b) Further Information
The ubiquitous 'tournesol' and Uzès: 'medieval' fountains
c) Model Programme: Rambling in Languedoc
Day 1. Uzes.
Arrival in Uzes. Urban walk of historic town centre.
Night in Uzes.
Day 2. Source of the River Eure. 4 miles-6kms, with optional 4 km extension, around the rural outskirts of Uzes.
Explore the source that gave rise to the construction of the Pont du Gard, 50 kms away. Impressive views of the town are to be enjoyed as you sweep round the Alzon Gorge past castles, mills and waterfall.
Second night in Uzes.
Day 3. Montpellier: Jardin des Plantes. 3 miles- 4.5 kms from city centre. Bucolic and cultural walk.
Transfer to Nimes and 30-min. train to Montpellier. You walk the outskirts of the historic centre and arrive at a magnificent 16th century European garden, with orangerie, arboretum, English Garden and Tomb of Narcissus. En route you walk esplanade, square, cathedral and churches, archeological garden, tower, convent and amphitheatre.
Night in Montpellier.
Day 4. Promenade Peyrou and the Historic Centre. 5 miles-8kms.
From the banks of the Lez, you walk through a classical Greco-Roman urban styling of monumental stature. You pass under the Arc de Triomphe and visit Peyrou gardens before wending your way through the narrow lanes of the ‘Arab quarter’.
Second night in Montpellier.
Day 5. Chateau de Grammont. 5.5 miles-8 kms.
A morning transfer takes you to Le Zenith, from where you escape the bustle of the City and enter into a land of quietude, vines, chateau and stone farmhouses, punctuated by the sound of crickets and the smell of wild fennil. It’s Greater Montpellier as few ever see it.
Third night in Montpellier.
Day 6. Nimes: Le Gaul Romain. Urban walk.
30-minute train ride to Nimes after breakfast. Walk of historic centre including The Temple, Norman Foster’s art gallery and library, the amphitheatre, St-Paul church and Esplanade.
Night in Nimes.
Day 7. La Fontaine Gardens. Bucolic walk.
A place where Romans came to consecrate their Emperors, the gardens were redesigned in the 18th century. From the Magna Tower we reach the Source and Temple of Diane before crossing the city to the 11th century Cathedral and Porte d’Auguste gate – one of only two remaining gates to the original Roman walled city, dated 16 BC. You will visit both on this Gallo-Roman extravaganza.
Second night in Nimes.
Day 8. End of your hiking tour in France
Taxi transfer to train station or airport after breakfast.
Note: The above France hiking tour is a guide only. As part of our policy of continual review and improvement, we reserve the right to make alterations to our walking
holidays in France.
Montpellier: Archeological gardens
Uzès: the Castle from vantage point Les Arenes de Nimes
d) Access
Rambling in Languedoc is a self-guided walking holiday in France.
Easy and convenient access is from either Nimes airport or railway station. Alternative entry points are Avignon, Marseille and Montpellier.
e) Accommodation
This hiking France tour offers a very high standard of accommodation throughout.
You stay:
- Two nights in Uzes
- Three nights in Montpellier
- Two nights in Nimes.
Accommodation standard is:
- Three 3-star character hotels
- with en-suite facilities and all with outdoor swimming pool* and
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all centrally-situated.
Actual accommodation may vary slightly according to hotel availability at time of booking.
* Note: your hotel in Uzes has an outdoor pool; you can opt for one in Montpellier and Nimes, although your hotel would then be on the periphery (a 5 min taxi ride) of these cities rather than the historic centre. The choice is yours and so are any taxis you decide to take that do not form part of the programme.
f) What's included in this hiking France tour: Rambling in Languedoc
Included
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7 nights B & B in three different 3-star hotels
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All transport integral to the walking tour, including taxi transfer from Uzes to Nimes; return train fares from Nimes to Montpellier and one–way transfer to Le Zenith.
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Information concerning optional cultural visits and sightseeing opportunities.
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France Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy .
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Themed vacation dossier.
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Comprehensive travel notes & logistical information.
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Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup.
Not included
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Remaining meals
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Any taxi journeys (or tram rides) inside Montpellier or Nimes*
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Personal expenses
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Entrances into optional cultural visits and venues
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Travel, walking and personal insurance
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Single rooms – unless booking at single person rate
* No taxi fares are included on Day 3 (arrival in Montpellier) and Day 4 (arrival back in Nimes) as your train-time options are manifold. There are taxis outside the station and your hotels are only five minutes drive from each station. If you would prefer a hotel in the historic centre of each city, rather than on the periphery with a pool, please let us know at time of booking.
You will also take one short tramway ride costing around 3 euros per person.
Arc de Triomphe Fontaine Gardens
Fontaine Gardens Montpellier tramway
g) Prices: 2010: Rambling in Languedoc
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Price per person based on 2 persons sharing room |
£675.00 or €750.00 or $1165.00
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Single person |
POA |
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Extra nights |
On Request |
Sunday arrival or departure taxi supplement is £40/€45/$55 |
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See our full range of Rambling holidays in France and light hiking tours in France