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From Toulouse to Albi, Cordes Village & Gaillac Wine Tasting Tour private
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private tours
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Cultural
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08 hours
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Small Groups ( 2~8 )
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Relaxed
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Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Contact-us
Highlights
- Explore the Charming Towns Around Toulouse
- Visit the Birthplace of Iconic French Artist Toulouse-Lautrec
- Explore an Enchanted Medieval Hilltop Village
- Visit a Wine Taste in One of France’s Oldest Wine Regions
- Local Tour Guide, Expert of Languedoc
Program & Itinerary
Spend a Day at the Most Awe-Inspiring Sites Around Toulouse
Today depart for a full day tour from Toulouse to one of the most beautiful areas of southern France – the Pays de Cocagne - the land of wealth and plenty.
Meet your English speaking driver guide
In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your centrally located hotel in Toulouse. Meet your English speaking driver who will go over the itinerary and program of the day. Then, board your premium air-conditioned vehicle and depart for the town of Albi.
Reach Albi and visit a fortress Cathedral
Located just next to the tourism office of Albi, begin your tour with the visit of the imposing Gothic Cathedral one of the most impressive in France. Built in the 13th century (1282 - 1480), construction took 200 years and the Cathedral is today the largest brick built building in the world measuring more than 100 meters in length (320 feet), 35 meters wide (114 feet) and 78 meters tall (255 feet).
The sheer size and external look of the Cathedral is quite spectacular. The Cathedral was built at a time when the region was fighting the Cathars, a christian dualist movement that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and had just been annexed by the King of France in 1271.
The building of the Cathedral had both a religious and political purpose: build an imposing fortress to showcase the power of the Church against the Cathars but also to build it in the Southern Gothic style, in brick material, far from the Northern style that had just overtaken the region.
Inside, the beauty of the Renaissance decorations contrast with the austere exterior of the edifice. What really impresses are the paintings of the vaulting. They are the oldest and largest Renaissance painting ensemble in France. The blue color that dominates the paintings dates back to the 1520's and they were never cleaned or restored.
Vieil Alby
After the visit of the Cathedral, it will be time to move on with your guide to visit the Old Historical town of Albi. Your tour will also take you along the banks of the Tarn River to admire the Old Bridge but also to the Saint Salvi district where an elegant cloister can still be seen. Then stroll through the medieval streets of the city of Albi and discover some remarquable examples of Renaissance architecture.
A number of Private Mansions can still be seen and your guide will certainly evoque the times when the region was known as a 'Pays de Cocagne' a land where the woad trade made a number of merchants become rich and powerful. One of the most interesting examples can be found in the Hôtel de reynes, built circa 1525, where the mix of stone & brick building has attained great craftsmanship.
The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
Certainly the most important landmark with the Cathedral, the Toulouse-Lautrec museum is certainly not to be missed when one comes to Albi. Set in what used to be the Bishops Palace, the Musée Toulouse Lautrec is home to the most important collection of artworks by artist Henri de Toulouse Lautrec that were donated by the mother of the painter to the town of Albi.
The museum is composed of drawings, etchings, lithographies, posters and paintings made by the artiste. More than a 1000 works of Art make up the whole collection. The Berbie Palace, where the museum is located, enhances the visit as the setting is quite remarkable.
Don't hesitate to visit this famous museum during your free time (entrance fees not included), then you will have some free time for lunch as well. Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions as your driver will be able to indicate local restaurants that will fit your budget.
Visit Cordes sur Ciel village
In the afternoon, reach Cordes sur Ciel, a beautiful medieval hilltop village with more than 120 Gothic homes that date back to the 13th century. Once you have reached the top of the village take a short walking tour to visit Cordes and admire the numerous Gothic façades. There are more than 100 ogive windows present on the limestone and sandstone façades. Another landmark is the covered market that still houses a well that is said to be more than 100 meters deep.
During your free time in the village take the opportunity to shop for local Arts & Crafts as the village is home to a great number of Art galleries and artisan workshops. They are closely associated to the
End the day wine tasting in Gaillac
After your time in Cordes, end the day with a wine tasting session in Gaillac. The vineyard of Gaillac, located just north of Toulouse, is one of the oldest wine-growing regions of France dating back to the 2nd century B.C. Located in the South-West of France, in the heart of the Occitanie region, Gaillac is part of the great family of the wines of South West France which includes 17 AOCs and 12 IGP.
