Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France - Perigord - Cantal - Aubrac
100% customisable for you
Your adventure into the heart of France starts today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and enjoy some complimentary refreshments in the lounge before boarding your one-hour-and-45-minute flight to Bordeaux.
When you land, collect your hire car and set off on a roughly three-hour drive to Calviac-en-Perigord, a historic village nestled deep in the French countryside. Nabbed the passenger seat? Keep your camera on hand for the first of many seriously scenic journeys.
When you arrive, settle in for two nights at your charming accommodation, which blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Relax, unpack and take time to explore what the hotel has to offer before tucking into a delicious dinner of Perigord cuisine (and some of its finest wines, of course).
Rise and shine – you have a busy day ahead, so make sure to fuel up with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.
First on the agenda is a visit to Lascaux IV, around half an hour's drive away. Dubbed the ‘Sistine Chapel of Prehistory’ by archaeologists, the cave of Lascaux houses 20,000-year-old paintings dating back to the Palaeolithic period. The original cave is no longer open to the public, but the replica is astonishingly similar, featuring colourful works depicting horses, bison, aurochs, deer, ibex and rhinoceroses.
After stepping back in time, it’s time to soak up the scenery, so prepare to put your camera roll through its paces. Hop aboard a traditional flat-bottomed gabare boat from the postcard-perfect village of La Roque-Gageac for a relaxing four-mile cruise along the Dordogne River. Round off your scenic journey at the foot of Castelnaud Castle, a 12th-century Medieval fortress.
You’re on the road again this morning for the three-hour drive to Neussargues-en-Pinatelle, a charming village in the Cantal plateau. Settle into your home away from home for the next three nights, perched beside a picturesque lake and surrounded by rolling landscapes.
Spend the rest of today as you please, whether you’d rather head out to explore or kick back and relax in the hotel. And dinner here is sure to delight, with local Cantal cheese and hearty slow-cooked stews likely on the menu.
Today is all about exploring wide open spaces. This morning, fuel up on a filling breakfast before meeting your local guide for a hike in the Cantal mountains.
Fancy stretching your legs on a leisurely walk around the charming villages? Or are you after a challenging hike to the summit of Puy Mary? Your guide will tailor the trip to suit your interests and your pace – and either way, the scenery is sure to steal the show.
After your outdoorsy day, return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and time to unwind. More adventures await tomorrow...
Leave your hiking shoes behind today as you head out on a relaxed stroll to discover your surroundings.
Visit the Church of Saint Hilaire, which dates back to the 12th century, featuring a striking staircase and polychrome furnishings. From here, the surrounding Alagnon Valley reveals forested slopes and quiet villages that showcase a slower pace of life.
This evening, follow your Concierge’s lead for a relaxed, hearty dinner at a local favourite.
Another day, another road trip. This morning, you’re heading to the Aubrac plateau, around an hour away – just enough time to tune into our destination-specific playlist.
When you arrive, settle in for two nights in a buron, a traditional stone-built cottage, near the village of Marchastel. Rugged and remote, it’s the perfect place to switch off and immerse yourself in nature.
Spend the rest of the day at your own pace – perhaps heading out to explore the vast countryside – before tucking into dinner at the property’s restaurant, where you can expect delicious, locally sourced ingredients.
Spend the day exploring the Aubrac plateau’s sweeping scenery, where rolling pastures and glacially shaped wetlands are home to all kinds of flora and fauna.
Tucked inside the Aubrac Regional Nature Park, the small village of Marchastel is a great base for discovering the surrounding landscapes. Set off on a scenic walk, and you’ll likely stumble across the much-loved Aubrac cow, the face of the region. This ochre breed once provided local buronniers (farmers) with the milk used to make traditional Laguiole and tomme-style cheeses – and while that way of life has faded, traces of the old cultural landscape still remain.
If you’re keen to venture further afield, opt to take to two wheels on a fat bike tour (yes, really). Named after the oversized tyres used for added grip and comfort, this experience uses electric bikes, allowing you to pedal easily across the varied terrain.
Sadly, your road trip in France has come to an end. After one last delicious breakfast in the heart of the countryside, load up your car, gather the gang and drive around three hours and 40 minutes back to Bordeaux.
Drop off your hire car, whizz through security and scroll through the new memories filling your camera roll before boarding your return flight back to the UK. The journey takes around an hour and 40 minutes, giving you plenty of time to daydream about your next French getaway.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
