Walking Holidays
France

Tarn

A large number of well-preserved medieval villages known as Bastides are scattered throughout the Tarn in southern France. From high on rocky hilltops, these timeless places such as Puycelsi, Penne, Castelnau, Bruniquel and Cordes-sur-Ciel have kept watch over the surrounding countryside for centuries. Our self-guided walking holiday explores these wonderful settlements, many classed as some of the prettiest villages in France. Inbetween the villages the quiet Tarncountryside is a mix of rolling fields and vineyards with expansive views, sunny chalk plateaux, ancient oak forests and deep rocky gorges. Your independent circular walking trail not only links some of the prettiest villages in France but also explores the full range of Tarn’s beautiful landscapes, whilst staying in delightful chambre d'hote style guest houses. The Tarn is a hidden gem welcoming only a fraction of the number of toursits that visit the popular hotspots elsewhere in the south of France.

Holiday Profile

7 nights/8 days: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses

Dates

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

Walking Profile & Grade

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.

This walking holiday is graded easy - moderate. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

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

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking tour in the Tarn is available from April to June inclusive and in September and October. We do not run this holiday in the height of the summer due to the high temperatures and the difficulty in securing our top choice accommodation. The climate in the Tarn is classed as warm temperate with an oceanic climate with a Mediterranean influence, characterised by hot and fairly dry summers, sunny autumns, mild winters and springs marked by recurrent rainfall. Ideal walking temperatures are experienced up to mid June, after which it can become very hot. Average day time temperatures are 17.5°C for mid April and 21.5°C for mid-May. By Mid June temperatures have reached 25.5°C on average in the afternoon whilst September highs average 25°C. October is still a good month for walking on average with maximum temperatures of 20°C and lower rainfall than those experienced further south and east in the south of France. April can still be fresh with morning temperatures averaging 8°C. The wettest month in the Tarn is May, whilst September is the driest month. The region is slightly sunnier than the national French average.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

This walking holiday partly follows GR (Grande Randonnee) long distance trails which are well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also a number of signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. The remaining sections follow local trails waymarked in yellow, whilst other sections have no or little markings. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by the IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday the guest house hosts are generally responsible for transporting your main luggage as well as the transfers between Gaillac and the walking holiday. If you have any specific requests you can ask your hosts during your trip. Please limit the weight of your bags to 20kg. We generally use small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible only by stairs.

Travel Info

ransfer between Gaillac train station and your first and last guest house in the Tarn included in your holiday price.

By Train

Eurostar, TGV and then TER French trains allow you to get to Gaillac train station from where you'll be given a transfer to your guest house in the Tarn near Castlenau. Changes between the Eurostar and TGV are at Lille or Paris. TGV's run from Paris Austerlitz to Toulouse from where you can change for a train to Gaillac, heading towards Rodez or Albi. For some trains you can also change at Montauban rather than Toulouse and then take a train or bus (run by the train company) to Gaillac.

Flight Options

There are flights from French and UK airports toToulouse. Operators from UK airports include Easyjet from Bristol and Gatwick, Jet2.com from Leeds - Bradford and Manchester, and British Airways from London Heathrow. From the airport, take a shuttle bus to Toulouse train station and from there, a local train to Gaillac. Shuttle bus is found at door B3 on the ground floof and the journey costs about €5.50.

Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.

Self Drive from UK

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferr

• From £1260 (single supplement £245)
• From €1490 (single supplement €270)
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)