Toulouse, Carcassonne, Albi: Home of the Cathars

Follow the paths of the Albigenses (also known as the Cathars) and discover some of their ‘headquarters’, the beautiful towns of Toulouse, Carcassonne and Albi.

REF: TCA

7 nights /

 8 days

3 nights in Toulouse
4 nights in Albi

From 2 to

 6

Customizable

Toulouse, Carcassonne, Albi: Home of the Cathars

  • Discover
  • Highlights

Admire the beauty of medieval architectural masterpieces such as castles, abbeys, and stone fortresses perched atop mountains. Start your visit in Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France and the second largest university in the country. In the 13th century, Toulouse was the second largest town in Europe and the residence of the powerful Count of Toulouse, a main target of the Albigensian Crusaders who were encouraged and supported by the Kings of France. Take a walking tour of the old sections of the city and discover beautiful churches built between the 11th and 14th centuries, rich mansions from the 16th century, and a very animated and pleasant city. Visit some of its major museums, such as Les Augustins and Foundation Bemberg. Enjoy excursions to Carcassonne, the most famous and impressive walled-city in France; to the Abbey of Fontfroide, a gem of Romanesque architecture, listed WHS by UNESCO; to the stunning villages of Minerve and Mirepoix; and to the imposing and breathtaking medieval castles of Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and Montségur.

Transfer to Albi, the town from which the term “Albigeois” (Albigensian, Albigenses) is derived. You will discover a beautiful city, listed WHS by Unesco in 2010, with stunning buildings and architectural masterpieces such as Sainte-Cecile Cathedral and the Palais Berbie. This former bishop’s residence currently houses the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, displaying the largest collection of works by the artist who was a native of Albi. This museum was entirely remodeled and updated in April 2012. Take a walking tour of the old town and enjoy its beautiful collection of half-timbered houses built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Enjoy day trips to Villefranche-de-Rouergue and its most beautiful food market, to Conques, a famous pilgrimage spot and a marvel of medieval architecture, listed WHS; to Penne, Bruniquel and Cordes, three wonderful hilltop villages; to Castres to see the Goya Museum; and to nearby Sidobre, the largest source of granite in Europe. To make your stay more memorable, enjoy wonderful local food and famous Gaillac wines.

  • Toulouse, a city with an exceptional architectural heritage, renowned for its great way of life
  • Albi, listed WHS (World Heritage Site) by UNESCO in 2010
  • Toulouse-Lautrec’s Museum, houses the largest collection in the world of the works of this famous painter who a native of Albi
  • Conques, the iconic Romanesque church on the pilgrim’s road to Saint James of Compostela
  • Carcassonne, a stunning walled-city with a fairy-tale collection of drawbridges, towers and cobbled streets

Included

  • 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Toulouse
  • 4 nights in a 3-star hotel in Albi
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches or dinners
  • Pick-up and drop-off at Toulouse airport
  • A comfortable van
  • All visits & entrance fees
  • A private multilingual tour director and guide

Not included

  • Travel to and from Toulouse airport
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel cancellation insurance

Rates

Depend on group size and options.

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Toulouse, Carcassonne, Albi: Home of the Cathars

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Prenons soin les uns des autres !

Pour faire face à la crise sanitaire que nous traversons, les visites se dérouleront dans le respect des mesures barrières. Le port du masque est obligatoire durant les visites.