Indeed, between the vineyards of Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon, the Nouvelle Aquitaine and Occitanie regions have known how to perpetuate their wine vocation. Today, the southwestern vineyard stretches for 500 kilometers between Aveyron and the Basque Country.
Admire the rolling hills of the Gaillac wine producing area and be introduced to the large range of wines produced here. There are roughly 300 wineries in the Gaillac wine region and the average size of a winery is 30 hectares (75 acres). The most famous is without a doubt the ‘Perlé,’ a slightly fizzy white wine but other wines include reds, rosés, sweet, whites and sparkling! Visit and wine tasting will have been pre-programmed.
For the red wines, the main grape varieties that are used in the final blend include local Braucol, Duras, Syrah (shiraz) and Merlot. For the white wines lesser known Loin de l'Oeil and Mauzac are the most common grapes followed by the more traditional Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.
After the tasting, return to Toulouse and end our services.
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09:00 am
Meet your Guide at your Accommodation in Toulouse
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10:15 am
Guided Visit of Albi and its breathtaking Cathedral
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11:30 am
Optional visit of the Toulouse Lautrec Museum or to explore Albi on your own
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12:30 pm
Arrive in stunning Cordes sur Ciel and free time for lunch
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03:30 pm
Enjoy a wine tasting session in Gaillac
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05:00 pm
Drop off at your accommodation in Toulouse
Gallery
Know before you book
- Tour available all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
- 8 hour tour to Albi, Cordes sur Ciel and Gaillac
- Tasting fees can be included during the booking process
- Comfortable walking shoes are required, please note that the climb to the village of Cordes must be made on foot, up through steep cobbled alleyways
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons - Larger groups please contact us
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Please note that the Toulouse Lautrec Museum is closed on Monday from October 1st to May 31st
Meeting point
Departure
Return
Reviews
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Denise V
07, Jun 2023
Ville très agréable avec sa cathédrale a visiter absolument et son musée Toulouse -lautrec;
le quartier historique est plein de petites surprises -
ladysignaller
30, Jun 2021
as frequent "city weekenders" we always find Sunday a bit flat, so we book a day tour, to get out of the city to see further afield,Toulouse was no exception,... -
relivalicious
23, Jun 2021
I enjoyed my recent tour of Albi. The cathedral was magnificent and like seeing a museum. I appreciated having a guide who knew details about the church... -
nchar
16, Aug 2019
We toured with Annie to Albi, Cordes and Gaillac wine tasting. The cathedral at Albi was amazing in both size and preservation of the interior. Annie...
Included / excluded
Included
- Pick up and drop off at hotel
- English speaking driver guide
- Visit of Albi including the Cathedral
- Visit of Cordes sur Ciel village and free time for Lunch
- Reservation for a wine tasting experience in Gaillac
- Travel in premium A/C minivan
Excluded
- Wine tasting fees
- Entrance fees to monuments or attractions (Toulouse Lautrec Museum, Choir of the Cathedral)
- Personal insurance & expenses
- Meals & drinks
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Toulouse private tours?
Yes, all private tours include a pick up and drop off at requested location – hotel, AirB&B, train station or airport. -
What type of vehicles are used during a day trip from Toulouse.
Our company uses only premium cars & minivans that can take up to a maximum of 8 passengers. All vehicles are new or recent, comfortable, spacious and have A/C. For larger groups, you will need to contact us directly. -
Can we adapt the tour to fit our wishes?
Yes, of course. Please let our team of travel advisors know which places you would like to discover and we adapt the tour accordingly. -
Is the price per person or per group?
All our private tours are priced per group of 2 to maximum 8 passengers, not per person. The wine tasting fees can be purchased during the booking process and these are per person. -
Is this Private Tour only available in English?
No, our talented, multi lingual driver guides will be happy to conduct the tour in French or Spanish. Just ask for availability. -
Is lunch included on this full day trip from Toulouse?
No, we never include lunch on our private tours. However, let us know if you would like us to suggest and pre-book a local restaurant. Our team will be happy to organize this for you at no extra cost. You can also talk with your guide directly in the morning. Let him know your wishes and she/he will adapt the tour accordingly and suggest the best possible options.
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