• Tarn's Medieval Bastides

• Everday of week subject to availability during April, May, June, September and October

• From £950 (single supplement £300)
• From €1050 (single supplement €340)
• Prices per person & based on 2 sharing a room
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• grade explained

• 8 days: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses.

• Wonderful medieval bastides (hill-top fortified villages) including Puycelci, Castlenau and Bruniquel
• Exploring Cordes-sur-Ciel, considered to be one of the best preserved villages in France
• Leisurely walking through varied and picturesque landscapes
• Gaillac vineyards and historic oak forests
• Lovely small guest houses with great cuisine

• "We have had a great holiday. Great accommodation with lots of character. " R & M Thompson, UK
• "We love hiking in France and this has been our most enjoyable trip. Your company really does an excellent job." K. Higgins, USA
• "Great scenery and views and lovely accommodation." D & J Roach, UK
• More testimonials from walking holidays in the Tarn

• 7 nights accommodation in several charming small guest houses with great character in double or twin rooms with own bathrooms (3 star equivalent). Wonderful regional cuisine and wines

1. Transfers between Gaillac train station and guest house at start and end of walking holiday
2. 7 nights FULL BOARD accommodation (except one evening meal)
3. All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 evening meals
4. Full walking notes and maps (see more information)
5. Transport of luggage between guest houses
6. One other transfer during your week
7. Read more information about our independent walking & trekking holidays

1. Travel to Gaillac, France
   
2. Lunches on the day of arrival and departure, plus one evening meals in restaurant
3. Additional transfers to those described above
4. Any excursions or entrance fees
5. Travel insurance

1. Take a look at other similar self-guided walking tours in France:
2. Beaujolais Medieval Village Tour
3. Medieval Burgundy: The Monk's Trail
4. Delights of Historic Dordogne
5. Cote du Rhone Wine Trail

Return to list of independent walking holidays

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Walking profile

This self-guided or independent walking holiday in the Tarn region of France is made up of 6 walks moving between guest houses. The walks average about 17km with limited ascents and descents although some paths can be rough and stoney in places with the odd steeper section. Average daily ascent is 330m. Some walking days include options to vary the walking length and difficulty.

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome, transfer from Gaillac train station and settle in to your first guest house near Castlenau in the Tarn.

Day 2: Castlenau - Donnazac

Your first day starts by climbing to the first of your bastide villages - Castelnau-de-Montmiral. This beautiful village sits on top of a hill with a central square surrounded by wonderful timber-framed historic houses. Your trail then continues west through quiet rolling countryside with a patchwork of Gaillac vines decorating the pretty vistas. After visiting the village of Cahuzac you’ll turn north to reach Donnazac and your wonderful guest house. 21km, +310m

Day 3: Donnazac to Cordes-sur-Ciel

An easier day as you make your way through vineyards, passing historic chateaux and farmsteads to reach the remarkable bastide of Cordes-sur-Ciel, widely considered to be the finest fortified settlement in France.  Climb into the old town to explore the narrow winding streets and see the beautiful gothic and renaissance buildings, which are incredibly well preserved. Afterwards, descend to your lovely guest house at the foot of the village. 14km, +240m

Optional extra night and day with possibility of visiting Albi on the banks of the river Tarn, classed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is home to Saint Cecile Cathedral, the largest brick built building in the world.

Day 4: Vaour - Bruniquel

Transfer to a small hamlet beyond Vaour. A day of contrasts as you traverse the hills of the Causse Magrou before descending to reach the Aveyron Gorge. Just before you reach the gorge, you can climb to reach the pretty ridge-top village of Penne with its ruined castle. Afterwards you have the choice of following the bottom of the gorge or the plateau above to reach your next bastide - Bruniquel. Like many of the villages you’ll explore, this is also classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Explore its steep streets lined with historic dwellings. 17km, +350m

Day 5: Bruniquel to Puycelci

Your trail takes you into the forest of Gresigne which is the largest forest in the Tarn and the greatest oak forest in the South of France. It was also the hunting forests of King Francois I. A choice of trails depending on the distance you wish to walk. You’ll finish by climbing to another wonderful hilltop bastide. Puycelci has been a strategic highpoint from prehistoric times. This small village is the archetypal bastide with its church and houses encircled by protective walls which sit on the edge of vertical cliffs. 14 - 18km, +380m

Day 6: Puycelci to Castlenau de Montmiral

You’ll descend from Puycelci to reach the Vere Valley which you’ll never leave for too long during your day's walking. Your trail passes through a quiet rural scene of farms, manors and small hamlets. You’ll undulate across a number of small tributary valleys in and out of woods to return to your guest house near Castlenau. 16km, +330m

Day 7: Tour from Castlenau de Montmiral

For your last day you have a choice of walks from your guest house, either on the north in the Gresigne forest or south into Sivens forest. Plenty of interest throughout in these deciduous forests. You can of course choose to relax by the pool at your guest house.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Gaillac station after breakfast.