Languedoc-Roussillon

Shore excursions

Carcassonne was settled as early as the 6th century BC and later became an important Roman town. It was fortified in the 4th century and was a strategic site in the Middle Ages. It took on its definitive shape in the 13th century with the king’s decision to construct the distinctive double-walled ramparts and extend the castle. The city was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century and is a testimony to 1,000 years of military architecture and 2,500 years of history. Left in ruins after the the Cathar Crusade (1209-1229), the Inquisition and exile of the Trencavel family, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was commissioned by the French state in 1844 to restore the city of Cathar. Completed in 1911 under the direction of his pupil Paul Boeswillwald, the royal city was returned to its original splendor, finally being inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1997. In a new, self-guided addition to this tour, guests are invited to see the magnificent views from the medieval western ramparts. 

Discover Camargue Natural Regional Park on an exciting 4x4 excursion with an experienced guide. See native wildlife like horses, bulls, and flamingos and stop in the charming village of Saintes Maries de la Mer. Meet your guide and embark on this incredible half-day 4 x 4 tour. Located between the arms of the Rhône River, the Camargue is a wind-swept land made of salt and water. Birds have made it their safe haven and people have managed to intermingle with biodiversity in this unique place, breeding bulls and horses, as well as developing the rice culture.   Camargue manages to seduce with its breathtaking landscapes and doesn't fail to impress. This territory, where water and alluvium, ponds, marshes and land all mix, has been the base of exceptionally rich human history. Discover the ponds and marshes, home to pink flamingos and many other birds. You will be welcomed on  private land to admire the famous Camargue bulls and horses. Discover the heart of the Camargue Natural Regional Park and learn about its nature and history from your guide.

If you're staying in Toulouse and want to discover the Cité de Carcassonne, the Comtal Castle, the Saint Nazaire Basilica and more historical highlights, this is the perfect day tour for you. Located 1 hour from Toulouse, Carcassonne is one of the 25 great sites of Midi-Pyrénées. In Cathar country and at the heart of the fortified city, you can discover the Château of the Counts of Carcassonne and the Remparts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will departure from Toulouse at 9:30AM (check-in is at 9:15AM), with a planned arrival in Carcassonne at 10:30AM.  Following your day of discovery, you will depart from Carcassonne at 4:30PM, with a planned return to Toulouse at 5:30PM.

Soak up the charm of Camargue from the water on this tour from La Grande Motte. Relax onboard a spacious and comfortable catamaran that is captained by an experienced skipper. Embark on this unique adventure from the pier in La Grande Motte. Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise in the splendid Bay of Aigues Mortes. Uncover the hidden treasures of this magnificent region with the help of your skipper.  Have the option of partaking in à la carte drinks and tapas as you take in sweeping views of this dynamic region comprised of reed beds, salt marches, and sandy beaches. Return to your starting point at the end of your tour.

Explore Camargue, France, on a guided safari adventure tour aboard a 4x4 with an open roof view. Visit authentic landscapes including the rice fields and ponds of a local marsh. See Camargue horses and bulls and marvel at the flight of flamingos. Plus, taste local foods and wines. Meet at the designated meeting point in Camargue, board the 4x4, and stop at a breeding ranch to experience Camargue's animals, including its horses and bulls. Then, explore the middle of the marsh of the old Vistres. Travel through the rice fields and along the ponds and canals. Get a chance to see flamingos and other wildlife. Then, transport to another time while stopping at the heart of the medieval city of Aigues-Mortes. During the tour, enjoy a gourmet break at the Mas du Notaire, where the tour turns from sight to taste. Take part in a wine tasting and enjoy local foods and drinks (PDO bull saucisson, fougasses, fruit juices, etc.). End the tour on a full stomach as you're dropped off back at your accommodation.

Depart from the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and head out on a 2-hour safari around the scenic Camargue, southern France. Headed by a designated driver and guide, your group will discover the blossoming flora and fauna unique to this bucolic region.  See the famous white Camargue horses roaming freely in the fields from the heights of the convertible 4x4 motor. Snap shots of flamingos and different bird species flying around the edge of the ponds and bodies of water found in this serene area while listening to the story of the Camargue.  Travel to a bull farm where you will encounter black bulls and learn about the bull farming life from your informative guide.

