Tailormade tour Dordogne, Basque Country and Tarn fly-drive tour France

9 nights/10 days

St Jean de Luz • Tarn • Dordogne

This fly-drive holiday offers more than a taster of south-west France starting with a stay in the Franco-Spanish Basque country in one of the loveliest seaside resorts in France, and with a route taking you across Gascony to the Tarn, with bastides, art and vines to discover, culminating in the comfort of the Dordogne with a range of sporting options as well as gardens and castles to visit. You stay in authentic hotels, typical of each region.
Holiday price guide

Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,870 per person.

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Highlights

St Jean de Luz • Visit San Sebastian • Walk in the Pyrenees • Visit Biarritz • Drive across Gascony • Tarn • Visit the Toulouse-Lautrec museum in Albi • Visit the ancient bastide of Montauban • Taste the Gaillac wines • Visit Cahors in the Lot valley • Dordogne • Visit the prehistory at Lascaux and Les Eyzies • Kayak on the River Dordogne • Visit the castles of the Dordogne • Visit the market town of Sarlat

Day by day

Arrive at Bordeaux and collect your hire-car. The drive of about 2 hours and 30 minutes to St Jean de Luz in the French Basque country and near the border with Spain takes you across the flat, pine-forested Les Landes and almost parallel to the Cote d’Argent, a long stretch of sandy beach that borders the Atlantic Ocean. You reach the pretty fishing port and seaside resort of St Jean de Luz where you spend three nights.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is sits on the Pyrenean border between France and Spain and is renowned for its pretty architecture, sandy beach, gastronomy and light. The coastline here is a mixture of cliffs and sandy beaches, creating interesting scenery, and there are the foothills of the Pyrenees in the distance. This fishing port has a charming town centre, lined with picturesque 17th century shipowners’ houses. Many of the buildings are in the distinctive Basque half-timbered style, often with the beams painted a dark red or green, with matching shutters at the windows. The Church of Saint Jean Baptiste was the site of the marriage of Louis XIV in 1660. Its interior makes it a unique religious building, split onto three levels, and adorned with extravagant gold decoration, while in the centre of the main room hangs a model ship, harking back to the nautical history of the town. To the north is the sophisticated and larger resort of Biarritz and inland is the historic town of Bayonne. Just across the rocky Pyrenean border in Spain is San Sebastián - an essential day-trip. As well as its reputation for excellent cuisine, San Sebastián boasts of an impressive heritage and royal connection. The La Perla spa building on the waterfront was built for the Queen María Cristina and is still believed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. St Jean de Luz hosts numerous festivals including a Sardine festival at the end of July and beginning of August, a classical music festival in September and an International Basque Choral Singing Festival at Halloween.

Our recommended route today is one that shows you another region of France and takes you across country. It will take you through a little-known part of the country. You start by heading in the direction of Pau but before Pau you turn north to Aire sur l’Adour and then you are in the region of Gascony, land of Armagnac and the Three Musketeers. The countryside is rolling, it is a warm golden yellow with houses of the same colour, often with shutters in light blue, and brown roofs, it produces sunflower fields and vines, and its little towns and villages are strewn with abandoned castles, dating from the Middle Ages when this land was ruled by the English crown. Auch is the capital of Gascony and worth a stop, perhaps at lunchtime. You continue and pass Toulouse, and then head north-east, crossing the river Tarn near Gaillac and on to your stop at Cahuzac-sur-Vère, where you spend three 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. Other points of interest nearby might include the fortified villages and vineyards of the Gaillac countryside, the tours of the old mining town Carmaux that extend 350 metres underground, or the Viaduc du Viaur, designed by Gustave Eiffel himself, in Rodez.

Journey northwards towards your final hotel, perhaps stopping at the historic city of Cahors, a picturesque city surrounded on three sides by the River Lot. Your base is in the village of Tremolat in the valley of the River Dordogne and within reach today for excursions to capture the essence of this popular region. The position of Tremolat on the riverside makes it ideal for kayaking and fishing, while the neighbouring hills make for fantastic hiking trails. You spend three nights here.

