Day 1 - arrival day

Guests to arrive at " Les Cerisiers " around 6pm where your hosts, Maggi and Mike de Rozario, will welcome you. Once you have settled into your rooms and enjoyed an aperitif or two, you will be served a four-course table-d'hôte meal of local produce. Here you will meet the other members of your group and talk through your tailor-made itineraries for your stay in Laguepie, as pre-arranged with Maggi prior to arrival.  

Day 2

Following breakfast you will be introduced to the maire of Laguepie, Jacques Alaux who has given his blessing to the holiday. If the maire is unable to attend due to municipal duties, the deputy maire, Jean Galtyerie, will meet with you in his place.   You will be given a private guided tour of the commune before being invited to the Mairie where you will have a private meeting with the maire or deputy maire.  Here you are welcome to ask any questions you may surrounding the office and what assistance the maire can provide in your initial months in France.   Questions can continue over lunch at the local family run restaurant L'Oustal (the maire/deputy maire's time allowing), where you will be joined by local French business people keen to contribute to your experience and answer any questions you may have. After lunch you may want to relax for a few hours and explore the beautiful village of Laguepie or perhaps the nearby hill top villages of Najac and Cordes.   Later in the afternoon, for those wine connoisseurs, you will be taken on a private tour and free wine tasting session at a local vineyard Domaine Labarthe that has been in the same family for 400 years.   On your return to " Les Cerisiers ", after a relaxed ''l'heure de l'apero", Maggi will prepare a cold supper over which you can discuss the day's events.

Day 3

Today Maggi will accompany you by the train to the famous bastide town Villefranche de Rouergue, where you will have the morning to yourself to explore one of the largest markets in Aveyron and enjoy lunch at your leisure. On your return to Laguepie you will then have the option of an afternoon activity that is tailored to your requirements*.   Whether you want to visit a local school to meet with parents and children, quiz Maggi on how to run a successful B&B, meet with a local gite owner, chat with local tradesman (French and English) about working in France or simply spend time soaking in your French surroundings, a unique opportunity can be arranged to suit the individual needs of every guest. In the evening you will dine at the local cordon bleu restaurant Les Deux Rivieres . Here you will be joined by local French villagers, who are keen to share their way of life and cultural heritage and help you with any questions you may have.

Day 4

In the morning you will visit one of the Prefecture Towns (Albi, Montauban or Rodez).   Maggi will familiarise you with some of the administrative centres, La Prefecture , CPAM and La Douane where she will explain the systems they have in place.   This will help de-mystify some of the red tape and bureaucracy that so many people dread when moving to France.   Following these familiarisation visits, you will have plenty of your own time of your own to explore the Prefecture town where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch and visit the museums and attractions on offer. Back in Laguepie, you will be taken on a tour of the local essential oils factory Essencugia whilst Maggi prepares a final four-course table d'hote dinner.   On your last night in Laguepie you will be joined by some local integrated expats who can share their experience, tips and insight and regale you with their individual stories of life in rural France.  

Day 5

After a laid-back breakfast, it will be time to leave - either to enjoy an extended break in the beautiful countryside of Tarn and Garonne or for your return flight back to the UK.   

* your individual requirements will be discussed in more detail with Maggi on booking. Timings and excursions are subject to change depending on the number of bookings.