Tailormade tour Auvergne to Languedoc fly-drive tour France

You arrive in the city of Lyon, collect your hire-car and drive west towards Clermont-Ferrand through the Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez, on the edge of which you spend two nights.

The regional park of the Livradois-Forez is one of the largest nature parks of France, situated on the eastern side of the Auvergne, it encompasses an astonishing variety of landscapes and scenery, with volcanic peaks, deep valleys, forests, marsh and agricultural land. There are numerous walking tracks, historic monuments and castles, local museums and artisan producers (wooden items, knives, enamel). Clermont-Ferrand sits just 40 minutes northwest and is perfect for a cultural day trip. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes, the buildings that line the streets of this city are built from black lava stone which gives Clermont-Ferrand an atmospheric and unusual look. The city holds a large total of 50 fountains and statues, such as the statue of Vercingetorix who led the Gauls to victory against Julius Caesar in 52BC, that act as centrepieces in the numerous squares. Architectural highlights include the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, a gothic tour de force with towering black spires, and the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica, with its beautiful mosaic details. Gastronomy is paramount in Auvergne culture, from the speciality cheeses, such as Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert, Bleu d’Auvergne, and Salers, to the cured meats sourced from the Salers cattle that are intensified with local hazelnuts, bilberries, or chestnuts. Another key ingredient to seek out is the Puy green lentil, central to Petit Salé, a typically Auvergne dish of salted pork belly. The Côtes d’Auvergne wines owe a lot of their success to the volcanic soil attributed to the Chaîne des Puys mountain range. The white wines are produced from the Chardonnay grape, the reds from the Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes, and rosé from Gamay exclusively. To taste the wine of the area, visit the boutique Cave Saint Verny, or visit the wine museum in Aubière to learn more about the process. The Montpeyroux vineyards, situated in one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, are open for public visits.

Today we recommend that you don’t follow the most direct route which takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, but instead, you take time to explore the Parc natural regional des Volcans d’Auvergne to the south-west of Clermont-Ferrand. It is here that some of the most spectacular domes of dormant volcanoes are to be found. Puy-de-Dome at 1465m is one of the best-known of the Auvergne’s dormant volcanoes and part of the UNESCO-listed Chaine des Puys. Then head south to Aurillace and then after Figeac you enter the Parc naturel regional des Causses du Quercy, which you drive through to Cahors. Your stop for the next two nights is just to the north of Cahors.

Surrounded by the River Lot on three sides the picturesque town of Cahors makes for an excellent choice to explore. Make sure to take in the famous Valentré Bridge with its three towers, built in the 14th century and now UNESCO World Heritage listed and visit the cathedral, an impressive building in the centre of the town. Wander down the charming mediaeval streets and relax in the shaded little squares perhaps discovering a quaint café or one of the many secret garden areas. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings enjoy Cahors market which is bursting with local and regional delicacies such as Rocamadour cheeses and Cahors wine, renowned for its dark colouring. If you are staying in July or August, be sure to experience the Cahors festival. The small village of Mercues and its market on Thursday mornings is also well worth a visit. Make the most of the picturesque scenery by visiting as many of these beautiful villages and medieval towns as you can on your short stay in the Lot Valley, including St Cirque-Lapopie and others along the valley of the Lot.

Today you continue to drive south through the Quercy to the region of the Tarn and your stop in the village of Cahuzac-sur-Vère is set in the heart of the Gaillac vineyards. You stay here for two nights.

