18 day escorted tour of Western France

25 August – 11 September 2013
24 August – 10 September 2014

From £1,850 Motorhome + 2 people
From £1,890 Caravan + 2 people

Your Club Tour Escorts Geoff and Jennie Dawson

Tour highlights

A delightful 18 day tour beginning in Le Mans and taking in the beautiful coastline around the Arcachon Basin before spending time in the picturesque Dordogne with its magnificent castles and villages.

Excursion to Le Mans to the legendary automobile museum.

A boat trip around the Arcachon bassin stopping at Cap Ferret.

Two full day excursions to see the best of the Dordogne including the caves of Lascaux II and the gardens of Marqueyssac.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at the campsite 12 miles outside of Le Mans. The campsite is set around a family château with spacious grounds. Enjoy a welcome meal and drink in the campsite grounds .
1 night campsite near Le Mans.

Day 2

An afternoon excursion to Le Mans automobile museum where you can discover the history of this classic race and inspect the history of many of the 24-hours race’s winning cars. This will be followed by free time in Le Mans where you have a great choice of restaurants to dine in (payable locally). At 2130 you will be treated to the fantastic ‘La nuit des chimères’ show which is projected onto the buildings in Le Mans. You will then be taken back to the campsite by coach.
1 night campsite near Le Mans.

Day 3

A day at leisure to either relax on site and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and lake or use your vehicle to explore the local area, perhaps revisiting Le Mans?
1 night campsite near Le Mans.

Day 4

Travel to the next campsite (99 miles) in Concourson-sur-Layon where the British owners will give you a warm welcome. Enjoy an evening meal in the site restaurant.
1 night campsite near Doué-la-Fontaine.

Day 5

Today there is an excursion to the fantastic Puy du Fou. There is no other experience like it; enjoy the Ball of the Phantom birds and other mesmerising shows. You can enjoy a full day before returning back to the campsite by coach.
1 night campsite near Doué-la-Fontaine.

Day 6

A day at leisure to relax on site or explore the region around the campsite. The market town of Doué-la-Fontaine is nearby or just a 15 minute drive away is the historic town of Saumur with its beautiful château.
1 night campsite near Doué-la-Fontaine.

Day 7

Travel to the next campsite in Arès (234 miles). Located on the Arcachon Basin, the campsite is on the fringes of the market town of Arès with the main facilities of the town easily reachable on foot. A welcome meal will be served in the evening in the site restaurant
1 night campsite near Arcachon Basin.

Day 8

An excursion from the campsite to the nearby Bird Sanctuary, you will be free to explore at your leisure.
1 night campsite near Arcachon Basin.

Day 9

Today’s excursion takes us from the site to the Arcachon Basin for a boat trip to see this area of natural beauty. After the boat trip there will be a the chance to discover some local cuisine with a meal in a restaurant at Cap Ferret before returning to the campsite.
1 night campsite near Arcachon Basin.

Day 10

A free day to relax on site or explore the local area. Take a walk into Arès from the campsite and you may see the oyster farmers tending their crop. There are a wealth of cycle and walking paths in the surrounding area to enjoy too or for the very adventurous why not try a climb to the top of the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe?
1 night campsite near Arcachon Basin.

Day 11

Today we take a coach to visit a Bordeaux vineyard with a guided tour of the vines and chance to taste and also purchase some of the produce! You will have lunch at the vineyard. Afterwards there will be a guided visit to the medieval city of St Macaire before returning back to the campsite.
1 night campsite near Arcachon Basin.

Day 12

Leave the site and travel east to the final campsite which is located near to Sarlat (152 miles). The campsite lies next to the Dordogne River and the welcoming campsite owners are knowledgeable about the area. Enjoy a meal in the site restaurant.
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 13

A full day excursion to see some of the highlights of the region. Starting with a guided tour of Château de Castelnaud with its magnificent view of the Dordogne River. Then on to Les Milandes which was the home of Josephine Baker, former Paris showgirl and American civil rights campaigner. After lunch at Les Milandes there will be a bird of prey show followed by a visit to a walnut mill. Return to the campsite by coach.
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 14

A free day to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the campsite or explore the region.
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 15

A full day excursion starting with a guided tour of the beautifully preserved medieval city of Sarlat. Then onto La Roque St Christophe which rises to a peak above the Vézère River, these prehistoric dwellings were home to cave dwellers around 55,000 years ago. Free time to eat your lunch (payable locally) in Les Eyzies. Our last stop of the day is at the Lascaux II Caves to see the recreated frescoes from 17,000 years ago. Return to the campsite by coach.
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 16

A gentle morning boat trip in a replica 18th century gabare boat along the Dordogne River. A chance to see the valley and some of the most beautiful places in the Dordogne, including one or two of the places visited earlier in the week, you will then visit the wonderful Gardens of Marqueyssac which are perched high above the valley. Return to the campsite in the early afternoon.
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 17

A free day to relax or revisit a favourite place. Evening: Farewell Périgordian meal at the campsite
1 night campsite near Sarlat.

Day 18

Depart site. End of tour arrangements.

Approximate tour mileage 485
Please note that the itinerary may be subject to changes.

Please note that pets are not allowed on this Escorted Tour.

What’s included

• Return ferry crossing from Dover-Calais. Off-peak P&O sailings.
• Sightseeing programme, local guides and entry fees as described in itinerary.
• Service of Carefree Tour Escorts.
• Tour pitch fees including hook up.
• Meals/drinks as mentioned in itinerary. 
• Travel pack with directions, pennon, badges and itinerary.
• Map of France and AA European Drivers’ Handbook
• Camping Card International.

What’s not included

• Cabins and reserved seats.
• Personal expenses - fuel, food, tolls, tips or personal excursions.
• Personal Insurance (which is compulsory) and Vehicle Breakdown Insurance must be taken out prior to leaving the UK. Please see the Carefree 2013 Summer Brochure for details.

To book your escorted tour, call us on 0845 130 7701 or 024 7642 2024 quoting your membership number.

Tour Gallery - 5 photos