Carcassonne and Cathar Castles of France

We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar for Paris. We continue to Toulouse where we board a coach to Carcassonne. Our hotel here is the 5-Star DoubleTree by Hilton, where we stay in deluxe rooms overlooking the medieval city.

• Day 1 - Eurostar meal, Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast

On Day 2, we explore on a guided tour. UNESCO-listed Carcassonne is renowned for its city walls, defensive towers, and drawbridges - all original features. Accessed by an ancient bridge which crosses the former moat, the Cité encapsulates romantic medieval France and our tour includes entrance to Château Comtal. The rest of your day is free.

Today takes us to Narbonne, watched over by its wonderfully dramatic Gothic cathedral. We set out on a guided walking tour of the Robine Canal, lined with pretty promenades, and an exposed section of the Via Domitia Roman Road, in the town square. Next, we see the grand courtyards of the Archbishop's Palace before moving on to Les Halles market. Built in 1091, this indoor food market is a feast for the senses. Enjoy time to relax in one of the market's fantastic wine bars and get a taste for the region's excellent cheeses and meats with an authentic charcuterie board. Tonight, we enjoy a traditional cassoulet dinner, made with pork and duck and cooked with haricots beans.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We explore the historic Châteaux de Lastours area today. Set in the heart of the Cathar countryside, this is a region famous for its sun-drenched vineyards, tranquil villages, and scattered Roman ruins and medieval castles. Home to a collection of four former Cathar fortresses - historic castles once a place of refuge for the Cathars during the 13th century - we visit Belvedere Point, where we have some free time to soak up the views over Châteaux des Lastours before exploring the châteaux themselves. Walk amongst the rugged landscape, admiring the magnificent castles perched atop, and built into, the surrounding hills. We continue to a local restaurant for lunch, accompanied by local wine, before transferring back to Carcassonne.

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we travel by coach to Mirepoix for the town's weekly market. Located in the medieval square, there's time to sample fresh, local produce as well as home-made crafts and wine. Returning to the hotel, we take a scenic drive through the French countryside, travelling through charming villages, passing ruined castles and verdant woodland.

• Day 5 - Breakfast
• Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner

On Day 6, enjoy a free day to relax in Carcassonne ahead of a wine tasting and a farewell meal in the grounds of Château de Pennautier this evening. Our delicious dinner is accompanied by wines produced in the castle's own vineyards.

Checking out after breakfast this morning, we take the coach to Toulouse, continuing by rail to Paris for the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal