This 16-day journey through France weaves together the country’s most celebrated wine regions, historic towns, and cultural treasures. Beginning in Bordeaux, you will explore world-class vineyards and the medieval beauty of Saint-Émilion before continuing into the Dordogne, a region rich with castles, ancient villages, and dramatic landscapes. Your adventure then moves on to the Loire Valley, home to elegant châteaux, remarkable abbeys, and iconic Chenin Blanc vineyards. Ending in Paris, the City of Lights, you will enjoy its artistic masterpieces, grand boulevards, and refined gastronomy. Throughout the tour, savor exceptional wines, exquisite local cuisine, and hand-picked boutique accommodations on this bespoke, privately guided French experience.
Tour description
Discover the best of Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Dordogne, Cognac, and the Loire Valley and the iconic Paris sights
DAY 1 BORDEAUX
Upon arrival into Bordeaux airport, you will be transferred to your boutique hotel (5 or 4 star level, depending on your preference) in the heart of Bordeaux. We personally supervise all the hotels we use and they all have lovely rooms, offering top notch attention.
You will enjoy the rest of your day at your own leisure – we will provide many free time suggestions & restaurant recommendations in your Personal Travel Website.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from the airport. Accommodation at a boutique hotel in the heart of Bordeaux.
DAY 2 BORDEAUX
This morning, our excellent local guide will meet you at your hotel for a private guided tour of Bordeaux, where you will discover the charm and elegance of this city. Together with our knowledgable guide, you’ll stroll through the city’s graceful streets, uncovering its rich heritage and refined atmosphere. During your tour, you will enjoy tastings of local specialties and sample some of Bordeaux’s renowned wines, learning a lot about the whole wine region and local gastronomy. Your guide will also leave you with personalised suggestions for your free afternoon to continue exploring at your own pace
Please note: If you would prefer to have this guided tour on Day 1 after your arrival then we can of course amend this, and have Day 2 as a free day.
Tour in a Nutshell: Half Day Private Guided Tour of Bordeaux with local food & wine tastings. Overnight Bordeaux.
DAY 3 BORDEAUX
This morning, our charming local guide and wine specialist, who is also a licensed driver, will collect you from your hotel for a full-day discovery of Bordeaux’s famed Left Bank. You will travel along the legendary Route des Châteaux, passing through the prestigious appellations of Margaux, Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe.
You will enjoy private visits and tastings at three distinguished wine estates, where you’ll sample the region’s superb reds crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Between visits, you will enjoy a cuisine lunch at a local restaurant showcasing regional flavours. Throughout the day, your guide will share fascinating insights into Bordeaux’s wines, history, and culture, making this an enriching and memorable experience.
Optional extension: Extra free day in Bordeaux or a Graves & Sauternes wine tour with your excellent licensed guide, also a wine specialist. The Graves region, the birthplace of Bordeaux wines, is famed for its warm, gravelly soils that produce elegant reds, refined dry whites, and the lusciously sweet wines of Sauternes.
Tour in a Nutshell: Full Day Chauffeured Tour of Bordeaux Left Bank with Private Visits & Tastings at three Wine Estates. Local Cuisine Lunch. Overnight Bordeaux.
DAY 4 ST EMILION
This morning, our guide/wine specialist, who is also a licensed driver, will collect you from your hotel in Bordeaux and transfer you to St Emilon where you will enjoy a full day private wine tour.
Upon arrival in St Emilion wine region, you will begin with a private visit and tasting at one of the prestigious wine estates, where you’ll discover the art and tradition behind these celebrated wines. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely lunch with fine wines at another charming winery, surrounded by the beautiful vineyard landscape. In the afternoon, a private walking tour of Saint-Émilion awaits, through its cobbled streets and historic monuments, uncovering the character and heritage of this enchanting village.
After your fantastic day discovering St Emilion, you will check-in to your boutique hotel in the heart of St Emilion.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to St Emilion. Private visit & tastings at a prestigious wine estate. Local Cuisine lunch. Private guided walking tour of St Emilion with local food & wine tastings. Accomodation in a boutique hotel in the heart of St Emilion.
