Trip Dates and Details
May 29–June 9, 2024
Join John Sutton Miner Professor of History and Professor of Classics Ken Wolf, Peter Watson from Duende Travel Ltd. and fellow Pomona College alumni, families and friends for a trek through the Southern French countryside and medieval European history. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the very first of these medieval-themed, Pomona College expeditions.
A Message from Prof. Ken Wolf
In July 1209 Pope Innocent III launched a crusade for the second time in his pontificate. Unlike the first one, which was designed to recover Jerusalem from the Muslims, he directed this one at southern France, where the Cathar heretics had long acted with impunity, enjoying the support of the independent counts of Toulouse, Foix, and Carcassonne. What began as a papally-authorized campaign led by Cistercian monks quickly turned into an excuse for northern French forces, led by Simon de Montfort, to lay claim to Languedoc. As a result, these colorful Occitan dynasties, famous for their patronage of troubadour poetry as well as their distinctive spin on Christianity, would ultimately see themselves dispossessed. The Cathars, whom they had protected for so long, would find themselves unprotected and subject to a new papal experiment: the inquisition, staffed primarily by the Dominicans.
This brutal but fascinating episode in southern French history is well attested not only by contemporary chronicles but by architectural ruins. Faced with military incursions and inquisitorial proceedings, the leading families of the Languedoc and the heretics whom they patronized, took to the mountains. There they built some of the most spectacularly situated and impregnable fortresses that Europe has ever seen. Eventually, they would be removed even from these inaccessible niches, leaving behind empty skeletons of white stone.
We start in the remarkable city of Albi which gave its name to this unprecedented internal crusade. We continue to Carcassonne, one of medieval France’s best-preserved cities, through Foix with its fine castle to some of the principal sites of the Cathar holdouts, including Montségur, the centre of Catharism for many years and scene of its most important siege. We visit the great Abbey of Fontfroide, a major Cistercian foundation as well as the beautiful church of Sant Miquel de Cuixà on the flank of the iconic Canigou mountain. We will then follow the Cathar diaspora through some magnificent high mountain scenery, crossing the border to Spain and on to the superb cathedral town of La Seu d’Urgell. From here drive south to the ever-exciting and captivating city of Barcelona to finish our exploration of this fascinating region.
Join Peter Watson and me for an unforgettable trek through the Southern French countryside and medieval European history. Help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the very first of these medieval-themed, Pomona College expeditions by being a part of this trip, the 14th that we have run since 1999. I hope to see you and your family in 2024! For information, email the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement or call (888) 724-3436 (SAGEHEN). You may also email our travel agent or call (949) 930-9288.
Itinerary
Day 1: Toulouse / Albi
Wednesday, May 29
Arrive at Toulouse airport and travel to the town of Albi where we spend our first two nights. This town, home of Toulouse-Lautrec and one of the finest cathedrals in Southern France, gave its name to the Albigensian Crusade. We have a two-night stay at a fine riverside property, a member of the Relais et Châteaux group. La Reserve (D)
Day 2: Albi
Thursday, May 30
We begin our walk at the fine medieval bastide town of Najac. This morning, we descend from the town to the river Aveyron for a picnic lunch before climbing back up to explore the 13th century church built by the townspeople to atone for their support of the Cathar heretics. ( B,L,D)
A.M. – 3.7 miles
P.M. – 2.8 miles up and down on good trails
Day 3–5: Carcassonne
Friday, May 31
We spend the morning walking through Albi and visiting the spectacular red brick cathedral that dominates the town. Built in the southern Romanesque style in the late 14 century, the church is a remarkable testament to the powers of religious orthodoxy. Later this morning we drive south to the Montagne Noire to the four châteaux of Lastours, the most famous of which is the supremely evocative Cabaret set on a spur above the meander of the Orbiel River. This stronghold surrendered to Simon de Montfort in 1211.
The afternoon offers a taste of the scenery on the southern slopes of this isolated region. Our walk takes us through a local hamlet before descending to the river below the castles where those with more energy can explore the site of the four châteaux of Lastours. From here we continue by road to the great medieval town of Carcassonne where we spend the next three nights in the famous Hôtel de la Cité. (B,L,D)
A.M. – City Walking
P.M. – 2.7 miles – easy descent
Saturday, June 1
We turn west to the little fortified towns of Montréal and Fanjeaux. It was here that Saint Dominic had his first encounters with the Cathars and their beliefs and here that he established his first monastery in the Languedoc. We follow in his footsteps as we walk between the two villages and down to Prouille; still home to the Dominicans today. (B,L)
A.M. – City Walking
P.M. – 5.4 miles, countryside walking over hilly terrain
Sunday, June 2
We drive south to the village and castle of Montségur. This is the site of the Cathars’ great stronghold which was to prove such a thorn in the side of the French royal forces. Our morning walk leads out along a ridge with spectacular views of the castle. After our picnic lunch we continue our walk through woods and along open ridges down into the valley from where we return to Carcassonne by road. (B,L)
A.M. – 2.6 miles
P.M. – 4.8 miles, rocky to start, descending
Day 6–7: Bélesta
Monday, June 3
We drive eastwards and leave the higher mountains behind as we make our way across the garrigue of southern France. Our walk leads past the vineyards and forests of the Corbières to visit the Cistercian Abbey at Fontfroide founded at the end of the 11th century. It was the murder of Pierre de Castlenau, a monk from this bastion of orthodoxy, which was the direct cause of the Albigensian Crusade in 1208. This evening we drive on to the town of Bélesta where we spend the next two nights in a beautiful, converted winery with an excellent restaurant. Domaine Riberach (B,L,D)
A.M. – 3.3 miles, easy
Tuesday, June 4
This morning we walk from our hotel through vineyards and scrubland to the valley of the Têt river where we picnic. This afternoon cross the valley onto the iconic Canigou massif as our splendid walk takes us from the small town of Taurinyà to the beautiful abbey of Sant Miquel de Cuixà. Later return to our hotel by road. (B,L,D)
