Discover, Plan & Go!

Roaming Rural France

Featuring Provence, the Auvergne, Carcassone & Paris
25 Nights in France
3 September to 28 September 2008

This program takes us from the lively French capital high into the dramatic mountain scenery of the Auvergne and the rich Gallo-Roman history and diverse culture of Provence. We explore the land of the Cathars as we stay close to Carcassonne, France's largest and best preserved mediaeval citadel. From the pretty village of Ayen, we experience the gastronomic region of Périgord, renowned for its foie gras and its outstandingly verdant countryside. We conclude with the highlights of Paris.

Led by local experts on walks and visits to the best of these fascinating regions, we not only explore real France but we experience it as guests of VAL Villages de Vacances. Here we live French culture as the French do - staying in their holiday villages located in outstanding natural settings and comfortable "gîtes", apartments or chalets, equivalent to 2 star hotels, clustered around a central reception area with a typical restaurant and often other excellent facilities including a pool.

The accommodation in VAL centers includes private facilities and full board with authentic French cuisine and wine with meals! The arrangement of chalets means that in most centers, 2 people can share a "gîte", each benefiting from his or her own bedroom with a shared bathroom. Single travelers may share a "gîte" with separate bedrooms and shared bathrooms.

Itinerary at a Glance

• Paris - 2
• Auvergne Super- Lioran - 4
• Provence Mèjannes-le-Clap - 6
• Languedoc Saissac - 5
• Pèrigord Ayen - 6
• Paris - 2
• Program ends in Paris prior to boarding your return flight.

Program Information
Roaming Rural France
Departs 3 September 2008
Price from $8,180 per person twin share
Limited Singles With No Single Supplement
Ex Paris

Prices quoted are in USD

Program Includes

• 21 nights Val Villages accommodation.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Val Villages.
• 4 nights hotel accommodation in Paris in share twin rooms with private facilities.
• Typical local breakfast daily and a welcome dinner in Paris on Day 2.
• Touring by comfortable and modern coach.
• Transport, lectures and field trips as indicated.
• Applicable entry fees and services of local guides.
• Services of a study / group leader.
• Gratuities and necessary tips.
• Detailed Program Information Booklet.
• Group transfer to the airport at the conclusion of the program.

Program Excludes

• Airport transfer on Day 1.
• Return economy class international airfare.
• Departure taxes applicable to the standard itinerary.
• Comprehensive travel insurance.
• Lunches, during transfers between centers.
• Dinners in Paris.

There is the chance to extend your stay in Paris on Bed & Breakfast basis which will allow you the opportunity to explore Paris and the surrounding countryside.              

Itinerary

On arrival in Paris make your own way to the hotel. There will be free time to explore the Paris.

Paris

Paris's monumental architecture reflects the city's diverse and interesting history together with its political and cultural status. Among the most important mediaeval buildings are the Cathedral of Nôtre Dame, begun in 1163; the nearby Sainte-Chapelle, a magnificent 13th-century Gothic structure; and the Louvre, once a royal palace. Later historic buildings include les Invalides, built as a soldiers' home by Louis XIV and now housing Napoleon's tomb; and the Place de la Concorde, laid out in the 18th century. During the mid-19th century Paris was redesigned by Baron Georges Haussmann, and several grandiose projects were undertaken to emphasize the city's significance.

The Arc de Triomphe, the Opéra, the Place de l'Opéra, the Place de l'étoile (now Place Charles de Gaulle), and many of the broad avenues with their imposing perspectives date from this time. Among the city's better known thoroughfares are the Rue de Rivoli, Rue de la Paix, Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Avenue de l'Opéra, Boulevard les Italiens, Boulevard du Montparnasse, and the Champs Èlysées. Modern day Parisians are still proud of their city's grandeur reflected by the integration of modern constructions such as the Tour Eiffel, the Pompidou Centre, the Louvre Pyramid and the Arche de la Défense with the great architecture of the past.

Accommodation
We stay in a central hotel offering share twin, double and single rooms with private facilities. Typical local breakfast and Welcome dinner are provided. The program orientation will be held at the hotel.

What We Will Experience
After a short orientation tour, we learn about the history and people of France whilst being briefed on the Roaming Rural France Program. This continues next morning as we climb into the mountains of the Auvergne region via Orleans - of Joan of Arc fame, and the spa resort of Vichy.

