Day 1. 

We will meet you in the lobby at the Grand Hotel de l’Opéra at 9h30 and depart for the coast!

We begin our Languedoc-Occitanie discovery today in a tiny local village for an event called “A Taste of the South”. It is a 1.5-2hr drive from Toulouse. This is a very fun wine and food tasting event where you will learn about the wines and foods of the region. We will try eight different wines and each will be paired with a dish reflecting the gastronomy of the region.

We will arrive at our hotel in Sète, the Grand Hotel de Sète late afternoon. Free time for the rest of the day.

Day 2.

This morning we will drive to the lovely wine domain of La Seigneurie de Peyrat. We will have a tour of the domain and a wine tasting, followed by a picnic lunch which includes cheese tastings, local preserves and more!
Following lunch we will drive a short distance to medieval Pézenas, one of the most lively and beautiful towns in the South of France. You will notice that many of the buildings have gorgeous carved stone fronts and intricate ironwork – a reminder that Pézenas was once the playground of kings, princes and some of Europe’s most famous artists. You will have the afternoon to explore Pézenas and the lovely artisan boutiques. Late afternoon return to Sète.

Dinner as a group at a local restaurant.

Day 3.

Market day in Sète! Sleep in or get up early and hit the market which opens at 8 AM. This is a large market that fills the squares and meanders along several streets, and includes an indoor food market also! You can find everything from clothing, shoes, sunglasses, baskets, jewelry, art, books, music, and of course, lots of food. Try the green basil cheese. You will be amazed at the variety of seafood, cheese, cured meats, sweet treats, and wine,of course! You will also see outdoor kitchens preparing paella in enormous paella pans and other delicious dishes! The markets are a feast for the senses!

Purchase something at the market for a shared picnic in a private dining room at our hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. Dinner on your own.

Day 4.

Today we will drive to Mèze. You will be delighted by this charming little port town, one of the oldest in all of France. We’ll explore the local market this morning. Following our time at the market, we will have a private two hour excursion with our own captain on the Étang de Thau (also known as the Bassin de Thau, a saltwater lagoon and the second largest in France).

We will meet an ostréiculteur, the “oyster farmer” who will meet us to tell us about the ways they raise oysters, clams and mussels. We will have an onboard tasting of these delights fresh from the Bassin de Thau, accompanied by a regional white wine. In addition to the oysters, we will sample a ‘Tielle Setoise’, a traditional pie of this particular part of the region. The pastry is a mix of shortcrust pastry and bread dough, with a delicious filling of octopus, chicken, a slightly spiced tomato sauce, garlic and other aromatic spices.

Lunch as a group at a local, port-side restaurant.

Following our group lunch, we will drive a short distance to Marseillan where we will have a private tour of Noilly Prat with a tasting of three different vermouths and their special vermouth cocktails. Take advantage of their beautiful shop to purchase some delightful chocolate treats made with Noilly Prat vermouth.

Return to Sète late afternoon.

Free evening for dinner on your own.

Day 5.

We will check out of the hotel and depart the hotel at 10h30. We will travel south to Narbonne for a buffet lunch at Les Grands Buffets, the largest buffet restaurant in France. You will have an opportunity to savor everything French cuisine from foie gras and frogs legs, to a selection of over 100 cheeses and everything in between!

This afternoon, we will visit L’Oulibo domaine of olives and olive oil. We will have a guided tour and a tasting of their delicious olive products afterwards. There are unique olives only grown in this part of the world too. Time to shop in their boutique and purchase some olives to take away if you like.

Late afternoon we will arrive in Carcassonne to check into your hotel.Dinner on your own this evening.

Day 6.

Enjoy a full day exploring the charming town of Carcassonne. It is market day today and the town will be a hive of activity. Why not explore the market and enjoy some time exploring the city center with its many varied boutiques, or spend time in Place Carnot at a local cafe and watch the world go by! This afternoon, explore the medieval city at your leisure.

One of the traditional dishes of the region is the Cassoulet. A dish rich in heritage and flavor. There is strong competition between many towns in the region as to who makes the best cassoulet. Some key ingredients may differ between the towns, but the base is the same and it is always delicious!

We’ll enjoy a traditional cassoulet dinner as a group this evening.

Day 7.

Enjoy a sleep-in this morning! We will depart at 10h00. The coach will take us a short distance to Carcassonne port where we will meet our boat for a leisurely cruise along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the history of the canal which was built in the 17th century to provide a link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It traverses the height of two valleys and allows smooth sailing thanks to the locks and ingenious design of centuries ago. Relax as you pass vineyards, country houses and beautiful countryside.

We will then travel a short distance to a local vineyard for a group lunch and fun, afternoon wine tasting experience like no other! It’s not just the French who make wine in the region! Return to Carcassonne late afternoon.

Dinner on your own this evening. So many wonderful options here!

Day 8.

A leisurely start to the day. Depart the hotel at 10h30. This morning we will meet with a local trader in gourmet food and wine of the region, for a fun, educational session learning about the local specialties and its importance in French cuisine.

Lunch on your own.

This afternoon, participate in a wine-blending masterclass at a local, family-owned chateau. The Occitanie region is the largest wine region in France representing 30% of all wine produced in France. Our masterclass will include learning about the different wine grape varieties of the region (or cépages in French), the importance of the local climate, production and of course the blending. We will taste some of the wines and also blend our own wine, and your creation is yours to take home with you.

Return to Carcassonne this afternoon.

Dinner as a group this evening.

Day 9.

We will say farewell to Carcassonne this morning and depart at 9h30 to travel a short distance to the Benedictine Saint Hilaire (Abbaye de Saint Hilaire). It was here in 1531 when the world’s first sparkling wine was created by the monks. We will enjoy a tour of the abbey and taste a traditional method ‘blanquette’ (sparkling wine). The Banquette de Limoux is known throughout the region but also around France. Sparkling wine was invented in the south, and not the north as many may believe!

We will travel into the small town of Limoux, where its historic town square is surrounded by half-timbered medieval buildings. The town is known for the world’s longest carnival (over 400 years old!). There are parades every weekend from late-January to the end of March where masked dancers and brass bands “compete” as they bring a great carnival atmosphere to the town with their colored costumes and music playing.

Enjoy free time in Limoux for lunch.

Before we depart the area, we will visit a local Blanquette de Limoux producer for a private visit of the vineyards and a tasting.

Depart for Toulouse and check into our 4-star airport hotel late-afternoon.

Farewell dinner as a group this evening.

 Day 10. Breakfast at the hotel prior to check out this morning. (A boxed breakfast for the very early morning departures will be arranged. Later departures, breakfast in the restaurant at the hotel). For all airline departures, it’s a short walk through the terminal to your airline check-in counter.

Transfers into central Toulouse will be provided for guests departing by train (from Toulouse-Matabiau SNCF station), or to your hotel if staying in the area for an extended period.