Mondoramas | * France – South West, Lourdes, Pyrénées : travel with DMC

* France – South West, Lourdes, Pyrénées : travel with DMC

11 days / 1235 km - Coach Tour
Period : March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Reference : 10T786n

Prix : 1€ Ask for a quote

Discover the southwest of France with DMC: Lourdes and Pyrénées, Toulouse and Aérospatiale, Basque country. Discover le Landes’ forest and rise up to the Pic du midi to admire the spectacular landscapes offered by the Pyrenées! Taste the gastronomy of the Gers region and discover the authentic fishmen villages of the Basque Country.

Trip

D1 Lourdes

Arrive at Tarbes-Lourdes or Pau airport (flight under own responsibility), where you will be welcomed by your local Guide. Transfer with your local coach to Lourdes. Sightseeing tour of the town, the basilica and sanctuaries, and the cave where Saint Bernadette had her visions 150 years ago. Check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D2 The Cirque of Gavarnie, and Beaucens (130 km)

Breakfast. After that we head for the Pyrenees National Park with its exceptional flora and fauna. Our route takes us via St Savin, famed for its Benedictine abbey, the villages of Luz St Saveur and Gedre, then Gavarnie where you can take a stroll at the foot of this vast natural amphitheatre. Free lunch followed by a visit to the Fortress of Beaucens. It houses the Eagle Dungeon, a unique collection of birds of prey from all over the world – watch them take to the air. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D3 The Tourmalet Col, the Pic du Midi and the Médous Caves (110 km)

Breakfast. A day out to the Pic du Midi mountain top via the Tourmalet pass. Cable car trip up to the Pic du Midi, with its Observatory and Astronomy Museum and awesome panorama over the Pyrenean chain. Free time for lunch, then on to the fabulous Medous Caves with an underground boat trip on the river Adour amidst incredible rock formations, stalagmites and stalactites. Visit of a cheese dairy with an opportunity to sample some local cheese. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D4 Tarbes Stud Farm and Madiran wines, Toulouse (220 km)

Breakfast. After that direction Tarbes, capital of the Bigorre region, and a visit to the National Stud, with its famous breed, the Tarbais. We continue to the Madiran wine growing region and stop to taste the hearty, deep purple wines. Free time for lunch. Continue for a sightseeing visit of Toulouse on the Canal du Midi, a legendary engineering feat linking the town with the Mediterranean. Check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D5 Aérospatiale Aviation Centre and Boat Trip on the Garonne River (30 km)

Guided tour of Aérospatiale and the J.L Lagardère plant, final assembly line and test site for the giant AIRBUS 380. Free time for lunch then cruise along the Garonne for a relaxing view of the sights. Time at leisure in the city of Toulouse. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D6 Journey in Gers ( 170 km)

Breakfast, set off for Auch. Visit of the Gascogne’s capitale with its cathedral. Free time for lunch, then you will stop in the fortified town of Gimont with its medieval hall and Cistercian abbey. Visit of savoury pie Factory from Gascogne with Tasting. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D7 Violets of Toulouse and Basque coast and (325 km)

Breakfast. A traditional barge has been transformed into a showcase for the Toulouse violet, used both in perfumery and jams and liqueurs etc, and you can taste some of the products whilst onboard. Continue to Basque country, free time for lunch on the route. Then you continue to Biarritz, free time to wander in this fashionable seaside resort, admire the elegant villas, or stroll along the sandy beach and perhaps across the bridge to the Rocher de la Vierge, a Biarritz landmark. Check in to your hotel in the region. Dinner and overnight.

D8 La Rhune and Basque country villages (110 km)

Breakfast. Take the cog railway from the Col de St Ignace to the summit of la Rhune for a breathtaking view over the Pyrenees, the Landes forest and the Atlantic Ocean. Free time for lunch then an excursion into the heart of the Basque country via some of its most typical villages – Ascain, Sare, Ainoa, Espelette, and Arcangues. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

D9 Spanish Basque Country (90 km)

Breakfast. Head for Spain stopping at Hendaye to take the boat across the Txingudi Bay to Fontarrabie. Free time to explore this fishing port and seaside resort before a tapas aperitif – Spanish style drinks and nibbles, and a traditional style lunch. On via Jaizkibel to San Sebastian with its famous shell-shaped beach, La Concha. Time at leisure to enjoy the seafront promenade, beach and gardens as well as the old town. Stop at Monte Igueldo to enjoy the views. Dinner and overnight.

D10 St Jean de Luz and Col d’Ibardin (50 km)

Breakfast. An important fishing port, St Jean de Luz has retained a real Basque feel to it – take your time to visit the town and immerse yourself in the Basque atmosphere. Free time for lunch. Continue to Col d’Ibardin. Free time for shopping. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

D11 Retourn Journey

Breakfast. Coach Transfer to the airport of Biarritz (flight under own responsibility). End of our services.

Service details

Coach Tour for groups.
Service of a local coach for all transfers and excursions included in the itinerary as the programme (between 09h and 19h – maxi 10h/day)

10 nights accommodation sharing a double room in 3 star hotels

Half-Board (buffet breakfast and dinner – excluding drinks)

Services of an English-speaking guide for excursions as the programme (between 9 am and 6pm)

1 Lunch tapas aperitif – Spanish style

Return cable car trip to the Pic du Midi

La Rhune Cog Railway

Boat Trip across the Bay of Txingudi

Entrance fees : Eagle Dungeon, Médous Caves, Tarbes Stud, A380 Aérospatiale.

Boat Trip on the Garonne (1h15)

Visits with tasting session : cheese dairy, Madiran wine producer, savoury pie Factory, Maison de la Violette Barge

Strong points