France
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord
Program No. 14253RJ
Savor history as you enjoy oenologist-led lectures, gastronomic heritage, ancient villages and prehistoric cave paintings in the timeless regions of Southwest France.
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DATES
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PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 10 - Apr 23, 2025
Starting at
5,819Apr 17 - Apr 30, 2025
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5,819May 1 - May 14, 2025
Starting at
5,899May 8 - May 21, 2025
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5,899May 15 - May 28, 2025
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5,899Aug 21 - Sep 3, 2025
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5,899Sep 4 - Sep 17, 2025
Starting at
5,899Sep 11 - Sep 24, 2025
Starting at
5,899Sep 18 - Oct 1, 2025
Starting at
5,899Sep 25 - Oct 8, 2025
Starting at
5,899Oct 2 - Oct 15, 2025
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5,819Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2025
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5,819Oct 16 - Oct 29, 2025
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
14 days
13 nights
31 meals
12B 10L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In flight
4
St. Emilion, Free time
Bordeaux
6
The Rouffignac Cave, Sarlat
La Roque Gageac
7
Sarlat, Region Specialties, Medieval Bastides
La Roque Gageac
8
Lascaux IV, Prehistoric Art, Museum of Prehistory
La Roque Gageac
At a Glance
Romans of the fourth century tilled the soils around Saint-Emilion and began growing grapes. Today, the region ranks among the world’s foremost red wine producers. From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Southwest France resonates with the marvelous consequences of long-ago choices. Discover the Bordeaux wineries with Roman roots, the Dordogne and the living museum town of Sarlat.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Extensive walking on uneven ground and cobblestones. Stairs sometimes without railings.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore the Dordogne Valley and the prehistoric cave paintings of Rouffignac and Lascaux IV.
- Examine a complete retrospective of the works of Toulouse-Lautrec at the museum dedicated to him in Albi.
- Discover each region’s unique cultural, gastronomic and wine heritage in the Perigord and Bordeaux.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Libby Chandler
Libby Chandler lives in the southwest county of Devon in the United Kingdom, across the English Channel from the Normandy Beaches. At the age of 22, she moved to France to live in the Alps and polish her French for several years. Libby is an addicted traveler with a lust for learning, spending her time in France and across Europe. Leading groups since 1994, she works as a freelance group manager for educational organizations and in the Himalayan mountains during the winter.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Libby Chandler
View biography
Libby Chandler lives in the southwest county of Devon in the United Kingdom, across the English Channel from the Normandy Beaches. At the age of 22, she moved to France to live in the Alps and polish her French for several years. Libby is an addicted traveler with a lust for learning, spending her time in France and across Europe. Leading groups since 1994, she works as a freelance group manager for educational organizations and in the Himalayan mountains during the winter.
Suggested Reading List
(12 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord
Program Number: 14253
Edible French: Tasty Expressions and Cultural Bites
French food-related idioms are explained and delightfully illustrated in this playful meditation on the French language.
Tasting French Terroir: The History of an Idea
This book explores the origins and significance of the French concept of terroir (the specific taste of a particular place), demonstrating that the way the French eat their food and drink their wine today derives from a cultural mythology that developed between the Renaissance and the Revolution.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
My Life in France
The touching and famous story of Julia Child in France, where she learned to cook and fell in love with French cuisine, all in her own words.
French Wine: A History
French Wine is the first synthetic history of wine in France: from Etruscan, Greek, and Roman imports and the adoption of wine by beer-drinking Gauls to its present status within the global marketplace. Rod Phillips places the history of grape growing and winemaking in each of the country’s major regions within broad historical and cultural contexts.
Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings
A spirited, meticulously researched chronicle that recreates the life and world of Eleanor of Aquitaine in 12th-century Europe. A Harvard University Press Classic, first published in 1950.
The Basque History of the World
Popular author Mark Kurlansky offers an engaging portrait of the seven provinces of Basque Land, discussing everything from language to culinary heritage and seafaring traditions.
South-West France: The Wines and Winemakers
South-West France is a wine lover's paradise that cultivates an astonishing array of grape varieties, many that grow nowhere else, and produces a fascinating assortment of wines. In this book, Paul Strang covers the South-West with enthusiasm and keen expertise, providing a history of its wine industry, including a near collapse and unlikely rebirth, and introducing readers to a region that seems to defy globalization.
Camembert: A National Myth
Camembert - delectably fragrant, creamy-centered, neatly boxed - is the most popular and most famous French cheese. Originally made by hand in the Norman countryside, it is now mass-produced internationally, yet Camembert remains a national symbol for France, emblematic of its cultural identity. In this witty and entertaining book, Pierre Boisard investigates the history of Camembert and its legend.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Cave Painters
In this tale of art, paleontology and discovery, Curtis introduces the masterworks of cave art in France and Spain, visiting Altamira, Lascaux, Les Trois-Freres, Cosquer, Chauvet and others.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
31 meals (
12B, 10L, 9D
)
9 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In flight
Day
2
Arrive Bordeaux, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Bordeaux
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. The hotel is located in a narrow historic street, therefore the motorcoach drop off point is 300 feet from the hotel entrance; luggage in and out of the hotel is handled by porters.
