It is the countryside outside of Toulouse stretching almost as far as Carcassonne. In this area you will find the Canal du Midi, beautiful villages and stunning scenery. Markets, antique and reproduction furniture. Foie Gras and excellent local wines from the Corbieres, Minervois and Fitou.

You can fly into Toulouse or Carcassonne, exit the Autoroute A61 at Villefranche Lauragais and head in the direction of Revel where you will find a beautiful market every Saturday morning. Worthwhile stops are St Felix Lauragais. There is a 16th century farm doing B&B in Belesta Lauragais, a good base for exploring the Lauragais.

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You can visit the Airbus plant in Toulouse and actually see the new A380 jumbo being assembled. You also get to visit one of the Concordes on the site and the A340 assembly line if you're interested. And Toulouse is a very lively city for a weekend break!

Airbus tours are organized by FRANCE A LA CARTE, 6 Place St Sernin, Toulouse. Ph: +33 561 120 794. www.francealacarte.com. If you fly to Toulouse with easyJet you arrive on an Airbus A319 or A320 which gets you into the mood!

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A beautifully kept and secluded campsite overlooking the valleys of the Dordogne.

Particularly recommended for off-peak camping, the site also hires out "mini-chateaux". Very warm staff, great location with nearby watersports, medieval villages and superb local cuisine.

Camping les Hauts de Ratebout,
Ste-Foy-de-Belves,
24170 Belves
Dordogne
00-33-(0)5.53.29.02.10
www.hauts-ratebout.fr

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A guesthouse in the midi-Pyrenees and the base for Jonathan's tours - walking holidays in the beautiful Ariege region of France. The village manor house has been restored with sympathy and flair. The garden - where Jonathan grows organic fruit and veg - a hidden oasis of terraces and lawns, provides a delightful lunch setting for Myriam's wonderful meals - all food is sourced locally and where possible, is organic. Jonathan is passionate about the area and an enthusiastic guide. When not based at home he's running similar walking tours in Crete.

If this sounds like an advertisement, well I'll come clean - I run creative writing holidays at Le Clos Enchante - also painting holidays, but we first met Jonathan and Myriam in Crete and have the greatest respect for his style of guiding - always taking his clients to meet local people, putting money into the local economy wherever possible (meals taken with shepherds) - both in France and in Crete.

And to save on those polluting airmiles why not travel to Le Clos Enchante by train on the excellent French rail service - as we did last year when our camper van broke down. After a B&B in Toulouse, we took an early morning train - changed in Bordeaux and Paris and got to Roscoff in plenty of time for our overnight crossing to Plymouth.

www.jonathanstours.com

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