From Languedoc to Catalonia Through the Pyrenees: A Cross-Border Discovery

After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. 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. Lectures will be given by our Study Leader (unless specified otherwise), who will also serve as our Group Leader. Note that in Spain in particular, dinners are MUCH later than in North America, and there will be little or no leisure time in the evenings. Periods in the daily 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.

At the hotel, we will have a welcome dinner a with glass of wine & water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of choices including hot and cold items plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

We’ll gather in the hotel with our Study Leader for a presentation on the Languedoc-Roussillon region — one of the most fascinating areas of Europe — that borders the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrénées Mountains to the south. It benefits from an exceptional climate, has abundant wildlife, a spectacular coast, and a rich, complex history. In 2016, it was incorporated with the region of Midi-Pyrénées into a new administrative department known as Occitanie, recalling the once vibrant language of the South — Occitan — stretching back beyond the Visigoths. Then, with our Study Leader, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to explore the lively outdoor market of Pézenas while learning about its economic and cultural significance to the village and surrounding area.

Make your own lunch from the many choices available at the market.

Next, we’ll take a walking field trip with a local expert through Pézenas to see more of the village as well as the house where Molière lived, all while learning about the history and importance of the village and region. We will return to the hotel after our field trip with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will board a motorcoach at the hotel and ride into the countryside outside Villeveyrac, where a local expert will lead our exploration of the Abbaye de Valmagne, founded in 1139 as a Benedictine monastery and known for its wine production. The abbaye was saved from destruction during the French Revolution because it had become a winery with huge wine casks filling the walls of the nave. We’ll get a closer look at the cloisters and the grounds where the grapes are grown. We will conclude our visit with a tasting of some of the Abbaye’s wines and learn about the local “appellation d’origine contrôlée” — AOC — which means protected or controlled designation of origin. In France, the certified AOC designation is of great importance in classifying wines of high quality. We’ll then return to Pézenas.

On your own to explore local cuisine. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

After some time for independent exploration, we’ll join our Study Leader in the hotel meeting room for an overview and discussion of key issues in modern France such as the economic situation, social policy, immigration, and more.

Hotel plated meal.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll transfer via motorcoach to Béziers, a city rich in Romanesque and Cathar history. A local Cathar expert will lead a field trip focusing on these interrelated histories. Catharism, which seems to have begun in the Byzantine Empire, appeared in Europe during the 11th century. By the 12th century, it had become incredibly popular and even the dominant faith in some areas, particularly the south of France. The central tenet, with an emphasis on anti-materialism and personal purity, was duality: the opposition of good and evil. The “good” God was sovereign over heaven and souls while the “bad” God ruled the material world. It was forcefully opposed by the Roman Catholic Church, which condemned Cathars as heretics since they also denied the divinity of Jesus and the authority of the Pope. Cathars did not use that name and simply called themselves Christians. The Church of Rome most often referred to them as Albigenses for the town of Albi that was thought to be the nerve center of the movement. In 1208, Pope Innocent III launched a crusade to crush the Cathars, proclaiming that nobles from northern France leading the army could keep lands seized and common soldiers would receive remission of their sins. The Crusader army attacked Cathar strongholds beginning with Béziers where the population consisted of both Cathars and Catholics. When the crusaders had taken control of the city, their leader is said to have ordered, “Kill them all. God will recognize his own.” As many as 20,000 residents were slaughtered and the town burned. What became known as the Albigensian Crusade lasted 20 years. We will view two sites associated with the Massacre at Béziers: L’Église de la Madeleine — the Church of Mary Magdalene — and the grandiose Romanesque cathedral of Saint-Nazaire and Saint Celse. We will then continue our transfer and ride on to Minerve.

Group lunch at a local restaurant in Minerve. One glass of wine and water included

With our local expert, we’ll explore the charming vineyard village of Minerve, also rich in Cathar history and tradition. We’ll then ride on to Couiza and check in to our hotel.