Afternoon:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Please note that there are many opportunities for wine tasting on this program. During tastings you are not obligated to consume the wine, and always have the option to spit it out after tasting. Due to ecological regulations in France, new motorcoaches do not have restrooms on board, and older models have restrooms but they are not available for use; rest stops will be made for rides that are over 90 minutes. The Group Leader is a licensed professional “Guide-Conférencier” and will provide expert lectures and commentary throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
We’ll walk to a local restaurant near the hotel. We’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase. French restaurants take pride in creating a relaxed atmosphere where patrons expect to take their time, savor every bite, and set the pace of the meal, requesting “l’addition” — the check — only when they are ready. Meals are accompanied by complimentary “pain” (bread) and “eau” or “l’eau” (water), so you need not ask for them. When wine is offered, it is customary to fill your glass only half way so the wine can breathe and to be sure everyone has a share. Servers wait until everyone at the table has finished their dish before clearing and bringing the next course. To indicate that you have finished your meal, place your utensils together on the right hand side of your plate.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Alienor d'Aquitaine & Bordeaux, Wine, Museum of Aquitaine
Location:
Bordeaux
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain, flat ground. Standing up to 2 hours at a time during field trips. When sampling wines during a tasting, participants have the option to swallow or spit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with a variety of foods and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water, juice, milk.
Morning:
At the hotel, our Group Leader will give an expert lecture on the background of Alienor d'Aquitaine. She was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women of the Middle Ages and a key figure in the history of both France and England. We will then head out on foot with a local expert to explore historic Bordeaux, a UNESCO world heritage site. We’ll hear the story of Bordeaux and learn of its importance with special emphasis on its UNESCO-listed World Heritage architecture. From the UNESCO inscription: “The port city of Bordeaux in south-west France, is inscribed as an inhabited historic city, an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, created in the age of the Enlightenment, whose values continued up to the first half of the 20th century, with more protected buildings than any other French city except Paris. It is also recognized for its historic role as a place of exchange of cultural values over more than 2,000 years, particularly since the 12th century due to commercial links with Britain and the Low Lands.” One of the sights we will see is the cathédrale Saint-André. Eleanor of Aquitaine and French king Louis VII were married at this cathedral in 1137. With its freestanding belltower, this is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Bordeux. This cathedral is also a stop on the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. These routes pass through several regions of France and Spain and are also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we'll learn about the importance of the wine trade from a local expert while enjoying a wine tasting and plated meal featuring local products. There will be water served with the meal; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will walk to the Museum of Aquitaine where a local expert will take us on an exploration of the museum and give us an overview on the history of the region, from prehistoric times, through the Middle Ages and the slave trade era, to today. As we explore the exhibits, we’ll learn more about the significant role trade played in the development of Bordeaux.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
St. Emilion, Free time
Location:
Bordeaux
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 54 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; cobblestone streets, with inclines, uneven ground; unavoidable steps. When sampling wines during a tasting, participants have the option to swallow or spit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by motorcoach to the medieval city of Saint-Émilion. On arrival, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to explore its many historic sites including the Eglise Monolith, the largest underground church in Europe. This structure was carved by Benedictine monks during the 9th-12th centuries. Then we will ride to a vineyard in Saint-Émilion. We’ll observe how many of the growers in this area still keep up the old tradition of planting roses at the ends of the rows. We’ll will learn about the origins of this practice. We’ll then sample some of their wines and learn how the terroir impacts the way the wine tastes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in St. Emilion. We’ll return to Bordeaux via motorcoach.
Afternoon:
Free time in Bordeaux. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
History of Wine, Medoc Châteaux & Vineyards
Location:
Bordeaux
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Premier Hotel Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours including stops. Walking up to 2 miles; even and uneven terrain; unavoidable steps during field trips. Standing up to 2 hours during field trips. When sampling wines during a tasting, participants have the option to swallow or spit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach to explore the Médoc wine region. Along the way, our Group leader will teach us about the history and economic impact of the wine industry on the region of Bordeaux. On arrival, a local expert will show us around the château and teach us about the specific wines made here. Then, our local expert will lead a wine tasting; we’ll sample wines from the Médoc region.
