#DeLConTour is back this coming April (15th-19th April incl.), and we are going to the South of France!

We are delighted to be able to offer our Languages and Cultures students the opportunity to travel with us again and this time we are going to Carcassonne. Located in the South of France, between Toulouse and the Mediterranean coast, Carcassonne is a vibrant city dating as far back as the 6th century BC. Once a stronghold commanding the frontier with Spain, it was at the heart of the Cathar movement in France. From Albi to Narbonne, its surroundings are a testimony of this century-long history. Nowadays, this region is also one of the major wine producing areas of France.

A 5-day / 4-night stay in the Cathar Country around Carcassonne will enable our students to practice their French in total immersion whilst engaging with the history, the culture and the gastronomy of this beautiful region first hand.

Visits include the Medieval city of Carcassonne, Albi, Castres & Narbonne as well as ancient Cathar castles and the very impressive Grotte de Limousis. They will also discover the gastronomic specialities of this region, including a tasting of the worldly-renowned Blanquette de Limoux.

Students will be guided and accompanied by tutors from Languages and Cultures all week. They will be immersed in real-life situations to practise their French just before the exam season kick starts. All abilities welcome!

Please see the full programme of our tour below. For interested DeLC students, our information booklet with the DeLConTour programme along with terms and conditions are available in DeLC's Resource Centre. Registration deadline is December 15th 2023. Please check the online store for further information and registration. Students wishing to obtain financial support to join this trip might be eligible to the Lancaster Global Travel Fund – more information available here.

Full Programme of Events:

Day 1 – Monday 15th April:

Bienvenue à Carcassonne

6.45pm: Check-in at Hotel Première Classe.

7.30pm: Guided stroll in the city centre of Carcassonne. Followed by free time for dinner – enjoy the local gastronomy!

Day 2 – Tuesday 16th April:

L’Occitanie cathare

9.30-11.30am: Châteaux de Lastours. The history of the Cathar revolt unravels as you walk through these ruins.

12.00-1.30pm: Lunch stop in Carcassonne city centre. Free time in and around the Halles Prosper Montagné, a 18th century covered market.

2.00-4.00pm: Tour of the castle and fortifications of the Medieval City of Carcassonne. Followed by free time for dinner in the cité – enjoy the local gastronomy!

4.00-5.30pm: Free time in the Medieval city. Shopping time!

6.00pm: Evening in Carcassonne. Cultural activity to be confirmed

Day 3 – Wednesday 17th April:

L’Occitanie moderne

10.00-11.30am: Visit of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum in Albi. Discover the life and works of this famous 19th century painter.

11.30am-1.30pm: Visit of Albi. Visit the cathedral and the old town – then free time for lunch.

2.30-4.00pm: Centre national et musée Jean-Jaurès. Discover the life and carrier of this famous politician who greatly influenced the French political landscape at the turn of the century (and still today!).

4.30pm: Free time in Castres. Free visiting and shopping time.

Day 4 – Thursday 18th April:

L’Occitanie touristique

10.30-11.30am: Grotte de Limousis. A guided tour through this impressive cave.

12.30-1.30pm: Lunch break in Narbonne.

1.30-3.30pm: Tour of Narbonne. Guided stroll in the capital of the former Narbonensis, a province of the Roman Empire.

4.30-6.30pm: To the beach (weather willing). Enjoy the Mediterranean coast – and don't forget your bathing suits! :)

7.00pm: Apéro !!! And for the last evening in France, a typical French culture experience.

Day 5 – Friday 19th April:

L’Occitanie pétillante

8.30am: Check-out from the hotel.

9.00am-12.00pm: Visit of the Maison Sieur d’Arques. Discovery of the terroir followed by a tasting of the wordly renowned Blanquette de Limoux.

12.00-1.00pm: Lunch time in Limoux. A shuttle will be organised for drop off at Carcassonne airport and/or train station around 1.30pm.