A 7 day guided tour of sacred and historical sites
associated with 'the Four Heresies' in south
west France.
Here is an opportunity to visit 'the Land of
Heresy': The Albigensians, Templars, Troubadors and Black Madonnas, the Grail and early
Protestantism; time to absorb the echoes of
that 13th century flowering of a noble culture in
Europe, which embraced Christian, Gnostic, Jewish
and Muslim ideals and which venerated the 'Feminine
Ethic'; time to wonder at that thread of
consciousness whose origins predate Christianity
and whose traces are now reawakening - as predicted
by the Cathars themselves over 700 years ago!
Come and visit the Languedoc (the language of Occ),
be beguiled by it's incredible beauty and honour, a
sacred landscape that inspired the 'spiritual'
Renaissance a century before it emerged as a cultural movement in Italy. The dualistic Cathar philosophy - associated with the Bogomils of the Middle East - emerged simultaneously across large parts of 11th and 12th century Europe, but eventually established its main base in the Languedoc region of south west France, where it was ruthlessly persecuted (almost to extinction) by the Roman church.
Isobel Denham has been organising Cathar tours to raise funding since the time she was running Chateau Castelfranc in this region. Under 'Through Heart to Peace' she initiated respite holidays and retreats there for traumatised Bosnian women and young people over many years and still continues with this programme under the name of 'Boshols'. She resides part of the year in Sarajevo and works to ease the plight of many still suffering the aftermath of war. During her time in the Languedoc, where she still lives, she has acquired much knowledge of this region's heretical history and culture.
ITINERARY:
Carcassonne
Our collection point for this tour is CARCASSONNE airport on Sunday afternoon October 5th. Those arriving there earlier or coming from other arrival points in France can enjoy the day in the city and meet us back at the airport later for the drive to our accommodation.
Day 1 (5/10/08)
Mid-afternoon pick up at Carcassonne airport and drive some 90 minutes north to our atmospheric Chambres D'Hote accommodation in LAUTREC, where we spend the first three nights. This perfectly preserved and walled medieval community - high on the list of most beautiful French villages - is perched on a hilltop set in an exquisite, timeless landscape.
Day 2
After an introduction and briefing by Isobel Denham of Boshols and Simon Peter Fuller of Wholistic World Vision, we drive to the imposing town of ALBI for sightseeing with time to explore the huge red brick cathedral - built to symbolise the church's power over the 'Albigensian heresy', the basilica of St Salvi, the Toulouse Lautrec museum and the city's river banks and picturesque streets. After lunch we continue to Notre Dame de la Dreche to see a Black Madonna and the tranquil Roman healing Spring. Return to LAUTREC to see the small local museum and enjoy the tranquility of the village.
Sidobre
Day 3
Drive to nearby MAZAMET to visit the newly opened and controversial "Museum of Catharism", beautifully and lovingly presented by the best of local researchers based on historical facts - rather than muddled "New Age" contemporary Grail literature! Afternoon visit to the hilltop burial site of
11 noble Cathar women at the ruined chapel of St Julianne - only recently discovered and restored. Continue to BURLATS for the 13th century "Pavillion d' Adelaide" - a troubador court of love and haven. Explore the wild, boulder-strewn landscape of the SIDOBRE forest in which it is said St Dominic, the founder of the Dominicans, hid - he initiated the Inquisition!
Lastours
Day 4
Travelling south over the Black Mountains, we drive to LASTOURS - a steep climb to Cabaret, Surdespine and Quertinheux and a spectacular mountainside setting for three ruined castles associated with the Cathars. In the first decade of the 12th century Cabaret had become Languedoc's foremost shrine in the pilgrimage of 'courtly love'. After a picnic lunch we continue to CARCASSONNE to see this fine example of a (restored) medieval fortified city - seat of the Trencavel family, defenders of the Cathar heretics. Later, we continue to our hotel at Alet-les-Bains, near Rennes-le-Chateaux for the next 4 nights stay.
Day 5
Rennes-Le-Chateau
Day 7
In the morning we continue on the Cathar trail by visiting the charming nearby town of LIMOUX. Time for last minute shopping and lunch before continuing to RENNES-LE-CHATEAU - the former Visigoth capital of the region. This enigmatic small hilltop village has more recently - especially since the DaVinci Code - become a New Age focus for 'Grail searchers'! We visit Abbe Sauniere's grave (recently removed from consecrated ground by the Roman Church!!), the Tour Magdala and the unique, symbol-laden church.
Day 8 (12/10/08)
Mid-morning return transfer to CARCASSONNE airport. Tour ends.
ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT: In comfortable and atmospheric tourist class accommodation. Rooms with private facilities. Rental vans driven by Isobel Denham and Simon Peter Fuller.
PRICE: £575 per person in shared rooms. Single supplement £100 (limited). Price includes Bed and Breakfast plus transport and guiding. Air fares, any entrance fees and other meals in local restaurants are extra. Refunds after final payment only if place is sold.
NB Due to fluctuating exchange rates we may need to surcharge if the £/Euro rate varies over 5% by the time of final balance payment.
DEPOSIT: £150 - refundable only if place sold. Final balance due 8 weeks prior to departure - 17th August, 2008
RESERVATIONS:
By email to Wholistic World Vision SimonPeter@wwv.me.uk