Auvergne, Super-Lioran

The name Auvergne, a region of central France, dates from the 1st century AD when the Averni people united against Roman rule. It was later consolidated under the control of the viscounts of Clermont in the 10th century. The region, at the heart of the Massif Central, is characterized by unique volcanic mountains rising spectacularly from the surrounding landscape, while a fascinating array of lava flows and lakes attracts great geological interest. The climate varies, with a maritime influence in the west giving way to a more continental climate in the east. Auvergne is a mainly agricultural region specializing in animal husbandry and cereal crops. Dairy farming is concentrated in the uplands, the so-called "Cow Mountains", and on the rich alluvial soils that cover a series of basins through which the Allier River flows. The Auvergne is also well known for its springs and the spas that have developed around them, including Volvic, which is now famous across Europe for its bottled water.

Accommodation
In the winter, the VAL Villages of Super-Lioran are ski resorts consisting a single building of several floors with lifts. All rooms are share twin or double with private facilities. Because of limited single rooms, these will be allocated in order of registration and some singles will be allocated apartment type rooms with two sleeping areas sharing one bathroom. Facilities include meeting rooms, a bar, terrace and restaurant. Typical local buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.

What We Will Experience
Here we experience the volcanic geography of this region. We will learn how this has affected the daily life of the region's population and the rural economy throughout history including the reason for the establishment of fortified towns.

Included are field trips to:

• We learn about the region's volcanic formations during a led walk.
• Typical Auvernois rural villages and countryside including the mediaeval hillside town of Salers with picture-book views of the surrounding landscape.
• The mediaeval castle of Anjony, fortified and located to protect the interests of the local Auvernois noblemen.
• Murat with its old town and churches plus the rural museum at Laveissiere.
• A local led walk in the countryside adjoining the VAL Village.

We leave Auvergne and pause in the mediaeval town of St Flour as well as impressive Le Puy - with its shrine topped volcanic towers - en route to Mejannes le Clap.

Provence, Méjannes-le-Clap

To the Romans this was "Provincia", the "Province", as for them the limit of Italy was the river Var to the west of Nice. The name is symbolic because the Roman imprint on Provence endures today. The Romans were attracted by the warm climate and the rich and productive soil. They built great cities and towns: Nîmes and Arles with their impressive arenas; the aqueduct of the Pont du Gard; and many towns and villages with grandiose villas. Provence's rich history stretches over twenty-five centuries embracing the Gauls, who were subdued by Caesar, to the great mediaeval sites of Uzés and Avignon. Many Provencal villages give a representation of historic development. For example, St Rémy de Provence not only boasts the remains of a Roman Villa and a mediaeval center - home of Nostradamus - but also the more modern asylum where Van Gogh painted Sunflowers. The region also has a varying countryside from the marshlands of the Camargue to the gorges of the Ardéche. However, today Provence probably inspires thoughts of great painters of luminous landscapes, a unique cuisine and an expressive Mediterranean people.

Accommodation
The VAL Village of Méjannes-le-Clap lies in the Gard Departement (local government area) close to Avignon. It is made up of a reception area with restaurant, bar, laundry and meeting rooms. Accommodation consists of "gîtes" spread throughout the grounds with one bed-roomed studio style apartments with bathroom and kitchenette for couples and two bed-roomed "gîtes" with a shared separate bathroom, WC and kitchenette for singles. Facilities include table tennis, boules pitch and heated outdoor pool. Typical local buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.

What We Will Experience
Here we experience Provence's rich history, cuisine and local wines and learn how the local people, here, as in the mountains of the Auvergne, have adapted to their environment.

Included are field trips to:

• Great Roman sites including Nîmes, Aigues Mortes, Arles and the Pont du Gard.
• Typical Provencal countryside from the dramatic Rhone Delta, the Carmargue, to the Gorges of the Ardéche where we enjoy a led walk.
• The mediaeval city of Avignon with its famous bridge and Papal Palace, residence of the "second" Pope after the schism with Rome.
• Typical Provencal towns and villages including the Ducal Seat of Uzés , the "gypsy port" of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, fortified Les Baux de Provence and quintessential St Rémy de Provence.

En route to Saissac, we pass Montpellier and Narbonne, pausing at Sète before traveling inland to the region of Languedoc.

Languedoc, Saissac

Languedoc-Roussillon is a region in southern France, parts of which border the Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a beautiful region with rolling green hills, picturesque rivers, and historic towns with many superb examples of Romanesque architecture. There is little heavy industry as this is predominantly an area of agriculture - mainly livestock and viticulture. Over half of all the grapes grown in France come from the Gard, Aude, and Hérault departments of Languedoc-Roussillon which produce characteristic dark, heavy red wines such as CorbiËres and Fitou. There are many notable towns and buildings in the region: Carcassonne is a perfectly restored mediaeval citadel. The region is also rich in religious history. Many Knights Templar passed this way en route to the Crusades and the magnificent fortresses, citadels and walled cities of the Cathars still litter the countryside.

