RENDEZ-VOUS EN FRANCE 2019 The main steps of Saint James to Santiago de Compostella

Toulouse/Tarn / Aveyron / Lozère (10 rooms)

Thursday 14th March 2019

Arrival at Toulouse Airport or railway station.

Welcoming by Occitanie Tourist board.

Check in at the Ibis Styles Capitole 7 rue Labéda

31 000 TOULOUSE

Tel +33 (0)5 34 45 40 60

www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-1260-hotel-mercure-toulouse-

centre-wilson-capitole/index.shtml

Located in the historical centre of Toulouse only a few metres from the Place du Capitole, the

hotel benefits from a very privileged location for the discovery of “La Ville Rose” on foot

7.30 pm : Meeting in the lobby of the hotel with Toulouse tourist office staff

Walk to The Jacobins for the dinner.

The Jacobins Convent Rue Lakanal - 31 000 TOULOUSE

Phone.: + 33 (0)5 61 22 23 82

www.jacobins.toulouse.fr/anglais

The former convent of the Dominican friars is an imposing

building that is characteristic of southern architecture in the XIII Century, famous for its

immense ribbed vault nicknamed the « palm tree ».

Night at the hotel

Friday 15th March 2019

8.00 am Meeting in the lobby of the hotel to transfer by bus to Airbus

9.00 am to 12.00 pm Airbus A380 final assembly line + Aéroscopia museum

Groupe Manatour Allée André-Turcat - 31700 Blagnac

Tel : +33 (0)5 34 39 42 00 - www.musee-aeroscopia.fr

Aeroscopia museum Based on four “icons” of aeronautical history, Caravelle,

Concorde, Super Guppy and Airbus A300B, as well as over

30 historic machines, Aéroscopia offer an extensive cultural

programme: exhibitions, activities, festivals, educational

meetings… The park consists of an exhibition building (5000

m2), a reception building (1000 m2) and an outdoor display

area (4000 m2). Visitors have access to the 3 main plane

models displayed outside (Super Guppy, Concorde and

A300B) via footbridges connected to the historic exhibition

gallery.

Final Assembly lines Airbus A380

PASSPORT MANDATORY Discover the fascinating world of Airbus. The tour begins in

the "telemetry room" with a presentation of the A380

programme. You will then enter the Jean-Luc Lagardère site

and see, from a observation tower, the general testing stations,

the outside testing stations and an overall view of the entire site.

12.00 pm : Lunch at the restaurant Sky Trotter 1 allée André Turcat

31700 Blagnac

Tel : +33 (0)5 61 42 79 97

http://restaurant-sky-trotter.com/

In the bucolic setting of an 18th century farmhouse on the site of aeroscopia museum and just

in front of the Airbus A380 final assembly line Jean-Luc Lagardère, the restaurant “Sky-

Trotter” gets an ideal situation. It has a large room with glass walls, there are also two closer

rooms and a terrace with a view on planes.

1.30 pm : Transfer to the Runway of the Giant

2.00 pm : Tour of the Halle de la Machine 3 avenue de l’aérodrome de Montaudran

31400 Toulouse

www.halledelamachine.fr

Whilst Nantes has been home to the workshops of La

Machine in the heart of its island for many years now, this

company has always worked in the Toulouse area at the

Tournefeuille Factory, the National Centre for Street Arts. Today, the company wants to take

its spectacular machines out of the workshops and share them with the people of Toulouse

thanks to an urban renewal project in the very heart of the Montaudran quarter. La Halle de

La Machine, designed by architect Patrick Arotcharen, a great 6,000m² contemporary hall

whose roof is built in the form of aircraft wings, opens its doors to the public on

9th

November 2018 in the Montaudran quarter of Toulouse and will bring to life the stable

that houses the spectacular street-theatre machines, designed and created by François

Delaroziere and his team at La Machine Company. Throughout the year, visitors will be able

to see the around 100 machines come to life, thanks to the talent of their handlers. In Toulouse,

a giant Minotaur will head out to encounter passers-by along the former runway that stretches

for 2km.

3.30 pm : Transfer to the city center

4.00 pm to 5.30 pm : Walking guided tour of Toulouse

7.45 pm : Meeting in the lobby of the hotel to go to the restaurant

8.00 pm : Diner in a restaurant of the city center

Night at the hotel

Saturday 16th March 2019

9.30 am : Guided visit of Albi

Visite of Sainte Cécile cathedral : This unique Cathedral built in the 13

th

century offers an astonishing contrast between the outer defensive style and the

inner riches of its sumptuous decoration. Indoor decoration is both rich and

refined, including 16th

century wall paintings, a rood screen, without

mentioning the lace of stones enhancing the «last judgement day» paintings, all

of these being rare examples of church indoor ornaments.

