FRANCE – GETAWAY IN GASCOGNE : THE “LAND OF GOOD LIVING”

FRANCE

DEPARTURE FROM TARBES (France ) TO OCCITANIE

REF # 1005-ACC

HIKING – TOURISM – GASTRONOMY

IN GASCOGNE, THE LAND OF “GOOD LIVING”
BETWEEN CULTURE AND GASTRONOMY

ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
SMALL GROUP: from 5 to 15 people

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: from 5 participants
LENGTH: 8 days – 7 nights
7 breakfasts – 2 lunches – 4 picnics – 6 dinners

HIKING LEVEL: EASY to MODERATE – Few changes in altitude.

ALL INCLUSIVE tour accompanied by French speaking guides.

ADD TO THIS ONE WEEK STAY IN THE REGION A FEW DAYS IN A BIG CITY TO COMPLETE YOUR TRIP IN FRANCE (ON REQUEST).

For one week, let yourself be lulled by the rhythm of life of the Gascons, enjoy a world-renowned gastronomy and the charm of bastides and villages steeped in history. A stay in a charming hotel allowing you to live every moment in one of the most beautiful regions of France!


HIGHLIGHTS

Stay in a 3*** hotel including 5 nights in an old farmhouse entirely renovated, with exceptional comfort and charm, with terrace and outdoor swimming pool, reflecting wonderfully the “good life” of the Gers with classified villages, bastides, castles and symbolic sites, vineyards and exceptional gastronomy. Welcome to the Gers in Gascony.


DEPARTURE DATES FROM

TARBES (France)

TOUR DATES

Start of the Tour
A Sunday at 1 pm.
End of the Tour
A Saturday at 12 pm.
First Departure
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Other Departures
April 16, 2023
May 7 & 28, 2023
June 11 & 25, 2023
July 16, 2023
August 20, 2023
Septembre 10 & 24, 2023
Octobre 8, 2023
October 22, 2023

AIRPORTS

Suggested airports of arrival and departure:

  • TOULOUSE, then by train to Tarbes (approximately 2 hrs).
  • BORDEAUX, then by train to Tarbes (approximately 3 hrs).

Attention : Direct flights from/to Canada are only available on certain days of the week to this destination.

  • Or PARIS then by train to Tarbes (approximately 5 to 6 hrs). Daily direct return flights.

Reservations for flights and transfers (trains) to and from TARBES according to your choice of dates and destinations.


PROGRAM

FRIDAY – Departure from Montréal or other Canadian airport.

DAY 1 (SATURDAY) : TARBES (France)
Arrival in Tarbes and drop off at hotel. As the tour starts on Sunday, this night is essential to be ready for the departure of the next day at 1 pm. Dinner on your own.

DAY 2 (SUNDAY) : TARBES – AUCH
Meeting at 1 pm in front of TARBES train station and transfer to AUCH for a visit of the historical capital of Gascony, rich in a magnificent heritage: the Sainte-Marie cathedral and the “pousterle”, the very narrow medieval streets of the old town. Dinner and accommodation in a symbolic establishment where the famous “magret de canard” was invented in 1959.
Transfer: 1 hr

DAY 3 (MONDAY) : AUCH – LAVARDENS – VALENCE SUR BAÏSE
Towards LAVARDENS, classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, visit of the village and its impressive castle which overlooks the valley. Dinner at a farmhouse. Transfer to VALENCE SUR BAÏSE for 5 nights, in a charming establishment, for a total immersion in Gascony. Supper.
Distance: 10 km – Duration: 3 hrs – Transfer: 30 mins

DAY 4 (TUESDAY)  : BOUCLE DES CHÂTEAUX GASCONS – ABBAYE DE FLARAN
Departure from the hotel for a loop tour where several Gascon castles are to be found along the way and especially, the highlight of the tour, the Abbey of Flaran with a beautiful visit of this magnificent Cistercian building built in 1151. On the way back to the hotel, we will visit a real Gascon black pig farm, a species recently saved from extinction. Dinner.
Distance : 15 km – Duration: 4 h – Transfer: 20 min.

DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY) : VALENCE SUR BAÏSE – CONDOM – VALENCE SUR BAÏSE
Transfer to CONDOM, symbolic city where the famous movie “Happiness is in the meadow” was filmed, then loop on the hillsides in wine landscapes and stop at LARESSINGLE, small city nicknamed “The Carcassonne of the Gers”: undoubtedly a highlight of the day. On the way back to the hotel, visit of an authentic Armagnac producing estate, jewel of the local culture. Dinner.
Distance: 14 km – Duration: 3.5 hrs – Transfer: 40 mins.

DAY 6 (THURSDAY)  : VALENCE SUR BAÏSE – LECTOURE – VALENCE SUR BAÏSE
Another loop hike with a transfer to LECTOURE, a spa town classified among the “100 Most Beautiful Detours of France”: a more than ancient city with an occupation going back to prehistory and the Gallo-Roman era. This bastide is marked by the imprint of the centuries and will reveal its most beautiful secrets. Return to the hotel. Dinner.
Distance: 9 km – Duration: 3 h – Transfer: 1 hr

DAY 7 (FRIDAY) : VALENCE SUR BAÏSE – SAINT PUY – VALENCE SUR BAÏSE
Transfer to SAINT-PUY where a farm will show you the behind-the-scenes gastronomy of the Gers: foie gras, duck breast, confits, that you will taste during an authentic meal in this farm inn! After a little digestive stroll, return to our hotel for a final delicious evening. An absolutely magical day! Dinner.
Transfer: 30 mins.

DAY 8 (SATURDAY) :
After lunch, transfer to TARBES (SNCF train station) in the morning.
Arrival in TARBES around noon – End of the stay.

SUGGESTION :
At the end of this week-long regional trip, why not plan a few days to discover one or two major cities before returning to Canada?

From TARBES, you are 2-3 hours by train from TOULOUSE and BORDEAUX, two regional capitals worth a visit and airports with direct return flights to Montreal on certain weekdays. A LA CARTE program upon request.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The departure of a group is guaranteed from 6 participants.
  • Luggage transported: During the walking tours, you walk only with a small daypack.
  • French speaking tour guide.
  • The guide will sometimes let the group walk alone – on easy and frequented sections of the route – in order to ensure certain logistical aspects of this tour.
  • Depending on the size of the group (min. 5 participants, max. 15 participants), transfers can be made by bus, minibus or cab.

RATES

Land only program, from TARBES to TARBES (Day 1 to 8).
  • From CAD $1,745 per person, double occupancy*.
  • Single room supplement: on request and according to availability.

INCLUDED

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in 3*** hotel, including 5 nights in a charming hotel (old farmhouse perfectly renovated with outdoor pool).
  • All rooms with bath and/or shower, toilets.
  • All inclusive: 7 breakfasts – 2 dinners in farmhouse inns – 4 picnic lunches – 6 dinners.
  • Certified local guide (French speaking) from day 2 to day 8.
  • Luggage transport.
  • All transfers indicated in the program.

NOT INCLUDED

  • International and/or domestic flights and return train transfers at the beginning and end of the program (rates on request depending on your choice of dates and destinations).
  • Dinner on day 01 and dinner on day 08.
  • Drinks – Gratuities
  • Travel insurance (recommended).
  • Additional tourist stay in a major city at the end of the tour (if desired).*

* Stay “à la carte” and on request. Take advantage of our experience and advice.


INFORMATION / RESERVATIONS :

www.nicolevoyage.com 450-455-0991 Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991
www.euro-rando.com 514-386-1704

 

Program (In French, PDF Format) (Acrobat Reader required)

 


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 Call Center: (450) 455-0991
Total: 1 745 $ From 1 745 $ /person