Visit Pont du Gard, one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Roman ingenuity. Its chequered history has also inspired numerous artists. The 2,000-year-old section of the Roman aqueduct once provided water to Nîmes. The highly photographed bridge was listed by UNESCO in 1985 as a World Heritage Site. Located between Montpellier, Marseille, and Avignon, this site is a real landmark of Provence and the south of France. With your ticket, gain access to the first level of the bridge, the museum, and the film to discover more about the history of the Ludo area specially designed for children, the open-air walk Mémoires de Garrigue, and the temporary exhibitions. Until October 1, 2023, dive into a world where the transparent meets the tangible with the temporary exhibition Light as Space! Explore the captivating works of artist Yasuhiro Chida. Discover the fascinating world of this renowned Japanese artist, through a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. The artist has created a universe where illusion and reality merge, inviting the public to interact with his bewitching and captivating installations. Pont du Gard is delighted to announce our brand new temporary exhibition entitled "Under the Pixels, Matter", which will be held on site from September 14, 2024 and until January 5, 2025 for the general public. This exhibition will highlight the work of four talented international artists, each exploring the intersection between digital art and material forms. Here is an overview of the works and artists presented: - Mona Young-Eun Kim: 5 works will be scattered in different outdoor spaces, on the Left Bank. These geometric totems will include QR codes allowing an augmented reality experience via smartphone. - Nicolas Tourte: 4 works will be exhibited in the dedicated exhibition room, as well as another at the reception. Her works are 3D structures, on which projections will be made. - Regina Silveira: A pioneer of digital art in Brazil, she will present two works in video-mapping in the exhibition room. - Ana Tavares: She will offer two video-mapping installations in the exhibition room, accompanied by a series of photographs. The exhibition will be accessible to all thanks to a free tour, with some works installed outside the interior spaces. This is included in the ticket price for the cultural spaces on sale. This completes the offer in the intermediate season for our visitors.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Provence during this guided full-day tour from Avignon. Enjoy the town of Fontaine de Vaucluse and stop in the lavender fields for photos. Go for a walk in St-Rémy-de-Provence and take in the views from Pont du Gard.  Be picked up from a meeting point in Avignon and board a comfortable and air-conditioned van for the scenic drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse. Take in the relaxing atmosphere in this town that is next to a spring at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. Admire the Provençal landscapes in of Luberon and have a chance to have a photo stop in lavender fields in summer (from June 15th to July 31st). Head over to Gordes which is listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France." Walk in the red streets of Roussillon and marvel at panoramic views of the Alpilles in Baux-de-Provence. Take a stroll through the beautiful city of St-Rémy-de-Provence. Stop at the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard before returning to your meeting point. 

This is a picturesque getaway away allowing you to explore the delightful Montpellier countryside. The destination is Pic Saint Loup, a Montpellier highlight, and a terroir of the Languedoc wine region, some 20 km inland from the city. Discover a terroir, visit an estate wineries, meet the winemaker, and taste the wine. You will drive to a quaint and relaxed medieval village. Thereafter, on the way to the family house, you will be served a table meal with produce from the nearby farm, prepared by the mother of the tour guide - an expert cook.

Begin your journey at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, take a short walk through the city center. Next, enjoy picturesque views of the Provençal countryside heading south to the Les Baux de Provence – a fortified medieval village perched in Alpilles mountain range. Meander through the narrow stone streets of the historic center, viewing the town's many original 16th-century houses and main attractions such as the Museum of Santons, the Hôtel des Porcelets and St Vincent Church. Afterward, travel to your final stop, the Unesco-listed Pont du Gard. Considered an ancient work of art, this three-tiered construction is the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts. View the perfectly preserved masterpiece of ancient engineering that once supplied water to the town of Nîmes. In winter period (from November 1st to March 31) the activity is provided from 1.30 pm am to 6.30 pm.