The small commune of Cahuzac-sur-Vère is the quintessential rural French settlement, with its narrow winding streets and blond stone buildings, picturesque central square and war monument. The houses of the Cahuzacois cluster around the Catholic church of the same name as the commune, giving it a very mediaeval appearance. Stretching out on each side, however, is a landscape rich in exciting opportunities to explore. Montauban, less than an hour northwest of Cahuzac-sur-Vère is the second oldest of the bastides of southern France, founded in 1144AD. It was voted a French City of Art and History, with a city centre characterised by its towering castle, impressive bridge, and boulevards. Wine-tasting opportunities are available at the Domaine de Montels and the Mas des Anges, if you would like to sample the wine of the area. Alternatively, Montauban is known for its other culinary specialities, such as sugared almonds and biscuits with jam, not to mention the fabulous produce of its chocolatiers. Also nearby is Albi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and bursting with the remarkable history of France. The most immediate point of interest in this small town is its red-brick mediaeval cathedral, St. Cecilia’s. Witness how its imposing exterior blends into the delicate wood and stone decoration of its interior. Adorning the whole western wall are extensive murals depicting the Last Judgement. Just next door, the Bishop’s palace houses the Toulouse Lautrec museum, dedicated to the works of the post-impressionistic iconographer Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. From outside the cathedral, you can make your way west to the square which overlooks the River Tarn or pass the museum to walk across the thousand-year-old Old Bridge. Albi retains the look and feel of its traditional way of life. Visit the hill-top town of Cordes-sur-Ciel and take the time to wander down the streets of one of the most spectacular villages.

You drive through the wine-town of Gaillac today, heading for Castres, on the banks of the River Agout. There are interesting part-timbered, overhanging houses here that used to belong to the tanners and dyers of the town. There is also the Goya museum, located in a former episcopal palace. Outside the palace are magnificent parterres designed by Le Notre. South of Castres you cross into the Parc naturel regional du Haut Languedoc and then enter Cathar country. North of Carcassonne it’s worth taking a detour to visit the chateaux at Lastours, where there are four Cathar castles. You stay in Carcassonne for two nights.

You have a full day in Carcassonne. There is time to explore the city itself and perhaps to venture outside. The Gallo-Roman upper town of Carcassonne is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historically of great significance in France. Walk along the city walls, past the castle’s amphitheatre, the basilica, and its 53 watchtowers, before making your way into the 12th century Château Comtal to view its archaeological exhibits and tour its inner ramparts. The lower Carcassonne town subverts its title as a city, instead offering a peaceful, somewhat sleepy atmosphere, with a central square that holds a weekly market and several cafés. From Place Carnot, walk further out into the town centre to discover the quaint individual stores that sell unique gifts, or La Ferme, which sells fine food and wines. For a stunning experience of the region’s châteaux, drive south to the Cathar Castles that pepper the dramatic landscape and guard its deep valleys, particularly the Château de Peyrepertuse. The Canal du Midi is perfect for a long afternoon stroll or book a boat trip one afternoon to intensify the atmosphere of Carcassonne from the water. Beyond the walls of La Cité lie the wine regions of Minervois, to the north, and Corbières, to the south. If wine-tasting appeals, head into one of the many châteaux dotted around the countryside of these two regions. The Château Canet is the perfect spot to try some of the Muscat wines so typical of the Minervois region, as well as the olives from its three olive groves. Château Rives-Blanques in Cépie produces wines made available all over the world that you are encouraged by your warm hosts to taste on your visit. The less visited area of Saint Chinian, situated at the foothills of the Black Mountains and in the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc, is worth a visit, known as it is for high quality produce; perhaps stop off at the Château de Combebelle.

Your route today should take you north-east first to the town of Minerve and the Minervois wine producing region, a patchwork landscape of small vineyards and olive trees dotted with pretty villages. This is at the southern end of the Parc naturel regional du Haut Languedoc which you then cross following a scenic route through wooded hills and valleys, with the road twisting and turning as it follows the course of the River Orb, in the direction of Clermont-l’Herault. Near Clermont-l'Herault, surrounded by rolling hills of vines and olives, is the strange-sounding place of Manufacture Royale, which was where royal sheets were made in the village of Villeneuvette in the 18th century. To the north is the ‘Grand Site’ of the Lac Salagou and a short distance beyond Clermont-l’Herault is the astonishing village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, designated as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This village is at the heart of the Herault valley with its deep gorges, olive trees and vines. Continue to your overnight stop on the outskirts of Montpellier, where you stay for one night.

Depending on the time of your flight back to London, you may have time to explore the city of Montpellier. Montpellier has mediaeval streets and wide boulevards, modern tram lines designed by Christian Lacroix, an Arc de Triomphe and a statue of Louis XIV on horseback, a Roman aqueduct and Place de la Comedie, beautiful private mansions and the Musee Fabre.