuries. On then to Carcassonne via the mediaeval village of Lagrasse. Dinner and overnight.

D2 Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi (100 km)

Start the day with a guided tour of the mediaeval city of Carcassonne, Europe’s largest fortress lying on the right bank of the river Aude. For lunch sample a hearty cassoulet (stew of beans, pork and sometimes goose), a Languedoc speciality. Enjoy a guided cruise along the Canal du Midi on the Aude River, a masterpiece of engineering constructed by Pierre Paul Riquet, and now part of Unesco heritage. Dinner and overnight.

D3 Black Mountains (120 km)

Leave for Castres whose colourful houses line the river Agout. Guided tour of Mazamet, nestling at the foot of the Black Mountains, in the heart of the Languedoc National Park. Lunch then learn all about sheep farming and shearing on a local sheep farm. Return via Lastours, looking out over four of the region’s Cathar castles, all built on the same precipitous rocky ridge (paying entry to viewpoint, optional). Dinner and overnight.

D4 Cassoulet in Castelnaudary (80 km)

Head for Cocagne country and visit a Cassoulet Cannery producing some of Castelnaudary’s finest stew ! Lunch.