Next to the cathedral is the former Bishop’s Palace built during the 13th

century, the ancient

fortress is the unexpected site for the artistic work of Henri the Toulouse-Lautrec.

Since 1922, over a thousand works, paintings, lithographs, drawings and all

posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec have been kept and shown at the

Museum in Albi. This exceptional collection is on display at the Palais de la

Berbie, or Berbia Palace, a powerful fortress built in the 13th

century, which

has thus become the largest museum in the world to show the works of

Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in the town in 1864.

This most prestigious collection was given to the Museum by the artist's

relatives, the Count and Countess of Toulouse-Lautrec, advised by Maurice Joyant, a friend of

the artist, and by Joyant's cousin, Doctor Tapié de Céleyran. The museum's paintings

exhibited are considered among the painter's most famous works.

The Episcopal City was classified World Heritage by the UNESCO "Crucible of brick", "fortress of faith", "Italian city", Albi has

stimulated the imagination of those seeking an epithet to describe its

appeal. With the trilogy of the Sainte Cécile cathedral, the Palais

Berbie (which houses the Toulouse-Lautrec museum) and the “pont vieux”, not forgetting the

charm of

the old streets. Bright red in the morning sunlight, sombre red at dusk, deserted in the heat of

the afternoon. Half-timbered corbelled houses, narrow passages, cobbled streets... medieval

buildings with the colours of the south. Stroll around, follow your instincts; the slightest

opening may reveal hidden treasures: the Hotel Reynes with its extraordinary loggia, built by

a rich pastel merchant in 1530, the cloisters of Saint Salvy (13th century) with their triangular

lawn and twinned columns... Beyond the obvious and the well-known, Albi likes to surprise

its visitors, particularly rewarding for those who are not in a hurry. From the 'pont vieux' (one

of the oldest in France), watch the sun go down: night descending as it casts its shadow over

the belfry - from the dungeon to the nave, from the nave to the ramparts and finally down to

the water's edge.

1.00 pm : Lunch at l’Epicurien restaurant in the center of the city You will enjoy exceptional cuisine in this gourmet restaurant with design decor.

Restaurant l’Epicurien Monsieur Hult

42 Place Jean Jaurès, 81000 Albi.

�: 05 63 53 10 70

2.30 pm : Departure to vineyard of Gaillac, visit château de Mauriac et de Cordes.

Listed building, is waiting for a visit rich in history, heritage and painting . It is located in the

Tarn, in the heart of Albi - Gaillac-Cordes triangle. It was created by Guiraudus of Mauriaco ,

a Templar, and was renovated thanks to Bistes painter and his family. Indeed, they have given

her life since they have settled there over 50 years.

Château de Mauriac 81 600 Senouillac

Contact : Emmanuel Bistes

� : 05 63 41 71 18

www.chateaudemauriac.com

Cordes sur Ciel. This famous medieval : Bastides, village which possesses

rich houses of medieval traders.

(In Cordes : ascent and descent in a tourist

train)

Return in Albi to the Hotel Mercure

Bastides. In

the city center of Albi, the 4-star Mercure Albi

Bastides on the banks of the Tarn in a former watermill ranked 18th to discover the Episcopal

city, 56 rooms, the Mercure Albi Bastides also welcomes your professional .

Hôtel Mercure Albi Bastides 41 bis rue Porta – 81 000 Albi

� : (+33)5 63 47 66 66

H1211@accor.com

http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-1211-hotel-mercure-albi-bastides/index.shtml

Night and dinner at the hotel.

Sunday 17th March 2019

8.00 am : Departure to Millau, in Aveyron Department

9.30 am : Arrival from Albi to Millau

9.45 am : Guided tour of Millau historic town.

Millau is part of the national network of towns and regions of

Art and History since 2010. You will stroll through the old town

with a French Ministry of Culture certified tour guide.

You will discover the History of the city, its world famous

knowledge of leather work and glove making, its medieval tower,

the Palace of the kings of Aragon, and its belfry, Notre Dame de

l'Espinasse Church and its impressive fresco relating the life of

the Virgin Mary and the main monuments of the town, the

Maison du Peuple, the meeting place for social discussions and

work conditions, and its Protestant Temple...

