Looking for a trip that combines gastronomy, heritage and regional discoveries for your next group tour? With CircuitGroupes, discover the Gastronomy in Occitan Country tour, departing from Castres. Taking in Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Sorèze, Lacaune, Lautrec and Castres, the programme blends cultural visits, local specialities and encounters with the region’s traditional crafts. A package designed to make life easier for tour operators, coach operators, associations and other group travel organisers.
A gourmet trip from Castres
The tour starts from the Hôtel Mercure Castres L’Occitan, close to the historic centre of Castres, in an area well placed for excursions to Albi, Toulouse or Carcassonne. Travellers return to the hotel after their days of sightseeing, so the trip can be organised around a single base, avoiding constant packing and unpacking.
On arrival, the group is welcomed at the hotel with a welcome drink before dinner. The tour is offered as an all-inclusive stay of 2 to 5 days, with a full programme that can run over 5 days and 4 nights. The offer remains flexible so it can be adapted to each group’s length of stay, pace and expectations.
Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel: heritage and Gaillac wines
The programme first takes the group to Albi, with a guided tour of old Albi, its narrow streets and its architectural heritage. The visit continues with Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, an impressive building that is one of the main highlights of the day. After lunch in Albi, the group heads for Cordes-sur-Ciel.
The medieval hilltop village is explored with a ride up and down on a little tourist train. The programme also includes a visit to the Musée du Sucre d’Yves Thuriès, a museum of sugar art, before a stop in the vineyards at a private estate for a tasting of Gaillac wines. This day sums up the spirit of the tour: combining heritage, craftsmanship and regional flavours without lengthy transfers.
Sorèze and Lacaune: history and specialities of the Tarn
Another day takes the group to Sorèze to discover the Abbaye-École. Founded in the 8th century, it has served various purposes over the course of its history, notably as a royal military school under Louis XVI, before becoming a renowned educational establishment. The visit reveals a different side of the region’s heritage, before returning to L’Occitan for lunch.
The afternoon is devoted to Lacaune, known for its cured meats. The visit to Salaisons Oberti, available every day except Sunday, includes an area devoted to old machinery, a presentation of the company’s activity and a demonstration focused on ham. It ends with a tasting of three Lacaune specialities: ham, saucisson and dry-cured sausage.
This stop gives the trip a genuine gastronomic dimension. Travellers do more than simply taste the products: they also discover one of the area’s signature activities and some of the expertise that goes into making them.
Lautrec and Castres: terroir and Occitan heritage
The tour continues its exploration in Lautrec, with a historical presentation and a visit of this village built around its former fortress. The programme then includes a foie gras tasting at Les Fermiers Occitans, a farming cooperative that does not offer visits on Sundays.
After lunch at the hotel, the group discovers Castres from a historical and cultural angle. The walk through old Castres takes in the Jardin de l’Évêché, the Hôtel de Nayrac, the Hôtel de Poncet, Saint-Benoît Cathedral and the old tanners’ houses lining the Agoût.
The day is rounded off with a visit to the Musée Goya, devoted to Hispanic art. This final stop adds a further cultural dimension to the tour and lets the group end the trip by getting to know the town that has been hosting them in greater depth.
The Hôtel Mercure Castres L’Occitan, the tour’s home base
The Mercure Castres L’Occitan is the home base for the trip. This 4-star hotel has 62 rooms, including 30 twins, 31 doubles and 1 triple. The rooms are air-conditioned and most of them overlook the hotel’s shaded grounds.
The hotel restaurant can seat up to 120 guests and serves traditional cuisine made with local produce. After the excursions, travellers can also enjoy the terrace, the fitness area and, in fine weather, the swimming pool. This set-up brings accommodation, meals and excursion departures together in one place.
An all-inclusive, flexible package for groups
Another strength of the tour is how simple it is to organise. The package includes the welcome drink, full board, accommodation based on a double room, visits and excursions, as well as the guide. Organisers thus have a ready-made programme while keeping the option of adapting it to their needs.
A first free place is granted for 20 paying participants and goes to the driver. A second free place is offered from 40 paying participants. More broadly, CircuitGroupes highlights detailed all-inclusive programmes, adaptable tours, delivery of the services as announced and a reply to requests within 48 hours.
Plan your gastronomic tour in Occitanie with CircuitGroupes
With Gaillac wines, Lacaune cured meats, a foie gras tasting and visits to Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Sorèze, Lautrec and Castres, Gastronomy in Occitan Country offers a programme that combines discovering the region with the pleasures of the table. Its single base in Castres and its flexible length also make it easy to build a trip that suits a group’s pace.
Find the full programme on the Gastronomy in Occitan Country page and send us your project via the CircuitGroupes Contact page to receive information and a proposal tailored to your group. CircuitGroupes can also be contacted directly at contact@circuitgroupes.com.
