La Belle Vie – Tour France’s Famous Wine Regions

Welcome to France! After checking in to our hotel in Paris, we will get together that evening for a group “Meet and Greet” and an introduction to your tour leader. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know our fellow passengers. The the group will “cheers!” to the start of your unforgettable trip!

As there is not much time in Paris (and to get over the jet lag!), we suggest you arrive a few days early so you can get under the skin of the City of Light.

France Travel Solutions can arrange extra nights’ accommodation pre and post tour for those that require more time in Paris.

After breakfast, we journey east to the picturesque Champagne region near Reims and enjoy a visit to a family vineyard. On arrival, we’ll be offered a tailor-made family vineyard imprint for the natural protection of the terroir. A unique experience followed by tasting rich in emotions.

Following the visit to the vineyard, you will have the opportunity to visit the impressive gothic Reims’ Cathedral and free time to explore the capital city of Champagne region.

In the afternoon we’ll visit some of the world’s most famous Champagne houses in Epernay. We’ll board the train and tour the emblematic Maison Mercier cellars enjoying a unique and immersive audio tour experience, followed by a tasting. We return to our base in Paris later in the afternoon.

Your accommodation is right in the heart of Paris, making it easy to take our time and leisurely stroll exploring the nation’s capital and discover the many attractions that make it one of the most treasured destinations in the world. Live your Parisienne life, your Tour Leader will help you to navigate to your favourite spots.

We enjoy a morning pleasuring in the heart of Paris, before making our way southeast to Burgundy. We’ll swap fizz for the dry wines of Chablis with an included tasting before making our way to Dijon. Prepare your palate! It will be a culinary experience in Dijon with the wine and food museum centre dedicated to celebrating the “Gastronomic Meal of the French”.

Today is yours to explore Dijon at your own pace, just like the locals do. Start your morning at the bustling Les Halles market, where you can soak up the lively atmosphere, pick up fresh fruits, sample delicious street food, or simply watch the locals go about their daily shopping.

Be sure to visit Mulot et Petit-Jean, a legendary Dijon institution offering traditional Burgundian delights—gingerbread, blackcurrant liqueur, and old-fashioned mustard in unique flavors like red fruits, lemon, and honey.

Take your time wandering through Dijon’s charming streets, discovering hidden gems, elegant boutiques, and picturesque squares. With no schedule to follow, enjoy the freedom to savor this beautiful city at your leisure.

After lunch, we’ll leave Dijon behind and set our sights on the world-famous wine area of Provence, where the art of living is celebrated on a daily basis. A favourite destination for all wine lovers wishing to taste one of the most prestigious Rhone Valley vintages. We will settle in for four nights in the very heart of South of France’s most authentic and provincial small village of Provence.

We will start our day taking a scenic drive to one of the most beautiful villages of the region, Uzès. Explore the colourful, vibrant and famous weekly market, taste the local products including fresh produce cheeses, and consider the beautiful shops and galleries along the picturesque pathways. This spectacular town built on a limestone rock has wonderful restaurants and cafes to choose from around the square. The gastronomy of Uzès will be sweetness to embellish your leisuring day. After lunch we will stroll to a local wine producer, enjoying the French way of life!
Later in the afternoon, we will visit a masterpiece of ancient architecture, the stunning Pont du Gard, which is a huge 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct. It is an outstanding feat of human engineering and one of France’s most famous monuments.
You will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend as you please. Perhaps seek out a local wine cellar and sample some the of the local Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône wines – accompanied with a sumptuous French meal, of course!

Some of the loveliest villages to be found in France are right next to us. With so many visits’ opportunities in this amazing part of the world you will have the choice to; Explore the historical village which gave its name to the wine appellation surrounding it, or come for a drive into the heart of the village’s antique shops, the largest outdoor flea market in the idyllic Luberon area with colourful and tasty products. Take the time to stroll through pretty cobblestone lanes as we discover the treasures of “The Little Venice” town, which is unlike any other, as well as discovering other small beautiful villages around the Luberon area.

Explore the generosity of the Provencal region, soak up the friendly character of the people of Avignon, where we’ll be able to take a stroll around this historic city. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Palace of the Popes – one of the most significant medieval buildings in Europe and the centre of the Roman Catholic world during the 14th century. Feel like part of the landscape seeking out the unique local cafes, shopping streets, squares, gardens and fountains this afternoon, the choose is yours.

