Experience (my) France brochure

TOURS

Your tours overview Are you looking for a different, an authentic and intimate guided/hosted tour experience?

You’ve come to the right place! Aveyron is France’s hidden gem, if you love food, wine, culture, and heritage, you’ll be delighted; you’re about to experiencing France, not only seeing it!

What sets us apart from other tour organizations?

•

•

• • • • •

You’ll be hosted by your guide, a true Aveyron local, you won’t be travelling in large buses and hopping from one hotel to another every night, You won’t have to worry about learning French, your host/guide is fully bilingual, after living for 15 years in the Canadian Rockies, There are no other organizations offering a similar touring experience in Aveyron, Every tour is customized to each group’s interests, You’ll be with like-minded travellers, in tiny groups, 8 maximum, This is a small organization and as such, flexibility is our strength.

Aveyron is one of the most unusual place in France, where food, wine and heritage are all part of today’s life!

During your next experience, you’ll be delighted by the local cuisine and food specialties, delicate restaurants, small cafés, or local producers fairs. You’ll discover the astounding Aveyron; heritage, scenery, culture, markets,

crafts, artisans, or museums.

Sauveterre-de-Rouergue

Your typical experience in Aveyron

Belcastel

• Tour through one of the most scenically wonderful regions of France, dominated by the lovely river valleys of the Aveyron, Lot, Tarn and Dordogne; • Experience Cathar cities and castles ambiance, where you will learn about the extraordinary Cathar ‘heresy’ and the Albigensian Crusade that destroyed the Cathars; • Explore some of the grandest pilgrim churches, at Toulouse, and Conques built on the great medieval pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela; • Learn about the development of unique medieval frontier towns, bastides, by visiting some of the most interesting, splendid examples in France; this region has by far the highest concentration of France’s most beautiful and historic villages and towns; • Amble through local weekly markets, held in market squares dominated by lovely old market halls; • Savour the delights of local cooking in a number of renowned local restaurants; • Visit a number of châteaux that were once castles defending French or Plantagenet territory during the Hundred Years War but later became majestic palaces surrounded by fine gardens.

Philippe Teullier and his mother, vintners for generations, holding some of their Marcillac red, rosé and white bottles.

Your home for ten days The place you’ll be staying at is very special to Véronique. At the crossroads of the best places of Aveyron and beyond, it is also a place she cherishes, as it’s almost her native house. It’s a family house, where she spent a large part of her childhood and some.

This three-story art-déco house, built in the early 1930s, has just been entirely refurbished with top-of-the-line materials, thus the best in-class comfort but so cozy!

Each double-bed bedroom has its own private and spacious full bathroom.

For your comfort, we’ve added a separate two-people jacuzzi, providing you more relaxing opportunity, after a well-spend day touring Aveyron’s treasures.

On the main floor is a very large open space, with kitchen, dining, and living room where you’ll be able to chat, share your best moments, have breakfasts, or even one or two dinners.

This house will be your ‘base’ for your ten-day experience.

Rougier de Camarès Location of Aveyron in France

Paris

Typical Aveyron “charcuterie”

Laguiole knives

Véronique, your guide and host, chose surrounding areas rich with beauty, heritage, and distinct culture, areas she knows so well. Most of your explorations' focus will be within a two-hour drive of your home village, Baraqueville, located twenty kilometres south-west of Rodez.

She will carefully prepare a list of the places and experiences to be planned for your visit. We might be adding more to your trip, depending on your own preferences.

About Aveyron A land of inspiration, of verdant scenery, rolling hill and rocky crags; a land unspoilt by man and unaffected by the changing patterns of modern day living.

Authentic, original and undiscovered, Aveyron is truly “la France profonde” at its most enchanting.

A land of contrasts located in south-west France, it lies in the foothills of the Massif Central, influenced by the Massif Central, the south and the south-west.

A land of heritage and authenticity where’s so much to see and do.

The Abbaye de Conques houses an exhibition of medieval gold, one of the finest collections of the goldsmith’s art in the world. Conques is one of the ten villages in Aveyron to receive the élite award “Les plus beaux villages de France” —the most beautiful villages in France— as well as Najac, Belcastel, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, La Couvertoirade, and Estaing, are among others of this prestigious group.

But Aveyron is not only a rural museum of pretty villages and beautiful scenery; it is a vibrant département, proud of its traditions and heritage.

“Last Judgment” tympanum (sculpted 1107-1125) — Conques

La Couvertoirade, an old Templar city

In the south of the département lies the unassuming village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon whose world-wide fame has been made by “the king of cheeses”.

A land of tradition and modernity, close-by is the town of Millau, renown centre for glove making and supplier to the haute-couture houses of Paris.

