Hill Top Villages of Medieval Tarn

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.8 Based on 6 Reviews
  • duration 7 days
  • tour type Private
  • age requirement 18-99 yrs
  • max group size 20
  • guiding method Self-guided
  • Tour Code BM-16471
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
map
  • Starts Cordes, France
  • Ends Toulouse, France
  • +5
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • Walking Historic Sites of the Cathars
  • Medieval Hilltop Towns
  • Vineyards, Gorges, Forests and Rivers of Rural France
  • 4 of the 'Les Plus Beaux Villages' in France
  • Stay in Chambres d'Hotes
  • Cobbled Streets, Carved Facades, Old Buildings
  • Option to Extend with The Old City of Albi
  • Show more
The trip "Hill Top Villages Of Medieval Tarn" starts from Cordes and ends in Toulouse. It is a walking trip that takes 7 days taking you through Puycelci, Cordes, Castelnau De Montmiral and 3 other destinations in France. "Hill Top Villages Of Medieval Tarn" is a self-guided private trip that includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others.

Explore some of the magnificent and historical hill top medieval villages in the Tarn region of France. This beautiful rural walk winds between the bastides or fortified towns that sprung up between the Cathar Crusades of the 1200s and the Wars of Religion in the 1500s. They are situated in spectacular settings on rocky promontories or broad hills like the Tuscan hill towns and are rich in history. The intervening countryside is a beautiful mixture of forests, fields and river valleys with a distinct lack of tourists. This has become not only one of our most venerated walks, but also one of the most popular tours in France. No fewer than 4 of the villages on this tour (Cordes, Bruniquel, Puycelci and Castelnau-de-Montmiral) are included on the unofficial but prestigious list of 143 most beautiful villages in France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). The days are quite full, but you should have plenty of time to explore and photograph these wonderful places.
This tour is a little different from our other hotel treks in that Chambres d’Hotes are used for some of the nights, literally ‘a room with your hosts’. For a couple of nights the accommodation is also Table d’Hote, ‘dinner with your hosts.’ You will on those occasions have meals prepared by members of the family, and probably sit and eat with them. They will offer you wine and try to engage you in conversation and enthuse you with what they are doing. You certainly won’t just feel like a hotel guest!
You are also strongly advised to take an extra day to discover the old city of Albi, a survivor of the arrows and slings of history. A great day can be spent walking around the huge red brick cathedral and palace, looping across the bridges over the Tarn River or having a good meal in the centre.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1 : Arrival in Cordes
  • Day 2 : Cordes to Vaour - 22.5 km / 13 miles via Peyralade or 26.5 km / 16 miles
  • Day 3 : Vaour to Bruniquel - 21.5 km / 13.5 miles
  • Day 4 : Bruniquel to Puycelci 12.5 km / 8 miles
  • Day 5 : Puycelci to Castelnau de Montmiral - 21 km / 13 miles
  • Day 6 : Castelnau de Montmiral to Cordes - 26 km /16 miles or 22 km / 13.7 miles
  • Day 7 : Arrangements end after breakfast or Albi Extension
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • 6 nights accommodation in hotels and chambres d'hôtes on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Meals
  • 6 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, 3 dinners
Others
  • Luggage transfers from Inn to Inn
  • Full route notes and map package
  • Emergency hotline
  • GPX Files
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • 3 dinners, lunches (unless specified) & beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Excess Luggage
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 6 reviews
  • Anonymous
  • On Aug 19 2019
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Katia was again most helpful. The accomodation was great and the best route notes we have had. A well organised holiday but be mindful of mid summer where temperatures can reach 40 degrees C +
  • Anonymous
  • On Jul 09 2019
4 - Very Good
Very Good
Having clear written instructions as well as the maps is very useful for those of us who aren't great at navigation.
  • Anonymous
  • On Jun 25 2018
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Many high points. Accommodations were mostly excellent and the hosts were very welcoming. Missed a couple of turns but notes very good and with the maps could find our way back.
  • Anonymous
  • On Jul 11 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
The weather was superb, the accommodation comely and varied, the hosts welcoming and the scenery was nature and history at its supreme best. Surprisingly unpopulated with tourists and walkers.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Hill Top Villages of Medieval Tarn tour. You can cancel the tour up to 70 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 69 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 06 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 06 June 2024, a deposit of 189 USD is required to confirm the tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 69 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Hill Top Villages of Medieval Tarn tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.

Visa

For this Hill Top Villages of Medieval Tarn tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

For Solo Travelers

A twin share room may not always be available for solo travelers as it depends on the final number of people on the tour. If you have picked twin share room while booking, and that option is not available, we will get back to you after booking. A single room might then be available against an additional fee.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
  • Rigorous hygiene safety measures will be followed in transportation, accommodation and meal venues.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated atleast 14 days prior to departure.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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