Day 1 to Day 6

Day 1: London to Toulouse

Fly from London Heathrow to Toulouse and transfer by coach to Mirepoix (approx. one hour and 15 minutes) for check-in to the hotel for a five night stay. Evening welcome drink at the hotel, then a lecture from Dr David Saunders:“3 queens and the discovery of cave art”, followed by a group dinner.

Day 2: The real cave of Niaux and the Prehistoric park at Tarascon sur Ariege

This morning we drive 1 hour to Niaux Cave which involves a walk for approximately two kilometres past spacious galleries, low vaults and underground lakes. Within the first gallery, we can see graffiti left by previous visitors, the oldest dating from 1602, while on the sign panel there are many geometric signs, the meaning of which is still mysterious. The highlight of the visit however is found during the discovery of the Salon Noir, a vast rotunda with an impressive ceiling height. It is within this majestic room that our ancestors chose to represent more than 70 paintings of animals: bison, horses, ibex and deer. After lunch (own expense) we drive 15 minutes to Prehistoric park on the edge of the Tarascon which features reproduction paintings from other caves in the Pyrenees which are inaccessible or closed to the public. Other features include examples of the types of shelters that were probably constructed by our earlier Magdalenian ancestors alongside demonstrations of flint knapping, fire starting and spear throwing. Second lecture by David this evening: “The prehistoric portable art of Europe”, followed by dinner.

Day 3: Boat trip along the Canal du Midi followed by a visit to the Bedeilhac cave

The history of the Canal du Midi goes back to 1666, when the king signed the Edict of Saint-Germain, authorizing the construction of the canal. It was inaugurated in 1681 where at 242 km long it links Toulouse with the Mediterranean Sea. Our canal cruise today will sails through a landscape of rolling countryside and canal-side vineyards. Bédeilhac has an enormous entrance, over 17 metres at its highest point. Unfortunately, the size of the cave’s mouth meant that during the last war it was an ideal natural hangar for aircraft. The French military occupied the cave from 1938, and they were followed by the German military during their occupation of France during World War II which resulted in the levelling of the cave floor and the laying of a concrete base upon which aircraft were stored. This process destroyed many of the archaeological deposits within the first 350 metres of the cave; however, Bédeilhac still has a great diversity of parietal and portal art including some truly exquisite examples of carved bone artefacts. This evening is free at leisure.

Day 4: Full day free in Toulouse

Free day in Toulouse to perhaps visit St Stephen’s Cathedral and St Sernin Basilica, a wander around the Japanese Gardens or explore the Space Museum.

Day 5: La Mas d’Azil and an underground boat trip along the subterranean river of Labouiche
The only cave within the Ariege with a road running through it, La Mas d'Azil delivers geological wealth, exceptional dimensions, and archaeological discoveries such as paintings and engravings representing bison, fish, horses and geometric signs; the bones of mammoths, woolly rhinoceros and cave bears; plus decorated pebbles, harpoons, and pottery. After lunch (own expense) we travel to village of Labouiche, where deep below ground flows Europe’s longest navigable underground river. Discovered in 1908 by a local doctor, it’s been open to the public since 1938. We take a 1.5km boat trip which culminates with a clattering waterfall known as the Cascade Salette, which tumbles into a sparkling turquoise pool. Depending on rainfall, the waterfall’s speed can vary anywhere from 100L to 1500L litres per second.

Day 6 Transfer to the airport for return flights to London Heathrow

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.