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 Northern Italy. The dualistic Cathar philosophy - associated with the Bogomils of the Middle East - emerged simultaneously across large parts of 12th and 13th century Europe, but eventually established its main influence in the Languedoc region of south west France, where it was ruthlessly persecuted (almost to extinction) by the Roman church. Our itineray includes some of the famous Black Madonnas and Magdalene images celebrated in this region. We cannot guarantee access, because these 'heretical' images of 'the goddess and Oneness with the universe', are always threatened by the church and sometimes locked away for 'safe keeping' - even stolen! However, we keep an eye on them and a good number are usually on view.
Isobel Denham was born at the end of WWII in London's East End of an Irish-Jewish-mongrel heritage and grew up with a keen awareness of social injustice and genocide. She was drawn to Bosnia Herzegovinia in 1994 when the Bosnian 'War' was at its height taking up an invitation from Bosnian women to join a series of Peace Conferences in war torn Bosnia called 'Through Heart to Peace'. Their commitment was to non-violence and living in harmony with their neighbours, whilst under threat of extermination. She became involved with and managed the Bosnian Holidays project, which provided times of respite for highly traumatized children, young people and women survivors at a project Centre in the French Languedoc region and later, in England. The work has now evolved from 'hands on' to 'hands off', with many deep friendships forged and regular exchange visits still continuing. In the past, funds were raised for the project in collaboration with Wholistic World Vision's renowned 'Cathar Tours'. 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 12th September.. Those arriving there earlier or coming from other arrival points in France can enjoy the morning in the old city and meet us back at the airport for the drive to our accommodation. Regular airport buses from the main station.
Day 1 (12/9)
Early 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 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! Picnic lunch nearby in HAUTPOOL - a medieval and picturesque former Cathar community on a hilltop with a Visigoth castle ruin. Continue to the burial site of
11 noble Cathar women at the ruined chapel of St Julianne - only recently discovered and restored. If time, continue to BURLATS for the 13th century "Pavillion d' Adelaide" - a troubador court of love and haven and 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 first Inquisition (against the Cathar heresy)!
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 explore the hilltop behind Alet-les-bains visiting a new Angel Sanctuary, an ancient chapel built on Roman remains and a Standing Stone. Lunch and sightseeing at 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 (19/9)
Mid-morning return transfer to CARCASSONNE airport (and rail station). 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: 675 Euros per person in shared accommodation. Single supplement 150 Euros (limited). Price includes Bed and Breakfast plus transport and guiding. Air fares, any entrance fees and other meals in private homes and local restaurants are extra.
NB Due to wildly fluctuating exchange rates, we are quoting in Euros to avoid surcharging. Only a fuel surcharge might be required if prices skyrocket again!
DEPOSIT: 200 Euros. Balance due in full 8 weeks prior to departure - 18th July 2010.
NB. REFUNDS. Only available for the deposit and final balance if your place is subsequently sold.
RESERVATIONS:
By email to Wholistic World Vision SimonPeter@wwv.me.uk