Lunch:
At the château, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of wine or water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore the vineyards of the Médoc region. We’ll stop at another château and sample more wine. With a local expert, we’ll learn about the history of the château and how they produce their wine. After, we will return to Bordeaux via motorcoach with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
The Rouffignac Cave, Sarlat
Location:
La Roque Gageac
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hôtel Le Perigord
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 126 miles, approximately 2.5 hours including stops. Getting on/off a small electric train; traveling about 1 hour. Walking up to 2 miles; even and uneven ground; unavoidable steps during field trips. Standing up to 2 hours during field trips. Note: it is advised that you bring a light sweater/jacket as it can get cool inside the cave.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart via motorcoach for Sarlat. En-route, our expert Group Leader will lead a discussion on the history and culture of the Périgord. We will stop along the way to explore the Cave of Rouffignac (Cave of a Hundred Mammoths). On arrival, we will board an electric train with a local expert. We’ll travel through the caverns and observe and learn about more than 250 animal figure etchings made over 140 centuries ago.
Lunch:
On own
Afternoon:
We will meet a local truffle hunter. This local expert will teach us about truffle mushrooms, how they grow, and where to find them. This product is famous in the Périgord region's cuisine, and is one of the most coveted types of mushrooms in the world. After, we will head to La Roque Gageac via motorcoach to check in at the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Sarlat, Region Specialties, Medieval Bastides
Location:
La Roque Gageac
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hôtel Le Perigord
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 15 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; even and uneven terrain, cobblestone streets. Standing for up to 2 hours during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to Sarlat and do a walking exploration with our group leader. We’ll have independent time to enjoy the Sarlat open air markets. These markets display food from local farms and are an important part of French culture. Then we’ll ride to Vitrac. On arrival, we’ll set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to explore the town. We’ll learn about its history.
Lunch:
We’ll ride to a local restaurant in Vitrac. We'll enjoy the gourmet tastes of the Périgord through a cooking demonstration at the chef-owned restaurant. The chef will show us how to prepare regional dishes. After the demonstration, we will have a plated meal, featuring what was prepared by the chef. There will be a beverage choice of water, wine, coffee; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We’ll board our motorcoach and ride to Domme, a typical bastide (fortified towns built in the 13th and 14th centuries). En route, our Group Leader will provide an introduction to bastides. On arrival, we’ll set out to explore the site on foot. We’ll observe the bastide structures and learn about the history of the town and its role in The 100 Years’ War. We will ride through the Dordogne valley to La Roque Gageac. We’ll have a brief stop to stretch our legs and take in the scenery. Then we will return to Sarlat via motorcoach with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Lascaux IV, Prehistoric Art, Museum of Prehistory
Location:
La Roque Gageac
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hôtel Le Perigord
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 48 miles, approximately 1.5 hours including stops. Walking up to 2 miles; even and uneven ground. Standing up to 2 hours during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart via motorcoach to see the replica of the famous prehistoric cave, Lascaux IV. En-route, our Group Leader will lecture on the prehistoric art of the Périgord region. On arrival, we will explore the cave using audio provided by the museum. Then we will continue to St. Leon sur Vézère via motorcoach.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will ride via motorcoach to Les Eyzies in the Vézère valley. On arrival, we'll go on a field trip to the Musée National de Préhistoire (the National Prehistory Museum of France). This museum houses the largest Paleolithic collection from prehistoric sites in the Vézère Valley. A local expert will take us through the museum and point out highlights, while providing expert commentary. After, we will board the motorcoach and return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At Leisure
Day
9
Cave Paintings of Pech Merle, Rocamadour
Location:
Cahors
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus hotel Divona Cahors
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 65 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; uneven ground; up to 40 unavoidable steps with railings. NOTE: Rocamadour is built into the side of a cliff and is primarily a pedestrian only village; some stairs may be avoided by using the escalator, but in the village there are many unavoidable steps; uneven and inclined terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel via motorcoach to ROcamadour. Our Group Leader will take us on an exploration of this exceptional village. Rocamadour was one of the most famous pilgrimage sites during the medieval period. This charming village sits perched on the rugged face of a cliff rising 492 feet above the Alzou Canyon. We will follow the path of pilgrims up the Great Stairway. After, we will walk through the streets of the village. As we explore, our Group Leader will teach us about the history and religious significance of Rocamadour.
Lunch:
On own in Rocamadour
Afternoon:
On arrival in Pech Merle. A local expert will lead us through the cave. As we observe the authentic prehistoric paintings (over 20,000 years old) conserved on the walls of the Pech Merle cave, our local expert will provide expert commentary on the meaning and history behind the cave art. Some of the figures we will see include mammoths, bison, and horses depicted in their natural habitat. After, we will board our motorcoach and head to Cahors.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Gouffre de Padirac, Medieval St-Céré, Jean Lurçat Museum
Location:
Cahors
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus hotel Divona Cahors
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 65 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 3 miles; unavoidable steps, cobble stone streets, even ground; wet, dark, potentially slippery conditions in cave. Standing up to 2 hours during field trips. Use of elevator during field trips. Note: from where the elevator stops at the bottom, there are about 70 additional steps to the cave river; with railings. Getting on/off boats.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the motorcoach to Padirac.We’ll board a boat and explore the natural wonder of Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Chasm). Onboard, a local expert will teach us the science behind this cave. Scientists are not sure when the Gouffre was created, but it is believed to have existed for hundreds of thousands of years. It was shaped slowly over the course of many years; water eroded the limestone vault of an old underground chamber and eventually, the vault collapsed, leaving the gaping hole we see today.
