This itinerary is designed for gourmet travelers who aim at discovering and learning more about French wines. Our tours also mix heritage, culture, nice walks, gardens, etc.
In this tour, you will stay in wineries, by vineyards & in wine towns. An absolute must for wine lovers !
Our trip was arranged and detailed well in advance, with reservations for activities and places of special interest, and free days with suggestions for things to see and do. We …
Our trip was arranged and detailed well in advance, with reservations for activities and places of special interest, and free days with suggestions for things to see and do. We fell in love with Dordogne and the Paleolithic caves for which we had reserved tours, and were able to take in another cave the next day at the suggestion of our B&B hostess. We would have missed many beautiful places, and certainly missed the fine lodgings and conversation with fellow travelers, had we not had the help of France Just for You. Emilie stayed in touch and resolved issues before we even knew about them, so we wasted no time and experienced no frustration at all.
#1 - A Wine Estate in Saint EmilionThe winery team will make sure that you have a great stay
#1 - A Wine Estate in Saint EmilionTaste the wine...directly where it is made !
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#3 - A winery in the heart of Beaune, BurgundyStay at a lovely couple who are also winemakers
#3 - A winery in the heart of Beaune, BurgundyEnjoy walking everywhere in Beaune (300 yards to the Hospices)
#3 - A winery in the heart of Beaune, BurgundyHave a nice rest in a very comfortable room
#3 - A winery in the heart of Beaune, BurgundyTaste your hosts wine with them...
#3 - A winery in the heart of Beaune, Burgundy...and why not having a bottle in the park ?
#4 - Your home in Champagne regionStay in a welcoming farmhouse near Reims
#4 - Your home in Champagne regionrelax in a comfortable room opening on to the garden
#4 - Your home in Champagne regionYour host will be happy to share local tips with you
#4 - Your home in Champagne regionHe prepares delicious breakfasts made of very local products
Step by step
This tour starts in the Bordeaux area, at the most convenient car rental pick-up for you. If you arrive in Paris, we can organize the TGV high speed train if needed.
Saint Emilion Vineyard
Start your trip with 3 nights is a Grands Crus Classés wine chateau. Experience Saint Emilion by staying at one of the places where everything happens, in the heart of the vineyards. Away from the crowds, you will enjoy what Saint Emilion wines have to offer.
Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to Bordeaux. You will find everything you need: from villages nestled into the Medoc or St Emilion vineyards, to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, keep in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe!
Very near Saint Emilion, we have planned a private tour of a famous wine estate: after visiting the estate from the vineyards (to learn about the different grape varieties) to the cellars, you will enjoy a picnic lunch together with a tasting of 3 different wines.
On the 4th day, drive about 3hrs north to the Loire Valley.
The Loire Valley Wines
Spend the following 3 nights of your journey in the lively town of Chinon by the river, where Joan of Arc once met her future King of France. The B&B is at the foot of the medieval fortress and you will be within walking distance to the restaurants and wine bars.
Touraine is famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Amboise and many more – you will visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers. Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some locally produced snacks.
Discover the marvels of the Loire Valley. We will make recommendations on how to visit Chambord or Chenonceau castles, away from the crowds.
We also plan for you to enjoy a delicious cheese and wine apéritif right at a family-run goat farm, for an authentic taste of local life and Loire Valley flavors.
We will also recommend a few smaller castles and hidden places in beautiful settings. These places are less well-known but are steeped in history and well worth escaping the crowds of tourist. If you like gardens, don’t miss Chaumont castle or wonderful Villandry.
On the 7th day, drive east from the Loire Valley to the Burgundy region.
Burgundy : La Bourgogne
In Burgundy, you will reside for 3 nights, 3 minutes on foot from the famous Hospices, right next to Beaune's ramparts, at a lovely couple who also owns a wine estate. Situated in the heart of Burgundy, this is the perfect place to learn about the local wines. Explore all major vineyards of the region and have a chance to taste red and white wines among the best in the world, directly at the winery!
Sébastien, a real passionate, will take you for half a day on a 4-wheel drive to tour around the Burgundy vineyards, following itineraries that no other tour can do. You will taste wines directly at the winery and ride over dirt roads in Nuits Saint Georges and Vosne Romanée. Sebastien is very friendly and you will feel like a relative with whom he wants to show his favorite places.
Discover Beaune, a beautiful medieval town that has been completely preserved from modern constructions. You should definitly try to be there on market day - the local products are truly delicious. Taste some local cheeses, the "Epoisse" at the cheese factory or uncover the mysteries of the French Kings in Dijon. Burgundy has a lot to experience.
