Flavors of France: food, wine & culture

Paris - Bordeaux

Tag 1: Explore rich flavors in Bordeaux

Welcome to France! You'll arrive into Paris and embark on a train ride from the airport to Bordeaux, a journey time of about four hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a casual lunch in the city center, taking the time to rest and unwind after your travels.

In the afternoon, you'll take a guided walking tour, focusing on the city's wine history and incredible architecture. Come evening, wine lovers will be in for another treat, as you enjoy a tasting session and dinner at a renowned wine bar or restaurant.

Bordeaux - Saint Emilion - Bordeaux

Tag 2: Uncover wine & history in Saint-Emilion

Today, take a day trip to the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Emilion, famous around the world for its fantastic wines. There you'll visit a prestigious winery for a tasting and tour of their vineyards and cellars, followed by a gourmet lunch in the village; complete with wine pairings from local estates, this meal is bound to be unforgettable! Return to Bordeaux in the evening, to spend the rest of the day at leisure before your overnight stay.

Bordeaux - Medoc - Bordeaux

Tag 3: Explore the castles of the Médoc

History lovers, rejoice! Today's itinerary is filled with incredible architecture and landscapes. After a morning at leisure and a lunch of seafood dishes and local specialties in Bordeaux, you'll set out on a guided wine tour of the Médoc region. Spend your time there visiting several renowned châteaux, soaking in their historic grandeur and unparalleled beauty. Return to Bordeaux afterwards to spend the evening at leisure, soaking up its vibrant culinary scene or relaxing at a wine bar.

Bordeaux - Paris

Tag 4: Journey back to Paris

Leaving Bordeaux in the early morning, journey by train back north to Paris, the ever-charming City of Lights. There, you'll drop off your bags and enjoy a culturally-rich afternoon: visit the Louvre Museum to explore its world-renowned art collection, then continue on to the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, a true marvel of French Gothic architecture. Come evening, settle down for a relaxing dinner at a local bistro, before an overnight stay back at your hotel.

Paris

Tag 5: Uncover foodie gems in Paris

Save some room at breakfast this morning, as today you’ll join a three-hour food tour to explore Paris’ neighborhoods and gastronomic epicenter. This is a wonderful opportunity to dive into the many rich flavors of French cuisine, whilst getting to know the locals and immersing yourself in authentic daily life.

Afterwards, spend the afternoon shopping and sightseeing along the Champs-Elysées, stopping to admire the iconic Arc de Triomphe as you go. Optionally, end the day with a Seine river cruise for a unique view of Paris by night.

Paris - Beaune

Tag 6: Journey to the heart of wine in Burgundy

Saying goodbye to Paris, today you'll board an early-morning train to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Surrounded by Côte d'Or vineyards and with its unique architectural makeup, this town is well worth adding to your itinerary for a character-packed discovery of Burgundy.

After a journey of about two hours, arrive and check into your hotel before enjoying lunch at a local café - a great moment to relax and unwind as you people-watch and soak up the atmosphere. In the afternoon, take some time to explore the historic Hospices de Beaune, as you wander through the town at leisure, before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Beaune

Tag 7: Dive into wine-making traditions in Beaune

Wine lovers will drink up today's program, as you join a guided tour of the vineyards in the Côte de Beaune region, including tastings at several of the estates you'll be visiting. Stop for lunch in a vineyard or at a traditional Burgundy restaurant, savoring local dishes like beef bourguignon, before returning to your hotel in Beaune for an overnight stay.

Beaune - Lyon

Tag 8: Uncover the charms of Lyon!

Take an early-morning train from Beaune to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, situated about an hour and 15 minutes away. There, you'll check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a traditional bouchon restaurant, tantalizing your taste buds with delicious Lyonnaise specialties.

In the afternoon, set out to explore the charming streets of Vieux Lyon, the old town filled with history and wonder. Optionally, you could spend the evening tasting wine in a local cellar, where you'll focus on the rich flavors of Rhône Valley wines.

Lyon

Tag 9: Foodie experiences in Lyon

Enjoy a light breakfast this morning, as you'll start the day's activities with a guided food tour of Vieux Lyon. The city is known for its rich and hearty dishes, including onion soup, andouillette sausage, fish dumplings, and deep-fried bugnes donuts.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, walking off all that delicious food as you uncover the city's spectacular sights. Optionally, those looking to spend a very special evening can choose to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, diving into Lyon's unique blend of traditional and contemporary cuisines.

Lyon - Avignon

Tag 10: Welcome to Avignon, in the heart of Provence

Bidding farewell to Lyon, today you'll board a morning train to your next destination: Avignon, the gateway to Provence. After an hour-long ride, arrive to enjoy a Provencal lunch of local specialties, such as ratatouille and tapenade. Explore the historical Palais des Papes and the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, taking a moment to appreciate their historic grandeur before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Avignon

Tag 11: Enjoy a day at your own pace in Avignon

The day is free for you to spend as you wish, with a selection of optional activities on hand to help you dive deeper into Avignon and its surroundings.

You could enjoy a private cooking class, creating a classic dish using fresh ingredients from the market, or follow in the footsteps of painter Vincent van Gogh to explore Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Those with a hankering for wine could visit a local estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for an afternoon tasting session.

Avignon - Paris

Tag 12: Goodbye, France!

Leave Avignon behind as you take a morning train to Paris. Back in the capital, enjoy a final lunch at a cafe or brasserie, soaking in the city’s atmosphere one last time. If time allows, take a moment to shop for gourmet food items and wine to take home, before ending your adventure with a return to the airport. Have a safe journey home!