DAY 5 POMEROL
After breakfast at your hotel, your local driver will take you to the nearby Pomerol appellation, one of Bordeaux’s smallest yet most prestigious wine regions. Enjoy a private visit and tasting at one of Pomerol’s distinguished estates, where you’ll discover the exceptional Merlot-based wines that have made this area world-renowned. Learn about the region’s unique clay soils, meticulous winemaking traditions, and the artistry that gives Pomerol wines their depth and elegance.
After your tasting, you will enjoy a cuisine lunch with wine pairings at a local restaurant before returning to St Emilion.
In the afternoon you have an exclusive visit at the prestigious Chateau Pavie, Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A, one of the region’s most iconic estates. Learn about the château’s rich history and explore its elegant cellars before tasting one vintage of Château Pavie and one from the Perse family’s estate range. Owned by the Perse family since 1998, the château was elevated to the highest Saint-Émilion classification in 2012 and continues to embody the excellence and elegance for which Bordeaux is renowned.
The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the village at your leisure and we will provide many free time suggestions.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured Transfers. Private visit & tastings at a prestigious winery. Local Cuisine Lunch. Exclusive visit & tastings at Chateau Pavie. Overnight St Emilion.
DAY 6 MONTBAZILLAC & BERGERAC
This morning, you will bid farewell to St Emilion as your charming and knowledgeable local Dordogne guide, who is also a licensed driver, escorts you through the scenic landscapes of his beloved land. Along the way, you will stop to visit the picturesque Château de Monbazillac, a 16th-century castle surrounded by vineyards famed for their exquisite sweet white wines. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the château and its grounds, followed by a tasting of the celebrated Monbazillac wine. You will continue to the historic town of Bergerac, where you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring local specialities and have time to explore its delightful old town, with half-timbered houses and flower-filled squares.
In the late afternoon, your driver will continue on and leave you accomodated at your boutique 4* hotel in the heart of Sarlat, where the evening is yours to relax and unwind.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer from St Emilion to the Dordogne with stops in Montbazillac & Bergerac. Entrance tickets to Château de Monbazillac with tastings. Local Cuisine Lunch. Accomodation at a boutique hotel in the heart of Sarlat, Dordogne.
DAY 7 DORDOGNE
Today, your expert local guide and licensed driver will collect you for a full-day exploration of the enchanting Dordogne Valley, often called the “Valley of a Thousand Castles.” You will enjoy visits to two of the region’s most remarkable castles, each offering a fascinating glimpse into Dordogne’s rich history and heritage. In between your visits you will stop to enjoy a gourmet lunch in a charming local restaurant, perhaps featuring seasonal truffle specialties. In the afternoon, discover the beauty of villages such as Domme or La Roque-Gageac, perched above the Dordogne River and ranked among the Plus Beaux Villages de France.
If you wish, in addition to the castle we can include a visit to a traditional foie gras farm for a short tour and tasting before continuing through the rolling countryside dotted with medieval fortresses and storybook villages.
After a full day immersed in history, culture, and gastronomy, your lovely driver will return you all back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Tour in a Nutshell: Full Chauffeured Day in the Dordogne with visits & entrance tickets to two castles. Optional: Visit to a foie gras farm for a tour and tasting. Local Cuisine Lunch. Overnight Sarlat.
DAY 8 ROCAMADOUR
This morning, your charming local guide and licensed driver will take you to explore two of the Dordogne’s most awe-inspiring sites. Begin in the extraordinary cliffside village of Rocamadour, a dramatic medieval pilgrimage site rising high above a canyon. Stroll through its winding lanes and ascend to the revered sanctuaries and chapels, including the famed Notre Dame Chapel, long celebrated for its history and miraculous legends. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of Dordogne specialties with wine at a charming local restaurant before continuing to the Padirac Caves, one of Europe’s most remarkable natural wonders. Descend deep into the earth to discover vast underground galleries, hidden lakes, and breathtaking rock formations during a guided visit and subterranean boat ride. After this extraordinary journey through history and nature, return to your boutique hotel for an evening at leisure.
Tour in a Nutshell: Full Day Chauffeured tour of Rocamadour and visits to Padirac Caves (or other prehistoric caves if you prefer). Local Cuisine Lunch. Overnight Sarlat.