A.M. – 5.7 miles, easy
P.M. – 3.1 miles, hilly
Day 8–9: La Seu d’Urgell
Wednesday, June 5
We drive west and to the border with Spain in Catalunya. Here we take a high walk in the Cerdanya region which leads through fine woodland scenery to a beautiful valley where we pause for lunch. This afternoon follow the river as it meanders down towards the local village in an afternoon of lovely walking. Later we continue by road to La Seu d’Urgell, the last bishopric in Spain and home to our parador hotel. Parador de Seu d’Urgell (B,L,D)
A.M. – 5.1 miles
P.M. – 2 miles, easy mountain walk
Wednesday, June 6
A morning walk along tracks and paths high in the mountains leads across the flank of the great Cadí massif. This is Pyrenean scenery at its most beautiful. The region is famed as the final refuge of the Cathar heretics, and its drama inspired the young Pablo Picasso. After our picnic lunch we continue our path before returning to Seu d’Urgell by road. (B,L,D)
A.M. – 4.4 miles (Option 5.5 miles)
P.M. – 3 miles
Day 10–11: Barcelona
Friday, June 7
This morning we take a short walk close to Seu d’Urgell before our final picnic lunch. Later we drive down to the plains and continue to the great city of Barcelona for our final two nights. Monument Hotel Barcelona or similar (B,L)
A.M. – 3.4 miles, downhill along rough trails
Saturday, June 8
After a morning concentrating on Gaudì’s great cathedral of La Sagrada Familia and other sites close to the hotel we are free for lunch and independent exploration of this great city before our farewell reception and celebration dinner. (B,D)
Day 12: Barcelona/U.S.
Sunday, June 9
Transfer to Barcelona airport by road for your flight home.
Inclusive Pricing
- Group transfers from Toulouse on May 29, departing from Barcelona on June 9.
- 11 nights hotel accommodations based on double or single occupancy.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: R= Reception, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- Lunches and dinners include bottled water and wine.
- Hotel taxes and service charges on quoted services
Trip Exclusions
- Cost of obtaining a passport and/or visa
- Communications costs, such as phone calls, emails, and faxes
- Any items of a personal nature
- Any items not included in inclusions
- International air reservations
Cost Per Person
$8,150.00 per person based on two people sharing a twin-bedded room.
The trip cost is based on a minimum of 14 paying participants. We reserve the right to cancel this trip if a minimum number of participants is not reached.
A limited number of single rooms are available at an additional cost of $1,975.00.
Conditions and Contract
Additional Information
Travelstore VIP is the principal tour operator and is responsible to the participants for all arrangements and for all tour services and accommodations offered in these tours. Travelstore VIP, its agents, servants and employees shall not be responsible for personal injury or property damage, loss or delay, or change of itinerary incurred by any person or tour participant arising out of the act or negligence of any direct or supplemental air carrier, hotel or other person rendering any of these services, or accommodations being offered in this tour; nor shall Travelstore VIP be responsible for any injuries, death, damages, loss or delay in any means of transportation or by reason of any event beyond the actual control of Travelstore VIP or of any agent supplier or due to force majeure. The right is reserved to decline or accept or to retain any person as a member of a trip, or to cancel a trip, due to circumstances beyond the control of Travelstore VIP.
If the contract between Travelstore VIP and the passenger, on the one hand, and/or the contract between Travelstore VIP, and the designated carrier, on the other hand, is cancelled by the tour operator for any reason whatsoever, all partial or full payments made for the trip will be refunded in their entirety, without further obligation on the part of the tour operator.
The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category or change schedules without prior notice should circumstances so demand. In the event of a change in the itinerary necessitated by factors or conditions
beyond the actual control of Travelstore VIP, no refund can be made, nor will credit be allowed, provided that in the event of such change in itinerary, Travelstore VIP shall attempt to provide accommodations and services of comparable quality and standards as set forth in the brochure.
Any such change shall not modify the cancellation provisions in the brochure. No credit will be allowed, or refund given for any services provided in the Itinerary and Conditions List should any such services not be utilized by the tour members. Availability of refunds for air transportation depends on the type of air tickets purchased, and the point at which transportation is not used.
Travelstore VIP shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveler in conjunction with other actions, omissions, or conditions outside Travelstore VIP’s control including terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction difficulties, diseases, local law, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions, or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or other conditions outside Travelstore VIP’s control.
PASSPORTS: The U.S. State Department recommends that all travelers’ passports remain valid for six months beyond their expected return date. They also recommend that all travelers’ passports have a minimum of at least two blank pages left or travel may be refused to certain countries.
INSURANCE: Travel insurance for travel accident, loss/damage/delay of baggage, flight insurance and trip cancellation insurance are strongly recommended. Applications will be sent on request.
OPERATORS: This program is operated by Travelstore VIP of Irvine, California, and Duende Travel, UK, and hotels listed in the itinerary.
A deposit of $2,000 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than February 25, 2024, and payable by check only.
Should you cancel your trip for any reason before February 25, 2024, a $2,000 per person cancellation fee is charged. If you cancel between February 25 and March 29, 2024, a fee equal to 50% of the tour cost is charged. No refund can be paid if cancelled after March 29, 2024. If we can resell your booking, a $500 per person transfer fee will be charged.
Airline tickets have separate charges and cancellation fees depending on fare paid and date of change or cancellation. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Reservations and Trip Brochure
To make an advance reservation or for more information please email Karen Goodrich with Travelstore VIP or call (949) 930-9288.
Email the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement for a copy of the digital brochure.