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Midi-PyrénéesCulture & history

Our most recommended Midi-Pyrénées Culture & history

Toulouse: Carcassonne Day Trip

1. Toulouse: Carcassonne Day Trip

If you're staying in Toulouse and want to discover the Cité de Carcassonne, the Comtal Castle, the Saint Nazaire Basilica and more historical highlights, this is the perfect day tour for you. Located 1 hour from Toulouse, Carcassonne is one of the 25 great sites of Midi-Pyrénées. In Cathar country and at the heart of the fortified city, you can discover the Château of the Counts of Carcassonne and the Remparts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will departure from Toulouse at 9:30AM (check-in is at 9:15AM), with a planned arrival in Carcassonne at 10:30AM.  Following your day of discovery, you will depart from Carcassonne at 4:30PM, with a planned return to Toulouse at 5:30PM.

Lourdes: Private Guided Tour in the Sanctuary

2. Lourdes: Private Guided Tour in the Sanctuary

Start your tour in the morning or afternoon and be greeted by a professional guide to begin an unforgettable journey around the Sanctuaries. Discover the wonders of the site and have a spiritual experience. Explore famous spots: the Grotto, where Marie Bernarde, known as Bernadette, experienced 18 apparitions. Your guide will also take you to the Fountains and the Baths, which welcome about 350,000 pilgrims each year. Hear about the religious history of the site and see basilicas such as the Basilica of Saint Pius, the most recent Basilica of the Domain.

From San Sebastian: Lourdes Private Full-Day Tour

3. From San Sebastian: Lourdes Private Full-Day Tour

Departing from Donostia-San Sebastian, you'll visit the Sanctuary of Lourdes in France. You'll have time for the principal mass in the basilica, time to pray, go to see the cave, get some water, walk around the sanctuary and visit Bernadette's house. It will be an exclusive and complete private guided tour and you will be the only people on the tour. Thr driving time is roughly 2 hours in each drection and you'll have around 4.5 hours to spend exploring Lourdes. Departure times can be arranged and adjusted as you wish due to this being a private tour.

Bordeaux: Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting

4. Bordeaux: Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting

Pre-book your entry ticket to Bordeaux’s Wine and Trade Museum and enjoy the added perks of a presentation of the vineyard and a wine tasting of two wines paired with local snacks. Receive a paper guidebook for your self-guided exploration of the cellars. The Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum pays tribute to the great wine merchants and the rich winemaking history of Bordeaux. Set in the building of Louis XV's royal broker, you’ll discover three centuries of the history and fame of Bordeaux’s great wines. The vaulted cellars, built around 1720, retrace the work of the coopers and the maturing of wine in barrels in the tradition of the wine merchants of the 19th century. With an included paper guide, you’ll get to go on a self-guided walk through two cellars. At the end of your visit, you can attend a presentation on the Bordeaux vineyards and learn about the notions of grape varieties, appellations d'origine contrôlée, terroir, and more. Alongside your commented wine tasting with in-house selected local wines, you can taste raisins dorés (coated raisins) and canelés de Bordeaux (small French pastry flavored with rum). Before the end of your visit, you can savor more of the wines in the wine cellar (costs not included).

Bordeaux: visit the vineyard off the beaten track

5. Bordeaux: visit the vineyard off the beaten track

1:50 pm: meeting in front of the Bordeaux tourist office with your guide. 2:00 pm: departure. The half-day will start with a visit of an organic winery in the Graves or Pessac-Léognan region. You will learn how the wines of these regions are made, visit the vat and barrel rooms, before tasting the wines of the property (red and white, 2 minimum). Then we will cross the Garonne to discover another part of the Bordeaux wine region: the Entre-deux-Mers. Nicknamed "Little Tuscany", this is an hilly region that produces a wide variety of wines. You will visit a second winery, followed by a tasting of at least 3 wines. At the end of the day, you'll have discovered a little-visited part of the vineyard and enjoyed some very different wines. 6:30 pm: return to Bordeaux (+/- 15 min.).