DAY 9 COGNAC
Our charming chauffeur will collect you from your hotel for a comfortable drive toward the vineyards of the Cognac area. En route, you will stop at a prominent hilltop fortress set among the vineyards, where you will walk through its restored sections and learn about its role in the region’s rural history. Continuing to the town of Cognac, you will sit down to lunch in a well-regarded local restaurant known for hearty seasonal Charentais cooking. Afterward, you will visit the iconic Cognac château on the riverfront, known for its architectural significance and long association with the development of local distillation traditions.
In the late afternoon, you will meet an artisan cognac producer in the surrounding countryside. Here, you will follow the technical progression from base wine to distilled eaux-de-vie, with a tasting highlighting differences in aroma profile, structure, and maturation. Your day will conclude with your arrival at your hotel in the Cognac area.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private chauffeur transfer from the Dordogne to Cognac. Local lunch with wine. Visit and tastings at a Cognan producer. Accommodation in a boutique hotel in the Cognac area.
DAY 10 LOIRE VALLEY
This morning you will take a high-speed train from Cognac to the Loire Valley. Upon arrival our charming and engaging guide-driver will meet you at the station and you will begin your stay with an introduction to the Saumur and Saumur-Champigny vineyards. You will visit contrasting estates that illustrate the diversity of the appellation, including the famous Clos d’Entre les Murs, a unique 19th-century vineyard with parallel limestone walls, each pierced with openings, allow the vines to grow from the shaded north side toward full southern exposure. This design creates a distinct microclimate that balances freshness and ripeness, resulting in a rare and precise expression of Chenin Blanc. Between visits, you will pause for lunch in a local restaurant serving seasonal Anjou dishes alongside regional wines.
In the afternoon, you will stop to visit a stunning Romanesque abbey. You will also visit a multi-generation family domaine working organically, and a property whose cellars extend deep into traditional troglodyte caves carved from tuffeau limestone. Your day will conclude in Saumur, where you will check into your charming hotel with time to relax before exploring the town at your leisure.
Note: Your stay in the Loire valley includes 3 different hotels/villages, to give you a deeper inmersion in the area, but this itinerary can also be done from one of the lovely boutique hotels we work with in Tours.
Tour in a Nutshell: First Class high speed train from Cognac area to Loire Valley. Chauffeured transfers. Visit and tastings at 2 prestigious wineries. Local lunch with wines. Accomodation at a Chateau hotel in the heart of the Loire Valley.
DAY 11 LOIRE VALLEY
Your chauffeur will collect you in Saumur for a pleasant drive east toward the heart of the Loire’s white-wine territory. Your morning will begin with a visit to a small domaine specializing in Chenin Blanc, where you will explore traditional tuffeau cellars cut deep into the limestone cliffs. These naturally cool, humid galleries provide ideal conditions for slow maturation, and your tasting will illustrate how soil structure and residual sugar balance shape the region’s dry and lightly off-dry styles. Afterward, you will pause for lunch in a local restaurant highlighting fresh Loire produce and regional pairings. In the afternoon, you will continue to Château de Chenonceau, one of France’s most photographed and visited châteaux, built across the River Cher, known for its distinctive gallery spanning the water and for the influential women who shaped its architecture and gardens over several centuries. Later in the day, you will arrive in Amboise and settle into your boutique hotel, well placed for exploring the historic center and the nearby royal château.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private chauffeur for a full day tour of Loire Valley. Private visit & tastings at a Loire Valley winery. Tickets to Chateau de Chenonceau. Gourmet lunch with wine pairing. Overnight in a boutique hotel in the heart of the Loire Valley.
DAY 12 LOIRE VALLEY
After breakfast at your hotel in Amboise, you will walk to the nearby Château du Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, where your visit will introduce you to his workshops, models of his inventions, and the landscaped park illustrating his engineering concepts. Mid-morning, you will enjoy a private tour of a traditional troglodyte wine cellar. Originally carved as tuffeau quarries for the construction of the Loire châteaux, these underground galleries now offer ideal natural conditions for aging local whites and sparkling wines. Your guide will explain how the constant temperature and humidity shape the region’s styles, followed by a focused tasting. In the afternoon, you will head to the Château d’Amboise, a key Renaissance fortress overlooking the Loire and home to the Saint-Hubert Chapel, where Leonardo is buried. After your visit, you will have free time to explore the historic center with our recommendations for cafés, shops, and dinner in town.
