RENDEZ-VOUS 2019 Grands Sites d’Occitanie au pays de d’Artagnan

Thursday 14th March 2019

Arrival at the airport Toulouse-Blagnac.

Check in at the hotel Mermoz Located in the heart of Toulouse, only 10 minutes’ walk from the hustle and bustle of the Capitol square, the restaurants and luxury boutiques, and 5 minutes’ walk from the Matabiau train station, the Privilege Hotel Mermoz welcomes you in the haven of its peaceful patio and private gardens. https://mermoz.privilegetoulouse.com/en/

7.30 pm Meeting in the lobby of the hotel with Toulouse tourist office staff Walk to The Jacobins for the dinner.

The Jacobins Convent www.jacobins.toulouse.fr/anglais

The former convent of the Dominican friars is an imposing building that is characteristic of southern architecture in the XIII Century, famous for its immense ribbed vault nicknamed the « palm tree ».

Night at the hotel

Friday 15th March 2019

9.45 am Meeting in the lobby with your guide for a walking guided tour.

10.00 am to 12.00 pm : Walking guided tour of the city and visit of the Victor Hugo covered market.

12.00 pm : Lunch at the restaurant « J’Go » http://lejgo.com/accueil

2.00 pm : Departure to Tarn et Garonne department.

3.30 pm : Arrival in St Antonin Noble Val 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Appointement to the tourisme office. Guided Tour of St Antonin-Noble-Val This authentic medieval city with a prestigious past, houses among other things the oldest town hall in France, but also a collection of buildings listed or registered in the national heritage, as well as many covered passages, half-timbering and warrior houses. Office de Tourisme de st Antonin- Noble -Val www.tourisme-saint-antonin-noble-val.com

5.00 pm – 6.00 pm : Guided Tour of Château de Bruniquel Discover the castles of Bruniquel located in "One of the most beautiful villages in France". This village, perched on a rocky peak, offers you two beautiful castles, the old castle dating from the twelfth and fourteenth century, and the young castle of the fifteenth century.

Château de Bruniquel www.bruniquel.fr/decouvrir/les-chateaux-de-bruniquel

6.00 pm: departure to Montauban

6.30 pm: arrival in Montauban. Check-in at the Abbaye des Capucins. The restaurant Le Bistrot des Capucins was renovated entirely in 2016 and has now a contemporary atmosphere with design furniture and works of Art.

Abbaye des Capucins Spa & Resort www.hotel-montauban-restaurant-spa-reunion.com

Saturday 16th March 2019

10.00 am: Guided tour of Montauban.

Montauban, town of Art and History, nine centuries old, is wearing well. Built of pink brick, it offers treasures such as the 17th century Place Nationale with its splendid arcades and surrounding old streets, its luxury private mansions, the view of the former Episcopal or Bishop’s Palace from the Pont- Vieux. The town has managed to keep its identity whilst renovating its architectural heritage, witness of a rich and eventful history. You will see the Church of Saint-Jacques, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle scattered around the town.

Office de Tourisme de Montauban www.montauban-tourisme.com

12.30 pm: Lunch at “Le Florentin “ In the department - and beyond - the reputation of the Florentin is well established! His chef is a lover of the beautiful local product and tradition.

2.00 pm: Meeting at the tourist office with your guide Georges. Moissac, stone, water and fruit... With its cloister World Heritage, Moissac is one of the prides of the Tarn-et-Garonne. 30 km west of Montauban, this Mecca of Romanesque art in France is also a major fruit centre, bathed in the Tarn and the Canal des Deux Mers. Moissac, active city, enjoys an international reputation due to the abbey church of Saint-Pierre and its cloister, listed as World Heritage Site.

Office de Tourisme de Moissac http://tourisme.moissac.fr/

3.30 am : tasting of chasselas products, this typical grape from Moissac, the golden grape in the cloister.

4.00 pm: transfer to the

5.30 pm : Arrival to CONDOM and guided visit of the episcopal city CONDOM, first step of your stay in Gascogny, is one of the « Great Site of Occitanie ». It's majestic Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, an imposing work in the Gothic style dominates the city. Attached to the cathedral, the cloister connected the bishop's private chapel to their episcopal palace. The ensemble is completed with a range of mansions built in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, when an economic boom led to the building of the commercial port and to develop the trade of armagnac. www.tourisme-condom.com

7.30 pm : Installation at the Continental hostel *** and diner at the restaurant « Les jardins de la Baïse ». At the edge of the Baïse River, the Continental Hotel*** offers you 28 sound proofed rooms with air conditioning and shower or bath. All rooms are equipped with confortable bedding, telephone and internet access by WIFI. A wonderfull suite is also available with its private terrace overlooking the inergarden. The restaurant « « Les Jardins de la Baïse » is open all year and offers you a wonderful dining room of 100 seatings and a shared terrace which will allow you to enjoy a pleasant time in the lush garden. The chef Serge NAVARRO offers you the oppotunity to taste a relish all culinary traditions of . His cuisine combines originality and tradition with local produce. Night at the Continental*** www.lecontinental.net

