Walking In France

The tour starts at Toulouse airport from where we drive to the small town of Ax-Les-Thermes at the confluence of the Oriege, Ariege and Lauze rivers in the Midi-Pyrenees region of south-western France. Famed for its thermal waters, the town lies in the heart of some of the most unspoiled landscapes in southern France.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Dinner

From Ax-Les-Thermes it's a short drive up to the Col du Chioula (1431m) on a route popular with cyclists and used on the Tour de France cycle race. Our walk passes through the forests and grasslands of a large plateau frequented by Nordic skiers during the winter. We pass through the village of Montaillou with its small ruined castle. The village was one of the last bastions of Catharism  whose beliefs were considered heresy by the Catholic Church. Our way to Belcaire then crosses the vast plateau of Sault via paths once used to access the valley of Aude and the Corbières.
Walking: 25 kilometres, around 7 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we walk to the charming old town of Puivert. Leaving the Plateau of Sault our route leads through the thick fir tree forests of Escale and Picaussel. We descend towards the Mediterranean part of the Pyrenees, a landscape  of olive groves and vineyards. On arrival in Puivert we visit the 13th century Château of the Troubadours, taken in 1210 by the notorious Simon de Monfort at the start of the Albigensian Crusade
Walking 20 kilometres, around 5.5 hours

Overnight Simple Gite Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short bus journey takes us to the start of todays walk at Couiza. We pass through the sleepy little village of Rennes-le-Château. Nestling in the backwoods of the Languedoc this village was once the Visigoth fortress of Rheddae and beneath its present day torpor lies a mystery of dark secrets and buried treasure. We can spend some time here visiting the church of St. Marie de Magdaleine, or simply enjoying the spectacular view over the Corbieres Region, before moving on to Rennes les Bains where we will enjoy our lunch. This is a spa town with a reputation for its health restoring springs that dates back to the 1st century. Following the contours of the hillside down a narrow forest track to Sougraignewe finally arrive at our evening’s retreat.
Walking: 16 kilometres, around 7 hours

Overnight Simple Gite Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today our path meanders through some more majestic woodland scenery as we make our way through the Cathars region.  This walk sees us taking lunch in the rustic Bugarach or nearby before we continue on our way to tonights reststop, Cubieres sur Cinoble where we can enjoy some beautiful views of Peyrepertuse, Queribus, and the Pyrenees.
Walking: 16 kilometeres, around 7 hours

Overnight Simple Gite Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start our journey today with a short transfer by road to the Gorges de Galamus. Our spectacular walk takes us past the Ermitage de St. Antoine de Galamus, through a landscape of Mediterranean splendour. Continuing on our route, we arrive at the Château de Peyrepertuse, the most important castle in the Aude region. Stretching for some 300m along the crest of a high ridge, it is a fine example of medieval military architecture. From here we walk down to our hotel at Duilhac.
Walking: 16 kilometeres, around 6 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start our day with a visit  to one of the most magnificent of the Cathar Castles, Chateau de Queribus. Later we enjoy a wine tasting at the Maury Caves before driving on to Carcassonne. With its extensive ramparts and myriad turrets, Carcassonne is a true fairytale castle.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we enjoy a walking tour to explore the maze of narrow medieval streets of the citadel and enjoy the atmosphere of this unique location. The tour ends at around midday. Customers travelling on the group flight back to London will travel back to Toulouse airport by train (transfer included). Any other passengers wishing to join this transfer should speak to the tour leader who can assist with purchasing train tickets.

Included meals: Breakfast