FULLY GUIDED TOUR, all admissions included
HOTELS *** with full board
VERY SMALL GROUPS (2 to 8 guests)
NATURAL SOCIAL DISTANCING in the least populated area of France
Exclusive excursions in a mini-van,
English speaking driver guides from the area
ARRIVE (Tuedays) / DEPART (Sundays): Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport. Transfer included - Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Margeride
Saint-Alban
Aubrac
Gorges du Tarn
We need a holiday! It's time to release pressure, breathe in fresh air, marvel at open skys and walk in the immense pastures. Travel with us this SUMMER/FALL and beyond. As France is opening back up, our routes and very small group guided tours are uniquely suited to travel safely.
We are very excited to bring you our native LOZERE, the most exciting destination to visit in 2020 by ''Le Monde''. Move trough the stunning wide open spaces of MARGERIDE and AUBRAC, fertile grounds for sensational hikes and gastronomic activities. Meet the craftsmen and local producers of this region. Get a feel of the local life while visiting the TARN Valley, the limestone plateaus of the grand CAUSSES and the green-minded CEVENNES. A memorable travel experience awaits!
Pick-up of guests at Lyon Airport at 1:30pm |After 3 hour drive, check-in at the hotel and relax before our information meeting at 6:30pm | Sip an aperitif while you meet your local driver guide and go over your itinerary for the next days. Welcome diner will be served at 7pm tonight.
Start your tour of Lozere on the region's eastern side|Wander the well preserved 12th century stone village of La Garde-Guerin | Take a short walk along high ridges above the vertiginous Gorges de Chassezac, stopping for lunch at a 16th c. magnificent baronial auberge | Journey through a sensational scenic route to Genolhac and take advantage of countless photos opportunities | Meet the owners of an eco farm at the heart of the Cevennes near Pont-de-Monvert with a tasting of their locally grown products | Arrive at your hotel nested in the Tarn valley. Enjoy the tranquil setting before a delicious dinner featuring traditional cuisine.
Discover the immense limestone plateaus of the Causses, unesco world Heritage agro-pastoral cultural landscape | Morning visit of the spectacular Aven Armand's caves; a funicular will bring you to more than 100 meters underground to see this geological treasure | Step back in time at the Caussenarde Farm with sheep farming now and then, enjoy a taste of the village's artisant cheese maker, leading the way to our lunch spot | Admire the expansive vistas and sharp cliffs leading down to the Tarn river | Trade boots for boats for a private boat trip down the gently flowing emerald color Tarn river | Climb (with transportation) to the top of the Causse of Sauveterre where the contrast between the green valley down below and the desert-like plateau is very impressive | Stroll through the charming village of Saint Enimie | Continue to your hotel in the Aubrac region | Pamper yourself at the Spa, followed by fine dining at the hotel gastronomic restaurant.
Breathe in fresh air along Aubrac plateau and admires Aubrac's cattle which remains the bedrock of the local economic activity on the Aubrac region along with the production of the local Laguiole cheese | Take short hikes to the Deroc waterfall and the Peyre promontory | Stop in the village of Aubrac for an authentic meal at one of Aubrac's landmark buron for tasting the traditional Aligot, an amazing cheesy potatoe generous dish fixed at your table, an essential part of the Aubrac visit and a culinary tradition rich experience watching the locals make the aligot in front of you | Enjoy a short walk onto a section of the renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, a World Heritage site | Get a feel of the local life in the dynamic village of Laguiole acclaimed for its traditional blacksmith and knifemaking technics | Join a local workshop to understand why this very simple shepherd’s knife became France’s most famous knife | End the day at the thermal and health resort of La Chaldette, featuring stunning views of Aubrac. You may enjoy a spa session (not included, depending sanitary restrictions) | Return to your hotel for a second night, with a gourmet dinner included.
Meander through Margeride's landscape and main sites of incredible diversity and undeniable character | Follow on the footsteps of Auguste, the former mailman during a unique multimedia art show in a renovated farm and get a sense of Margeride's terroir, its legends and its people | From St Alban, head to the European Bison animal sanctuary and journey through the park in a horse-drawn carriage | Savor a fresh lunch at a local farm | Visit the village of Saugues, a historical center with an English tower before hiking a small section of the famous Camino de Santiago, taking in impressive views of this vast granitic plateau. Journey through the Truyeres River valley before heading back to the hotel located in the heart of the Margeride region. Enjoy a final flourish to your day with a local fine cuisine dinner in the hotel's magnificent grange setting.
