Nature and environment
This trip invites you to explore stunning natural landscapes, meet local producers, and savor regional traditions for an authentic immersion in the art of living in the South of France.
Detailed program
Day 1: Arrival in Lyon
You’ll be picked up at Lyon airport and driven to Auvergne, a region renowned for its vast forests and dormant volcanoes. You’ll stop off at the Montpeloux volcano, where an interpretive trail guides you to the crater and basalt organs, to learn more about the site’s geological and cultural history. Afterwards, you’ll discover a cheese-making workshop on a farm near Ambert, with tastings of Fourme d’Ambert or Tomme de Pays.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont-Ferrand.
Day 2: Clermont-Ferrand – Vulcania – Volvic Spring Park
You’re off to Vulcania, Europe’s only park dedicated to volcanoes and the Earth’s natural phenomena. For an hour, a guide will introduce you to the volcanoes of Auvergne and the world, as well as the park’s original architecture (visit in French). On to Parc de la Source Volvic. A guided tour of the information center tells the story of Volvic natural mineral water. You can then choose one of three signposted walks for a complete immersion in nature.
Dinner with local specialties and overnight in Clermont-Ferrand.
Day 3: Puy de Dôme
You leave for the Puy de Dôme and climb to the summit by electric cogwheel train (15 minutes). The journey offers spectacular views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Limagne plain, Clermont-Ferrand and the Sancy massif. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can take the mule or goat trails for a 1h30 to 2h hike. At the summit, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the various paths to admire the exceptional panorama.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont-Ferrand.
Day 4: Puy de Sancy
You reach Mont-Dore and take the cable car for a vertiginous 450-meter ascent in 4 minutes. Continue up the Puy de Sancy via a wooden staircase to 1886 m, discovering the flora and fauna on interpretation panels. You can also hike to the top of Auvergne’s highest peak on marked footpaths (approx. 3h30 walk). On the way back, stop at a honey producer for a tasting before returning to Clermont-Ferrand.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont-Ferrand.
Day 5: Clermont-Ferrand – Bort-Les-Orgues – Rocamadour
Departure for Bort-les-Orgues, where you can admire the impressive rock columns that dominate the town for almost 2 km. You can walk to the top of this geological curiosity. Visit a truffle farm with a truffle dog demonstration. Continue on to Rocamadour, a sacred town perched high above the Alzou canyon, famous for its spiritual history and the sanctuary of the Black Madonna.
Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.
Day 6: Rocamadour – Domme – Beynac – Sarlat – Rocamadour
Visit Domme, a magnificent medieval town with its natural caves adorned with stalactites and a play of light. Discover Beynac with its cobbled streets, then take an hour’s ride on a traditional “gabarre” boat on the Dordogne. The day ends in Sarlat, a must-see town in the Périgord Noir region, rich in historic monuments.
Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.
Day 7: Rocamadour – Padirac – Saint Cirq Lapopie – Grotte Pech Merle – Cahors
Visit the Gouffre de Padirac, an impressive natural chasm with an underground river, accessible on foot and by boat. Then visit a goat farm with cheese tasting. Stop at Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a village perched on a cliff, then visit the Pech Merle cave, famous for its prehistoric paintings and natural formations.
Dinner and overnight in Cahors.
Day 8: Cahors – Cordes sur Ciel – Albi
Departure for Cordes-sur-Ciel, a perched medieval village offering exceptional panoramic views. Visit to Albi, a city of art and history, famous for its Sainte-Cécile cathedral and typical narrow streets.
Dinner and overnight in Albi.
Day 9: Albi – Millau – Nimes
Visit Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, famous for its cheese, with tasting. Then stop off at Millau to admire the viaduct, an engineering masterpiece. Visit the Grotte des Demoiselles, a splendid cave decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, before arriving in Nîmes.
Dinner with local flavors (gardiane de taureau) and overnight in Nîmes.
Day 10: Camargue
Guided hikes on the Salin and Sel de Camargue trails, in the heart of a preserved natural environment. Guided tour of the Pont de Gau ornithological park, to observe the flora and fauna of wetlands, especially migratory birds.
Dinner and overnight in Nîmes.
Day 11: Nimes – Arles – Marseille
Visit the Maison du Riz, an educational farm presenting the cultivation of rice in the Camargue. Then off to Arles, a city of art and history, with its Roman and medieval monuments. On to Marseille, a lively old port city, where you’ll discover the old port and the Provencal atmosphere.
Fish dinner and overnight in Marseille.
Day 12: Marseille – Cassis – Marseille
Transfer to Cassis for a guided hike in the Parc National des Calanques, to discover the local flora and fauna (picnic included). Return to Marseille.
Dinner and overnight in Marseille.
Day 13: Departure from Marseille
End of services and free or organized transfer according to your flight.
Services included
- Transportation by coach or minivan according to the number of participants
- 12 nights in hotel, youth hostel or accommodation center
- Half-board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 13
- Visits and excursions as described in the program
- Travel file for tour leader
- VOYEL assistance 24 hours a day
Good to know
Program duration and activities can be modified
Optional / supplement
- Services of a VOYEL guide
- Lunches