Compare Chateaux, Rivers & Wine by Viking River Cruises vs Paris to Bordeaux, a private wine tour in France by Paris-Toujours

Day 1: Bordeaux, France

Meals : D
Accommodation : UNESCO Pauillac Vineyards, France

Fly to Bordeaux. We meet you at the airport and take you to your ship*. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore Bordeaux on your own. Second only to Paris in French historic monuments, Bordeaux’s thoughtfully preserved 18th-century urban areas make it a desirable film location, and its graceful port on the Garonne River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We remain docked overnight.

Day 2: Pauillac (Margaux), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Blaye Vauban Citadel, France

This morning you'll sail along the Gironde River, docking at Pauillac in the Médoc region before lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a wine country tour featuring several wine-tasting opportunities, including the area’s famous full-flavored Margaux. Travel through the rolling vineyard-laced hills to dinner at a château, accompanied by the château’s own wines. Relax aboard your ship this evening, or explore Pauillac’s marina and the Plaza Lafayette, where the Marquis de Lafayette set sail to the New World. Pauillac, the undisputed capital of the Médoc wine region, is home to Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, among others. Before returning to your ship, catch a glimpse of the Île de Patiras lighthouse in the middle of the Gironde.

Day 3: Blaye (Cognac), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : UNESCO

Early this morning we sail to Blaye and arrive during breakfast. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock beside the river, incorporating the ruins of an ancient Gothic château that contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine. Legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried there. The citadel of Blaye, its city walls and two other forts are collectively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of the citadel, then enjoy some free time in Blaye. Or, you may choose to take an optional excursion to the charming medieval town of Cognac, birthplace of one of the world’s best-known types of brandy. Here, you will tour the family business of Camus, one of the most tradition-steeped Cognac houses in the area, and try your hand at blending. We lift anchor late this afternoon and dine while sailing toward Libourne, where the Isle and Dordogne Rivers meet. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Libourne (Saint-Émilion), France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : UNESCO Cadillac Alley, France

Begin your day with a leisurely stroll to Libourne's picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century, or take part in one of two optional excursions: an exploration of the Bergerac area in the Dordogne to learn more about truffles, a great French delicacy; or a wine tasting at a nearby château, of some local vintages from the Saint-Émilion and the Pomerol appellations. Later, take a tour to Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you see the town's superb medieval lanes and delightful views of the surrounding vineyards from the upper town. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the town's streets and shops.

Day 5: Cadillac (Sauternes), France

Meals :  B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux, France

Enjoy scenic morning cruising along the idyllic Garonne River, stopping after lunch at Cadillac. Disembark for your excursion to Sauternes. Learn how the area’s sweet dessert wines are made and taste some examples during your tour. Return aboard for dinner.

Day 6: Cadillac & Bordeaux, France

Meals :  B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux, France

We sail along the Garonne toward Bordeaux, enjoying a quiet morning. Tour the city center upon arrival and see some of Bordeaux’s highlights, including the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe; the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux; and several spectacular churches. We remain docked overnight so you can explore the city’s restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Day 7: Bordeaux, France

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Bordeaux Palace Bourse, France

You have a full day at leisure, giving you more time to appreciate the well-preserved architecture of Jacques Ange Gabriel and son, and to taste the city’s cuisine and wine appellations. Perhaps pick up a few bottles to take home with you. You won't want to miss the Place de la Bourse, with its mirror-like reflecting pool, impressive by day but absolutely stunning at night. You also have the option of taking a full-day excursion to Arcachon, a commune on the Atlantic coast, to see the Victorian-era villas, walk on the boardwalk and taste the oysters, a local delicacy. Or, you have the option of participating in a market visit with the Viking Chef to see where the local chefs of Bordeaux find their fruit, vegetables, meats and fish.

Day 8: Bordeaux, France

Meals : B

After a final onboard breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your flight home.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Paris.

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.