Your transfer to Lyon airport departs at 9am from your hotel. Transfer time is about 3 hours. Please do not book your return flight with a departure earlier than 2:00pm.
Hotel de la Poste ***
Formerly an ancient post house, Hotel de la Poste and its gastronomic restaurant is a beautifully restored hotel, operated by the same family for 6 generations, offering pastoral tranquility and exquisite local cuisine in a wonderful rustic atmosphere, with friendly staff. The cheese selection is particularly good, with lots of local cheeses.
Hotel chez Camillou ***
Chez Camillou combines elegance and authenticity in the exceptional setting of the Aubrac and Margeride. The contemporary family business has evolved while preserving the traditions of country cooking and friendliness of the Lozère. Discover the new SPA area to spend a relaxing moment during your stay.
Hotel La Lozerette ***
The establishment has 20 cozy rooms, a restaurant with distinguished cooking, a lounge bar with library, a pleasant terrace and a garden in which to relax. You'll enjoy your stay at this beautiful family business started 3 generations ago.
5 nights in *** star hotels - we have selected the best
all breakfasts, 4 lunches (coffee), 5 dinners (aperitif & coffee)
Expertise and services of our experienced driver guides
Additional experts from the region (based on availability)
Comprehensive Travel Documents with detailed pre-trip information
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Parks, sites and activities fees
Transport in minivan including airport transfers
Hand sanitizers and alcohol wipes
Flights before and after the tour are not included
We’re recommending that you bring your preferred face coverings and hand sanitizer. We’ll have a small supply on hand if you forget.
Tips to your guide and local suppliers
Personal expenses
Drinks during meals
Snacks and beverages between meals
Travel Insurance
Official travel documents (passports, visa, etc)
Booking
Your booking is valid once we have received your payment in full. Prices are PER PERSON.
Car Rental
A Car rental is provided for our Self-Drive tours only, as an option for our participants arriving by plane or train.
Occupancy
Our prices are meant per person, in a double occupancy room (with one large bed known as "double bed" or 2 beds known as "twin beds"). For solo travelers or parties of 3 or more persons, please check the corresponding conditions.
Single supplement
The single occupancy supplement apply to solo travelers staying in a private room during a trip. French Incoming does not book solo travelers together in the same room unless these travelers have requested it. The single supplement is specified in the price segment.
Children's Discount
A children's discount apply to children that 16 years old or younger. Older kids are considered adults. The discount applies for children under the age of 16 years old staying in their parents' room.
Infant bed
An infant bed may be provided by our hotel suppliers, but is not guaranteed. It is advisable that you bring your own folding infant bed if you travel with a very young baby. Otherwise, please let us know and we will do out utmost to provide on to you.
Travel documents
Your travel documents will be sent to you at least 5 days prior to the 1st day of your voyage with French Incoming.
Passport
Visitors from the Schengen area only need their National Identification Card to travel to France (though, passports work too). When travelling on a passport, it must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your date of return.
Visa
Visitors from country outside of the Schengen Area are advised to ask the Foreign Affairs Department of their home country (or their country of residence) before booking their trip about whether they need a visa or not. Citizenship from countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, which can also be checked with the Foreign Affairs Department of their home country (or their country of residence), might not need a visa.
Vaccinations
The World Health Organization recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to Western Europe: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies. These are common vaccines that most people have had during their childhood. If you think your vaccination has expired, please check with your doctor or health provider.
Currency, Money
Along with sixteen other countries in the European Union, France has been using the EURO as its official currency since 2002. All major credit cards are accepted in France, but some retailers and small business might not accept American Express cards.
Quality standards
The standards of the hotels we use have been ranked and evaluated by independent auditors, as per Atout France guidelines. You can trust that a 3-star hotel in France will have the same standards as any other 3-star hotels in the country. Same with all other categories.
Airport transfer
Airport transfers may be provided by independent suppliers.
Electricity
Electricity in France runs on a 220-volt, 50-hertz AC current. France also uses a Type E plug (round pin and receptacle with male grounding pin). If you bring electrical appliances, you might need a plug adapter. You may also require a transformer, although today, most major appliances have one built in. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
For more details on our booking and cancellations policy, please see our Terms and Conditions page here.