This journey takes us into the charming heart of France, offering a diverse program to suit every taste. Starting in the Auvergne, we travel from lush volcanic landscapes to Le Puy-en-Velay—a stop on the Way of St. James—then to the Tarn Gorges and through the Haut-Languedoc region to Carcassonne, in the land of the Cathars.

Heading north, we explore Toulouse—the city of aeronautics—and Cahors, where time seems to have stood still since the Middle Ages. The final leg of the journey focuses on the Périgord region, where you can experience over 30,000 years of human history: from Stone Age caves, through the eras of the Celts, Romans, emperors, and kings, right up to the modern-day republic. A wealth of cultural and architectural landmarks awaits us.

Spas, churches, monasteries, castles, and country estates—alongside small workshops, large factories, museums, and markets—alternate with scenic country roads, mountains, valleys, meadows, and pastures.

As always in France, we sample regional cuisine and visit historic inns and eateries. Markets, small local producers, and shops bring variety to our plates and wine glasses.

Looking for a shorter tour? You are welcome to travel through the "Massif Central" on your way to an autumn holiday on the Iberian Peninsula.