Provence & Dordogne

Provence & Dordogne

Discover the splendour and lifestyle that has attracted so many Britons to this unique part of France

9 days from £599

Holiday Highlights
• Aix-en-Provence - city of a thousand fountains
• Pont du Gard - impressive aqueduct
• Avignon - walled city and former papal centre
• Marseille - traditional old town and port
• Cassis - picturesque fishing port
• Nimes - the "Rome of France"
• Rocamadour - spectacular setting
• Sarlat - many preserved medieval buildings

Your holiday at a glance
Day 1 Local departure by coach then onwads to Paris area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Continue south to Orange, Provence, for a four-night stay. B,D
Day 3 Aix-en-Provence. B,D
Day 4 Pont Du Gard and Avignon. B,D
Day 5 Marseille and Cassis. B,D
Day 6 To Nîmes then to Rocamadour, Dordogne, for a two-night stay. B,D
Day 7 Sarlat and Rocamadour. B,D
Day 8 To the Paris area for an overnight stay. B
Day 9 To Calais then return home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Excursions and visits
Aix-en-Provence (included). The former capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence is known as ‘the city of a thousand fountains’ and is where Cézanne was born.
Pont du Gard and Avignon (optional). We travel to the Pont du Gard, an impressive aqueduct dating back to 19BC, then to the walled city of Avignon whose Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) dates back to when Avignon was the resicdence of the Pope. Also, see the Pont St. Bénézet, the famous broken bridge referred to as ‘Pont d’Avignon’.
Marseille and Cassis (optional). We spend the morning in Marseille, with its Old Town, harbour, 35 miles of gorgeous coastline, Marché à la Criée (old fish market area with theatre) and the Château d’If (the prison in Dumas’ ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’). We then travel to the lovely seaside resort of Cassis, with its  picturesque fishing port and town square. Spend free time here before returning to the hotel.
Nîmes (included). En route to the Dordogne region, we make a short visit to Nîmes, founded by Emperor Augustus in the 2nd century AD due to its proximity to a spring in Uzès. Some call Nîmes the ‘Rome of France’, on account of its arena, similar to the Colosseum.
Sarlat (optional, included on Silver Service) and Rocamadour (included). We visit the bustling town of Sarlat in the Perigord-Noir. You will have free time to explore this fascinating town, which is home to some of the best-preserved medieval buildings in France. These include Cathédrale St. Sacerdos, a Gothic and Romanesque-style church. In the afternoon, we return to Rocamadour for time at leisure. Perched on a limestone cliff overlooking the gorge of the River Alzou, Rocamadour is an important pilgrimage site for the French.

Your hotels
You’ll stay for four nights at the 3-star Hotel Park Inn, only a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of Orange, offering a bar, restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool. All bedrooms have T.V., hairdryer and air-conditioning. The hotel has two floors, but does not have a lift. You’ll then stay at the 2-star Hôtel Lion d’Or in the medieval city of Rocamadour for two nights. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and lift. All bedrooms have a telephone and television.

Overnight stays in the Paris area will be in city-style hotels.

What’s Included?
• FREE local joining points
• Travel by executive coach
• 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast & 6 evening meals
• Excursions: Aix en Provence; Nimes

Upgrade to Silver Service for luxury coach travel and enjoy these added benefits.
• Extra excursion: Sarlat
• Extra legroom for your added comfort
• Porterage at your hotels

Prices are per person, based on two sharing.
Extras • Optional excursions