Laguiole, in the north Aubrac, is famous in for its cheese and throughout the world for its Laguiole knife, a rural tradition, since revived.

Laguiole has become a fashion icon thanks to designers such as Philippe Stark, or Sonia Rykiel.

A land of exceptional food and wine, Aveyron has a reputation of gastronomy, rustic but refined. Foie gras, charcuterie, stockfisch (dried cod), aligot (a potato purée, Laguiole cheese, and a hint of garlic), gâteau à la broche... and the list goes on Najac

and on.

Aubrac plateau landscape

To top it up, Aveyron boasts some of the finest Michelin stars restaurants in France, the most notable being the Michel Bras’ hotel restaurant in Laguiole — a true gastronomic experience.

A land of nature as among ramblers, Aveyron is a favoured destination; with its 900 km of footpaths which form part of the national “Grande Randonnée” network, the rambler is spoilt for choice.

Millau Viaduct

Laguiole Cheese

Roquefort Cheese

“Transhumance” at Saint-Côme d’Olt. See the unique twisted church steeple.

NoteTranshumance is the seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer amd winter pastures. In montane regions it implies movement between higher pastures in summer and lower valleys in winter.

Source: Wikipedia

Producers/farmers’ market degustation at Sauveterre-de-Rouergue

Conques and its Romanesque abbey, more than a thousand years old.

Producers/farmers’ market degustation at Sauveterre-de-Rouergue

Experiencing Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Valady market

Villefranche-de-Rouergue market

Villefranche-de-Rouergue market

Testimonials I want to express my delight and complete satisfaction with a recent tour in the “province” of Aveyron, a relatively undiscovered jewel of France which contains an abundance of cultural and aesthetic attractions to please the seasoned traveler. For those with leisure to combine a cosmopolitan stopover in Paris with bucolic serenity and Medieval wonders—or for those who have already seen Paris—Aveyron has much to offer. The combination of sweeping natural beauty, indescribably picturesque villages, and ancient architectural treasures will provide a lifetime of happy memories and offers a welcome change from more-touristed itineraries. Véronique, our “hostess” (too bubbly and affable to be called a tour-guide), delighted to share the hospitality of her cheerfully renovated home and squire us through the length and breadth of Aveyron. The people are quite friendly and approachable: I recall one proud villager inviting us into his home to view his collection of antique motorcycles (he must have had more than 50).

A typical day might begin with a light breakfast (or a yummy homemade quiche) followed by a drive to one of the many gloriously quaint ancient

villages or towns with ample free time for individual exploration. Weather permitting, lunch might consist of a group picnic on a scenic overlook where lively conversation and local wine enhance the relaxed atmosphere and group bonding.

Afternoons would be spent exploring other remarkable sites with dinner at around 7 or 8pm. Particularly alluring to me was the multitude of ancient churches, castles and village architecture which recalled both the simplicity and dangers of Medieval times. And while we saw about a dozen of these incomparable villages, there was ample variety and an assortment of other attractions. Museums, dinner at local farmers’ market, wine tastings, a comprehensive visit to a working farm and &mdash my personal favorite &mdash a tour of the Roquefort cheese caves are just a few of the treats in store for the Aveyron adventurer. My final thoughts: wear comfortable shoes, enjoy the local wines and try the aligot… this is a trip I will remember with pleasure.” ~ Tom Mockler, New York, U.S.A.

Statues Menhirs, as displayed at the Fenaille Museum, at Rodez

Albi and the cathedral Sainte-Cécile

Testimonials Quelle belle visite en Aveyron!

My husband and I love international travel, and Véronique has found an ideal niche for people like us. Experience (my) France gave us the opportunity to explore the back roads of an unsung region of France with someone who knows the area intimately and could take us off the beaten path— in true French style!

Véronique, as host, was terrific. She not only knows the towns and countryside, but also many interesting people, like vintners and other local producers. She’s even related to one of them!

It made such a difference to have her as our guide, translator and fellow traveller. She opened doors for us in a way we could never have experienced otherwise.

it our personal mission to try everything.

The towns we visited were incredibly picturesque, and often situated in beautiful or dramatic

We have never been drawn to large organized

landscapes. From our base in Baraqueville

group tours, so the idea of travelling with a

(handily located in the centre of Aveyron),

maximum of six people was very appealing. It

we were able to take day trips to every part of the

allowed for some flexibility and down-time in the

region. We were struck by how varied the

itinerary, which was great. And one of the amazing

landscape was from one corner to the other.

things about this trip was how few other tourists

Every day was a new and aesthetically rich treat

we saw—and no tour buses!

whether we were exploring medieval villages, ancient sites, artisans’ studios or natural wonders

We loved our visit to Aveyron, and we would

like the Roquefort caves.

whole-heartedly recommend it to any other

And every day we ate and drank the best that the

independent-minded travellers.”

region had to offer. Most afternoons we stopped in a scenic place for a delightful picnic of local wines

~ Heather Walter and Patrick McCloskey, Canmore,

and cheeses, sausages and pâtés. In the evenings

Alberta, Canada.

we would dine at a different restaurant, or occasionally gather with locals at a weekly producers’ market in a village square. The food was delicious, with many regional specialties. We made

Belcastel

Testimonials My tour of Aveyron.