Lunch:
En route, we will stop at a local restaurant. We’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the motorcoach and head to St. Céré. With our Group Leader, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to explore the village. We’ll learn about its architectural heritage as we observe the historic houses and mansions, and the beautiful Mercadial square. After, we will go to the Jean Lurçat Museum to learn about and admire Lurçat's artistically woven tapestries. A local expert will teach us about the artist’s life and artistic techniques. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
11
Toulouse & Post-Impressionism, Albi, Musée Toulouse-Lautrec
Location:
Toulouse
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mercure Toulouse Centre Saint-Georges Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 110 miles, approximately 2 hours including stops. Standing up 2 hours during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of our hotel, we’ll travel via motorcoach to the small city of Albi. During our ride, the Group Leader will teach us about Toulouse Lautrec and post-Impressionism. Albi was the capital of the Gallo-Roman Albigenses and later became of the viscounty of Albigeois. After the Albigensian Crusade in 1209, and later the Inquisition, it was captured by bishops of the crown and established as a Christian city. In more contemporary history, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a native of Albi and still has a presence there today.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Albi, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of water, wine, soft drink; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will walk to the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec. Housed inside a 13th century palace, this museum has the largest collection of Toulouse-Lautrec's works in the world. On our docent-led exploration, we’ll examine some of his works and learn more about the artist. After, we will board the motorcoach and ride to our hotel in Toulouse. After checking in, we’ll have some time to relax and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of wine, coffee, tea, water.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Languedoc Region & the Occitan People, Historic Toulouse
Location:
Toulouse
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Mercure Toulouse Centre Saint-Georges Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles; cobblestone and even terrain. Standing up to 2 hours during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with a variety of foods and beverage choices of juice, milk, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
At the hotel, we'll hear a lecture from a local expert on the Languedoc Region in general and learn about the Occitan People and culture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Toulouse, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of wine, soft drink, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
With a local expert, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to explore historic Toulouse. We will stop at the Saint Sernin Basilica (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the largest Romanesque church in Western Europe. We will also explore the City Hall located within the Capitole building. Although originally built in 1190, the Place du Capitole has been redesigned and rebuilt many times over the years. The only original medieval remnant is the courtyard of Henry IV.
Dinner:
On your own
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
13
Carcassonne & the Cathars, Free Time
Location:
Toulouse
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mercure Toulouse Centre Saint-Georges Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 116 miles, approximately 2.5 hours round trip. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride via motorcoach to the historic fortified city of Carcassonne. En route, our Group Leader will give an expert lecture on the Cathars. On arrival, we’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip to explore the city and learn about its history. Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This village has been a fortified settlement since the pre-Roman period. Over the years, settlements withered and new ones were built. What we will see today is the remains of a medieval era fortified town.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Carcassonne, we'll enjoy a plated meal featuring Toulouse-style Cassoulet, a slow-cooked casserole containing meat (typically pork sausages, goose, duck and sometimes mutton) and white navy beans. The dish is named after its traditional cooking vessel, the cassole, a deep, round, earthenware pot with slanting sides. The meal will be serve with water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will return to Toulouse via motorcoach. Free time in Toulouse. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with a beverage choice of wine, coffee, tea, water.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
14
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s Travel Information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
31 Meals
12 Breakfasts
10 Lunches
9 Dinners
LODGING
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The Southwest France program was excellent! My husband and I chose it for the visits to the prehistoric caves, and we were not disappointed. I looked at many other tour companies for the cave experience, and Road Scholar has the best offering. We had a fantastic tour guide, Alexandra Chambon, who made the trip even better. Oh the food, the wine! I did not know about the Jean Lurcat workshop and museum, and I am so glad we saw it--fascinating. Sarlat was a gem. There were just so many pleasant things about this trip, I can't expound on them all. We also had such a lovely group, just lovely people. I miss the group and France already! I definitely see more Road Scholar trips in my future. Thank you, Road Scholar, for such a wonderful trip.
— Review left November 3, 2024
Possibly the best RoadScholar trip I have taken! Our guide Alexandra was absolutely wonderful -- so competent/organized and so kind. Each day was varied and memorable, and the different focus on grastronomy, paleo-history and art as we moved through the days and the different regions -- from tiny villages to the larger cities -- made this trip unforgettable. Even though it was the largest group (24) of any trip I've been on, Alexandra made it all work seamlessly. Thank you!!!
