After a weekend of indulgence and fun, we have arranged a relaxing tour back to the UK through the western regions of France.
Over six days, we will travel to the foothills of the famous Mont Ventoux, before continuing our journey north to Figeac and then on to Brantome, on the edge of the Dordogne, where you’ll have two nights to explore the area which includes wine tastings, river cruises or cave and chateaux exploring or just take a moment to relax.
The final part of the tours continues north to the La Chartre sur-le-Loir area near the famous circuit of Le Mans, before a final push towards the Ferry Port at Caen and a sea crossing home. Again we have chosen beautiful accommodation for you and the best driving routes to ensure your Monaco experience for 2024 is as complete as it can be.
If you’re interested, scroll down to read full tour itinerary and details.
Monaco to Avignon
186 miles / 3 hours
As we depart Monaco from having a fabulous weekend of racing and entertainment, we will take a slow drive from Monaco to the Chateau de Mazan Hotel at the foothills of the famous Mont Ventoux, just outside Avignon in Provence. Mont Ventoux is the historic site of one of the most famous car and motorcycle hillclimbs, which took place there between 1902 and 1976.
Day 2 – Avignon to Figeac
215 miles
This morning we head away from Provence, on the D981 which will take us to Pont du Gard – an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km (31 mi) to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes). It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France.
The Pont du Gard is the tallest of all Roman aqueduct bridges, as well as one of the best preserved. It was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in 1985 because of its exceptional preservation, historical importance, and architectural ingenuity.
From here head to the D981 towards Alès set on the Gardon river, home to Fort Vauban and camelia park and then into the Cévennes National Park following the N106 to Sainte Enimie for the lunch stop at L’Auberge du Moulin Restaurant which has a sunny terrace overlooking the Tarn Gorge
Day 3 – Figeac to Brantôme
123 miles
After a relaxing breakfast we leave Figeac taking the D840 and D90 to Gouffre de Padirac where we would recommend the boat tour of the underground caves.
We will book tickets in advance for aVIP package available in English to include lift access to private jetty, private boat with guide and a glass of champagne and walnut tart. The temperature is a constant 13C so dress appropriately! After the tour we have a quick lunch at the Auberge de Padirac – great for charcuterie and cheese boards.
Leaving Padirac head northeast to Collonges-la-Rouge, where the monks of Charroux Abbey founded a priory in the 8th century. The village is entirely built of red sandstone and is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
From here we head to Brive-la-Gaillarde and take the D1089 and D6089 to La Bachellerie. From here follow the D704 to Hautefort and then cross-country to Coularès, Sorges, Saint Pierre de Cole and then Brantome en Périgord, arriving c. 5.30pm at the hotel. Brantôme is known as Venice of the Perigord.
Our hotel for the next two evenings will be the Moulin de l’Abbaye on the riverside which includes a Michelin star restaurant.
Day 4 –Brantôme Day at Leisure
Today is a day off to relax in the hotel or explore Brantome, an attractive town near the northern edge of the Dordogne with a great mix of medieval and renaissance architecture to admire. The town is classed as one of ‘les Plux Beaux Detours’, one of the most beautiful detours, in France.
The town sits on a bend of the river Dronne that encircles a large part of the town and the steep wooded slopes form an attractive backdrop. The Benedictine Abbey on the river’s edge is superb and this along with the old stone bridge, weir and pretty mill.
Things to keep you busy –
1. Les Croisières de Brantôme – river cruise (50 minutes)
2. Caves and caverns of the Abbey de Brantôme (8th century abbey built by Benedictine monks) Whilst the abbey is closed to the public, you can visit the caves and the church adjoining the abbey.
3. Winetasting in Brantôme at Julien de Savignac – no need to drive afterwards! Can arrange private tastings and lessons
4. Chateau de Puyguilhem – delightful Renaissance château lying at the heart of a wooded valley about 10 miles from Brantôme in Périgord. Open 10 am – 12:30pm and then from 2pm – 6.30pm.
5. The tranquil gardens (open from midday)
For those who would like to venture further afield, then would recommend driving northeast to Angouleme (c. 1 hour) to visit the remparts and museums or drive for 40 minutes south to Perigeux but after all the driving thought they may appreciate some time out of the car, hence the above suggestions.
Day 5 –Brantôme – La Chartre sur-le-Loir
207 miles
A quick visit to the Brantôme market in the morning before departure at 11am and then up through the Natural Park of Périgord-Limousin via D675 to Saint Junien for a lunch stop at Lauryvan – www.lauryvan.fr (also found in Michelin guide) This restaurant is set in a small wood close to the Vienne river.
Leave St Junien by 2.00pm to head up to Chartre sur le Loir on the D975, passing through the Natural park of la Brenne, then Chatillon-sur-Indre and then heading to Chenonceaux and across to Montlouis sur Loire for wine-tasting at the Cave Touristique des Vignerons (c. 4.45pm). After an hour here head up to Monnaie then Beaumont Louestault, Neuvy le Roi and arrive at Hotel de France at c 7pm for dinner.
Day 6 – La Chartre sur-le-Loir – Portsmouth
131 miles
Most direct route to late afternoon ferry back to Portsmouth for 16h30 crossing back to England.
Bonne route!
We have a minimum number of participants required for all of our events enabling them to be viable for us to run – this is usually 10 cars unless stated otherwise. In the event that we don’t reach the minimum numbers, the tour may be cancelled at which point your booking deposit will be refunded to you, or if preferred, allocated to another event of your choice.
As with all of our tours and events, this tour is protected by ABTOT and ATOL.
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To secure your place – £500 deposit per person.
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