With its 52 towers and its double ramparts, the citadel of Carcassonne remains a silent witness to over 2 500 years of history where Gauls, Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Franks have left their mark.  Inhabited since the 6th century BC, Carcassonne was once a Roman town, fortified in the 3rd century AD.   It developed into a flourishing medieval town to which the Crown granted a second line of ramparts in the 13th century.

Restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, the citadel is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guided Visit of the Ramparts of the Count's Castle (Château Comtal)
You will be able to purchase tickets for a guided tour of the ramparts at the Castle's doors.

Price: €8.50 per person, subject to change without prior notice
Duration: 45 minutes, followed by a visit at leisure of the Castle and the Museum

Five main Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée make up the rich variety of wines in this region, each with its distinctive character.  Discover the singularity of the wine terroirs with these tours:

Discovering wines and Wine-tasting

Half-day tour - 9am-12 noon or 3pm-6pm :
Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and drive off the beaten track to discover small charming wine cellars. Here you will meet dedicated wine growers, learn their different production methods and taste excellent wines.

Full-day tour - 9am-5pm :
Embark on a wine discovery tour with your guide.  Meet wine growers from three Appellations and enjoy a lunch of local products (sausages and cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and pastries) held in the wine cellar.

Please note:

• When booking your tour online, please specify your preferred tour option, as well as your room reservation number
• The meeting point for the above tours is in the Hotel lobby

• Prices and programmes are subject to change

• If you wish to bring your children along for these tours, please contact the hotel for details

Discover the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, aboard our canal cruiser, the Gabriella.

Along this waterway you will discover the little port of Trèbes, the village of Villedubert and engineering feats dating back to the 17th century - an aqueduct-bridge and a triple lock all set along a romantic horse towpath lined by plane trees, with vineyards in the background. The history of the canal will come alive with commentaries and explanations from our crew, who are at your disposal throughout the cruise. Local wines and soft drinks are available on board for your pleasure.

Canal Cruises :

A half-day outing including a delightful two-hour cruise aboard the Gabriella.

Half-day excursion - 9am-12 noon or 3pm-6pm :

Canal Cruise with Terroir Picnic :
A half-day outing including a two-hour cruise and a terroir picnic served on board with a sampling of various typical local products – sausages and cold cuts, salads, cheeses, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cakes and sweets - accompanied by local wines.

Half-day excursion - 12.30pm - 3pm :

Please note :

• *Each child under 16 must be accompanied by an adult participant

• When booking your tour online, please specify your preferred tour option, as well as your room reservation number

• The meeting point for the above tours is in the Hotel lobby

• Prices and programmes are subject to change

In the 12th and 13th centuries, a new religion, Catharism, also known as the Albigensian Heresy, took root in the south of France. This different form of Christianity was regarded as a threat by Pope Innocent III and a holy war was declared against the various countries in Langue d’Oc by the Barons of France and the Catholic Church.

Three special guided tours will take you back in time to the Middle Ages in Languedoc.

Discovering the Lastours Castles
Perched on the same rocky outcrop, the impressive ruins of 4 castles (Tour Régine, Cabaret, Quertinheux and Surdespine) tower over the Orbiel Valley.

Half-day excursion - 9am-12 noon or 3pm-6pm :

Your guide will take you to the mountains, south of Carcassonne, to visit the fabulous Cathar castle of Quéribus.  Stop for lunch at the picturesque village of Cucugnan.  After lunch, set off to admire the Gorges of Galamus with their breathtaking views.  Continue on towards Peyrepertuse, to visit the largest Cathar castle of the area, also the most imposing example of medieval military architecture in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Full-day excursion  - 9am-5pm :

Experience southern France to its fullest. Visit the impressive ruins of the 4 castles (Tour Régine, Cabaret, Quertinheux and Surdespine), which tower over the Orbiel Valley and tour a family-owned vineyard with the winegrower explaining the different methods employed in Languedoc-Roussillon. You'll also visit the wine cellar for a tasting of the wines from the vineyard.

Between the two visits you will enjoy a canal cruise on board the Gabriella.  Lunch is served on board with a sampling of various local products – sausages and cold cuts, salads, cheeses, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cakes and sweets – accompanied by local wines.

Full-day excursion and cruise  - 9am-5pm :

Please note :

• *Each child under 16 must be accompanied by an adult participant
• When booking your tour online, please specify your preferred tour option, as well as your room reservation number
• The meeting point for the above tours is in the Hotel lobby
• Prices and programmes are subject to change

Well-known for its anchovy-based specialities, its generous climate, this charming little Mediterranean port was also the home of many painters from the Fauvist movement such as Matisse and Derain.  Your guide will take you to visit art galleries, craft shops (specialising, for example, in espadrilles or textiles) or local producers (wines, olives and anchovies).  Enjoy a lunch in a delightful local restaurant with a choice of regional dishes.

Full-day excursion 9am-5pm :

Tour the lovely town of Narbonne with your guide and visit the Cathedral of St. Just and the Archbishop's Palace.  You will then continue along the Mediterranean coast and stop for lunch at Bages overlooking its famous salt pond, a wildlife reserve for flamingos and migrating birds. After lunch, you will visit the Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide viewing its magnificent church, cloister and flowering gardens.

Full-day excursion 9am-5pm :

Located nearly two hours north of Carcassonne is Cordes-sur-Ciel, an attractive fortified village built on a hilltop surrounded by several picturesque 13th century houses, many of which are now occupied by artists and craftsmen.  Visit and lunch in Cordes-sur-Ciel.  After lunch, you will head for the town of Albi, where you will visit the Cathedral of St. Cecile, a fine example of defensive architecture with a richly decorated interior.  The highlight of our visit to Albi is the Berbie Palace, now a museum housing the largest collection of works by Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in Albi.

Full-day excursion 9am-5pm (except Tuesdays) :