Bordeaux to Dordogne: Castles & Villages Private Tour

6. Bordeaux to Dordogne: Castles & Villages Private Tour

Enjoy a private full-day tour of Dordogne and discover the history of the King’s Musketeers, learn about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and visit prehistoric cave paintings. After the pick-up from your hotel in Bordeaux, Sarlat, Limoges, Toulouse, Agen Bergerac, or elsewhere nearby, you will head off on an exciting day filled with history, magnificent panoramic vistas, the finest gastronomy, and wine tasting. Whatever you desire can be incorporated into this private tailor-made tour. One of the places you can visit on this tour is Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, a lovely town which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site partly because of its proximity to the famous Lascaux Caverns and partly because of the newer site of Grottes de Cougnac. Here you can visit the caves and see the original art. Les Eyzies is also home to the National Prehistoric Museum. You also have the option of visiting Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the most attractive and alluring medieval towns in south-western France. The town was developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Its town center of impeccably restored stone buildings – now a pedestrian zone – is perhaps the most representative of 14th century France. Discover another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Château de Rocamadour – perched up high on the side of a gorge of one of the Dordogne River’s tributaries, famous for its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can also explore the Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, with magnificent views over the landscape. Among other castles you can visit is the Château de Beynac, one of the best preserved and best known castles in the Dordogne region. Its austere appearance perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town on the north bank of the Dordogne River over the sheer cliff face. It boasts double crenelated walls, double barbican, and double moats, one of which was a deepened natural ravine. Another castle to visit is the Château des Milandes, once the home of the Josephine Baker, an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. Josephine Baker and her husband renovated this beautiful castle, installing central heating, electricity, and running water. They lived here with 12 adopted children from 9 different nationalities to create what they tenderly call the “World Village”. You can also explore Domme, another typically charming Bastide village built on the cliffs overhanging the Dordogne River. It was here that many of the Kinghts Templar were imprisoned and you can still see some of their graffiti on the tower gates. Another option on this tour is to visit the Jardins de Marqueyssac, an amazing garden filled with topiary creation and a picturesque promenade with panoramic views over the Dordogne River. Visit the Eyrignac gardens, the French garden inspired by the 18th century Italian design. They were entirely modified into an English romantic garden in the 19th century. On this private tour you also have the possibility of visiting Chateau de Commarque, Chateau de Jumilhac, Monpazier, Puymartin, Eyrignac, Monbazillac, La Roque Gageac, Montfort, and Salignac.

From San Sebastián: Sanctuary of Lourdes Private Day Trip

7. From San Sebastián: Sanctuary of Lourdes Private Day Trip

Do not miss the opportunity of being in one of the holiest place in the world since the apparitions in 1858 of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous and feel the spiritual experience of being embraced by the love of the Lady of Lourdes. Learn about the signs of Lourdes: the rock, the light, the water, the crowds, the sick people, . . . You will learn about the life and story of Bernadette Soubirous and the apparitions around the town of Lourdes. We also will visit the whole sanctuary itself and a few more places. This tour is very especial to me because my mom and brother were volunteering for about 20 years helping sick people from San Sebastian visit the place, and they passed me their experiences.

From San Sebastian: Sanctuary of Lourdes

8. From San Sebastian: Sanctuary of Lourdes

You’ll have to get up early, as a comfortable two-hour trip on the motorway awaits us. We’ll take advantage of the time to introduce you to the history of the region and local traditions. Miracle in 1858 Lourdes is a charming medieval town whose history changed radically when, in the summer of 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared several times to a girl named Bernadette Soubirous, in a grotto near the River Ouse. The city became an international destination, making it the second most-visited Catholic sanctuary in the world, and the city in France with the greatest number of hotel beds besides Paris. Land of basilicas In Lourdes we’ll visit the most emblematic sites such as the Crypt (the original sanctuary, decorated with numerous votive offerings from the visiting faithful), the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (with its beautiful stained glass windows depicting the story of the apparitions), the Basilica of Our The Lady of the Rosary (a Romanesque-Byzantine design full of luminous works of art, gold and Venetian mosaics) and the underground basilica of Saint Pius X, in a Brutalist style and spacious enough to host more than 25,000 people. Sacred water Of course, we will also visit the Grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette exeprienced the apparitions that went around the world and turned the water of Lourdes into a desired object of faith with pilgrims who, annually, come from the five continents. F.Y.I. The visit with Ikusnahi lasts for 4 hours, during which it is possible to visit the complex, or attend prayers and masses. Although the sanctuary is open all year round, it’s best to know the schedule of celebrations, which we at Ikusnahi will take care of.

Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef

9. Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef

Welcome to our Food & History Tour, a 3-hour small-group culinary journey designed to introduce you to the unique tastes of Southwestern French cuisine. Led by an award-winning Spanish chef de cuisine, this gastronomic stroll delves into the heart of this region's food culture. With us, you'll get to sample the best of Toulouse - from freshly-baked goods and aromatic cheeses to delicious charcuterie, traditional recipes, and local wines. Our tour is not just about indulgence; it's an edible history lesson. As we wander through the picturesque neighborhoods of Carmes and Saint-Etiénne, we'll share fascinating food-related tales and historical anecdotes dating back from the Roman era to the Middle Ages and through to modern times. Come, and embark on a journey where history and gastronomy fuse to create an unforgettable exploration of Toulouse's rich culinary and cultural heritage. Itinerary: 1. Rue Maletache: Discover the origins of Toulouse's 1463 big fire that started at a boulangerie, paired with a taste of the city's most iconic baked good. 2. Place du Salin: Step into the past at the southern gate of Roman Tolosa and the Royal Saltworks. Discuss salt's medieval significance and savor renowned Noir de Bigorre Pork PDO charcuterie. 3. Marché de Carmes: Trace the evolution of a Carmelite convent turned car park, and delve into a premier covered market to sample three raw-milk artisanal cheeses. 4. Bar a Vin: Enjoy a pit stop at a wine shop to sip on the region's sparkling white wine, boasting a history that outdates champagne by 150 years. 5. Place de la Trinité: Dive deep into tales of heresy, inquisition, and religious crimes through the Calas Gate, which ended up with the execution of an innocent man, followed by a sampling of the finest pâté en croûte in the vicinity. 6. Cathédrale de Saint-Etiénne: Marvel at the eclectic architecture of this unique cathedral and end on a sweet note with Toulouse's most decadent dessert from an emblematic pâtisserie. *Depending on the shops' opening hours, the day of the week, and the season, we might take some delightful detours. But worry not – with the Toulouse Food & History Tour deliciousness is guaranteed no matter the route!

Toulouse to Carcassonne & Albi: Private Sightseeing Tour

10. Toulouse to Carcassonne & Albi: Private Sightseeing Tour

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the best of the Carcassonne region. After getting picked up from your hotel in Toulouse, enjoy a scenic 45-minute drive to the medieval fortified city of Carcassone. Here, stroll around the city's cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings. Learn more about its history, and how the city was once a stronghold of the Cathars. You will have 2 hours of free time in Carcassonne, during which you can visit the museum where you will be transported to an era of Crusaders, Pilgrims, and Templar knights. Afterward, continue to Lastours. Here, enjoy a walk to the Belvedere Montfermier, where you can admire panoramic views of the surrounding area and its many castles. Finish your tour in Albi, aka the Red City. Here, pay a visit to the imposing Saint-Cécile Cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where you can admire works by local painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. At the end of your tour, get dropped off back at your hotel in Toulouse.

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What people are saying about Midi-Pyrénées

Take the virtual history tour~10-15 min, but very informative. About 5 euros. There is no walking tour or tour guide for the castle. Some things are in English, but there is much only in French. A translator app for those signs will help tremendously. The inquisition museum(s) are pretty good. You must realize that along with the incredible views there was also a lot of death and torture here. History buffs will really enjoy it.

Christian’s tour of Dordogne was wonderful. It was so special to be able to get away from the city and tour the countryside - river, valley, farmland, castles and medieval villages. Christian entertained us with many stories - historical and contemporary. He was very friendly and relaxed.

It was a very pleasant visit to Carcasonne, I definitely recommend it. The tour leaves on time, and the meeting place is very convenient to those close to the center of Toulouse

Highly recommended. We had a spectacular time. Stopping in Sarlat for lunch is a must. Cristian explains a lot and very well.

Great Experience, excellent service and attention received.