ON THE SNAIL TRAIL

FRANCE

GUIDED culinary journey for slow walkers through Gascony, Cevennes and Provence

To acknowledge a special request by several of our loyal guests, we have created a journey through some of the best food regions in France. The idea was to design an unhurried gastronomic program, based in three unpretentious centres: Lectoure in the heart of Gascony, Florac in the National Park in the Cevennes and Forcalquier, our hometown in Provence. Our journey of discovery combines culture and gastronomy with ample free time to rest and recuperate, or make your own discoveries.

Our gastronomic snail trail begins in Biarritz, the classy coastal town on the Atlantic. From here we travel to Gascony - with hilly open landscape. Our walking track follows a section of the pilgrims trail across undulating hills with magnificent views over pastoral countryside. Along the way we pass old farmsteads and hilltop villages, some dating back to the 13th century. We stay in the delightful market town of Lectoure, which was founded by the Celts in the 5th century and occupied by the Romans. The cassulets, foie gras and confits d'oie are world renowned. Other products of the region include "eau de vie", crepe and the sought after truffles, an excellent "vin du pays", the very drinkable Floc de Gascogne and Armagnac.

Our next stop On the Snail Trail is another area of great natural beauty and charm – the Cevennes! Ancient stone villages, chestnut forests, spectacular gorges and hidden valleys – an ideal place for walking through delightful countryside. Florac is the perfect location to explore the vast expanse of the Cevennes National Park. It offers outstanding flora and fauna as well as the historical and cultural heritage of the Cevennes. The most impressive "canyon" in this region is without doubt the one cut by the Tarn River between the "Causse de Sauveterre" to the north and the "Causse Mejean" to the south.

After leaving the Cevennes we visit the extraordinary aqueduct of the Pont du Gard before we reach Forcalquier, our base for the next 5 days. There is nowhere else quite like Provence – it is a region to feed the senses – the strong colours, the smell of lavender, pine and wild herbs, shopping in colourful markets, street cafes, local wines, rich vegetable soups, chicken with garlic and thyme and the famous Daube Provençale. Together we visit the popular Forcalquier market, an ancient olive mill and France's number one pastis distillery. We stroll through small hilltop towns, have lunch in a hidden gastronomic restaurant near Gordes and visit the famous Gorge du Verdon, highlighted by a lunch in Alain Ducasse's noble Auberge in Moustier Ste Marie.

OUR HOTELS & CUISINE

In Gascony we spend 4 nights in an 18th century mansion in Lectoure, which opens out onto a terrace with a swimming pool and magnificent views. Anne and Jean Luc Arnaud are our hosts and Jean Luc is a well-known chef in France. He is renowned for his imaginative presentation and diversity in preparing the gastronomic delights of Gascony.

The next 4 nights are spent in the heart of the Cevennes. The driving force behind our hotel La Lozerette, is the charming Pierrette Agulhon, the third generation of her family to own and run it. The restaurant is so highly regarded that it keeps almost permanently full.

The final 5 nights are in one of our favourite hotels - Auberge Charembeau. Located in a picturesque Provincial setting, it has two swimming-pools and tennis courts. Here we have selected a number of individual restaurants, which offer the gastronomic delights of the famous "Cuisine Provençale".

TOUR COMBINATION

Departure dates have been arranged to allow both the "On the Snail Trail" and "From the Sea to the Summits" walks to be combined.

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