Vive le Champagne !
End your wine trip in the area around Reims: the Champagne region.
You will stay in a welcoming farmhouse near Reims, lovingly transformed by your host and his father at the gateway to the Champagne vineyards. Your passionate host will share his favorite local addresses after a day exploring Reims, Épernay and the Champagne Route.
We plan for you to spend a half day with a private Champagne guide : the program can be customized to match your wishes, so don't hesitate to let us know what you like.
We will also recommend Champagne wineries you can visit on your own, as well as some local attractions including fossiles, belle epoque architecture, a lively food market and many restaurants from simple to 3 stars with the Michelin guide.
We plan for you to return the car to Paris CDG airport, which is only a 1hr30 drive, or near Paris - whichever is more convenient.
As we say in French....A votré santé !
Activities included
Tour a St Emilion Winery
Visit a wine estate near St Emilion with a private English speaking guide. After the tour, you will enjoy a picnic lunch together with a tasting of different wines from the estate.
A Winery Visit & Tasting in Chinon
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
We also plan for you to enjoy a delicious cheese and wine apéritif right at a family-run goat farm, for an authentic taste of local life and Loire Valley flavors.
Burgundy Wine Tasting
Spend a half-day with Sébastien, a true wine enthusiast, or a member of his team, on a scenic drive through the Burgundy vineyards with some commented wine-tasting stops.
Private Champagne Tour
Spend a half-day with a private guide touring the Champagne vineyards and learn about the geography, visit intimate wineries and of course taste a lot of Champagne!
When we received our packet, I was amazed with all the info. Emilie put into it for our trip. We needed more time in the day for places on our daily agenda that we did not get a chance to visit. We will just have to return and finish them on the next trip to the Loire. Flo and Phil's, Les Bournais was a charming place with wonderful accommodations …
When we received our packet, I was amazed with all the info. Emilie put into it for our trip. We needed more time in the day for places on our daily agenda that we did not get a chance to visit. We will just have to return and finish them on the next trip to the Loire. Flo and Phil's, Les Bournais was a charming place with wonderful accommodations and great breakfast each day. We seriously loved their version of a coffee cup. The wine guide in Bordeaux, Frederic Borliachon, was outstanding and funny as well. Thanks again for all the effort, time and knowledge put into our trip. It was fantastic. A bientot.
Cynthia & Abe from Canada
There's a legitmate reason everyone is giving 5 star reviews. Truly personalized service. The guidebook and app were tailored to our requests, and the small details included, gave us great insight into the nuances of travelling in France. When an unavoidable problem came up, Emilie and Clelia were on it literally within minutes, getting it resolved …
There's a legitmate reason everyone is giving 5 star reviews. Truly personalized service.
The guidebook and app were tailored to our requests, and the small details included, gave us great insight into the nuances of travelling in France. When an unavoidable problem came up, Emilie and Clelia were on it literally within minutes, getting it resolved. If you enjoy the freedom of travelling on your own, yet not having to worry about the details, then FJFY is an indispensable resource. I recommend them without hesitation. And I say this as someone who travels frequently, yet rarely submits reviews. Thank you to the ladies of FJFY. Where to next, Emilie?
Kathy
My wife and I were planning a special trip to Provence and although we didn't want a canned tour, we did want support to ensure we didn't miss out on experiences we simply weren't aware of. In our search we got lucky and found Emilie. She interviewed us in advance so she could customize the trip to our desires and interests and ultimately created …
My wife and I were planning a special trip to Provence and although we didn't want a canned tour, we did want support to ensure we didn't miss out on experiences we simply weren't aware of. In our search we got lucky and found Emilie. She interviewed us in advance so she could customize the trip to our desires and interests and ultimately created our own guidebook packed with countless options and details. She secured the perfect vehicle for us with a gps so we could use the coordinates provided in the book to get exactly to even the most obscure location. This alone saved us hours of time and aggravation. We had an excellent and diverse itinerary featuring 2 beautiful B and B's. At the second, Phillippe ( a Michelon Chef) and his wife cooked a wonderful dinner and served the best waffles I have ever had. We toured small villages perched on the sides of cliffs, went truffle hunting with trained truffles
Dogs, had a dune buggy ride through a vineyard, etc. , all thanks to Emilie' s knowledge and expertise. We got to see Provence as we would never have been able to do on our own. I highly recommend Emilie to assist with making your trip the best it can be!
