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We bring you deep into southern France’s fascinating history as we hike high trails between romantic, ruined 13th century castles.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT 62
HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore Carcassonne, a striking Cathar
citadel and World Heritage Site
• Hike to the lofty castles of Peyrepertuse,
Queribus, and Puilaurens
• Enjoy medieval Mirepoix, with its
fantastic farmers’ market, and charming
Cucugnan
• Hear the romantic songs of the troubadors,
sung in the ancient Occitan language
• Stay in welcoming auberges in historic
villages
DETAILS
• 10-day trip begins and ends in Toulouse,
France
• 9 nights hotels and auberges
• All meals included except 1 lunch and
1 dinner
DATES
May 28-Jun 6, 2018
Sep 17-26
TRIP COST
$4995 (10-14 members)
$5395 (4-9 members)
Single supplement: $560
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 hiking days on moderate to steep trails,
5-6 hours a day, van support
Discover the wild mountains and hidden
history of Languedoc, one of southern France’s
most intriguing realms. We’ll learn the long-lost
tales of the medieval Cathars as we hike from
castle to castle across vineyards and rosemary-
scented hills, discovering rock-perched 13th
century fortresses with views stretching to the
snow-capped Pyrenees. Between hikes, we’ll
hear the songs of poet-troubadors in the
fabulous Château des Ducs de Joyeuse, one of
our atmospheric hotels, meet a traditional
village baker and a goat-cheese maker, and join
in the bustling weekly farmers’ market in
medieval Mirepoix. Come share the richness of
this unique area of France with us!
Day 1 Toulouse / Carcassonne In Carcassonne,
a magnificent World Heritage Site, we enjoy a
day of exploration in the cobbled lanes and an
overnight in our magnificent heritage hotel in
the fairytale setting of La Cité, with its towering
walls and turrets.
MEDIEVAL VILLAGES OF THE LANGUEDOC
ON OUR WEBSITE
Enjoy country walks, cliff-perched towns, and
magnificent châteaux on this exquisite journey.
Oct 6-14, 2018. From $5795.
Days 2-3 Queribus / Peyrepertuse /
Cucugnan Our first Cathar Trail hikes bring us
through quiet villages and vineyards below the
mighty Queribus Castle, perched like a bird’s
nest above the Roussillon plains, to Peyrepertuse
Castle, stretching along the crest of a limestone
cliff, and to the charming village of Cucugnan.
Days 4-6 Puilaurens / St-Julia-de-Bec We hike
the open countryside to the quaint riverside village
of Puilaurens, cross the Col du Vent to reach
St-Just-et-le-Bezu, a tiny farming hamlet, then
make our way to picturesque St-Julia-de-Bec,
whose street names are in Occitan, the ancient
Romance language also known as the Langue d’Oc.
Days 7-8 Gorge de la Frau / Montsegur /
Mirepoix Panoramas stretch to the snowy Pyrenean
Pic de St. Barthelemy (7,700') as we hike over
the Col de la Gargante then through the Gorge de
La Frau. Another hike starts at the most dramatic
of all the Cathar castles, Montsegur, sitting
4,000 feet above the surrounding land. In
Mirepoix, a Cathar stronghold and one of the
most beautiful towns in southern France, we
explore the weekly farmers’ market in the square.
Days 9-10 Roquefixade / Niaux Caves Our last
hike is below the ruined 13th century stronghold
of Roquefixade Castle, with views of the jagged
Pyrenees. Depart on Day 10 via Toulouse.