Walk to the local market, one of the finest in France. Here your lecturer will point out local products and highlights of the town as you stroll around.

After tasting and explanations about truffle farming, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Domain.

After lunch we leave the beautiful town of Uzès for Nîmes. On the way we will stop at one of the many exquisite vineyards’ for a sampling session.

 

Settle in Nîmes for the night.

 

This morning we visit an olive mill where you will discover the secrets of ancient and current olive oil production. Whilst France is not a big producer of olive products, it certainly has some of the best quality. After walking amongst the olive trees, there is time to browse the shop where you will find local products.

Lunch is themed on olives and olive oil.

This afternoon, follow a guided visit round the "Mas de Garrigue" and the museum of Garrigue. Walk in the heart of La Combe des Bourguignons, a site that reveals the typical Garrigue scenery and a conservatory with a great variety of olive trees.

This evening we dine at a "Tapas" restaurant in Nîmes. Overnight in Nîmes.

 

 

Discover the Viavino wine centre en-route to Montpellier. Take part in a tasting workshop to awaken your taste buds. Four local wines will be savoured alongside a selection of cheeses, regional specialties both sweet and savoury.

Lunch at Viavino. By its name, the Authentic restaurant evokes the very concept of its cooking. The chef prepares simple dishes which are rich in flavour, based on fresh produce, meat, pork sausage specialities and cheese from the Languedoc Roussillon, so that you can try all the local products. With the herb garden near the restaurant the chef can prepare meals from organic products in season for your complete enjoyment either inside with a view of the kitchens, or on the shaded patio in a rural setting.

We continue onto Montpellier which has a buzz and vibrant energy which is a reflection of its young population. It’s a pedestrian city and is perfect to walk its beautiful alleyways and promenades. Dine in one of the many restaurants that the city boasts. Overnight in Montpellier

 

 

Leave Montpellier and head north to the Lozère department. We go over the famous viaduct of Millau, stop and take a picture of one of the world’s great engineering feats.

A little further on we discovery of the cellars of Roquefort where we have a tasting. Our visit includes a sound and light show, journey 6 floors underground, going back through two thousand years of history, and discover the producing cellars.

Treat yourself to lunch at the restaurant “La Cave des Saveurs”. Your five senses will be awakened during this meal in the magic of arched cellars in Reynes or on the terrace facing the grand Tournemire corrie.

After lunch leave for Mende where we will have a guided visit around town with a lecturer who will introduce Mende's heritage. Dine tonight in typical Lozère Pastoral Cottage to taste different local products. Overnight in Mende.

 

 

Relaxing day and discovery of the Château l’Hopistalet near Narbonne. Château l’Hospitalet is ideally located in the La Clape mountain range. This site like no other in the South of France – 1,000 hectares of pine woods vines and moorland – boasts a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean sea. Learn about oenology through a fun workshop during the morning.

After degustation lunch, leave and discover hand grape harvesting on a parcel of the domain with one of the wine growers. Discover l’Hospitalet Cellar and put your harvest in a vat.

Tonight the chef composes for you different sampling menus, for you to discover the l'Art de Vivre for your diner. Diner and night in the Château of l'Hospitalet.

 

With our guide, we round the lake of Castelnaudary where we contemplate the marvel engineering involved in the construction of the Canal du Midi and life in the port in the XVIII century…

For lunch, enjoy the local specialty of a cassoulet. You will take part in preparing the dish. At the end of the day you will leave with the knowhow and recipe to impress your friends at home.

Leave for Carcassonne later in the afternoon and discover the town by night. Diner and night in Carcassonne.

 

 

The markets are such an important part of French life. In Carcassonne we visit the flower, fruit and vegetable market before we leave for Frontfroide Abbey. Visit the Abbey, miraculously preserved it retains its church, cloister and more. The history of its gardens spans several centuries, their beauty and originality due to many designers.

Lunch at the Fontfroide Restaurant. Housed in the old barn of the abbey, the restaurant will give you a sense of Cistercian hospitality of simplicity, expertise and kindness. The final touch of this tour is a Mediterranean meal with Corbières wines.