Day 1
Arrival near Toulouse Check into your hotel room, welcome and first French dinner.
Day 2 Agen – Moissac 47 km
We follow this unique and romantic cycle path along the Canal de Garonne to the bastide of Valence-d’Agen. Visit the bastide, founded in the 13th century, with its narrow streets, wash houses and the church of St. Vincent. We continue through the Garonne valley to Moissac and visit the former Benedictine abbey of St-Pierre. The reliefs and sculptures of the unique figural portal have visionary power, 76 historic capitals and a beautiful cloister are waiting to be discovered.
The theme of remarkable gardens is first on the program. The Notre-Dame monastery garden is located in Marmande next to the Notre-Dame church and is now classified as a remarkable garden. It is a classic garden of topiary art with drawings of massive boxwood and yew trees inspired by those of the famous Château de Langeais. The plants take place around the pool in a spirit of harmony and appeasement. In 1996, Alain Jay and his son Sébastien, nurseryman from father to son, created a themed Beauchamp garden.
Inspired by different regions of the world, you will be immersed in different and colorful atmospheres: Zen, patio, undergrowth, parish garden, palm garden, … along the water in the form of a river, a pond, a Tuscan stream with tall cypress trees or even an organic pond for koi carp.
On the way to Agen, we stop at the architectural jewel of St. Vincent’s Church with Rembrandt’s “Christ on the Cross” .
Day 4 Aiguillon – Villeneuve s/Lot 48 km
A relaxed cycle tour leads from the confluence of the Garonne and the river Lot into the Garonne valley. Castles and dovecotes accompany the route and bear witness to the historical past, dating back to the 12th – 14th century. Today, this is the home of strawberry production.
Day 5 Montauban – Toulouse 60 km
Transfer to Montauban. We start at the old bridge in the center. Its arcades have
over the Tarn since the Middle Ages. Here, the city shows its most beautiful side with its orange brick architecture.
On the right bank is the former archiepiscopal palace with the Ingres Museum and on the left bank the stately town houses. They are a reminder that Montauban was a town of successful merchants, despite its past as a “safe haven” for Protestants, which is why it incurred the wrath of Louis XIII. After a beautiful cycle route along small side roads, we rejoin the Canal de Garonne and enjoy the peace and quiet before entering the lively capital of Occitania: Toulouse.
This is where the city tour through the “red city” begins; the setting sun makes the city glow! Off we go into the hustle and bustle of Toulouse’s old town. From the Place du Capitole, we visit the remains of Thomas Aquinas: they lie in the altar shrine of the Jacobin church.
Day 6 Toulouse – Naurouze 50 km
Today’s stage starts with a visit to the Halle de Machine. The imaginary worlds of Jules Verne and the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci move in the form of machines, some of which are gigantic in size! From here, the cycle tour starts, which undoubtedly along the most beautiful canal in France: An important stop is at Naurouze, the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Return transfer to Toulouse.
Day 7
Departure or extension. We strongly recommend a visit to the Cité de l’Espace theme and adventure park.
Option: Transfer back to the airport
Comments