— Review left October 31, 2024
I had never been to southwest France and I'm now convinced it's overlooked by many tourists. It's a beautiful area with many vineyards and farms, so the food and wine were great. The caves, both those with paintings from the Paleothic period and amazing geological formations, were fascinating, as were the medieval towns. I'd been to France many times before but never to this region. I'm very glad to have had this introduction to this beautiful and historically rich area.
— Review left October 17, 2024
This part of France is so rich in history and culture, and you'll learn a lot about that on this trip - from how wine is really produced, to caves that have fostered exploration and creativity from the Neolithic period onward, to pilgrimages and wars. Plus, the region is beautiful, with ancient treed villages populated by stone dwellings. I learned so much and look forward to using my truffle salt and Bordeaux wine in my next culinary experiment. I'll carry with me memories of the lairs of hibernating cave bears, Stone Age artists, and Toulouse Lautrec. This is a fun trip that anyone can enjoy.
— Review left October 11, 2024
This was just a great trip! I've always been interested in Bordeaux wines, and to have tours through the Chateaux during harvest season was especially enjoyable. And the trips through the various caves to examine the paintings, especially at Lascaux, was very interesting as well as educational. But the adventures cannot be sustained on an empty stomach! While the included meals were just fine, being able to explore the local culinary delights (I'm talking foie gras and truffles) on your own just added to the overall experience. If you're a Francophile like me or just thinking about exploring this region of France, I strongly encourage you to go on this trip. You won't be disappointed!
— Review left October 5, 2024
Fabulous trip; great guide. Excellent variety of experiences: wine, food, art, beautiful scenery and architecture. Every day was a new adventure. And for me, the unforgettable and moving cave paintings.
— Review left October 3, 2024
The tour provided and excellent way to learn about the South West France its people, geography, food, wine and culture. The length of the program was long enough to make the experience well worth the cost and time.
— Review left October 1, 2024
A super team leader made this a super trip to one of the world's more fascinating regions
— Review left September 28, 2024
Wonderful tour , I learned a lot very informative and the wine is great
— Review left September 14, 2024
This was the trip of a lifetime. We have taken many enjoyable tours but this one was, by far, the best in every possible way. Seeing the Caves, in particular, was a dream come true. We were blessed with a wonderful group of travel mates and, of course, Libby our extraordinary tour guide. We could take this tour all over again and love it just like the first time.
— Review left June 11, 2024
Amazing experience. Guide was professional, warm, caring, knowledgeable, and made the experience better. Agenda and hotels and restaurants outstanding. I will absolutely take another Road Scholar trip!
— Review left May 23, 2024
This program, Southwest France Bordeaux & the Perigord was amazing- Main reason for me was visiting the Prehistoric caves and we visited 3 of them, What a GREAT experience! The explanations, art and time inside the caves were very good planned. Our tour director Libby Chandler was extraordinary, couldn't ask for a better person!!! We visited other amazing places and we also had opportunity for free time. I recommend this program and hopefully you will get Libby as your tour leader!
— Review left May 7, 2024
A grand voyage of discovery--Bordeaux wines, truffles, incredible prehistoric art, Toulouse-Latrec, cliff dwellings, and medieval towns perched on hillsides--this was a fun and incredible learning experience. I loved the tour and highly recommend it.
— Review left May 4, 2024
Wonderful program! Great variety of activities; tasty wine and meals; our tour director, Tom, was very knowledgeable and helpful. He was enthusiastic with a great sense of humor. I will be looking at going on another with Road Scholar soon!
— Review left April 26, 2024
Wonderful trip! This was my first Road Scholar trip but it will not be my last! Our guide Libby was so knowledgeable and talented.
The other travelers in my group were so welcoming that I felt at ease the first evening. Meals, transportation and lodging were great!
Thanks!!
— Review left November 4, 2023
This is a great program for anyone who is interested in history, loves good food (and wine), and wants adventure. It's also a great program for fans of Martin Walker's Bruno books.
— Review left November 2, 2023
This was a fabulous trip, with a great variety of interesting experiences (wine tasting, wonderful caves, historical villages, interesting museums). The amount of free time was just right, and Libby, the leader, was the absolute best. Can't recommend this trip highly enough.
— Review left October 29, 2023
This was our eighth Road Scholar experience and perhaps the best one yet. The program was comprehensive and enabled us to learn, explore and savor the beauty of this region. The group was lovely and, without a doubt, our leader, Libby Chandler, was extraordinary in every way!
— Review left October 19, 2023
A wonderful trip paced so that we were able to enjoy the sites and educational details without too much bus travel. A well planned vacation experience
— Review left October 11, 2023
Very interesting and well-paced trip. I enjoyed every place we went. The group leader was outstanding.