At the hotel, we’ll have dinner with beverage choices of a glass of wine, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of choices including hot and cold items plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

We will set out by motorcoach to the majestic walled city of Carcassonne that was first fortified in the Gallo-Roman era, circa 100 BCE. It later became a Cathar stronghold. With a local expert, we’ll learn about the history of Carcassonne as we spend the day exploring this beautiful city that inspired kings and writers. In 1209, capturing Carcassonne was next on the agenda of the Pope’s army. After a series of armed confrontations, its ruler — Viscount Raymond-Roger Trencavel — went out under a white flag to parley with the Crusaders but he was seized and the city surrendered. This time, the residents were allowed safe passage to escape on condition that they left everything they owned behind. Then, unencumbered by bodies, the army looted the city. The upper “old” city is known as La Cité; the lower city — La Bastide — is also known as St. Louis. By the 19th century, it was on the verge of destruction, its stones and other materials being taken for local building projects. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) was a leading French architect who had restored a number of France’s most important monuments. With approval from Emperor Napoleon III, he began work in 1853 on saving and restoring Carcassonne, work that continued for 50 years. Carcassonne today is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, but it is thanks to Viollet-le-Duc that we see this most complete representation of a medieval fortified town. The walls extend nearly two miles (three kilometers) with 52 massive towers.

On your own to have what you like.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The 19th-century French songwriter Gustave Nadaud wrote of this fairy-tale fortress, “My God! but I would die content / After having seen Carcassonne!” We will regroup at a designated time and place for returning to the hotel.

Hotel plated meal.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

With a local expert, we’ll take a field trip to explore of the region’s Cathar chateaux, though in fact some were built after the Cathars’ demise. The remains of these medieval fortresses, romantic and ruined, are situated in a broad arc around Carcassonne. We’ll see the ruined remains of the Château de Peyrepertuse, which in Occitan means “pierced rock and perched high on a craggy precipice.” We’ll then make our way to the ruins of Château de Quéribus, the last Cathar stronghold in France. Situated on a rocky ridge at a height of more than 2,000 feet (728 meters), it was constructed in the 11th century, though some sources say the 10th. This was an area that changed hands a number of times, eventually belonging to a family devoted to the Cathars. Many refugees were protected here until Quéribus fell to French forces in 1255. Later treaties and changes in diplomacy made it irrelevant as a defense and it, too, was abandoned after the French Revolution.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a typical lunch with a glass of wine and water included; other beverages available for purchase.

We will continue our examination of Cathar history and culture with a field trip to Villerouge-Termenès, where a local Cathar expert will lead our exploration. This “red village” — Vilaroja de Termenés in Occitan — contains the 12th-century chateau that gave the village its name. Despite the fact that it was owned and controlled by the Archbishops of Narbonne, it was friendly to the Cathars. It was taken by the Pope’s army in 1210. The Alibigensian Crusade eventually devolved into the Inquisition, charged with rooting out heretics. Among those most hated and sought after were “parfaits” — called “bon hommes” and “bon femmes” by the Cathars — wise male and female mentors and role models who practiced ascetic lifestyles. The Cathars recognized no differences in status between men and women, another of the many reasons for their persecution. The last known Cathar parfait, Guilhem Bélibaste, was captured by the Inquisition and burned at the stake here in 1321. Next, we will visit the home of our Cathar expert to expand our knowledge of the Cathars as well as life in the Languedoc today including Q&A.

At our local expert’s home, we’ll have a light family-style dinner featuring regional favorites.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

After checking out of the hotel, we will begin our transfer to La Seu d’Urgell in the Catalan Pyrenees with commentary en route. We will have a view in the distance of Château de Foix, the impregnable bastion of the Cathars and symbol of the Counts of Foix and Bearn. . Later we'll head to Andorra through the wooded Ariège Valley.

On your own to explore the local cuisine

Continuing our ride through Pyrenean valleys, our Study Leader will give us a presentation providing insights into the Principality of Andorra and its development from a small country to an isolated Pyrenean outpost to a prosperous tourist and — often controversial — financial center and a member of the United Nations. Arriving in the capital of Andorra La Vella, we’ll have a brief stop before reboarding the motorcoach, completing the last leg of our transfer to La Seu d’Urgell, and checking in to our hotel.

