A Taste of Southern France - Bordeaux to Toulouse

Our foodie tour starts in Bordeaux, a vibrant and historic city in southwestern France, known for its rich wine culture, beautiful architecture, and picturesque surroundings. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) which is around 45 minutes from the hotel depending on traffic. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for a guided walk of the highlights of Bordeaux including the St Andre Cathedral, the UNESCO-protected old town and the Place de la Bourse. Our tour will start with an aperitif and a welcome meeting in a local bar with the opportunity to go for dinner afterwards. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take a stroll along the quays of the Garonne River, admire the city's neoclassical buildings, charming squares, and grand monuments or visit the Contemporary Art Museum.

Our day starts with a tram ride followed by breakfast in a café outside the local train station. We'll then hop aboard the train to Arcachon and enjoy the scenic journey from Bordeaux to the picturesque seaside town on the Atlantic coast. Upon arrival, we dive into the lively atmosphere of the vibrant fish market, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch. After taking a good look around, we'll have the opportunity to try some of the fresh oysters that Arcachon is famous for. Once we've worked up an appetite, we'll take a seat in the famous Les Halles d'Arcachon Market for lunch\emdash this indoor market is a treasure trove of local produce, artisanal goods, and local specialities. Returning to Bordeaux by train in the afternoon, we plan to stop at a local patisserie and refuel on the famous mouth-watering Cannelé pastry, a classic French, set custard known for its distinctive small, fluted shape and caramelized crust, originating from the Bordeaux region. Our tour leader will explain the labour-intensive process behind making these delicate sweet treats. Please note, you'll be given a 48-hour public transport pass to get around during your time in Bordeaux.

Today we'll take the train to the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, nestled in the heart of Bordeaux's wine country, it's famous for picturesque vineyards and rolling hills. On arrival, we'll be driven by electric buggy to nearby Chateau Coutet, an esteemed wine estate established in 1604. They produce the finest St Emilion Grand Cru under the direction and management of the Beaulieu family. We'll discover the secrets of winemaking and sample some of the world-class vintages that have made this village a wine lover's paradise. After our tour of the wine estate and tasting we'll head back to Saint-Emilion to explore the village with its charming, cobbled streets, steeped in centuries of winemaking tradition. In the afternoon, we'll return to Bordeaux and cap off the day with a visit to the city's renowned wine museum, the Cite du Vin, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Bordeaux's world-class wines. Time permitting, we'll hop on the river ferry to the museum and cruise along the Garonne (if the timetable doesn't suit our arrival, we'll take the tram). After an initial introduction with our tour leader, you're free to explore the vast museum and make your own way back to the hotel when you're ready. It's a 30-minute walk from the museum to our hotel, along the riverside promenade. If you prefer, you can return by boat, bus or tram using the 2-day public transport pass included with your tour.

We say farewell to Bordeaux this morning and catch the train to Sarlat, a town known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, gothic cathedral, and rich food history. The region around Sarlat is famous for traditional dishes such as duck confit, foie gras, walnut-based desserts and truffles. Truffles are a type of fungi that grow underground, typically near the roots of certain trees, such as oak and hazelnut trees. They're highly prized in the culinary world for their unique flavour and aroma. On arrival to Sarlat, we'll head to a local black truffle producer where we'll learn more about these prized fungi and, with specially trained dogs, we'll head outside to have a go at locating these elusive earthy treasures using traditional methods (and specially trained dogs). Summer truffles are typically available from late spring to the end of August, while black truffles - also known as winter truffles - are found from December to March. If your trip falls outside of these periods, the likelihood of finding truffles may be lower, but the experience is still incredibly valuable. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the truffle-producing process, including how they're grown and harvested. It's a fascinating journey into the world of culinary treasures and agricultural practices, regardless of the season. Returning to Sarlat, we'll take an orientation tour of the town with our tour leader. Making our way through the narrow winding streets with their timber houses and stone buildings dating back to the 14th century, we'll end up at the impressive 12th-century cathedral. This evening, we'll sit down for dinner at a local family-run restaurant where we can try one of the many delicious duck dishes the area is famed for.

This morning, we'll head out on foot to the famous Sarlat market. Exploring the markets is not only a great way to sample the produce and flavours of the region but also to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this charming French town. As we walk through the market, our tour leader will explain the produce and offer samples to try, these might include regional cheeses, duck sausage and walnut cakes. France is the world's largest producer and consumer of the controversial delicacy, foie gras and the product will be on sale throughout the market. After our tasting tour of the market, there is free time to explore more of the food stalls or the local handicrafts section of the market. This afternoon, we have a cookery class with a chef known locally for his garden-to-plate seasonal menus. During the class, we'll learn more about the principal cooking techniques and ingredients of the region.

After breakfast this morning, we'll leave the hotel by chartered bus and head to the Lot region, not as famous as the neighbouring Dordogne but just as beautiful. Our first point of call is Rocamadour. Perched dramatically on a cliffside, the picturesque town proudly carries the title "un des plus beaux villages de France" (one of the most beautiful villages in France) and belongs to a select group of 176 villages chosen for their quintessential charm. After getting to know the town, it's time to savour the local flavours with a delightful cheese-themed lunch. The region is renowned for its exceptional cheese production with the most famous being Rocamadour, a small, creamy, and disc-shaped cheese with a mild, smooth flavour. Our picnic lunch, at a local cheese producers farm, will feature an array of regional cheeses, fresh bread, and perhaps some local wines. Once we've satisfied our taste buds, our journey continues. Next, we drive to the vibrant city of Toulouse. Toulouse is known as 'La Ville Rose', The Pink City, due to its distinctive terracotta buildings. Toulouse is a dynamic and culturally rich city, this evening has been left free to explore its historic centre, enjoy a gourmet dinner (not included) at one of the city's fine restaurants, or simply wander through the lively streets and soak in the atmosphere - a fitting finale to a rewarding day.

Today we take a day trip to one of the region's most visually spectacular settings, the walled fortress of Carcassonne. It was once one of the most important and powerful cities in the south before the all-consuming Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars saw the town fall to the notorious onslaught of the forces of Simon de Montfort. We'll have an orientation walk with our tour leader to explore the heart of Carcassonne known as 'La Cite' including the outside of the Chaeau Comtal (Count's Castle), which offers a glimpse into the medieval history of the city and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, an impressive Gothic cathedral. After free time for lunch, we'll meet again to visit a local bar and sample Blanquette de Limoux, a local sparkling wine similar to Crémant. It has a crisp and refreshing character and is one of the oldest sparkling wines in the world, with a history dating back several centuries, even older than the sparkling wines of Champagne. We'll end the day back in Toulouse with a group meal at a small local restaurant known for Cassoulet. This hearty and flavourful casserole-like dish is made with a variety of ingredients, including beans, meat (usually pork or sausages), and sometimes duck or other poultry. It's a beloved comfort food in French cuisine and makes for a satisfying end to our foodie tour.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Toulouse. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Toulouse at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS). Depending on the schedule of your flights, you might have time to wander the streets of Toulouse or buy last-minute souvenirs before departure.