I spent 10 lovely days with Véronique, exploring the Aveyron. Aveyron has 10 of the official “most beautiful villages of France” and we visited 9 of them—and several other villages that were at least as pretty. Old castles on the hilltops with stone houses clustered at the base, winding old streets, flower pots and hanging baskets, old bridges over small or large rivers, large and small churches…the Aveyron has lots of them!

It was interesting to cross the pilgrim’s path from time to time—we saw walkers with their sticks in the towns on the route from Puy to the Spanish Camino. Some towns like Conques have relied on tourists [called pilgrims!] for centuries. Apart from the pilgrims and an occasional busload, there were few other tourists on our track. There were plenty of people around, though, at the markets, an art fair, sitting in squares or street corners.

In some towns there were quirky decorations described as “Land art”.

Being in France, of course we ate well.

Véronique’s house is comfortable. Baraqueville itself is a rather ordinary Peyrusse-le-Roc, now a small village, counted during the Middle-Ages more inhabitants than Paris!

town, but excellently placed for travel all over Aveyron. And on market day, the market comes right up to the front door of Véronique’s house.

Véronique grew up in the area and has explored it further, so her knowledge of places is amazing. She is a good driver and has an amazing ability to find her way along the twisting roads. she also seems to know the most interesting street corners in every town. The tour was altogether a great experience... ~ Effie Best, Adelaide, Australia

What’s included in the 10-day tour price?

• Pick-up at Rodez airport or Rodez train station.

• The accommodation in Véronique’s art-déco house for the 10 days/9 nights in Baraqueville,

When do you run

tours?

20 min away from Rodez, conveniently located at a crossroads to experience the most of the area.

• Hand-picked by Véronique regional wines and/or other beverages during meals.

I typically run tours from June to September

• Private tours where planned, and according to your need and wants.

inclusive. However I may run a 10-day tour

• Food (all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners) and/or wine tastings where planned.

just for you and on special request (with a

• Entry fees to museums, castles, exhibitions, as well as all other planned experiences.

minimum of 4 guests) at an other period of

• Services of your bilingual local guide/host and personal driver.

the year.

• Transportation during the tour in a comfortable air-condtioned van or

Aveyron is gorgeous in April, May, and October as well.

equivalent depending on the size of the group.

How large are the groups?

Will someone meet me at the Rodez airport or train station?

Are transfers included?

The group size on an Experience (my) France guided and hosted tour is 8 guests maximum for each 10-day tour. Enrolment is capped at 8 guests per experience to ensure our guests receive a personal bespoke experience from our hosting guide Véronique.

Good to know, there’s no minimum required; the tour will run even with one person

Yes! Even though our guests participants from dif-

registered.

ferent countries on different flights, or through different means, some might be touring before and/ or after being in Aveyron, Véronique will meet and greet you at one these two meeting points; either

What’s the best way to arrive in Rodez?

Rodez Airport of Rodez train station. You won’t

It takes approximately 8 hours by train from Paris Austerlitz. There are daily multiple trains, including

have to worry about any logistics for the 10 days of

overnight ones.

your next experience.

By plane, when in France, there’s a daily one-hour flight from Paris Orly (Air France operated by Brit Air), and another one-hour flight from Lyon (operated by Hexair).

From UK, there are two daily “cheap” flights, one from London Stansted, and one from Dublin (Ryanair).

Rodez is a very small airport, saw only 140.000 passengers in 2010, we definitely recommend.

Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Off-the-beaten path as no other organization offers a tour in Aveyron, France’s south-west hidden gem.

Rodez Cathedral

Rodez, home of contemporary artist Pierre Soulages, who just turn 94. The largest worldwide museum displaying his artwork is slated to open in 2014, at Rodez.

Live like a local. Aveyron is where food, wine, culture and heritage are all part of the day-to-day.

Valady organic producers’ market

Share your experience with your friends and family.

You’ll be with like-minded travellers, in groups of 8, often less.

“Trou de Bozouls”

Designed to your desires, each tour is all-inclusive and customized to your interests.

Chateau du Bosc, childhood home of painter Toulouse-Lautrec

Cordes-sur-Ciel

TOURS More information, photos, questions/answers, videos, stories can be found on: www.ExperienceMyFrance.com