From the Volcanoes to the Mediterranean

Day 1: Lyon

Welcome at Lyon airport.
Transfer to Auvergne, a popular destination for hiking, with its vast forests and dormant volcanoes. Stop off at the Montpeloux volcano, where an interpretive trail will guide you to the crater and its basalt organs, enabling you to understand the geological, industrial and cultural history of this exceptional site.
Then discover a cheese-making workshop on a farm near Ambert. Tasting of Fourme d’Ambert or Tomme de Pays.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont Ferrand.

Day 2: Clermont Ferrand – Vulcania – Parc de la Source de Volvic

Departure for Vulcania, a park unique in Europe on the theme of volcanoes and the natural phenomena of planet Earth. For 1 hour, a guide will show you the wealth of Auvergne’s volcanoes, as well as the park’s history and unusual architecture (in French only). Afterwards, free time to enjoy the park’s attractions at your leisure.
Departure for Parc de la Source de Volvic. A guided tour of the Information Centre will take you through the history of Volvic natural mineral water. For total immersion, set off on one of the 3 marked trails (3 km, 7 km or 9 km).
Dinner of local specialties (discover the potée auvergnate or the truffade) and overnight in Clermont Ferrand.

Day 3: Puy de Dôme

Departure for Puy de Dôme. Climb to the summit by electric rack-and-pinion train (15 minutes). The mountainside route offers magnificent panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Limagne plain, the Clermont-Ferrand metropolis and the Massif du Sancy. Braver climbers can take the mule track or the goat trail (approx. 1h30/2h walk). Once you’ve reached the summit of Puy de Dôme, stroll or continue your exploration along the various paths available, and enjoy the panoramic views.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont Ferrand.

Day 4: Le Puy de Sancy

Departure for Le Mont Dore. After a vertiginous cable car ride up the mountain (over 450 m in 4 minutes), the ascent of Puy de Sancy continues for around 20 minutes on a wooden staircase up to 1886 m altitude. Along the way, landscape-reading and orientation tables introduce you to the flora and fauna of the surrounding volcanoes. The ascent to Auvergne’s highest peak can be made on foot along signposted paths (rather difficult, allow approx. 3h30 walking time). Drive to Murol. Stop at a honey producer for a tasting before heading back to Clermont Ferrand.
Dinner and overnight in Clermont Ferrand.

Day 5: Clermont Ferrand – Bort Les Orgues – Rocamadour

Departure for Bort Les Orgues. From the center of Bort-les-Orgues, admire the gigantic rock columns that tower over the town for almost 2 km and give it its name. If you wish, take the footpath to the top of this geological curiosity. Stop off at a farm to explore the truffle plantation between oaks, vines and hedges, with a truffle-dog cavage demonstration (approx. 1h30).
On to Rocamadour. A city of vertigo, a sacred city, Rocamadour has written a fabulous human and spiritual history in limestone. An impressive viewpoint over the Alzou canyon, this mythical place, inhabited by the cult of the Black Madonna, has remained a symbol of faith and hope down the centuries.
Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.

Day 6: Rocamadour – Domme – Beynac – Sarlat – Rocamadour

Departure for Domme, an exceptional and magnificent town plunging into the Dordogne. Beneath the blond 14th and 18th century buildings lies a fantastic world of natural caves, with colonnades of stalactites and water mirrors, enhanced by a play of light. Then discover Beynac, with its old streets and small cobbled squares. Then embark on a 1-hour trip on the Dordogne River aboard a “gabarre”.
Arrive in Sarlat, a must-see town in the Périgord Noir region, with the highest density of listed historic monuments.
Dinner and overnight in Rocamadour.

