Our non-painting holidays for 2018 & 2019

All our small group tours south of France are based in the Languedoc (Occitanie) region in the south of France and run in conjunction with our painting holidays. So, if you have a friend or partner who would like to paint and you would like to get to know the South of France a bit better this holiday will cater for both your interests. But, of course if none of you want to paint that is fine too. Our groups are small and flexible. Read on to find out more about the days that we have planned for 2017 & 2018.

Dates for 2018 & 2019

Week 1 2018: 26th May – 2nd June (places available)

Week 2 2018: 9th June – 16th June (places available)

Week 3 2018: 8th – 15th September (places available)

Week 4  2018: 22nd – 29th September (places available)

Week 1 2019: 1st June – 8th June (places available)

Week 2 2019: 22nd June – 29th June (places available)

For dates in Sept/Oct 2019 please enquire

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The week includes the following:   Transport to and from Beziers train station or airport   |   A champagne reception  |   7 nights accommodation   |   7 continental breakfasts – at your accommodation in Pouzolles   |   5 lunches – a mixture of restaurant meals and catered picnics including wine and soft drinks   |   7 dinners – a mixture of restaurant meals and a catered dinners, one at a local wine domain including wine and soft drinks  |   5 structured activity days   |   All entrance fees   |   A personal tour guide

The course does not include the following:   Flights to and from France   |   Transfers from anywhere apart from Béziers   |   Excursions and lunch on the free day

A Typical Week, Saturday – Saturday

  • Saturday – Champagne reception on your day of arrival to get to know both the painting and non-painting group members
  • Sunday – Tuesday will be spent enjoying various days out exploring the local area see below for examples
  • Wednesday – A day to be spent at your leaisure please see below
  • Thursday & Friday – see below for examples of our days out
  • Saturday – Your last breakfast together before we wish you a farewell

Example days out

Below are examples of the type of activities on our days out. All our schedules will be finalised closer to the time depending on the age and interests of the group.

Image of Narbonne market stall

Narbonne market and cooking class

A city overlooked by a large cathedral on the plains about 15km from the Mediterranean Narbonne was established in Roman times where it served as a prosperous port before the river silted up and changed course. Today it sits on the canal de la Robine that links it to the canal du Midi and is a lively centre with one of the best indoor markets in the South of France, find out more about this city on tour small group tours south France.

  • Trip to les Halles in Narbonne to explore the market as well buy ingredients for this afternoon’s cooking class back at our kitchen in Pouzolles.
  • Coffee in the market before making out way back to Pouzolles for a light lunch
  • Afternoon spent preparing tonight’s French style meal for the rest of the group

Degustation day

We will spend the day tasting some of the true flavours of the south of France, visiting three exceptional farms in the local area where we will be given an insight into what takes to produce wine, olive oil and goats cheese of the highest quality.

  • Today we start the day with a visit to Domaine les Trinites a local wine farm where you will be given a tour around the cave followed by a tasting.
  • From here we will make our way over to Pradine les bas, an olive farm where we will join the painters for a chic picnic on the lawn under the ancient cedar trees, followed by an olive oil tasting and a quick tour around the press.
  • Our late afternoon excursion is to Mas Rollande, and goat’s cheese farm where you will get to meet the goats and taste the wonderful cheese that they produce
Image of Narbonne market stall

Marseillan

Today on our small group tours south France we visit Marseillan a port town based on the Etang de Thau that has a history that stretches back to Grecian/Phoenician times and is one of the oldest villages in France. It was established as a port during the Roman era and many Roman legionnaires took their discharge at Marseillan with it’s land grants establishing vineyards that still form the backbone of the local industry today.

  • Visit a typical outdoor French outdoor market in Marseillan, wandering through the local streets as we explore what is on offer on all the stalls.
  • We will then meet up with the painters for lunch at a local restaurant
  • After lunch we will visit Noilly Prat, the famous producer of vermouth for a tour to find out more about this well known beverage.

Free Day

Every week will include a free day where after breakfast painters and non-painters will have time to spend as they wish in the following places.

  • Montpellier – We will take you to Montpellier where you can spend the day catching up on shopping, sight seeing or visiting the art museum. We can recommend a restaurant for lunch if you would prefer not to take your chances.
  • Chateau St Pierre de Serjac – Spend a pamper day in the spa at the local chateau after which you can have lunch on the terrace overlooking the pool with views over the vineyards.
  • Pouzolles – Catch up on your reading and enjoy the sunshine around the pool at your accommodation, grab a spot of lunch at the local restaurant.
Chateau Saint Pierre de Serjac
Image of Narbonne market stall

Canal du Midi

Is 241km long and runs from Toulouse to the Mediterranean in the south. In the 17th Century the canal was considered one of the greatest construction works of it’s time. Together with the Canal de Garonne it forms the Canal des Deux Mers which joins the Mediterranean to the Atlantic after Bordeaux, find out more on our small group tours South France.

  • Spend the morning exploring the streets of Narbonne and it’s magnificent cathedral.
  • We will join the painters for a lunch in a restaurant next to the canal in Somaill.
  • After lunch, we will take a gentle boat trip along the Canal du Midi before heading for home.

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

A medieval village that has plus beaux villages de France (beautiful villages of France) status and well as World Heritage status together with the nearby Pont du Diable. This exceptionally beautiful village sits in a narrow valley in the Hérault river gorge and is situated on the Chemin de St Jacques (St James’ Way) pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella.

  • The Pont du Diable – we will wander down through the sculpture park to take a look at this ancient bridge.
  • After this we will transfer to St Guilhem (about 5 min) where we will explore this tiny unspoilt medieval village.
  • We’ll meet up with the painters for a light lunch in a local restaurant
  • In the afternoon you’ll go for a gentle kayak trip down the Hérault river imbibing the tranquillity of the landscape.
Chateau Saint Pierre de Serjac
Image of Narbonne market stall

Domaine la Sarabande

Is a small boutique winery set in the wine appellation of Faugéres. Their vineyards are set amongst rolling hills with beautiful views of the mountains to the north, on our small group tours south France you will get the chance to gain some first hand information about this winery from the owners on this day out.

  • In September spend the morning in the vineyards of Domaine la Sarabande where you will help harvest grapes. In the other months we will take a walking tour of the vineyards where they will explain the terroir and local production methods.
  • Meet up with the painters for a lunch at Domaine la Sarabande
  • After lunch watch the processing of the grapes that you have picked in the morning or take a tour of this small winery’s cave as they explain how their wine is produced.

All days are subject to change at the discretion of the organisers.