WALKING BETWEEN MEDIEVAL BASTIDES AND VINEYARDS

A 7 days walking holiday in the south-west of France between medieval bastides near Albi, the Gaillac vineyards and the gorges de l'Aveyron. An enchanting combination of leisurely walking through Tuscany-like landscapes with a spot of history and culture in the medieval fortified villages.

We selected the most beautiful walks of the Tour des Bastides Albigeoises and the Gorges of the river Aveyron; you can walk them at your own rhythm with a detailed description and maps.

You'll stay for 7 nights in Castelnau de Montmiral at Artichaud, a very comfortable and beautiful 3-star chambres d'hôtes de charme with a pool. No need to worry about luggage and changing rooms every day, and if you prefer a shorter walk or to insert a day of 'dolce far niente'...that's possible.

Follow the ancient footpaths between attractive bastides (Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Puycelci, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Bruniquel,...) and peaceful villages of the Gaillac vineyards (Vieux, Andillac, Cahuzac,...). The open countryside provides panoramic views of rolling vineyards and fields of cereals and sunflowers. The route is dotted with ancient fortified manor houses and typical 'pigeonniers' (dovecotes).

In and around the 'Forêt de Grésigne' you will find along your path many signs of its rich history: prehistoric caves, a dolmen, a roman road, the Louis XIV-wall. You follow the twisting gorges of the river Aveyron from the Bruniquel castle to the ruins of Penne, and on Sunday you can buy your picnic at St Antonins' famous market.

After your walk you can enjoy our swimming pool and have a nice drink, before dinnertime: 'la table d'hôtes', Artichauds' much praised flavoursome regional cuisine.

Programme

• Day 1: Arrival, a welcome drink, evening meal.
• Day 2: Through vineyards and bastides.
  From Cahuzac-sur-Vère, centre of the Gaillac vineyards, to Castelnau de Montmiral, 13th century bastide. About 16 km or 4 hours walking.
• Day 3: Puycelci and the valley of the Vère.
  You start in Larroque and walk through the Grésigne forest to Puycelci and further to Artichaud. 24 km or 6 hours walking with a few ascents and descents.
• Day 4: The medieval town of Cordes.
  Starting with a wide loop around Cordes-sur-Ciel, giving you good views of the fortified town, you walk for 12 km or 3 hours; there is plenty of time to explore the towns cobbed streets with gothic merchants' houses and to browse the numerous craft shops.
• Day 5: Lisle-sur-Tarn and the Sivens forest.
  From the Sivens forest to Lisle-sur-Tarn through Tuscany inspired landscapes dotted with castles, ancient farmhouses and pigeonniers. 26km or 7 hours walking.
• Day 6 : Bruniquel-Penne-Bruniquel.
  Departure in Bruniquel for the walk to Penne; another path for the walk back to Bruniquel. The marvellous panoramic views will largely compensate the efforts of this 22km or 7 hours walk.
• Day 7: Saint-Antonin and the Gorges de l'Aveyron. Combine a vist to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val with a walk through the gorges of the Aveyron. 12 km or 4 hours walking.
• Day 8: End after breakfast.

Our programme is very flexible; we can adapt it to the wishes and possibilities of our guests. If you prefer, we propose shorter walks of 3 to 4 hours per day. We have an alternative programme for our guests travelling with public transport. You can extend your stay for a day of relaxation by the pool, or to visit Albi or Toulouse.

Our rates in 2010

low saison: 01/02 - 30/04 and 01/10 - 30/11

in Masereel / Alechinsky	410 € p.p. - basis 2 persons
in Métaphore:	484 € p.p. - basis 2 persons 305 € p.p. - 3° or 4° person 226 € p.p. - child<12 year

middle saison: 01/05 - 30/06 and 01/09 - 30/09

in Masereel / Alechinsky	428 € p.p. - basis 2 persons
in Métaphore:	503 € p.p.- basis 2 persons 305 € p.p. - 3° or 4° person 226 € p.p. - child<12 year

high saison: 01/07 - 31/08

in Masereel / Alechinsky	447 € p.p. - basis 2 persons
in Métaphore:	522 € p.p. - basis 2 persons 305 € p.p. - 3° or 4° person 226 € p.p. - child<12 year

Price includes:

• 7 nights bed and breakfast
• 5 evening meals: 4 course dinner including drinks
• maps 1/25 000 and detailed day per day route-description
• transfers to the starting point of the walk on day 2 & day 3
• VAT and 'taxe de séjour'(local taxes)

Price does not include:

• dinner on Thursday and Friday  (restaurants are nearby).
• lunches; a picnic is available upon request.

When?

Possible all year; spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking; summer is quiet hot.
Start any day of the week, according to availability. Minimum 2 persons

Difficulty

The walks are based on 5 to 6 hours (15 to 25 km) walking per day; there is always a shorter (3 to 4 hours) alternative. Ascents and descents are limited to max. 350m. Accessible for most people on the precondition of a good physical condition. We mostly used signposted trails: GR (Grande Randonnée), GRP (GR de Pays) and PR (Petite Randonnée). The description is quiet extended, and the detailed maps will help you in case of doubt.

Traveling to Castelnau de Montmiral: by car, plane or train

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