Day 7: Rocamadour – Padirac – Saint Cirq Lapopie – Grotte Pech Merle – Cahors

Visit the Gouffre de Padirac, a 75-metre-high natural cavern which opens up in the surface of the Causse de Gramat Lot and beneath which, at 103 m, flows an underground river. Visit on foot and in boats. Followed by a visit to a goat farm and cheese tasting.
On to Cahors, with a stop at Saint Cirq Lapopie perched on a cliff 100m above the river. Then visit the Pech Merle cave: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, disks… It’s a veritable memory of the Earth. One of the major features of this cave is the combination of natural beauty with prehistoric artworks. The latter are numerous, well-preserved and representative of all the techniques and subjects of cave art.
Dinner and overnight in Cahors.

Day 8: Cahors – Cordes sur Ciel – Albi

Discover downtown Cahors: The 14th-century “Pont Valentré”, the finest and best-preserved medieval bridge in Europe, St. Etienne’s Cathedral and the old town, especially the “Rue Nationale” and the “Pont Cabessus”.
Then on to Cordes sur Ciel, which fascinates all those who discover it because it is first and foremost a vision: that of a city rising to the skies. Its exceptional site and remarkable architectural heritage make it one of France’s most significant medieval towns, and one of the highlights of European heritage. Sheltered by powerful fortified gates, sumptuous mansions with sculpted facades magnify Gothic art…
Finally, discover the old town of Alby: the magnificent “Pont-Vieux”, Renaissance mansions and, above all, the sumptuous Cathédrale St Cécile, a masterpiece of Southern Gothic architecture that offers an astonishing contrast between the rigor of its defensive architecture and its sumptuous interior decoration…. Then visit the Palais de la Berbie, one of the oldest episcopal complexes in France, after Avignon. Built in the 13th century, it now houses the Toulouse Lautrec Museum, dedicated to the city’s most famous child.
Dinner and overnight in Albi.

Day 9: Albi – Millau – Nimes

Depart for Roquefort sur Soulzon, where you can discover the secrets of the famous cheese-making process and enjoy a tasting session. Then on to Millau for a magnificent view of the viaduct rising majestically above the Tarn valley.
Lunch at your leisure before continuing on to the Grotte des Demoiselles, with its magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. Arrival in Nimes.
Dinner with local flavors, including gardiane de taureau, and overnight stay.

Day 10: The Camargue

Travel to Aïgues-Mortes, set in the heart of unspoilt wilderness. Set off on a guided walking tour along the Salin and Sel de Camargue trails (approx. 1h30).
In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Pont de Gau ornithological park. Discover how a wetland functions, its particularities and habitats; you’ll be able to recognize the different bird species present in the park, their migratory behavior and the reasons why they come to the Camargue.
Dinner and overnight in Nîmes.

Day 11: Nîmes – Arles – Marseille

Visit to the Maison du Riz, an educational center on a real rice farm, presenting the evolution of rice growing, the Camargue’s first major crop.
Departure for Arles, a must-see Camargue town. Since 1986, the city has been classified as a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History), with its rich Roman and ancient heritage: the Amphitheatre (arenas), the Ancient Theatre, the Cryptoportiques, the Alyscamps, the Thermes de Constantin, the cloister and portal of Saint-Trophime.
Afternoon drive to Marseille, one of France’s oldest cities, founded by the Phocaeans in 600 BC. It grew with the Romans (Massilia) and became a major trading port. It’s also a very Provencal city, where the fishermen of the old port and the pétanque players illustrate the traditional way of life.
Fish dinner and overnight in Marseille.

Day 12: Marseille – Cassis – Marseille

Transfer to Cassis.
Supervised day hike in the “Calanques” National Park to observe the treasures of flora and fauna that make the Park so beautiful (picnic including 1 full salad, 1 sandwich, 1 dessert, 1 33cl soft drink or small water).
Return to Marseille.
Dinner and overnight in Marseille.

Day 13: Departure from Marseille

End of services after breakfast.

• Transportation by coach or minivan according to the number of participants
• 12 nights in a 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

Program duration and activities can be modified

• Services of a VOYEL guide
• Lunches