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Midi-Pyrénées UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Midi-Pyrénées UNESCO sites

Excursion Albi Cathédrale Sainte Cécile and Cordes Sur Ciel

1. Excursion Albi Cathédrale Sainte Cécile and Cordes Sur Ciel

Set out from Toulouse to discover Albi, the Sainte Cécile Cathedral, and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum or the medieval city of Cordes sur Ciel with round trip bus transportation. In Albi you can admire the many architectural gems, including the Sainte Cécile Cathedral. Visit the Toulouse Lautrec Museum, located in the Palace of Bishops. Near to Albi, you can also explore the enchanting city of Cordes-sur-Ciel. Its Gothic architecture holds the secrets to many legends. During your free time here, you can stroll through the cobbled streets of the city. Return transport is included in the tour package, but once in the cities you will be free to explore at your own pace without a guide. The tour departs Toulouse at 9:30am and returns back around 6:30pm.

Bordeaux: Guided Cruise on the Garonne River

2. Bordeaux: Guided Cruise on the Garonne River

Explore Bordeaux from a new perspective with a river cruise on the Garonne with live commentary. Sail into the heart of the French wine region and admire the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Port de la Lune. Learn about the architecture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as you relax on board. Make your way to the pontoon close to Pont de Pierre and meet your friendly guide and group for the day. Settle down on your boat and start your cruise along the Garonne river. Listen to live commentary from your guide as you admire the beautiful buildings that line the riverbanks. Pass by the Place de la Bourse historical square, the district of Saint-Pierre, and the iconic Cite du Vin.

Toulouse: Carcassonne Day Trip

3. 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.

Bordeaux to Dordogne: Castles & Villages Private Tour

4. 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.

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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

Fantastic place to visit, comfortable bus and transfer of just over an hour to then visit the medieval city and enter the Comtal Castle.

A city tour from the river - an interesting point of view