The Cathars Tour Ref 18I033 Day 1

In the late morning, meet your driver-guide on arrival at the airport or station of Carcassonne. Lunch in the medieval city of Carcassonne. Then private guided tour to discover the Counts castle, battlements, the St Nazaire cathedral, etc.). Free time in the cite before driving to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day2 Minerve & Canal du Midi

Meet your driver and guide and drive toward the 4 castles of , north of Carcassonne. From a point of view over the castles, let your guide tell you the dramatic story of this Cathar site.

Driving along the charming roads of the Minervois region, reach Minerve, one of the most beautiful villages in . Regional lunch. The city was marked by the Crusade against the Cathars. Drive to Béziers and enjoy a private boat trip on the Canal du Midi during which you will discover the locks of Fonseranes and the tunnel of Malpas, the 2 main engineering works of this Unesco World Heritage site, dating back to the 17th century.

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To conclude the day, meet a winegrower in his chateau and enjoy a wine tasting. Drive back to Carcassonne.

Day 3 2 days to choose from:

Option 1 : Quéribus & : Drive along the Valley to reach to reach the so-called “citadels of Vertigo” Built on a rocky peak Quéribus overhangs the plain of the Roussillon, the Corbières Mountains, and Maury.

Visit the castle which was the last place to resist during the crusade. Regional lunch in Cucugnan. Then, with your guide, drive to Peyrepertuse fortress, the most impressive one.

End the day with the Maury naturally sweet wine tasting. Drive back to Carcassonne for the overnight.

Agence Guidesud – cultural tour Carcassonne -Page 2 sur 4 Option 2: Mirepoix – Montségur

On the way, first stop in Mirepoix, a fortified city that kept its medieval galleries and its covered market. Then, visit Montsegur Castle, famous for the Cathar Crusade.

Regional lunch. In the afternoon, in castle discover the magnificent medieval sculptures representing musicians and troubadours.

Poets used to meet in this castle till the 14th century. Drive back to Carcassonne and overnight in the medieval city.

Day 4 Wine and Fontfroide Abbey

Meet your driver and guide and drive toward . Depart with your driver and guide to the Region of Narbonne. Enjoy a private visit of a wine estate. During your halt, experience the passion of the wine-growers and learn more about the Languedocian terroir and wine-making secrets with a fascinating wine-tasting session with our winemaker Near Narbonne, visit the Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide.

This private abbey is interesting by the mix between the medieval architecture and modern art. Dinner and accommodation in Carcassonne.

Agence Guidesud – cultural tour Carcassonne -Page 3 sur 4 Day 5 departure Free time in the Cité of Carcassonne before Transfer to station or Airport of Carcassonne Extra program depending of schedules

Extra tours or activities: Albi and Cordes sur ciel Toulouse 4-days cruising on the Canal du Midi on an hotel-barge. Cooking class

Conditions:

- This tour can accommodate maximum 8 persons. For more than 8, some activities shall be adapted. - Do not suit disabled people.

Extra day tours or tour extension on request:

- Toulouse - Albi - Lourdes - 4 days cruising on the canal du Midi on an hotel barge.

Extra activities on request:

- Cocktail experience in Caves Byrrh. - Cooking class

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