Regional Hotspots:

• Lourdes – This market town is famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that allegedly appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. An important pilgrimage centre, Lourdes attracts millions of visitors every year.
• Bordeaux – World-famous for its superb wines, this elegant city is an architectural treasure trove. Don’t miss the World Heritage–listed Saint-Seurin Basilica or the imposing Saint Andre Cathedral. The nearby wine regions of Sauterne, Graves and Saint Emillion make for enjoyable day trips.
• Toulouse – A city of fine cuisine and culture, Toulouse features an abundance of beautiful buildings. Be sure to visit the palatial Capitole and the Saint Sernin Basilica – the largest Romanesque building in the world.
• Carcassonne – This fairytale medieval town was featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Take a stroll along the fortified city walls or head into the hills surrounding Carcassonne to discover some truly charming villages.
• Sarlat-la-Caneda – This delightful medieval town is regarded as one of France’s most beautiful. Winding cobblestone streets, golden-hued buildings and excellent restaurants make this a very popular tourist spot in summer.
• Vezere Valley – Located in the Dordogne region, Vezere Valley is home to nearly 150 prehistoric sites, including 25 caves decorated with stunning Paleolithic rock paintings.
• Albi – This pretty town’s Gothic cathedral took over 100 years to build, and is a recent addition to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Also of interest is the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, which boasts over 500 works of art by Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, one of the masters of the Post-Impressionist period.