Tour in a Nutshell: Tickets to visit Chateau du Clos Luce & Amboise Castle. Private Amboise wine cellar tour with tastings. Overnight Loire Valley.
DAY 13 PARIS
This morning, your chauffeur will take you to the high-speed train station for your journey to Paris(1,5 h). Upon arrival, our Paris chauffeur will transfer you to your boutique hotel in the city center, steps from many major sights. In the afternoon, our charming and engaginge guide will meet you for a half-day walking tour of historic Paris. You will begin with a curated visit to the Louvre, designed to navigate the museum’s highlights without the usual overwhelm. You will then continue on foot through the Île de la Cité to visit the Sainte-Chapelle, renowned for its extraordinary stained-glass walls, before viewing Notre-Dame (from outside, or if the lines are not too long, from inside) and learning about its architectural restoration. The tour will conclude in a lively central neighborhood, leaving you well oriented for the rest of your evening.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. First class high speed train tickets to Paris. Half Day Private walking tour of Paris and the Louvre. Overnight in a boutique hotel in the heart of Paris.
DAY 14 PARIS
Today your private, licensed Paris guide – who is also a licensed driver – will collect you from your apartment in a luxury Mercedes vechile for a full-day panoramic discovery of the most iconic sights and storied neighbourhoods of the City of Lights. Engaging, knowledgeable and wonderfully entertaining, your guide will bring Paris to life with insight into its architecture, history, and the rhythms of everyday Parisian life.
You will take in the city’s legendary landmarks and scenic viewpoints along the Seine, stopping at La Chapelle, Hôtel des Invalides – resting place of Napoleon, Place de la Concorde, the grand sweep of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the elegant bridges and riverbanks around Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, Madeleine Square, the hilltop basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, etc. No exploration would be complete without admiring the Eiffel Tower from its many vantage points, each revealing a unique perspective on this beloved iron icon.
Between visits, enjoy carefully selected local tastings that introduce you to quintessential Parisian flavours, followed by an excellent lunch showcasing authentic local cuisine.
Tour in a Nutshell: Full-day chauffeured panoramic tour of Paris with local tastings. Local cuisine lunch. Overnight in Paris.
DAY 15 PARIS
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace to further explore Paris, browse its boutiques, or relax at a charming café and soak up the city’s atmosphere.
At your preferred time in the morning or in the afternoon, you are booked for a small group visit to the Eiffel Tower, which includes summit access with timed, skip-the-line tickets. You will be accompanied by a guide, who will share fascinating insights into the monument’s history and architecture as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views over Paris.
Following your Eiffel tower visit (or later, if you prefer to get changed and relax at your hotel), from the docks just a few minute walk from the tower, you will experience a Dinner River Cruise along the Seine, offering a captivating perspective of the city’s illuminated landmarks. Glide past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, as well as Paris’s elegant bridges and riverbanks.
Tour in a Nutshell: Eiffel Tower Summit tickets with a short small group guided visit. Dinner River Cruise on the Seine. Overnight in Paris.
DAY 16 DEPARTURE PARIS
Today you will bid farewell to Paris as your chauffeur collects you for your transfer to the airport.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to the airport.
If you wish to extend your journey, we can arrange additional nights in the capital to explore new districts, lesser-known museums, and cultural landmarks at a more relaxed pace. You may also choose to travel east to Champagne for visits to grand maisons and small grower-producers, with time to experience the region’s chalk cellars and distinctive winemaking traditions. Alternatively, you can continue west to Normandy for coastal scenery, D-Day heritage sites, and, further south, the remarkable abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. All extensions can be tailored with private guides, curated visits, and boutique accommodations to suit your interests.
Tour quotation
Bordeaux, Dordogne, Loire Valley & Paris Wine & Culture Tour Details
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