Accommodation
The VAL centre in Saissac, a mediaeval village, is located near Carcassonne in the heart of the Cathar country. It is made up of a reception area with restaurant, bar, laundry and meeting rooms. Accommodation consists of "gîtes" spread throughout the grounds with a one bed-roomed studio style apartment with bathroom and kitchenette for couples and a two bed-roomed 'gîte' with shared separate bathroom, WC and kitchenette for singles. Facilities include table tennis and boules pitch. Typical local buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.

What We Will Experience
In Languedoc, we will learn about the religious fervor of the Middle Ages, the Crusaders & Cathars. We pick up the thread of the Catholic schism as witnessed at Avignon to explore religious France and its "great" legacy. We experience many impressive remains of mediaeval religious zeal and industry and contrast this with the industrial vigor of a later period as exemplified in the construction of the Canal du Midi, built to facilitate the transportation needs of the industrial revolution. We will compare the symbolism of the Pont du Gard with this canal built many centuries later.

Included are field trips to:

• Cathar sites including a short walk in the mediaeval village of Saissac to explore its two 'catharist' towers and the Cathars chateaux of Lastours and Minerve.
• The great citadel of Carcassonne, arguably Europe's largest and best preserved mediaeval fortress with its 3 km of double wall and 52 restored towers.
• The Canal du Midi by boat.
• The mediaeval city of Mirepoix and the citadel of Montségur.
• The formal Garden by the famous French gardener, Le Nôtre, at Castres.
• The Cellars and taste the local wine, Blanquette.

En route to Ayen, we pass through historic Albi and Cahors - one of France's best preserved towns - before crossing the Dordogne at Souillac and arriving in Périgord

Périgord, Ayen

The Périgord region is located to the north of Languedoc and consists of low, limestone plateaux, the deep and fertile valleys of the Lot and Dordogne rivers, and extensive oak forests. Périgord is noted for its truffles and goose livers, which are major exports. The agriculture of this verdant region consists of the cultivation of wheat, corn, and tobacco, and the breeding of animals, especially geese. The region is famous for its numerous cave dwellings from the Paleolithic period.

Accommodation
The VAL Village of Ayen is located near Brive la Gaillarde in the heart of Périgord. It is made up of a reception area with restaurant, bar, laundry and meeting rooms. Accommodation consists of "gîtes" spread throughout the grounds with a one bed-roomed studio style apartment with bathroom and kitchenette for couples and a two bed-roomed "gîte" with a shared bathroom and kitchenette for singles. Facilities include mini-golf, tennis court, boules pitch and outdoor pool. Typical local buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.

What We Will Experience
In Périgord, we explore the myth of the French rural idyll. We traverse the green countryside and learn how the people of the Périgord have adapted to their environment since the cavemen of Lascaux. We touch again on the Cathars in the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour . We will also consider the way of life from the time of the mediaeval cities to the modern day market. Towards the end of our visit in Périgord, we will reflect on the similarities and differences among the French we have met during our Odyssey.

Included are field trips to:

• The pre-historic Caves of Lascaux II.
• The hilltop pilgrimage town of Rocamadour with a walking tour of the religious city and viewing of the Black Madonna.
• The Mediaeval city of St Robert and the chateâu of Hautefort.
• The market town of Brive la Gaillarde and the local distillery of Denoix the Mediaeval town of Sarlat and village of Dome with spectacular views of the Dordogne plus a boat trip.
• The fortified sandstone red town of Collonges-la-Rouge founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century.

En route to Paris we stop at the porcelain producing town of Limoges, and pause briefly in the Loire Valley before arriving at our central Paris hotel.

Paris

For details on Paris see introduction above.

Accommodation
We stay in a central hotel offering share twin, double and single rooms with private facilities. Typical local breakfasts are provided.

What We Will Experience
We consider whether the glittering French Capital is really a mediaeval "Cité", Hausmannn's enlightened dream, or a progressively technological world city of the 21st century? With our knowledge of rural France, we also ask whether the Parisian is really the typical Frenchman he believes he is or is he completely out of touch with the "real France"?
Included are field trips to:

• The monuments and icons.
• Boat trip on the Seine.

Programs conclude in Paris.

You may wish to extend your stay in Paris or Europe. Please contact your Travel Agent.

Itineraries may change if flight schedules, site availability and other inclusions have to be amended prior to departure. Your Travel Agent will notify registrants if, and as soon as, such changes occur.