Stay in Carcassonne and uncover the region's Roman and medieval and Roman architecture and enjoy a canal cruise

Take a trip to rural France and take an escorted tour of Carcassonne, Avignon, and Provence, where you will spend six delightful days exploring the region's medieval citadels, chateaux and vineyards.

You will stay in Carcassonne for five nights, where an expert guide will escort you as you discover the walled Cité, Château Comtal, and St-Nazaire church with its incredible views.

The tour includes a trip to Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct held to be a Roman engineering marvel, and an excursion to historic Avignon, home to the fortified Palais des Papes.

Take a picturesque cruise along the Canal du Midi on your last day, with optional trips to Collioure, once home of Henri Matisse, and Narbonne, with an optional wine tasting at Domaine de l'Hospitalet. Or you might choose to spend more time exploring Carcassonne at your own pace instead.

You'll be based at a stylish Carcassonne hotel, beginning each day with a delicious continental breakfast, providing you with plenty of energy for touring this charming part of France.

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Price includes

  • Five nights' bed and continental breakfast accommodation at the Ibis Carcassonne Est Hotel, Carcassonne (upgrade hotels available for a supplement)
  • Return flights to France
  • Walking tour of Carcassonne
  • Pont du Gard tour
  • Avignon tour
  • Canal du Midi cruise
  • Coach travel and transfers throughout
  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Availability

From
Tue, Tue, Oct 1, 2024
To
Wed, Wed, Oct 15, 2025
Duration
6 days
Price per person
£699*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 1 October 2024 departure date, from LGW, staying in Ibis Carcassonne Est La Cite, Carcassonne. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit £500pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.

Call now to book 02039363027
Quote ref: NMCARCASSONNE
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Fly to France
    Carcassonne, France

    Today you'll arrive in France and meet your friendly tour manager before making the scenic transfer to Carcassonne.

    In Carcassonne, you'll check into your hotel and have some time to settle in before heading out to find dinner independently.

  2. Day
    2
    Carcassonne
    Carcassonne, France

    Today your guide will join you for an insightful walking tour of the city of Carcassonne, one of the most striking walled settlements in the whole of Europe, with its remarkably preserved, double-walled Cité - the jewel in a sparkling crown.

    Restored in the mid-19th-century, the fairy-tale bastion includes the inner Château Comtal and the beautiful church of St-Nazaire, from where views over the fortress are spectacular.

    Wander the narrow, sometimes steep, streets of this medieval city, with its colourful cafés, restaurants and craft shops squeezed into its tiny buildings, or perhaps take in the views from the city walls.

    After the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Beneath the turrets of the Cité and across the languid River Aude, the equally charming Ville Basse offers a wider variety of places in which to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner.

  3. Day
    3
    Collioure, Narbonne and wine tasting
    Collioure, France

    Continue your exploration of historic Carcassonne at your own pace, or join today's optional full-day excursion to France's south-west corner, beginning with a visit to the exquisite port town of Collioure.

    Once the home of Henri Matisse, this is an especially attractive coastal settlement, overlooked by the monumental Château-Royal and with a palm-fringed promenade curving around the bay.

    Next stop is Narbonne, which was once the Roman capital of all of southern Gaul. You'll see its imposing 13th-century cathedral, its central canal and its section of the famed Roman road, the Via Domitia beneath the main square.

    After some free time in Narbonne, continue to historic Domaine de l'Hospitalet, high up on the protected limestone massif of La Clape, overlooking the Mediterranean. Here, you'll enjoy a tasting of various regional wines before returning to Carcassonne for the evening.

  4. Day
    4
    Pont du Gard and Avignon
    Avignon, France

    This morning you'll travel by coach to two of southern France's most fascinating locations.

    First up is the breathtaking, three-tiered Roman aqueduct, the stunning Pont du Gard. This towering stone watercourse straddles the River Gard and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Roman engineering.

    You'll then continue to historic Avignon, encircled by its ancient low walls, and dominated by its monumental centrepiece, the fortified Palais des Papes.

    Don't miss the curious half-bridge of St-Bénézet - the 'Pont d'Avignon' of the famous French folk song - that juts out into the fast-flowing waters of the River Rhône, as it winds its way towards the Mediterranean.

    Avignon's bustling main square, the place de l'Horloge, is lined with cafés and restaurants, perfect places in which to rest and relax and enjoy a bite to eat.

  5. Day
    5
    Canal du Midi
    Canal du Midi, France

    Today you'll enjoy an included cruise along the tree-lined Canal du Midi, part of the 150-mile-long waterway constructed in the 17th-century to connect the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, and now a hugely popular choice for boating holidays.

    The cruise may take place in the morning or afternoon, depending on local weather conditions.

  6. Day
    6
    Return to the UK
    Carcassonne, France

    After a final breakfast at the hotel, it's time to bid au revoir to Carcassonne, transferring to the airport for the return flight to the UK, at the end of a wonderful holiday in a truly beautiful part of France.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Newmarket Holidays
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Newmarket Holidays. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL protected and financially bonded.

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Availability

Call now to book 02039363027
Quote ref: NMCARCASSONNE