The Pyrenees and Cathar country
Total distance : 505 miles | Average daily distance : 100 miles
Start city : Toulouse | Ending city : Pau
The strong sense of identity of this area is what makes it so endearing. Start off in Toulouse and head south east to Carcassone, the most beautifully preserved medieval town in France. Visit the romanesque abbey of Fontfroide and drive down the coast to Collioure and its relaxing atmosphere. Explore Cathare Country and discover the monuments of its rebellious past : Montsegur, Peyrepertuse and Queribus. Drive through the valleys of Ariège to Canigou for a breath-taking experience. Spend the night on top of the Pic du Midi and gaze at the stars and then, come down via the famous pilgrimage town of Lourdes, to Pau, the birthplace of King Henry IV.
Seesights
Hotels and rooms
_-_copie.jpg "Chambre 1 hôtel Toulouse")
_-_copie.jpg "Chambre 3 hôtel Toulouse")
From 980 € per person based on a shared room
5% discount if booking is made 3 months before departure
The price includes
- 6 nights shared room+breakfast
- 24h hotline (english, spanish, french).
- FranceTriptailor's phone app.
- Itinerary planning + tour road map
- Travel documents: roadbook, vouchers and city maps.
The price does not include
- Car rental (optional).
- Transport to startpoint (optional).
- Museum and seesights fees.
- Car gas, toll fees and additional driver.
- Cancellation insurance.
- Lunches and dinners.
Seesights
- Toulouse
- Cité de Carcassonne
- Abbaye de Fontfroide
- Château de Salses
- Perpignan
- Collioure
- Château de Quéribus
- Chateau de Peyrepertuse
- Château de Montségur
- Mirepoix
- Foix
- Cathédrale de Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
- Col d'Aspin
- Pic du Midi de Bigorre
- Basilique de Lourdes
- Château de Pau
- Château de Puilaurens
Hotels included
- Hôtel 3* Toulouse
- Hôtel 4* Floure
- Demeure de charme Camon
- Observatoire du Pic du Midi
Your tour
- See :
- Seesights
- Hotels
- Local producer
tour full description
Day 1 : Toulouse.
You spend the day in “La Ville Rose” (The Pink City), visiting its museums, charming squares and interesting stores. Overnight in Toulouse.
Day 2 : From Toulouse to Flour : Carcassonne.
You will visit Carcassonne, a symbol of medieval architecture in France, and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visiting the old feudal city, built in the 11th century, will be an unforgettable experience. You will leave and drive to Flour, where you will find a quiet hotel to relax in after a day of sightseeing. Overnight in Floure.
Day 3 : From Flour to Collioure.
Castle of Salse, Perpignan, Collioure.
You visit Fontfroide Abbey, then drive along the coastline in the direction of the Pyrenees. You can admire the Castle of Salse, have lunch in Perpignan, and then walk around the town of Collioure, where you will enjoy being near the sea. overnight in Collioure.
Day 4 : From Colioure to Camon
Cathares Castle, Cucugnan, Mirepoix.
Visit of Cathares Castle of Queribus, Peyrepertuse and Montsegur, then the medieval town of Mirepoix and the charming village of Cucugnan. Overnight in Camon.
Day 5 : From Camon to La Mongie (Pic du Midi).
Lac Montbel, Foix, St. Bertrand de Comminge, Bagnère de Luchon.
Driving along Lake Montbel, you eventually run into the road that leads to Foix, the region’s capital, where you will find a spectacular castle. Continuing, you will visit Le Col d’Aspin, a high mountain pass, and the beautiful hilltop village of Saint Bertrand de Comminge before you arrive at the Pic du Midi, where you spend the night in high altitude. If you do not want to sleep at the summit of the Pic du Midi, you can stay in Cauterêt.
Day 6 : From la Mongie to Pau
Lourdes, Pau
Drive down to Lourde, the largest pilgrimage site in France, where Bernadette Soubirou had visions. A visit of the Grotto (cave) is optional. Then, you travel to Pau, the town of King Henry IV, where you can visit its superb castle. Overnight in Pau.
Day 7 : Pau.
Departure at your convenience.
Vehicles
Car rental is available with FranceTriptailor. You can choose your vehicle in the range below. The price includes 7 day rental, local taxes, unlimited mileage and CDW insurance damage. Availability and range of vehicles are subject to confirmation.
- Compact class, Citroên C4 : 390 € See example
- Sedan class, Peugeot 508 : 500 € See example
- MPV class, Citroên C4 Grand Picasso : 540 € See example
- SUV class, automatic gear, BMW X1 : 650 € See example
- Convertible class, Renault Megane : 580 € See example
- Luxury class, automatic gear, Mercedes classe E : 1250 € See example
- Van Class, Renault Trafic : 840 € See example
Customers say about us
Our customers didn't leave a comment yet. Be the first to send us your feedback !Checklist for your tour
- Your passport.
- Your international driving licence.
- Your medical insurance.
- Your contract of repatration.
- Your phone and a french sim card.
- Your credit card and 200€ cash.
- Your sweater for the altitude.
- Your swimming suit.
- Some anchovies from Collioure.
- Some "violettes" of Toulouse.
- A Cassoulet of Castelnaudary.
- A bottle of Jurançon wine.
- A beret from the Pyrenees.
Your trip's craftsman
Jules, tourism professional for 10 years is available to answer all questions. Please contact me !
Free phone application ! Get a real-time location on your itinerary !
5 reasons to choose us
- Optimize your stay on site.
- Itineraries created and tested by a French tourism specialist.
- An eco-friendly tour.
- Only one contact person, available at all times and ready to assist you should any problems arise.
- Service provided before and after your tour.
FAQ
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