Pilgrimage to the historical site of the montgolfière

Arrival in LYON* at Saint-Exupéry airport. Our guide and driver welcome you and lead you to an air-conditioned bus. Departure to ANNONAY, birthplace of the "montgolfière" (hot-air balloon). Depending on arrival schedule, panoramic tour of the center of LYON by coach : Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux, Fourvière basilica. Arrival at the hotel. Quiet moment to settle into your room. Dinner.

Early breakfast, then, if the weather is favorable, you will be driven to the takeoff area of the balloon. From the sky, you will discover ANNONAY, city of inventors, birthplace of the Montgolfier brothers, and the open country of Ardèche. After the astonishment and enthusiasm of the flight, the aircrew will invite you to a friendly snack according to the simple local tradition. Return to the hotel to relax for a moment, then visit of the park of LA FAURIE castle where SAINT-EXUPERY's mother was born and where the famous pilot spent his school holidays when he was a child. Diner in a restaurant. Return to the hotel.

After Breakfast, departure to CHAVANIAC and its castle where Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert MOTIER, marquis de LA FAYETTE was born. He was Benjamin FRANKLIN's friend. Disobeying the king of France's orders, LA FAYETTE sailed on April 1777 to reach the New World and helped the insurgents who commissioned him a Major General. Wounded during the battle of Brandywine, he fought with General WASHINGTON until the final victory in 1781. Lunch will be served near the castle. In the afternoon, visit of the old town of LE PUY-EN-VELAY and its cathedral (a listed UNESCO world heritage site) with a lecturer-guide of the heritage. You will be able to discover on foot and on an urban tourist train (the best way to visit the old town) the millennial town which is as well one of the European capitals of lace. After returning to the hotel, you will enjoy a traditional evening party.

Breakfast, then visit of the old town of ANNONAY with its historical sites. Spare time will be dedicated to shopping after the visit. Traditional lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon, visit of a famous Côtes du Rhône cellar with tasting of various wines. (visit of LA FAURIE castle if the flight in balloon has not already taken place). Good-bye dinner in a restaurant.

After breakfast, you will be driven by air-conditioned bus to the Saint-Exupéry airport. Depending on the takeoff schedule, guided visit of the Saint-Jean district (a listed UNESCO world heritage site) and of the Saint-Jean cathedral. Lunch at Saint-Exupéry airport.

After an early breakfast, you will take the highway to go to Avignon. By a small train, visit of the capital city of Vaucluse, place of art and culture. The town is surrounded by ramparts and dominated by the Rock of the Doms on which the cathedral and the Palais des Papes are erected. You will as well discover the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet known as the "Pont d'Avignon". Most of the bridge was swept away by floods in the XVIIth century and today only 4 arches remain. Lunch in Avignon. In the afternoon, you will admire the Pont du Gard which symbolizes the advanced building skills of the Romans. This aqueduct, the highest Roman bridge ever built, is listed UNESCO world heritage site. Return to Annonay.