— Review left October 11, 2023
This was my first RS trip and I was thoroughly impressed with every activity. The group leader, Tom, is very knowledgeable and he was well prepared and organized. He has the perfect personality and management style to deal with 20 individuals. On the nights designated "meal not included" he always met group members in the lobby for a meal so if you didn't want to eat on your own you had a dinner plan. We visited Chateaux, the prehistoric caves, fortified villages, a Bordeaux walking tour - the list goes on and on. We visited chefs, vineyards, cathedrals, an art museum, many tastings - all I had to do was show up and enjoy. The group was lovely and I enjoyed traveling with this group. Already planning my next RS trip.
— Review left October 7, 2023
This is a great tour. Nice variety of activities and Caroline was an excellent guide. The group was up and ready to go every morning. It’s an active tour, walking and climbing stairs and so worth the effort.
— Review left September 9, 2023
What I appreciated about this program was its diversity and relatively relaxed pace. Yes, it was wine and prehistoric cave paintings and medieval villages, but also fascinating French cities and an introduction to the history and culture of southwestern France about which I had known little.
— Review left May 26, 2023
The program is excellent . A great mix of activities and our tour guide (Alexandra) was outstanding.
— Review left May 4, 2023
Our guide, Libby was amazing, and the itinerary covered so much of that wonderful area.
Our group was small to start with (one of the RS travel treasures) but unfortunately about 7 of the group got Covid early on and had to be quarantined. Libby went above and beyond to make sure they had food and any other items they might need while she led the rest of the tour group to all the sites, as well as move them in private vehicles while the healthy "scholars" were on our bus. She always retained her sense of humor. Road Scholar should clone her!!!
The Périgord region of France is incredible...the caves are unbelievable, visiting Bordeaux, the limestone cliffs, the truffle dog, the cooking lesson on making the perfect duck breast, the vendor with the local whiskey...and so much more made this trip exceptional. This trip will not disappoint, and I'd love to take it again!
— Review left December 5, 2022
Good trip. My wife got sick and was not able to complete all the activities. Olivier was a good guide for trip. Had a good time .
— Review left October 27, 2022
This tour was everything I hoped it would be. We saw many sights on my bucket list (prehistoric caves and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum in Albi), and our tour leader was fantastic. Fans of Chief Bruno will not be disappointed!
— Review left October 22, 2022
The best Road Scholar trip I've been on! The cave paintings did not disappoint, the food, wine and history were top notch. I would recommend this trip to anyone!
— Review left October 22, 2022
Wine and history and bigger towns and smaller villages and caves and great food - this tour covers all of that and more. There were so many outstanding experiences that it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the cave at Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Chasm) was probably number one for me. The night view of Rocamadour from the village of L'Hospitalet below was incredible, as was the historic city of Carcassonne and its Cathar influence. Our hotels were nice, our tour leader Caroline was terrific, and I really enjoyed the overall trip. In fact, it was so remarkable, I would do it all over again!
— Review left October 21, 2022
Great food, great wine, good company. Our group leader, Caroline, was fantastic. I learned a lot about the region and its history and really had a good time.
— Review left October 8, 2022
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord was a wonderful tour highlighted by the content and Caroline Buizza, our excellent tour guide. Unfortunately, Covid was an issue with our tour group (September 22 - October 5, 2022).
— Review left October 6, 2022
We very much enjoyed this tour....especially the caves!
— Review left October 3, 2022
We very much enjoyed this tour to an area of France that many have not been to. Loved the caves and French food is the BEST!
— Review left October 3, 2022
An exciting visit to Lascaux 4 and two other amazing caves were the highlights of a terrific tour of southwest France. There cannot possibly be a better tour guide than Martin who was informative, organized, friendly and always very helpful.
— Review left September 24, 2022
If you’re reading the “Bruno” books you’ll definitely enjoy this trip. It has it all - prehistoric art and caves, wine, truffles, foie gras, the history of this interesting and beautiful part of France.
— Review left September 16, 2022
I was unable to access my account on my phone and tablet, and had to use someone else's computer
— Review left September 10, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed, and our guide Libby was wonderful...she's English, but fluent in French. She was great about giving insights to the culture and particularly the current situation (we were one of the first tours in that region since France opened up due to COVID). Her preparations and presentations of the historical lectures were spot-on. Hotels were pleasant. Provided meals were plentiful and good (dessert at lunch and dinner...I should have begged off as I weigh myself upon return!).
My thoughts are that the schedule had lots of things packed in and the "free time" in the afternoons was rarely available... or just leave that off the itinerary.
Individual thoughts:
--Bruno, the local expert at our Museum of Aquitaine was very into "Bruno"...more "show" than depth. And it would have been good if what we saw at the Museum tied into cave paintings, plus I read that they have the Tayac treasure from 2nd century BC, including a gold torque and Garonne treasure...would have loved to see them). Perhaps another local expert on future tours?
--The guide at the Rouffignac Cave moved his (regular) flashlight too fast and did not focus on what he was describing. He needed to slow down and get 1) a better flashlight and 2) a laser pointer and then slowly outline the etchings (as did the great guide at Pech Merle).
--Would have liked more time in the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec (but I was an art history major).
--Never had the group dinner listed for Day 12...it was on your own.
— Review left June 12, 2022
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord is a great trip. There is a lot of variety in the trip, with great food, good wine, beautiful countryside and fantastic caves with prehistoric paintings. The history of the region is fascinating. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left June 4, 2022
The itinerary for this trip had so many different experiences that I enjoyed - from wine tastings in Bordeaux to neolithic caves around Sarlat. The geology of the area is fascinating with villages built into the cliffs! I would take this trip again but only if Laurent is the guide! He was knowledgable, experienced, funny and attentive to each person in the group.
— Review left June 1, 2022
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord was an absolutely fabulous trip. Our guide, Libby, was exceptional. The variety of places we visited and experiences we had was incredible. The caves, the wines, the historic places were all extraordinary. This trip exceeded my expectations, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The biggest downside was the unexpectedly warm weather, which took its toll on us all.
— Review left June 1, 2022
This tour had it all—wine tastings, prehistoric caves, medieval fortresses, 15th century villages, truffle hunting and cooking demos. Each day brought several new extraordinary experiences. Our tour guide, Laurent, certainly enhanced these experiences. His was also especially accommodating to this of us moving at a slower pace. Overall an A+ experience.
— Review left May 20, 2022
Wine, cheese and history. What could be better?
— Review left May 14, 2022
This was my first trip with Road Scholar and I would highly recommend them. Many in my group had done many, many trips with them, so my experience was not unusual. Will defiantly look to book other tours.
— Review left May 5, 2022
An extraordinary trip. Mind-expanding tours of caves with prehistoric drawings. Unforgettable memories. And a stellar guide!
— Review left April 28, 2022
We loved the trip! Favorite parts: being in the caves and the underground chasm/river trip, as well as the little villages. Would never have gone to these parts of France without being on this tour. Hard to find places, places I never even knew about. We loved Reuben White. I sent a separate positive review for him.
Suggestions: in Bordeaux our legs were very tired after the walking tour/museum trip all in one day. Other people said the same thing. Actually had a muscle ball up in one calf. In Toulouse it would make more sense to us to go to Carcasonne the first day and then have the second day's free afternoon to be in Toulouse before traveling the next day. The audio guides at Carcasonne were really awful. Didn't work well, hard to pause, and just kept talking so that you were not in the room they were describing.
We would recommend this trip highly to others.
— Review left November 22, 2021
This is an excellent program for wine lovers, as it spends several days exploring Bordeaux wines. The historic, walled medieval cities visited were a very pleasant surprise. If caves are not your thing, avoid this program!
— Review left November 6, 2021
This was a 5* trip. We had 21 on our departure date with an excellent guide, Laurent. I really enjoyed the visits to the pre-history caves and the small villages. They were so very interesting and a bit hard to get to on your own. This was my 12th RS program and chose it specifically for the itinerary.
Laurent's talk on Aliénor d'Aquitaine was excellent and inspired me to return to the Louvre when I got back to Paris after the tour to find the vase she gave Louis VII for a wedding gift.
We had no issues with closures related to Covid although the last trip of the season will encounter closed restaurants as it is the end of the tourist season. If you are planning on October travel, I'd want to go early October and not on what is now listed as the last departure of the 2022 season (Oct 13).
All local guides were excellent although some were a bit rusty with English as they've not had American tourists for 18 months. Still they were enthusiastic and knowledgeable on their specific areas and very quick to welcome us back to France!
I thought the activity rating was accurate but some had difficulty with all the stairs and a few steep streets. Definitely be in good walking shape and add in some hills or stairs to your fitness routine if you can. Have good shoes with soles that will not be slick.
I recommend you arrive in Bordeaux the day before the tour officially has it's first meet up. There is plenty to do and see in Bordeaux for another day and it will help with getting over jet lag and also if you have any travel hiccups.
The only complaint I have is Road Scholar's poor information pre-tour on the Pass Sanitaire. They can do better.
— Review left October 26, 2021
We had an amazing time on the Southwest France tour! Our guide was Tom and he was simply the best group tour guide we’ve ever had! He’s funny, insightful, friendly to everyone and has endless energy for touring. The itinerary is varied and everyday was fun. I didn’t realize how magical it would be to go to the prehistoric caves and I had no idea that the underground river field trip would be so incredible.
The pacing of this tour was perfect - we had enough to time to get to know the little villages and we weren’t packing and unpacking everyday. The driving distances were all very reasonable - unlike some tours that require hundreds and hundreds of daily driving miles. I even enjoyed all the winery tours - even though I don’t drink wine! The properties themselves were interesting and the wine production information was fascinating - I especially liked being able to compare the lower-budget winery we toured with the high cost one as it gave unique insight into differing business practices.
