Bridge lecture with Bernard followed by lunch.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Boudou viewpoint over the River Garonne, through the Chasselas vineyards then routing to the unique and beautiful village of Lauzerte.

This  beautiful ‘Bastide town’ was hurriedly built by English and French, to encourage settlement of empty areas before the Hundred years war. It typifies the medieval equivalent of  a ‘new town’ with it’s planned grid of streets and fortified perimeters.

A truly stunning example of a medieval town founded in 1241 by the Count of Toulouse - a very memorable place with stunning views and formally a British outpost !  

Return to Au Château for evening meal.
(Kindly specify any nutritional requirements in advance please.)     

21.00 - 23.00 Evening Bridge with Bernard.

Bridge with Bernard.

Thirty minute drive to Montaubun. This interesting town deserves more attention than it usually gets and is the capital of the 17th century “Protestant Republic” of southern France. The painter Ingres was born here in 1780, and the town’s greatest treasure is the Museum Ingres, an exceptional bequest of several paintings an 4000 drawings.

Above all, Montauban is a civilized shopping centre with a double-arcaded main square (Place National) built in the 17th century. A few streets away lies the Cathedrale Notre-Dame, built on the orders of King Louis XIV in 1685, in the back lash against Protestant heresy. Enjoy the impressive river views of the ancient town and beautiful bridges.

21.00 - 23.00 Evening Bridge with Bernard.

Bridge with Bernard followed by lunch.

Twenty minute drive to have lunch in the village of St Antoine.

A most beautiful village and a must for photographers.
Short drive to Auvillar, described as one of the loveliest hilltop villages in all of France, it has a triangular market place with a circular corn market at its centre. Half timbered arcades line the cobbled roads and impressive views overlook the river Garonne.

The museum and antique shop make fascinating visits.

Return to Au Château for evening meal.

21.00 - 23.00 Evening Bridge with Bernard.

Drive to Cordes sur Ciel, situated at four hundred feet above the river Cerou where Albert Camus once wrote “Everything is beautiful there - even regret”.
Visit the well preserved gothic houses including the 14th century Maison du Grand Fauconnier with falcons carved on its façade, which line the steep cobbled streets.

Onwards to Albi and definitely not a place for a ‘flying afternoon’ rendez-vous. Highlights include the vast red brick Cathedrale de Ste-Cecile built in 1265 as a reminder to potential heretics that the church ‘meant business’. From a distance it’s semi- circular towers and narrow windows give it an appearance more of a fortress than a place of worship.

The wonderful Touoluse Lautrec museum which celebrates the life of this most influential artist who was born in Albi in 1864. The museum contains the most complete permanent collection of the artiste’s work in existence, including paintings, drawings and his famous posters for the Moulin Rouge which established lithography as a major art form. There are also canvases by Matisse, Dufy and Yves Brayer.

Bridge lectures resume with Bernard.

The local church in St Nicolas welcomes visitors for those that wish to attend.

Lunch at the Cadillac restaurant in St Nicolas de la Grave.

Twenty minute afternoon drive to Montech for a canal trip. This tour along the leafy banks of the canal network illustrate the little known yet remarkable technology and engineering of the Canal du Midi. The boat ride will also include the unique ’sliding loch’ where the boat will be lowered 50 feet along a slope. A remarkable experience. 

Evening meal followed by Bridge Tournament at 21.00

Bridge with Bernard followed by lunch.

Short drive to Moissac -  which nestles among the vineyards producing sweet Chasselas grapes.

The Abbey of St Pierre it’s undisputed highlight. Founded in the 7th Century by a Benedictine monk, the Abbey was ransacked by Arabs, Normans and Hungarians.
By the 12th Century it had become the pre-eminent monastery in SW France.

The 10th-Century South Portal created during this period is a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture depicting the St John‘s dramatic vision of the Apocalypse.

Guests may choose to study the artistic highlights or take a stroll along the leafy walks along the river Garonne.
Ashort walk leads to the impressive Napoleonic bridge, spanning the Tarn with canal scenes of the famous Canal du Midi, which connects the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean.

Visit the Abbey and, if time allows, the 11th century Cloisters - regarded as the finest example in Europe. These exotic cloisters are lined with alternate double and single columns in white, pink, green and grey marble. In all there are 76 richly decorated arches.

Farewell dinner presented by Kathrin Barker