7-Day Southern France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Southern France tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouthern France travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Southern France Itinerary, incl. Toulouse and Carcassonne

  A 240km route from Toulouse to Sète reveals Southern France's treasures. Castelnaudary's cuisine, UNESCO-listed Carcassonne, historic Homps port, and Béziers' engineering marvels lead to the Mediterranean over seven days.

  

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  • Day 1

    Toulouse

    Begin your adventure in Toulouse, the "Pink City" with its distinctive brick architecture. Get there early to explore Capitol Square and the Garonne River banks. Important note: Get your bike and route materials before 5 PM since rental shops close early. The metro makes it simple to get from the train station to the historic center.

    
  • Day 2

    Toulouse to Castelnaudary (45 km)

    Start your Canal du Midi route through the Lauragais valley with its sunflower and wheat fields. Bring lots of water. The path has good shade but summer temperatures often hit 30°C (86°F). Plan to reach Castelnaudary for dinner to try their famous cassoulet. Book a table at La Belle Epoque in advance as cyclists fill up the restaurant quickly.

    
  • Day 3

    Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (40 km)

    Get an early start to beat the afternoon heat. Stop at St-Roch lock to see boats pass through. As you approach Carcassonne you'll get great views of its medieval citadel. Remember to secure your bikes in the lower town before walking up to the UNESCO fortress.

    
  • Day 4

    Carcassonne to Homps (35 km)

    Today you'll ride through the Minervois wine region. Pine trees offer good shade between the Aude River and canal. Bring a repair kit since services are limited on this stretch. The Orbiel canal bridge makes a great photo stop. End your day in Homps, a historic wine port where you can enjoy drinks at waterfront cafes.

    
  • Day 5

    Homps to Béziers (55 km)

    Your longest cycling day takes you past several wine villages. Stop at Le Somail about halfway through. Its antique bookshop and canal-side cafes are perfect for lunch. Make sure to see the Fonsérannes Locks, a series of nine locks. Try to arrive mid-afternoon when boats create the best photo opportunities.

  • Day 6

    Béziers to Sète (45 km)

    The final ride to the Mediterranean slopes gently downward. Look for the historic Onglous lighthouse where the canal meets the Étang de Thau lagoon. Bring swimwear for Sète's beaches. Local advice: Skip the waterfront restaurants and head to the covered market for better-priced fresh seafood.

  • Day 7

    Departure from Sète

    Walk along Sète's canals in the morning. Visit the fish market if you have time to see local life in action. Most trains to major cities depart around midday so you'll have time to pack up and enjoy one last croissant.

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• 7 Day Southern France Cycling Itinerary, incl. Bordeaux and Toulouse

  

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  • Day 1

    Bordeaux

    Start in Bordeaux's historic center. You'll want to explore the UNESCO-listed city before beginning your cycling journey. Visit Place de la Bourse in the evening to see the "Mirror of Water" reflecting the 18th-century architecture. Look for dinner in the Saint-Pierre district, where you'll find the city's best wine bars.

    
  • Day 2

    Bordeaux to Camiran (63km)

    Follow the Roger Lapébie bike path, named after the 1937 Tour de France winner. You'll ride on dedicated cycle lanes the whole way. Stop at La Sauve Majeure abbey ruins about halfway through. Pack a lunch since cafes are limited along the route. Your day ends in Camiran, where you can cool off in your guesthouse's pool.

    
  • Day 3

    Camiran to Le Mas d'Agenais (37.5km)

    This shorter day takes you through La Réole before joining the Garonne Canal path. Tackle the morning's mild elevation changes early to avoid peak heat. The afternoon canal section is flat and shaded. Bring plenty of water and snacks since you won't find many stores between towns.

    
  • Day 4

    Le Mas d'Agenais to Sérignac-sur-Garonne (37km)

    Visit Le Mas d'Agenais's Roman church first thing. Get there 15 minutes before opening at 9 AM to beat the tour groups. Your ride follows the peaceful canal through Damazan, a well-preserved bastide town. Bring a bandana if dust bothers you, as the summer path can get quite dusty.

    
  • Day 5

    Sérignac to Moissac (55km)

    A highlight today is crossing the Pont Canal d'Agen, where the canal crosses over the Garonne River. Stop for lunch in Agen's medieval center. The indoor market stays open until 1:30 PM and offers excellent local foods. Visit Moissac's UNESCO-listed abbey complex after 4 PM when most tourists have left.

    
  • Day 6

    Moissac to Toulouse (67km)

    This is your longest cycling day, but the canal path stays flat and well-maintained. Start early to catch beautiful morning light on the water and give yourself time to explore Toulouse later. You'll pass 56 locks before reaching the city.

    
  • Day 7

    Toulouse

    Spend your final day exploring the "Pink City." Start at Capitole square early before crowds arrive. The morning sun makes the terracotta buildings look beautiful. Visit the Basilica of St. Sernin, Europe's largest Romanesque building, when it opens at 8:30 AM.

    

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• 7 Day Provence River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Lyon and Avignon

  Seven distinctive French cities unfold from Lyon to Arles, featuring the UNESCO Papal Palace and Ardèche Gorges panoramic views. MS Van Gogh provides climate-controlled cabins and refined French cuisine at approx. $230 per day. Sénanque Abbey and traditional Camargue culture complete the experience.

  

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  • Day 1

    Lyon

    Board your river ship in Lyon at 6 PM. "The cabins have huge windows and we could see the rivers flow and all the surroundings close by," one traveler shared. Get to Lyon a few hours early to explore Vieux Lyon's traboules (hidden passageways) before boarding. Your welcome dinner will give you a taste of the food experiences ahead.

    
  • Day 2

    Lyon to Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or

    Take a morning tour of Lyon and visit the white Fourvière Basilica for great city views. Stop by Les Halles food market before 11 AM when it's less crowded to try local specialties. The day ends with dinner at Paul Bocuse's famous Abbaye de Collonges restaurant. A previous guest said, "It was a great gastronomique experience." Your ship sails overnight during dinner.

    
  • Day 3

    Tain l'Hermitage to Avignon

    Visit Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat in Tain l'Hermitage first thing at 9 AM for the best chocolate tasting. Spend the afternoon cruising through the beautiful Rhône Valley vineyards. You'll arrive in Avignon at night when lights illuminate the papal palace.

    
  • Day 4

    Avignon to Arles

    Visit the Papal Palace in Avignon or take a trip to Sénanque Abbey and Gordes village in the Luberon. July is perfect for seeing the abbey's lavender fields. In the afternoon, sail to Arles. The sun deck offers excellent views of Provence's limestone cliffs. One reviewer said, "The organized tours were well organized and a great introduction to historic interesting places."

    
  • Day 5

    Arles and the Camargue

    Start your day exploring the Camargue region, known for its white horses and black bulls. Visit a manade (ranch) to learn about local gardian cowboys. Spend the afternoon cruising past Valence and Montélimar. If you stop, try the local nougat. Watch the landscape change from the sundeck.

    
  • Day 6

    Viviers and Ardèche Gorges

    Take a morning walking tour of medieval Viviers. Bring good walking shoes for the cobblestones. In the afternoon, take a coach trip through the Ardèche Gorges and see the natural Pont d'Arc bridge, standing 200 feet high. End the day with a gala dinner on board. A traveler noted, "The food was incredible every day."

    
  • Day 7

    Lyon

    Leave the ship after breakfast at 9 AM. Book a later flight if you want time for final shopping at Les Halles market.

    

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