We were in probably a dozen cute little villages over the 13 days - places we would never get to on our own. We even got to take an unplanned boat tour when a museum turned out to be closed - and it was a trip highlight!
All food and dietary preferences and limitations were honored on this trip - so no worries there. I’m a vegetarian - and so even though there is indeed a lot of duck served, I was always offered something else and it was no problem.
This is just a fantastic vacation - I highly recommend it!
— Review left October 14, 2021
Diverse and amazing trip. We were fortunate to have interesting and friendly people in our group and, because of covid, only 16 of us. And the French manage the pandemic in a way that feels much safer than the US. Our guide and those in specific places were knowledgeable and excited to share their knowledge about the subject. Our bus driver was amazing. If you are interested in prehistory, medieval history, wine, food, and contemporary art and perspective, with a deep dive into southwest France, this is a perfect tour.
— Review left October 9, 2021
Southwest France: Bordeaux and the Perigord was a fantastic tour. Very well-organized, fun, I learned new things, and can't say enough about how much I enjoyed the trip. It will be one of the top trips I've ever taken! Thanks Road Scholar!
— Review left October 2, 2021
The COVID restrictions forced the group to forego a number of activities. I would not recommend this trip until French regulations for testing ease.
— Review left September 11, 2021
Trip was lovely and Caroline, our guide, made it a wonderful journey. Always patient and polite, she added so much information to our activities. She even compiled a digital file of photos of all our outings for us to take home.
A highlight was our outdoor lunch one day with an abundance of seafood!
— Review left January 7, 2020
Get a copy of “Bruno Chief of Police” or any other of the books written by Martin Walker about the Perigord and it’s diverse population and characters of its history. You will then be ready to jump into a wonderful adventure with Fois Gras and Truffles and sumptuous wines and a Chateaux or Bastid on every hillside. This is a beautiful area of France and this trip allows you to enjoy all its splendor.
— Review left November 1, 2019
We love wine and frequently attend wine tastings/dinners, but these wine tastings and amazing lunch at a winery were the best ever. This tour greatly exceeded my expectations and the unique experience, enthusiasm and background of our Road Scholar Group Leader was a significant reason. Access to winery owners and experts for information and discussion was exceptional. Viewing of prehistoric cave drawings was the frosting on the cake!
— Review left October 30, 2019
Exceptional program--especially enjoyed learning about early peoples of this area and viewing the prehistoric cave paintings! Astrid, our trip leader, was well-informed and very helpful throughout the tour.
— Review left June 17, 2019
This was a fantastic journey. I feel fortunate to have made this trip. Astrid was a wonderful,competent, humorous,and knowledgeable guide.
— Review left June 8, 2019
It was a great trip! Julian, our guide , was erudite, funny and patient.
The food and wine were delicious (hope you like duck and foie gras). The caves were awe-inspiring! The hotels were comfortable. The bus drivers were courteous and their driving was very skilled.
— Review left May 12, 2019
A wonderful program in a beautiful and interesting part of France, experienced with delightful people. I highly recommend it.
— Review left May 12, 2019
This trip into "la France profonde" had a profound effect on me. It revealed layers of history as it stretched from Bordeaux through astonishing caves, an awe-inspiring pilgrimage site, and charming small towns on its way to Toulouse. The website's itinerary sold me on the trip, but the reality proved richer: more stops to special places, outstanding local guides, a superb tour leader in Sandrine Bouc, delicious food, and a very congenial group. By "richer" I mean, for example, that Saint Emilion came alive for me via Sandrine's retelling of the place's history from the legend of the hermit that gave the town its name, through the Black Plague, the War of Religion, and WWII and the Resistance--and that kind of depth was repeated in place after place. The caves were an important component of this trip, and I expected to be impressed by Lascaux IV and was, but Pech Merl and the Gouffre de Padirac wowed me. I considered myself lucky to have taken this trip, to have had Sandrine as group leader, Robert as bus driver for a chunk of the tour, exceptionally nice and enthusiastic fellow travelers, and to have seen Pech Merl now while the cave is still open to the public.
— Review left May 11, 2019
This is a great program for people who have visited Paris and want to experience more of France. There are so many diverse experiences in one trip - wine region, charming villages, beautiful churches along the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and prehistoric caves - maybe too many caves, but you can maybe opt out and spend more time in towns. Small group is great, and I hope you have Sandrine as your group leader.
— Review left May 10, 2019
This trip was amazing! The caves, the food, the wine, the instructor... all were extraordinarily wonderful. Anyone who wants to see SW France, and especially the cave art, should sign up for this one.
Judy Hoyer, NC
— Review left May 5, 2019