More wine tastings in the program today. We will visit some wonderful local Estate, where art and wine are the way of living.

Later, for diner you have been invited to experience an exceptional Michelin star restaurant of excellence. Enjoy and bon appetit!

A long and scenic travel day today from Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. We will break it up with an astonishing place of discovery: Carcassonne, world heritage site by UNESCO. This magnificent city with its fortress and castle will take your breath away. You will have some free time to explore on your own walking between the ramparts and surveying the lands, you will feel like you are in a movie, maybe because of the Robin Hood movie scenes filmed here!

Our journey continues on into the world-famous region of Bordeaux where we will spend the next four nights based in a typical small village surrounded by vineyard.

Today we are on the water in nearby Arcachon Bay. We will board our Pinasse – a typical wooden boat – to enjoy a tour of Arcachon Bay including a close-up view of the oyster parks where we will be able to taste its famous oysters.

The beautiful Arcachon Bay, “A small, interior sea” opens to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by pine forests and picturesque fishermen’s villages. With your skipper, you will discover the area “like a local” and learn all there is to know about the traditions and treasures of this beautiful part of France! Famed for its sumptuous seafood, particularly oysters Arcachon bay also has Europe’s longest and highest dune of sand that you will climb for the sport of it or just enjoy the breathtaking view from a delightful restaurant.

Today is your free day in vibrant Bordeaux where you will be able to access the best wine museum in the world! La Cité du Vin, is a unique cultural centre dedicated to the universal, living heritage of wine. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, throughout the ages, across countless cultures and civilisations. This grand homage to the drink that France is famous for and the one-of-a-kind experience you get here makes it a must-see when visiting Bordeaux.

The choice is yours; you may prefer to shop as it will be the perfect place for it!

You will again have the possibility to explore another market, Les Halles de Bacalan – a newly renovated farmers market where local producers are eager to let you taste their specialties in the heart of Bordeaux. Move from stand to stand – taste and enjoy the local gourmet specialities as you go! A very special and authentic moment! Foodies’ lovers do not miss it!

Discover the world-famous Medoc region, where the grandiose chateaux were built as showcases for both the wealth of the owners and the quality of their wines. We will stay in a typical familial cosy house in the heart of the Medoc vineyard, which extends over nearly 100km and bring together the most prestigious Grands Crus Classes of Bordeaux as well as tasty Crus Bourgeois and Artisans. Our wonderful host is looking forward to having you as guests and cannot wait to cook for you some local specialities.

Today we are moving north toward the Loire Valley. We will cross the Garonne on the fantastic ferry boat and will enjoy our scenic drive before arriving at our next destination where we will find ourselves deep in the fairy-tale territory. Here, the landscape’s skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. We will settle in the beautiful quintessential town of Chinon for the last three nights of our magical trip.

Today we’ll see some of the most spectacular castles of the Loire Valley, steeped in the history of noblemen and kings since the 11th century.

But first this morning we’ll be strolling in one of the most popular markets in the region, the large Sunday market along the banks of the river Loire at Amboise.

Then you will have the opportunity to visit the Chateau d’Amboise, with its impressive gardens and a lovely view across the rooftops of Amboise, you will enjoy the sight perhaps with a picnic by the Loire with the bottle of Vouvray, bread cheese and rillettes that you have just bought. We’ll finish our day touring the Château de Chenonceau. The “Chateau des Dames”, a bridge built across the Cher is famous for the prominent women who lived in it (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…) and for the beauty of its Renaissance Gardens

Learn the secrets of Loire Valley wine during a guided tour and wine tasting at the Château du Petit Thouars, then select your favourite wine to accompany your authentic picnic lunch, overlooking the idyllic Loire Valley vineyards.

On our way back to Chinon in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy the last detour at a local winery, where we’ll be visiting the cellars before sampling a glass or two cheering on our last night.

The last stop but not least of our journey, The Estate of Chambord. More than a castle, it’s a work of art, a grandiose sacred place, a trip to the heart of the Valley of the Kings! We’ll have an audio guided tour of the unique monument as defined by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci likely took part in its conception. With more than 400 rooms and the double-spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley and to our trip.
What a finish to our wonderful La Belle Vie Tour!

All fairy-tale have an end, it’s time to head on to Paris, our fabulous circle is completed. We will assist with your further plan and destination.

We hope we will have succeeded our mission of sharing our culture and regions for a trip full of good times and smiles and that you will join us again on one of our other tours!