Inspiration

5 UNMISSABLE CULTURE AND HERITAGE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS

Designed to inspire your programme development, these five must-do culture and heritage activities highlight the key experiences. Easy to integrate into your itineraries, they add value to your stays and respond to your clients’ expectations in the culture and heritage sector.

©Château de Bonaguil / CRTNA-FEDER

Table of contents

©Atelier parure au parc du thot / We-Like-Travel-SEMITOUR_Declic_Decolle

1. MEET CAVE ARTISTS

  • Get a thrill on a VIP tour of Lascaux IV Start at the belvedere with fabulous views of the Vézère Valley, home to prehistoric caves listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Then it’s time to cool down (14° in the cave) as you venture into the incredible replica of Lascaux Cave. Join a unique and original torchlight tour with a guide for almost 2 hours. Unicorns, aurochs, stags, horses and more in a dreamy and artistic world created by Cro-Magnon. Magical!
  • Come face to face with mammoths and bisons with
    paintings at Rouffignac Cave or Font-de-Gaume in
    Dordogne.

2. SATE YOUR APPETITE FOR HISTORY AND WINE

  • Learn everything there is to know about wine on the “essential” tour at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. The tour explores the site’s iconic architecture (a symbol of Bordeaux), the immersive interactive exhibition and 360° views of Bordeaux from the viewing platform with a glass of wine to sample from a selection. Tour available in several languages including French, English and Japanese.
  • Travel back in time at Château de Cognac where King François I was born and now home to a major cognac brand (Otard). Dive into literature in Bergerac on Quai Cyrano to experience the Dordogne vineyard and meet the iconic Cyrano de Bergerac.

©La Cité du Vin, vignobles du monde / Anaka – Casson Mann – Grand Angle Productions

©Vue aérienne du phare de Chassiron à Oléron / F Leroy / CRTNA

3. SCALE THE STAIRS UP THE LIGHTHOUSES
PEPPERING THE ATLANTIC COAST

  • Join one of the lighthouse keepers at Cordouan. Meet lighthouse royalty and the oldest one in France off the coast of the Gironde Estuary, recently listed as a World Heritage site. Join the lighthouse keepers on a tour. Climb the 301 steps* for stunning views of the sea and sky. You can only reach the lighthouse by boat (from Verdon or Royan). Sailing conditions change day to day ** (tide, weather etc.).
  • Island-hop and visit lighthouses on Île de Ré (Phare des Baleines) or Île d’Oléron (PHARE DE CHASSIRON).

*You needto be physically fit to go up the lighthouse stairs.
** Wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

4. FEAST YOUR EYES ON ROMANESQUE ART

  • Gaze at medieval frescoes at Saint Savin Abbey, the Romanesque Sistine Chapel. This Romanesque wonder in Poitou lies east of Poitiers and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 as a “masterpiece of man’s creative genius” and “exceptional testimony to past civilisations.” André Malraux nicknamed it the “Romanesque Sistine Chapel” for its 11th and 12th century murals. The frescoes were commissioned by Benedictine monks and are still in incredibly good condition. They depict 61 scenes (44 of which we can see today) in the nave’s impressive vault with the most famous tales from the Old Testament. Don’t miss the fascinating church hall and monastery buildings.
  • Follow country roads through Poitevin and Saintes visiting abbeys and Romanesque churches showcasing Romanesque masterpieces: from Notre-Dame-la-Grande in Poitiers, Saint-Eutrope in Saintes to Saint-Hilaire de Melle on the Way of St James.

©Abbaye de Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe / CRTNA – FEDER

©Aubeterre-sur-Dronne / CRTPC – P. BAUDRY

5. DELVE INTO AMAZING UNDERGROUND REALMS

  • Descend into Proumeyssac Cave in Périgord (360° views). The cave is known as the Crystal Cathedral because of its mammoth underground vault. New lighting illuminates the underground lakes and concretions that have appeared over time. Take a 50m gondola ride into the belly of the Earth to relive how the very first visitors must have felt in 1907. It has a rotating platform to provide panoramic views. A unique experience.
  • Delve into the incredible underground churches in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” in Southern Charente, or the equally famous one in the heart of the winemaking village of Saint Emilion.

to go further

Exploring culture and heritage

Explore our suggested itineraries for culture and heritage, discover our package tours, and browse our selection of service providers in this sector.

Practical resources designed to help you develop coherent and attractive programs tailored to your customers.


Build your programmes around culture and heritage

Our package holidays
Our itinerary suggestions
All service providers