Office de Tourisme 1 place du Beffroi - 12100 Millau

� : 33 (0)5 65 60 02 42

groupes@ot-millau.fr

www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.fr

10.30 am : Departure to Viaduc area

11.00 am : Visit of the Millau Viaduct

« The Millau Viaduct rises majestically above the Tarn

valley.

Brought into service in December 2004, the structure

receives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year :

tourists, architecture enthusiasts, journalists as well as

motorists. Opening up the Massif Central and

attracting a flood of visitors was only one step – be it a

giant's one – away.

By its modernity and sheer size, the viaduct is guaranteed to

impress. The collaboration between Michel Virlogeux, chief

engineer, and Lord Norman Foster, architect, was a success:

the Millau Viaduct was hailed as a major architectural

structure of the 21st century. The dream needed to be made a

reality, and Eiffage rose to and met the challenge.

Finding out more about the multi record-breaking Viaduct is

easy – just follow the Eiffage guide and enjoy this unique

experience, getting as close to the structure as you possibly

can!

Go for a walk along the Explorers’ Path, a former

construction site track that is now lined with full-scale

models. Find out how the translator mechanism works (an

Eiffage Group technological innovation), and access the new

belvedere for a panoramic viewing point just beneath the

deck. »

Compagnie Eiffage du Viaduc de Millau Péage de Saint-Germain | BP 60457

12104 Millau Cedex

� : 33 (0)5 65 61 61 61

www.leviaducdemillau.com

12.00 : Departure to La Cavalerie, Templar city on Larzac

12.30 pm : Déjeuner au Restaurant de la Poste à La Cavalerie

Head chef, Sandrine, develops a traditional and creative said cooking(kitchen), by working as

much as possible the local products.

Winter as summer, the restaurant makes you discover a menu dedicated to the regional

specialities.(Trénels, Aligot, Melsat, Roquefort, Tête de Veau, Pied de Porc

Farci….)

Hôtel – Restaurant La Poste Route Nationale 9 - 12230 LA CAVALERIE

� : 33(0) 5 65 62 70 66

www.hotel-larzac.com

2.00 pm : Departure to Gard

3.00 pm : Arrival in Gard at the Bambouseraie de Prafrance, the

largest bamboo forest in Europe. Many plant species are listed in this

163-year-old garden, with giant redwoods and symbolic trees such

as Ginkgo Biloba.

www.bambouseraie.fr

Around 5.00 pm : Departure for the castle of Pondres,

magnificent building dating from the twelfth century, but

whose foundations go back to Roman times, even Celtic.

www.chateaudepondres.fr

Dinner and night at the castle

Monday 18th March 2019

9.00 am : Departure from the hotel

10.00 am : Visit of the family business "boot gardiane" in Aigues-Vive. As a leather goods supplier for the "Céline" brand, brothers and sisters work as a

family to produce traditional shoes worn by gardians but also for city-dwellers in

search of French manufactured products. This company has just been labeled

"Living Heritage Company".

www.labottegardiane.com

11.00 am : Departure for the Pont du Gard site, the highest Roman aqueduct

still visible, and the best preserved in the world. www.pontdugard.fr

11.30 am : visit of the museum and the canalization

1.00 pm : lunch facing the monument at the restaurant

« les terrasses »

2.30 pm : Departure to Marseille

Enjoy your stay in Occitanie !

Occitanie Tourist Board

Nicole PRADINES Tel : +33 (0) 5 61 13 55 11 / +33 (0)6 72 87 29 68

Email : nicole.pradines@ occitanie.fr

www.tourism-occitania.co.uk

This program has been prepared by Occitanie Tourist Board

with the help of :

Toulouse Tourist Office : www.toulouse-tourisme.com

Marine BRUNET-MODESTE Tel : +33 (0)5 67 20 26 56 / email : m.brunet@toulouse-tourisme.com

Julie SOUPENE Tel.: +33 (0)5 81 31 30 26 / E-Mail: j.soupene@toulouse-tourisme.com

Aveyron Tourist Board

Ariane WURSTEISEN Tél : 33 (0)5 65 75 55 84 / 33 (0)6 08 43 71 56

Email : ariane.wursteisen@tourisme-aveyron.com

www.tourisme-aveyron.com

Gard Tourist Office Carole BEDOU

Tel : +33 4 66 36 96 43 – bedou@tourismegard.com

www.tourismegard.com