Compare Highlights of Bordeaux & the Dordogne by Audley Travel vs Paris to Bordeaux, a private wine tour in France by Paris-Toujours

Day 1: Bordeaux

Accommodation options: L’Hôtel Particulier, Terrace, Le Boutique Hotel, Le Boutique Hotel & YNDO Hotel

On arrival into Bordeaux, you’ll be met by your private driver, who will take you to your hotel in central Bordeaux. Once you’ve settled in, make your own way to the port for your wine cruise along the Garonne River.

Day 2: Bordeaux

Accommodation options: L’Hôtel Particulier, Terrace, Le Boutique Hotel, Le Boutique Hotel & YNDO Hotel

Meet your private guide this morning for a gourmet walking tour of Bordeaux. Then enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the city by yourselves.

Day 3: Bordeaux

Accommodation options: L’Hôtel Particulier, Terrace, Le Boutique Hotel, Le Boutique Hotel & YNDO Hotel

Embark on a shared tour of the prestigious Médoc wine region today with a guide and small group.

Day 4: Saint-Émilion

Accommodation options: Au Logis des Remparts, Restaurant, Hostellerie de Plaisance & Hostellerie des Plaisance

Your private driver collects you at your hotel this morning for your local train journey to Saint-Émilion. After you’ve settled in to your hotel, take a privately guided bike tour of the vineyards.

Day 5: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation options: Hôtel La Couleuvrine, La Villa Romaine, Plaza Madeleine, Sarlat-la-Canéda

Your private driver collects you at your hotel this morning for your train journey to Sarlat-la-Canéda. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 6: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation options: Hôtel La Couleuvrine, La Villa Romaine & Plaza Madeleine

Your private guide meets you at your hotel today for a walking tour of the medieval city. The afternoon is spent at leisure to wander the well-preserved cobbled streets, enjoy some shopping or visit the church.

Day 7: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation options: Hôtel La Couleuvrine, La Villa Romaine & Plaza Madeleine

Your private driver takes you into the Dordogne countryside for your shared full-day cooking class, starting with a visit to a local market to buy seasonal produce.

Day 8: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation: Hôtel La Couleuvrine, La Villa Romaine & Plaza Madeleine

Set off on a private tour of the Dordogne today, including Château de Beynac, Château de Castelnaud, a troglodyte village along the river, and a short, shared cruise along the river in a traditional Gabarre boat

Day 9: Sarlat-la-Canéda

Accommodation options: Hôtel La Couleuvrine, La Villa Romaine & Plaza Madeleine

Delve into this region’s extensive prehistoric artwork today with your private guide starting at Lascaux IV Cave, then to Les Eyzies National Prehistory Museum and finally to Rouffignac Cave.

Day 10: Return home

Your private driver takes you to the train station today for your journey back to Bordeaux and private transfer to the airport and flight home.

Day 1: Arrival and private transfer

On arrival at the airport welcome and transfer to your charming boutique hotel in the center of Paris. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel before starting your wine tour in France.

Day 2: Discover the islands of Paris

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide will introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You will start with the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ and the gothic jewel from the 12th century, Notre-Dame Cathedral now under a massive reconstruction work. You will then continue to the Ile Saint Louis, where the French aristocracy used to live in private mansions in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Day 3: Gourmet lunch and wine tastings

Free time in the morning to discover the covered passages and the Palais Royal. For lunch you are expected in the Galerie Vivienne, in a Parisian institution for a unique wine tasting paired with regional produces. You will be welcomed by your personal sommelier and you will have an introduction to the French wines. You will also be able to focus on a specific wine region such as Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Rhone Valley if you are a connoisseur and ask all you have ever wanted to know about wine. A great introduction to your wine tour in France !

Day 4: The Palace of Versailles

After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private visit of the famous Versailles castle. The Palace of Versailles was the residence of three kings of France: Louis XIV, XV, and XVI, from 1682 to 1789. Your guide will accompany you throughout the morning as you discover the majesty of the Palace of Versailles in the King’s appartments and its spectacular gardens and groves. Free time in the afternoon to bike ride around the gardens or relax on a rowing boat on the King’s Great Canal.

Day 5: Welcome to the Loire Valley

After breakfast you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train from Paris to the Loire Valley, a great way to see the French countryside. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel you will spend the afternoon discovering the charming and royal town of Amboise. You could discover the Royal castle of Amboise and even the Clos Lucé, where Leonardo Da Vinci used to live at the end of his life.

Day 6: A day to Chenonceau and Chambord castles

Discover the Loire-Valley culture by visiting the most famous castles with your private guide. In the morning you will visit Chenonceau castle. The unique architecture of the Chateau of Chenonceau built on the Cher river makes it a must-see in the region. In the afternoon you will be driven to the Estate of Chambord, a national reserve as large as the town of Paris. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.

Day 7: Organic Touraine wine tour

After breakfast, meet your driver-guide at your hotel for a private organic wine tour in the Touraine area. Your guide will take you to a selection of small winemakers of Bourgueil, Vouvray and Chinon appellations, producing organic or biodynamic wines. After a gourmet lunch you will discover another part of the Loire Valley for two other wine tastings. A wine tour in France needs to cover this small but innovative region.

Late afternoon, transfer to your hot air balloon ride over the Loire lush countryside. After a training session, the ballon will take off for a ride over the Loire valley and its castles. Enjoy this slow transportation, fly in the air at sunset and be amazed by the nature and remarkable castles and villages.

Day 8: Train to Bordeaux

During the day you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train to Bordeaux. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel you will spend your afternoon discovering the city of Bordeaux.

Day 9: Stroll and wine in Bordeaux

After breakfast you will be picked up by your professional wine guide for a private wine tour in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol appellations. Start with Saint Emilion charming medieval village famous for its impressive collection of historical sites and monuments such as the monolithic church. You will then have tastings at famous Chateaux or family-run estates to understand the local specifities and cepages as well as the grading system of the Crus. A intense and tasty day through an area that is a must for a wine tour in France.

Day 10: Free day to relax

Relaxing free day at your leisure to discover this lively city. If you are a true foodie, enjoy walking around Bordeaux city center to eat different specialties like a canelé or visit the Cité du Vin opened in 2016 to share the heritage of the Bordeaux region wine culture.

Day 11: Train back to Paris

In the morning, you will take the train to Paris and then be transferred to airport or train station.