Whilst in this part of the Dordogne there are all sorts of activities and sightseeing possibilities, of a cultural, historical, gourmet and active nature. Sarlat is a thriving town with numerous shops and food stalls selling local delicacies such as foie-gras and other duck and goose products. There are several excellent restaurants in the town. Take a scenic drive along the river Dordogne, stopping to see the ruined mediaeval castles that dot the cliffs. Along the length of the river be sure to see the Chateau des Milandes, the chateau at Beynac-et-Cazenac, and the Chateau de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with its collection of mediaeval weapons. Nearby are the gardens of Marqueyssac, listed as a National Monument and planted with box through which there are numerous paths, creating a maze-like effect. There are fantastic views from a belvedere. Other gardens nearby include the Clos des Sources at Vitrac and the Jardins d’Eyrignac. Other notable villages in the area are La Roque Gageac, Domme and Beynac. From La Roque Gageac it is also easy to hire a canoe or to take a river trip on one of the gabarres, a boat designed after the old river trading boats. The prehistoric sites at Les Eyzies and Lascaux should be visited but you should try to book entrances in advance as it does get very busy. If time permits, spend an afternoon in Perigueux, a larger town north of Trémolat. Once an important Roman centre, its history can be read in the Vesone Tower and the Amphithéâtre, the mediaeval Château Barrière, and the Cathédrale Saint Font surrounded by the town’s boulevards and mediaeval houses. Have lunch or an afternoon coffee in one of the chic cafés on the Place de Navarre.

Depending on the time of your flight from Bordeaux, you could stop at Bergerac or the pretty wine village of St Emilion before returning your hire-car and the flight back to London.

Special offers for this holiday>

The expert advice and experience of the travel consultants resulted in a fantastic bespoke holiday.
Mr B, May 2019

Holiday price guide Prices from £2,870 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code FRFD05

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Special offers for this holiday>

The expert advice and experience of the travel consultants resulted in a fantastic bespoke holiday.
Mr B, May 2019

Holiday price guide Prices from £2,870 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code FRFD05

Our prices include ● Scheduled flight with British Airways London to Bordeaux return
● Hire of a Group B car for the duration of the holiday
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at Parc Victoria in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Grand Confort double room at the Château des Salettes in Cahuzac-sur-Vère, near Gaillac
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior double room at Le Vieux Logis in Trémolat
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints

Our prices do not include ● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel

Additional information Driving times for this touring holiday
Bordeaux to St Jean de Luz 2 hrs 20 minutes
Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Cahuzac-sur-Vère 4 hrs 30 minutes
Cahuzac-sur-Vère to Tremolat 3 hours
Tremolat to Bordeaux 2 hours

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Expressions Holidays includes these hotels in this touring holiday as suggestions, but they can be substituted by others in the same region, if you have a preference to stay elsewhere.
Hotels included in this tour

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

The expert advice and experience of the travel consultants resulted in a fantastic bespoke holiday.
Mr B, May 2019

Holiday price guide Prices from £2,870 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

Holiday Code FRFD05

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Highlights of French Basque Country

Sample traditions such as pelota and pimento festivals. Local crafts such as the makhila walking stick, fine linens and Thalassotherapy are also available throughout the region. There are excellent golf courses and sandy beaches. Notice the red and green timbered houses.

Climate of French Basque Country

Average air temperatures by month in centigrade: Jan: 10.0, Feb: 9.4, Mar: 12.2, Apr: 19.5, May: 18.0, Jun: 23.7, Jul: 27.2, Aug: 25.7, Sep: 24.2, Oct: 19.7, Nov: 15.4, Dec: 11.0. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France.

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Highlights of Bordeaux

Visit vineyards and chateaux, for tasting and buying. Visit the oyster beds. Experience the Cognac distilleries, and the Romanesque architecture. Bordeaux is the historical centre for wine however you may also visit the villages of the wine region such as St Emilion.

Climate in the Bordeaux Region

Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 10.0, Feb: 9.4, Mar: 12.2, Apr: 19.5, May: 18.0, Jun: 23.7, Jul: 27.2, Aug: 25.7, Sep: 24.2, Oct: 19.7, Nov: 15.4, Dec: 11.0. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France

Luxury fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Dordogne, the French Basque country and the Tarn

Highlights of Dordogne

Cultural highlights include ceramics, wine festivals, foie gras and truffles, wild mushrooms, castles, valleys, water-sports, and local walks.

Climate of Dordogne

Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 10.0, Feb: 9.4, Mar: 12.2, Apr: 19.5, May: 18.0, Jun: 23.7, Jul: 27.2, Aug: 25.7, Sep: 24.2, Oct: 19.7, Nov: 15.4, Dec: 11.0. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France.

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