Independent Walking
Tarn’ s Medieval Bastides
A large number of medieval villages known as
Bastides are scattered throughout the Tarn. From high on rocky hilltops, timeless places such as Puycelsi, Penne, Castlenau, Bruniquel and Cordes 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. The Tarn landscape is a mix of rolling fields and vineyards with expansive views, sunny plateaux, ancient oak forests and deep rocky gorges. Your circular trail not only links some of the best villages in France but also explores the full range of Tarn’ s beautiful landscapes, whilst you stay in delightful chambre d’ hote style guest houses.
Walks: day-by-day
Independent Walking
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at Gaillac station or at your guest house nr Castlenau.
Day 2: Castlenau- Donnazac
Climb to the first of your bastide villages- Castelnau-de-Montmiral. This beautiful village has 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 Donnazac. 21km, + 310m
Day 3: Donnazac- Cordes-sur-Ciel
Stroll through vineyards, passing historic chateaux and farmsteads to reach the remarkable bastide of Cordes-sur-Ciel, widely considered to be the finest fortified village in France. Climb into the old town to explore the narrow winding streets and the well preserved beautiful gothic and renaissance buildings. 14km, + 240m
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. On the way, climb to reach the pretty ridge-top village of Penne with its ruined castle. Follow the gorge to reach your next bastide – Bruniquel. Like many of the villages you’ ll explore, it is classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. 17km, + 350m
Day 5: Bruniquel- 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 François I. You’ ll finish by climbing to another wonderful hilltop village. Puycelci 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- Castlenau You’ ll descend from Puycelci to reach the Vére Valley which you’ ll never leave for too long. 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 Choice of walks from your guest house, either to 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.
♦ Wonderful historic medieval bastides 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 guest houses & great cuisine
At a Glance
GUIDED / INDEPENDENT Price: Grade: Profile:
See Price List
Dates: April, May, June, Sept, Oct
Day 8: Departure- Transfer to Gaillac station after breakfast.
Price P / P See Price List or Website for details
Walking Profile
Holiday Profile
6 self-guided walks, moving between guest houses, except for the last day. The holiday is graded moderate. Good paths, tracks and country lanes on undulating terrain with the odd steeper section. Average day: 17km, + 330m. Some days include options to vary the walking length and difficulty.
7 nights: 6 days self-guided walking moving between guest houses.
Accommodation
A selection of small chambres d’ hote style guest houses in historic properties, set in wonderful rural surroundings or within the walls of medieval villages. Several have swimming pools. Warm welcome and great regional cuisine. e. g. Les Vents Bleus is a former vineyard; beautiful property & rooms with pool. Warm welcome from Florence & Olivier.
Included 7 nights accommodation, including all breakfasts, 5 evening meals, 6 lunches, transfers to & from Gaillac train station, one transfer during
walk, full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage.
What’ s not included
Travel to Gaillac station, France( option to book taxi from Toulouse); one lunch, 2 evening meals, visits, travel insurance
contact @ highpointholidays. co. uk
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