There’s nothing quite like an escorted tour with a local for the inside view of a holiday destination. Travel around with a expert guide and not only will you get to share their passion for the culture and countryside of their area, but you will discover all kinds of useful tips to help you get the most from your holiday, from the best time to visit popular tourist attractions to the lesser-known gems that other visitors miss.
But no matter how attractive the destination, sometimes a tour itinerary isn’t quite what you’re after. If you are not a wine drinker, for instance, you might prefer to have a cookery lesson or a heritage tour instead of a vineyard visit and tasting. Or maybe you are interested in food producers, markets, or craft studios.
Tours of the Languedoc
All those things, and more, are available with ‘Real’ South of France Tours who offer customised tours of the Languedoc from their luxury B&B. Originally from the UK and New Zealand, husband and wife team Kay and Mark moved to the Minervois region in 2012 to set up Sainte-Hélène Chambres d’Hôtes in the village of Olonzac. Each individually designed bedroom has a sumptuous super-king mattress, fine cotton linen, and an en-suite bathroom with organic beauty products.
Always keen to help their self-drive B&B guests, Kay and Mark have loads of recommendations for places to visit, atmospheric restaurants and buzzing markets. ‘Mark’s nickname is MapMan!’ laughs Kay. ‘We have many happy guests who enhanced their stay thanks to his “Days out from Olonzac” tips.’
With more and more guests suggesting that Kay and Mark set up organised tours, in 2017 the couple launched ‘Real’ South of France Tours, guiding guests in small groups around their corner of Occitanie, an administrative region created by the amalgamation of the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions.
Amongst the must-see attractions within easy reach of Olonzac are the UNESCO-listed walled city of Carcassonne, Narbonne with its magnificent Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace, and the tranquil Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide. Guests can also go underground at the Cabrespine Cavern, taller than the Eiffel Tower and the largest French cave open to the public.
Each escorted tour comprises just four to six guests and involves minimal travelling each day with no early morning departures and the comfort of returning to Sainte-Hélène B&B each evening. Restaurants are handpicked and the price is all-inclusive, so there are no surprise charges at the end of your stay. No need to drive or take public transport either. ‘Real’ South of France Tours will pick you up from the train station in Narbonne or Carcassonne, or from local airports including Carcassonne and Beziers (other pick up points may be available upon request).
A customised tour of the Languedoc
Guests have a choice of two 7-day tours with a mix of sightseeing and wine tasting, but for those who want something a little more personal, Kay and Mark have also introduced a customised option which is proving popular both with first-time visitors to Languedoc and to guests who have already fallen in love with the area.
‘Customised tours are usually a group of friends travelling together or a family,’ explains Mark. ‘Usually they just want a variation on the listed tours, but sometimes they have very specific requests based on their group interests, so they might want more than one wine tour day or maybe more markets and foodie visits.
‘We have three couples coming this year who have been friends for many years but didn’t want to do all the elements of our listed tours. So we worked in a Sunday morning visit to Saint-Chinian market, lunch in Olargues which is one of Plus Beaux Villages de France, and then a scenic drive back via Roquebrun.’
Wherever you ask to go on your customised tour, ‘Real’ South of France Tours will immerse you in the sights, sounds and scents of Languedoc. The buzzing of cicadas and the aroma of wild plants. The rolling vineyards of the Corbières and the Minervois. Ancient olive groves and the artisan producers who work them. You can even take a cruise from the small port of Marseillan – home to Noilly Prat vermouth – to explore the oyster beds of the Etang de Thau.
The secret gems of the Languedoc
And whilst Carcassonne and Narbonne are undoubtedly the big-hitting heritage visits, it is often the smaller places, the unspoilt countryside, and the lifestyle experiences that linger longest in your memory. Browsing those market stalls beneath the plane trees in Saint-Chinian for instance. Wandering round the harbour at Collioure, inspiration for artists such as Matisse and Picasso. And soaking up the atmosphere of Mirepoix, one of the most impressive bastide towns in south-west France with its half-timbered buildings and galleried main square.
All this fresh Mediterranean air makes you hungry and Kay and Mark ensure that tour guests enjoy authentic local food and wine in a range of carefully selected restaurants – an essential ingredient of that irresistible Mediterranean lifestyle.
Should you only have a few days to spare, Kay and Mark can also organise customised short tours for groups – the perfect addition to a family villa holiday or perhaps a relaxing end to an activity break.
So let ‘Real’ South of France Tours help you to discover the secrets of Languedoc that only locals know, plus several more that are exclusive to them – and to you, their lucky guests!
Find more details and contact Kay and Mark to organise your exclusive tour: realsouthoffrance.fr
