When this non-profit-making organisation was set up in 1982, its objective was to make absolutely sure that the beautiful little towns and villages of France would not fall prey to urban sprawl; only those that were still intact and remained so would be considered for membership; only those too that met and continued to meet pretty strict criteria - quality of architecture, environment and heritage. The organisation has 144 member villages. Each different, each unique.
It can come as no surprise to learn that many of the ‘jewels’ among France’s Most Beautiful Villages are within the rural, unspoilt Lot Valley. Probably the two most famous of all are Conques and St Cirq Lapopie. Each of our ten makes for a wonderful little base for exploring the surrounding countryside or the next little ‘beau village’.
Why not go on our lovely little 7-day/6-night tour of France’s Most Beautiful Villages set in the heart of the Lot Valley?

Your exploratory journey will take you from one to another of some of France’s «Plus Beaux Villages». See, among others, Ste-Eulalie-d’Olt, St-Côme-d’Olt, Estaing, etc. And if you’re wondering why some of these places have the suffix d’Olt, it’s quite simply because the River Lot was in ancient times known as the Olt! You’ll be staying in 2-star or 3-star hotels, all of which are reputed for the excellence of their cuisine and notable their local gastronomic specialities.
Price (2006) for your 7-day/6-night half-board (bed & breakfast & evening meal): from 377€ per person (sharing double room).
Available: from 07 April to 15 June and from 01 Oct to 01 Nov 2006. Note: from 16 June to 30 Sept 2006: price 406€ per person.
Booking reference: AYTVILL

To book:
Loisirs Accueil Aveyron
Tel: +33 (0)5 65 75 55 50
Email: sla.aveyron@wanadoo.fr

Web: www.reservation-aveyron.com

You will be staying at 3-star hotel “Le Gerfaut”, 500m from the centre of this charming little medieval town (classified as one of the most beautiful in France) with its pretty narrow lanes dating back to the Middle Ages. Dinner at Les Templiers restaurant in the centre of Salers followed by a good night’s sleep at your hotel will set you up for your guided tour next morning of old Salers. After lunch at Les Templiers you’ll set off to explore, at your own pace, the key cultural sites of the surrounding area - Fontanges (monolithic chapel and 15thC Gothic church), the Col de St Georges (952m alt), the Col de Légal (1229m alt), the Col de Bruel, Tournemire (one of the most beautiful villages in France) where you can visit its 15thC Ch.d’Anjuny; your journey back to Salers takes you to St Martin Valmeroux, Ste-Eulalie, St-Christophe-les-Gorges with its interesting ruins; a short detour via Brageac to see a Romanesque church. You’ll be back in Salers late afternoon for dinner at “Les Templiers” where you’ll be treated to Auvergne specialities.

Available: 15 April to 15 Oct 2006; peak season prices apply from 13 July to 24 Aug inc.
Price per person (sharing double room): 108€ per person or, in peak season, 140€.
The price includes: 3-day/2-night half-board (bed, breakfast, evening meal) stay at a 3-star hotel from dinner on day 1 to after breakfast on your last day; lunch too on day 2; guided walk through Salers, and admission to the various sites on your ‘programme’.
The price does not include: drinks, personal expenses, transport to/from Salers and to/from the various sites on your ‘programme’; cancellation insurance, booking fee.
Extras: single room supplement your 2-night stay: 30€ or, in peak season, 40€.
To book and find out more:
Destination Cantal - Green France
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 71 63 85 15
Email: Lydie@cdt-cantal.fr
www.cantal-tour.com

Dream of beautiful gardens, secret gardens, formal gardens through to kitchen gardens, medieval to contemporary… Places to unwind and to breathe in fragrant fresh air. This 3-day/2-night break, staying at a Chambre d’Hôtes (French-style B&B) run by garden enthusiasts, is designed to let you explore and wander at your own pace. You’ll be provided with all the details you need, including our own favourites:

* The “Secret Gardens” of Cahors: 25 throughout the town (with guided tours available in July/Aug)

* The “Jardins du Grand Couvent” at Gramat - walk through the trees, the herb garden

* The formal gardens of the Ch. de la Treyne at Lacave

* The “Orchidées de Vincent” at Martel - an orchid garden with over 4,500 plants

* The “Labyrinthe des Roses” at the Ch. Saint-Dau on the outskirts of Figeac - over 1,000 climbers, remontants and old roses

* The “Senteurs du Quercy” at Escamps with 1,000 varieties of Iris. Diary date: 15th May - Plant Festival at the Abbaye Nouvelle near to Cazals.

Available: from 15 May to 15 Sept 2006 (minimum 2 persons)
Booking reference: LLJARDINS
Price per person (sharing double room): 2 options: [1] 3-days/2-nights half-board (bed & breakfast plus evening meal, including drinks) staying at B&B: from 133€ per person; extra night from 66.50€ pp. [2] 3-days/2-nights bed & breakfast, staying at a “Cléconfort” B&B (3-key rating): from 60€ per person (drinks and meals are not included in this option); extra night from 27€ pp.
The price includes (for both options): 2-night stays in room with en suite facilities - from 2pm on day of arrival to 12pm on day of departure; the ‘Passeport pour le Lot’ book of vouchers entitling you to reductions at many sites; route map with details of parks and gardens, garden festivals, places to buy, artist-painters, etc.
The price does not include: holiday tax (to be settled on site); optional travel insurance including cancellation (2% of total cost of your booking); booking fee (8€ for up to 3 nights; 15€ for 4 nights or more).
Reductions for children: check with us.
To find out more and to book:
Loisirs Accueil Lot
Tel: 05 65 53 20 90
Email: Loisirs.accueil.lot@wanadoo.fr
www.reservation-lot.com

For details click here

For details click here

For details click here

For details click here

Towns and Villages: Bastide towns | Spa towns

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