At the hotel, we’ll have a group meal, plus a glass of wine and water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will gather in the hotel meeting room for an introductory lecture on Catalonia by our Study Leader, focusing on its people, history, and current political situation. Then we’ll walk to the Cathedral of Santa María de la Seu d’Urgell where a local expert will lead us. Constructed in 1116, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Catalonia. It has an Italianized Romanesque style, contrasting with the predominant French tendencies of the time and has been restored to its original appearance. Following a walking field trip in the old town, we will have an expert-led exploration of the Diocesan Museum that displays treasures of the cathedral from the 10th-18th centuries, paintings, sculptures, and examples of craftwork in gold and silver from throughout the diocese.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Next, we will visit a local artisanal cheese maker and learn from the family about traditional and modern methods before having an opportunity to sample some of the products.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have "raciones" — shared plates featuring different tasty dishes — plus dessert, wine, and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

Boarding our motorcoach after hotel check-out, we’ll travel via the spectacular Bonaigua Pass with several stops to take in the breathtaking mountain vistas. We’ll move on through the Aran Valley, an enclave within the Pyrénées that manages to preserve its own language. Aranese, a form of the Occitan language, exists throughout the area along with Spanish and Catalan. During a brief visit to Sort, we’ll hear from a local expert about El Camino de La Libertad, the Freedom Trail. This treacherous mountain route was taken by 60,000-80,000 people fleeing from the Nazis during World War II as well as American and British airmen who had crash-landed or parachuted after being shot down over Nazi-occupied Europe. Local guides who knew the terrain helped them evade border guards.

At a restaurant en route, we’ll have a plated meal plus wine and water; other beverages available for purchase.

We’ll continue learning about the freedom trails and mountain life with our local expert before riding on to our hotel for check in and some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel, we’ll enjoy dinner, plus a glass of wine and water. Other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll set out by motorcoach with a local expert on a field trip into the Vall de Boí. UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “The Vall de Boí is located in the Catalan Pyrénées, in the district of Alta Ribagorça, 120 km north of Lleida, in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula. The narrow valley is surrounded by steep mountains and each of the villages in it contains a Romanesque church. As a group, these churches represent an especially pure and consistent example of pictorial art and architecture in the Lombard Romanesque style. They were built between the 11th and 12th centuries under the patronage of the Lords of Erill, and were unusual for their placement on the fringe of their respective ancient villages and also for the richness of the interior pictorial decoration.”

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a traditional lunch with water and wine; other beverages available for purchase.

For our next field trip, we’ll ride to the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes — Aigüestortes National Park — the only national park in Catalonia. Of immense environmental and biological importance, it has an abundance of flora and fauna with many species unique to this area. Upon arrival, we’ll get into the park aboard small cars (the only vehicles allowed access to the park). With a local mountain expert, we will learn about the park’s unique ecosystem during a gentle walk along one of the trails. We’ll then turn back, exit the park, board the motorcoach, and head back to the hotel.

Hotel plated meal.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and begin our transfer to Barcelona. We’ll stop for lunch in the town of Cardona dating from the 8th century. Its walled fortress and castle are prime examples of the Catalan Romanesque style of architecture.

At a restaurant en route, we’ll have lunch plus a glass of wine and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Continuing our transfer, we will arrive in Barcelona in the late afternoon and check in upon arrival. After some time to freshen up and relax, enjoy an aperitif and some social time together.

On your own to have what you like.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

With a local expert providing commentary as we go, we’ll explore via motorcoach and on foot to see some of the main attractions in Barcelona, including a visit to the unfinished architectural masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), La Sagrada Familia (the Sacred Family). Construction on this gigantic church began in 1882 and continues to this day. This enthralling and magnificent undertaking has become the symbol of the city, which we will explore inside and out as our local expert provides commentary.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a group meal with wine and water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet depending on flight times. This concludes our program.

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!