Southern France Self-drive: Bordeaux, Lourdes, Carcassonne & More

Upon arrival in Bordeaux, pick up your car and drive to your hotel. Enjoy the next 3 days at your leisure exploring the city and surrounding areas.

Today, enjoy the beautiful city of Bordeaux at your leisure.  Known for it's rich history culture, gastronomy, art and architecture, start at the Place de la Bourse, the symbol of Bordeaux and former Royal Palace. Visit the gothic Bordeaux Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and designated Route of Santiago de Compostela in France. Wander along the beautiful Garonne river, explore its large greenspaces and old warehouses converted into trendy shops, cafes and restaurants. See the modern La Cite du Vine, for an immersive and cultural experience dedicated to wine.

Head outside the city and discover world-renowned famous wine regions. From the Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomeral, where grape blends of Merlot and Cabernet are dominant. Or, try the Left Bank and Medoc region where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme, also home to the the official 1855 Classified Bordeaux wines. Other regions include Sauternes (sweet white wine), Entre-Deux Mers and Cognac.

Another option is to visit the Bay of Arcachon and Dunes du Pilat, located on the coast of the Atlantic ocean. Enjoy natural landscapes, oyster farming ports, white sandy beaches and climb the highest dune in Europe for panoramic views of the entire bay.

Say goodbye to Bordeaux and drive south towards the beautiful city of Lourdes. Perhaps take a small detour and explore the French Basque cities such as Bayonne, St. Jean de Luz and Biarritz. Bordering Spain and the Pyrenees, these unique cities are charming and rich in history.

Arrive in Lourdes and spend the next 2 days in this fascinating city!

At your leisure, discover this world-famous city and its religious history at The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Every year, more than 5 million pilgrims come to visit the sanctuaries, the Massabielle grotto, the fountains and the baths and experience the healing waters in Lourdes. Try to attend the evening candlelight procession and the multi-language Mass in the underground basilica. If time permits, take the funicular to Pic de Jer or discover the 'must-see' Pic du Midi, the oldest high mountain astronomy observatory in the world, at 2877 metres above the sea level. Enjoy spectacular views of the Pyrenees.

Depart Lourdes and head to medieval city of Carcassonne. Enroute, stop in Toulouse, the 4th largest city in France. Break for lunch, explore the city's beautiful cathedrals or visit one of its various art museums.

In Carcassone, explore the most famous medieval walled city in France as you admire its dominating castle and ramparts, the Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint- Nazaire and la porte Narbonnaise, which was the principal entrance to the Cité.

In the afternoon, get off the beaten path and head further south to the city of Perignan, located only 1.5 hours from Carcassonne. Situated on the Mediterraean coast, the city if filled with medieval palaces from historical times, winding streets in the old town and lively squares.

Enroute to Montpellier, perhaps stop in Narbonne, a lesser-known city rich in history, Roman architecture and lovely promenades along the Canal du Robine.

Traditional and modern, the city of Montpellier enjoys a close proximity to the Mediterraean coast (10km).  This university city has something for everyone, starting your visit at central square, Place de la Comédie, the ideal spot for people watching and shopping. Get around the city by using its convenient tram system, designed by Christian Lacroix and visit the Place Royale du Peyrou or head out to the Mediterrean sea (only 10km by car) and discover fantastic beaches.

Drop off your car or extend your stay and depart home or onwards to your next destination.