Discovering Provence

Discovering Provence

Provence is an area of stunning beauty and landscapes that boasts sun-kissed hillsides, pretty colourful villages, historic Roman cities and gourmet food and wine. Discover some of the many highlights on the excursions included on this wonderfully relaxing holiday.

Tour highlights
• Ancient Avignon
• Pont du Gard
• Arles
• Picturesque Camargue
• Oranges Roman ampitheatre

Optional excursions
• Aix-en-provence
• Nimes

Holiday itinerary
Day 1 UK to Paris We travel from Dover to Calais and then continue to our overnight hotel on the outskirts of Paris.
Day 2 Paris to Montpellier We take the TGV train to Montpellier, a journey of approximately three and a half hours and
transfer you by coach to the Novotel, Montpellier or similar (3*), where we spend the next three nights. (B,D)
Day 3 Montpellier Discover the stunning beauty of Provence with a wealth of landscapes, sun-drenched hillsides alive with scents of pine trees, flora and aromatic herbs; colourful villages full of life and historic Roman cities. We visit Avignon, one of the most fascinating cities in France with its ancient walls stretching for miles around the city. Within its walls lies the famous Pope’s Palace dating from the 14th century. From Avignon there is an optional excursion to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct spanning the river Gardon. (B,D)
Day 4 Montpellier We enjoy a visit to Arles, a treasure trove of Roman antiquity with many relics remaining
today including the great amphitheatre. The beauty of Arles and its surrounding landscapes inspired Vincent Van Gogh to produce some of his finest work during his stay in the area. Then it’s on to the Camargue, a nature reserve in the Rhône delta, which is home to herds of legendary, wild white horses, ragged black bulls and pink flamingos. (B,D)
Day 5 Montpellier to Toulouse Leaving Provence we head for Carcassonne, whose fairy-tale style turreted fortress can be seen for miles. Our final destination is Toulouse, known as the ‘Ville Rose’ because of its pink buildings, located on the banks of the Garonne river and the historic Canal du Midi. We spend two nights at the Hotel Mercure Toulouse St
Georges (3*) and enjoy dinner tonight in a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 6 Toulouse The Bastides were originally fortified walled towns built in the 13th century and today we have the opportunity to visit several examples of these at Montauban, one of the oldest with a stunning central square, and Albi, the rose-red town with a stunning cathedral and the birthplace of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Dinner is in a local restaurant close to the hotel. (B,D)
Day 7 Toulouse to Bayonne We continue our journey across France and head to Lourdes, located in the foothills of the
Pyrenees. This small town attracts five million pilgrims annually from all over the world to the cave where a peasant girl alleged to have sightings of the Virgin Mary. During 2008, Lourdes will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions. Then it’s on to Pau, a town with a strong British influence and famous for its boulevard with magnificent panoramic views of
the Pyrenees. Finally we reach the pleasant town of Bayonne, renowned for its tasty ham of the same name, where we spend two nights at the Hotel Mercure (3*). (B,D)
Day 8 Bayonne Today we visit the sophisticated resort of Biarritz, with its fine sandy beach, old fishing port and lighthouse, which is often overlooked in favour of the French Riviera. We also explore the magnificent scenery of the Basque Country, with its unique language and traditions. There is an optional train journey to the summit of La Rhune. (B,D) 
Day 9 Bayonne to N. France We take the TGV train from Bayonne to Paris, a journey of approximately five hours, and transfer to northern France for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,D)
Day 10 N. France to home To Calais for the crossing to Dover and then home. (B)
(B) Breakfast (D) Dinner

Book your Shearings Holiday through First4Breaks and receive 5% discount off the prices below
Call us on 0191 514 5511 or click on the enquire button below to check availability or book

Provence & the Pyrenees Code: ETFRZC
• 9 nights room & breakfast, 8 dinners
• TGV travel Paris to Montpellier & Bayone to Paris
• Shearings Tour Manage