France — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

au Fr d rges km 0 12 d BELCAIRE Villepinte Bram Go To Montpellier na Ca l CARCASSONNE Shrouded in mystery and often subjected to brutal persecution, the Cathars were heretical Christians whose beliefs challenged the might of the Roman Catholic establishment. Emerging in southern France during the 10th century, Catharism flourished for over four hundred years and spread throughout Europe before finally being extinguished. Our trek sets out to discover the remarkable string of Cathar castles, built on strategic vantage points across the regions of Ari�ge and Aude. We walk through all types of terrain meadows, forests, gorges and mountains and stay as guests in a variety of family run accommodation. Carcassonne & Mighty Monts�gur We begin our journey at the impressive medieval walled city of Carcassonne, a former bastion of Catharism, from where we travel into the Pyrenean foothills, reaching Monts�gur perhaps the best known of all the Cathar strongholds. From the castle perched high on a craggy outcrop we look down on the tiny village of Monts�gur, its houses curiously lined in long straight rows; and to the east the rolling hills of Ayi�ge stretch to the horizon our walking route over the next six days. On the trail/Peter Eshelby Gorges de la Frau & Puivert Our itinerary takes us through forests to the awesome Gorges de la Frau (meaning Gorges of Fear), whose sheer walls provide an eerie echo to crickets and nesting birds. Then to Ch�teau de Puivert, whose sombre yet beautiful architecture reflects the ascetic ideals of the Cathars to whom the spiritual world was infinitely more important than the physical. Corbi�res & Ch�teau de Peyrepertuse Walking via the attractive market towns of Rennes le Ch�teau and Rennes les Bains (a spa town), we overnight in idyllic Corbi�res villages such as Granes and Sougraigne, then continue through the Gorges de Galamus to Peyrepertuse a formidable castle stretching 300m along the crest of high cliffs. Finally we visit Qu�ribus, probably the best preserved of the Cathar castles, perched dizzyingly on a needle of rock. Chateau de Lastours e Au LESIGNANCORBIERES Peyriac i EUROPE FRANCE Carcassonne/MDLF Footsteps of the Cathars TREKKING GRADE B Ref FC Canal du Midi CYCLE GRADE A Ref CCM JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS/GITES/AUBERGE HIKES IN CATHAR COUNTRY 8 DAYS HOTEL CANALS AND CARCASSONNE THE BEST OF SOUTHWEST FRANCE Footsteps of the Cathars Ref FC ARI�GE From CARCASSONNE Puivert Castle BOURRI�GE Canal du Midi Ref CCM AUDE Rennes les Bains Montpellier Airport Rennes le Ch�teau FRANCE PEZENAS Explore local area MONTSEGUR Walk to castle GRANES SOUGRAIGNE Ch�teau de Peyrepertuse e la Monta gne Noire Minerve Optional swim Jouarres Or b Oppidium dEns�run Beziers Vias 9 Locks of Fonseranes Etang de Thou Marseillan Noilly Prat Wine Caves Marseillan Plage de g es u s G o r l am Ga DUILHAC Ch�teau de Qu�ribus Au d e Walk the Gorge of Fear FRANCE Du Mid NARBONNE Narbonne Plage Mediterranean Sea km 0 30 Etang de Bages The remarkable Canal du Midi links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, its lower sections passing through historic centres such as Carcassonne and Narbonne together with some of the prettiest scenery in southwest France. Rich in culture, history and natural beauty our easy itinerary leads us along tree-lined towpaths, over beautiful stone bridges and into the heart of the Minervois region, famous for its wines. Anyone wanting longer rides than those planned can opt for additional sections, revealing more of this beautiful region. From the Mediterranean& We start in the historic town of Pezenas, famous for local dishes, such as petits pates, olives and honey, as well as fine regional wines. Riding along a network of quiet country roads we make our way south to the coast at Marseillan for a visit to the famous Noilly Prat cave where the renowned vermouth can be sampled. Next we head west through several small villages to reach the Canal du Midi at Vias, then along the canal to pass the nine locks of Fonseranes before arriving in Narbonne, one-time capital of the Visigoths. Along the Canal du Midi& A free day allows an opportunity to explore the towns narrow streets and squares at leisure or to make an optional ride along the Canal de la Robine or perhaps to the lagoon at Bages and Peyriac where an abundance of wildlife can be found including, on occasion, flamingos. Next we take an attractive, mainly level route along the Canal de la Robine to rejoin the Canal du Midi and make our way to the market town of Lesignan Corbieres. To Beautiful Carcassonne This is wonderful rural France at its best! Towpaths lined with wild flowers make for easy access to less visited corners of the area, revealing the true nature of the region. Traditional villages pass by one after another as we wend our way gently to beautiful Carcassonne, replete with its battlements and witches-hat towers. En route you can pause to swim in the lake at Jouarres or make a detour to visit the old Cathar village of Minerve. A last, free day brings with it an opportunity to explore Carcassonne town or for rides along the canal to Bram and Villepinte or, for those who enjoy a challenge, a hilly option to visit the dramatically sited remains of the Cathar Chateau de Lastours. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Montpellier, transfer to Carcassonne. 2 Morning in Carcassonne; drive to visit Monts�gur castle. 3 Walk via Gorges de Frau to Belcaire. 4 Drive to Puivert, visit castle, walk to Bourri�ge. 5 Walk via Rennes le Ch�teau to Granes. 6 Hike to Rennes les Bains, continue on foot to Sougraigne. 7 Drive to Gorges de Galamus, hike via Peyrepertuse to Duilhac. 8 Visit Ch�teau de Queribus en route to Montpellier; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel/g�te/ auberge/bergerie; 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot. Comment: This short, accommodated walking trip is graded moderate. Walking between the Cathar castles which abound in this unspoilt corner of France, we stay in g�tes, small hotels, an auberge and a bergerie (shepherds hut). A support vehicle enables us to walk unencumbered. Bring a sleeping bag for the gite & bergerie accommodation. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus luggage transfers. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Views along the canal FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Montpellier; transfer Pezenas. 2 Ride to Marseillan; option to continue to Marseillan Plage. 3 Cycle to Narbonne via Vias/Fonseranes. 4 Free in Narbonne; optional ride to Bages/Peyriac lagoon. 5 Along Canal du Midi or visit Fontfroide Abbey and on to Lezignan Corbieres. 6 Ride along canal to Carcassonne with option to swim at Jouarres or to make detour to the old Cathar village of Minerve. 7 Free in Carcassonne; optional rides along the canal to Bram and Villepinte or a hilly option to visit the old Cathar Chateau de Lastours. 8 Transfer Montpellier; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2.. Bicycle: 21 speed hybrid bicycles complete with pannier, water-bottle holder, lock and map holder. Grade & Terrain: Grade A easy (with the optional rides moderate) this is the ideal way for the occasional cyclist to explore southwest France at their own pace. Our route is mainly level or undulating enabling us to cover approx. 213km over 6 days, averaging around 40km per day. We cycle along towpaths and on quiet country roads which together take us to picturesque villages and historic towns, enjoying traditional food and the renowned wines of the region as we go. Several more challenging optional rides are available for those seeking longer routes. These require more stamina as they are often hilly. You can ride independently or with group members. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/driver to assist, advise and co-ordinate. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Trek length and gradients 1400m 1200m 1000m 800m 600m 400m 200m Day 3 21km Belcaire Bourri�ge Granes Sougraignes Day 4 22km Day 5 21km Day 6 16km Day 7 16km 22 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk

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