Sunday 17th of Mars 2019

Breakfast at the Continental Hotel***

09.30 am : Guide visit of the Cistercian Abbey of Flaran Near the thirteenth century country house of Valence-sur-Baise, Flaran has one of the most well-preserved abbeys in the southwest of France. Founded in 1151 in the Baïse valley,the monastic buildings are situated in a garden which are a perfect illustration of twelfth century Cistercian planning, maintained and renovated by the monks up until the eighteenth century. Headquarters of the Heritage and Museums Service and Service Manager for the General Council, Flaran Abbey organises numerous cultural and educational activities throughout the year, especially around the exceptional "Simonow" collection with a hundred exceptional works of art from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries: Ronda, Monet, Steer, Courbet and others. http://www.patrimoinemuseesgers.fr/

11.30 : Wine tasting at « Château de CASSAIGNE » Au Perfect stop in the heart of Gascony, Cassaigne Castle is the oldest property of the bishops of Condom and a historic site unusual. Surrounded by over 30 hectares of vines, producing Armagnac has brought fame to this house today and is also one of the centers of the great wines of the Côtes de Gascogne. At the end of the visit and a walk in park, enjoy tasting the products of the castle: armagnac, estate wines, old vintages and products of Armagnac and wine tourism. http://www.chateaudecassaigne.com

12.30 am : Lunch at the « Auberge de LARRESSINGLE » and visit of the village. LARRESSINGLE, one of the « beautifustest village of France » is one of the most visited in Gers.This restaurant built with old rocks is perfefct to take a break for lunch. Christophe AZANZA and his team will be pleased and welcome to share this time with you. They will show the delicious gastronomy of Gers through their dishes, all made with local products www.aubergedelarressingle.fr

3 pm : Guided visit of the « Villa GalloRomaine » of Séviac The Villa de Seviac is part of the structure ELUSA Ancient Capital, consisting of three Gallo-Roman sites a few kilometers away with the archaeological museum and the treasure of EAUZE and the Domus de Cieutat and its interpretation center. Set on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards and cypresses, the Villa de Séviac is a luxurious Gallo-Roman residence, spread over almost 6500m2. It is today one of the largest known in the south-west of France and is distinguished by its exceptional set of mosaics, still in place, and its vast baths. The visit is an invitation to go back in time to dive into the daily life of its former owners. www.elusa.fr

05.00 pm : Animed Tour of the village LAVARDENS and its Castle LAVARDENS is a lovely village perched at the top of a hill with picturesque streets and a massiv Castle dates from the middle age. It's also one of the most beautiful of France. Thanks to a localguide and an animed tour let you tell the history of the fiefdom of the Counts of Armagnac during the 12th century. www.passengers.fr

7.30 : Arrival to and installation at the Beaulieu Hotel*** Diner and night at the Beaulieu Hotel*** In Auch, in the heart of the Gascogne Region, rises the Domaine De Baulieu. The typical ancient Gersoise farm has been restored and transformed so as to offer an environment that goes from the traditional to the contemporary. This oasis of quiet accomodates a hotel with 20 comfortable rooms and a restaurant. In a gastronomic concept, elegant and cosy, the chef Maxime Deschamps accompanied by his team will satisfy your need thanks to his willingness to promote fresh and local products. He will suggest you a classic french cuisine with new tastes and technics to modernize it. Its forested park, its heated pool and the spa offers joyful moments of relaxation.Diner and night at the Beaulieu Hotel*** In Auch, in the heart of the Gascogne Region, rises the Domaine De Baulieu. The typical ancient Gersoise farm has been restored and transformed so as to offer an environment that goes from the traditional to the contemporary. This oasis of quiet accomodates a hotel with 20 comfortable rooms and a restaurant. In a gastronomic concept, elegant and cosy, the chef Maxime Deschamps accompanied by his team will satisfy your need thanks to his willingness to promote fresh and local products. He will suggest you a classic french cuisine with new tastes and technics to modernize it. Its forested park, its heated pool and the spa offers joyful moments of relaxation. http://www.ledomainedebaulieu.com

Lundi 18 Mars 2019

Breakfast at the Beaulieu Hotel***

09.00 am : Guided visit of AUCH, heart of Gascogny. Trough this guided visit, you will discover AUCH, Historical Capital of Gascogny. Let you tell its prestigious archetectural ensemble: St Mary's Cathedral (1517th centuries and designated on the UNESCO World Heritage list), the Tower of Armagnac, « the pousterles » (the mediaval part of the city) and the monumental Staircase overhanged by the Statue of D'Artagnan. AUCH is also famous for its « Jacobin Museum » where the visitor can admire the 2nd largest collection of pre colombian art in France, its circus and its movie festival. www.auchtourisme.com

10.30 am : Departure to TOULOUSE

1.00 pm : Flight from Toulouse to Marseille

Enjoy your stay in Occitanie !

Occitanie Tourist Board

Nicole PRADINES Tel : +33 (0) 5 61 13 55 11 / +33 (0)6 72 87 29 68 Email : nicole.pradines@ occitanie.fr

www.tourism-occitania.co.uk

This program has been prepared by Occitanie Tourist Board with the help of :

Office de Tourisme de Toulouse : www.toulouse-tourisme.com Marine BRUNET-MODESTE Tel : +33 (0)5 67 20 26 56 / email : [email protected] Julie SOUPENE Tel.: +33 (0)5 81 31 30 26 / E-Mail: [email protected]

Agence de Développement de Tourisme du Tarn et Garonne Fabienne SINNIG Tel : +33 (0)5 63 21 79 47 / email : [email protected] www.tourisme-tarnetgaronne.fr

Comité Départemental du Tourisme du Gers – Robin BOIZOT Tel: . +33(0)5 62 05 95 95 E-mail: [email protected] - www.tourisme-gers.com