The Many Facets of France

Welcome to Burgundy

• As you will probably land in a Paris airport, we plan for you to pick up your rental car right at the airport and drive 3 hours to Burgundy. We will plan for a nice lunch stop on the way.
• You will reside for 4 nights in a beautiful house, nestled in a lovely village of the Burgundy countryside. Situated in the heart of Burgundy, between Dijon and Beaune, you will be perfectly located to tour the region and taste its wines. 
• Authentic Burgundy is much more than the vineyards: winding roads leading to tiny timeless villages - some of them "Most Beautiful Villages of France" - will give you a real feel for this region. Dijon has kept a lot of ancient monuments and houses, yet it is a modern and lively city full of charm. Taste some local cheese, the "Epoisse" at the cheese factory or stroll around Beaune, from the cellars to the ramparts.
• For the "Gourmets", you will meet with Olivier who was a chef in star-rated restaurants. He will teach you how to cook some typical Burgundy dishes revised to make them some very sophisticated courses. A great cooking class ! 
• In the Burgundy countryside near Nuits-Saint-Georges, visit a 17th-century family-owned blackcurrant farm, learn about their traditional know-how and taste some of their original blackcurrant specialties.

Prehistoric & Medieval Dordogne

• On the 5^th day, you will drive across the Massif Central to reach the Dordogne region.
• In Dordogne, history is around every corner. In the lush river valley, you will spend the following 5 nights in a beautifully restored stone house. Your lovely hosts will cook a delicious dinner inspired by local traditions. We'll tell you where to find the most typical goat cheeses - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
• Dordogne is famous for the prehistoric caves such as Lascaux and we will recommend to you much more intimate visits, in 20,000 year old caves. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, these are a must!

The Bordeaux Wine Region

• Get acquainted with the Bordeaux region, staying first for 3 nights in the Médoc, in a house surrounded by the vineyards. Your lovely hosts will be happy to share with you all the wine places that they keep selecting all year long. They will also prepare dinner for you, a lovely opportunity to share a relaxed meal, taste local wines and experience a little of everyday life in Bordeaux wine country.
• Visit a Medoc wine estate with an English-speaking guide: from the vineyards near the castle to the wine storehouses. After the tour, you'll make your own blend with different varieties and end this 2hr tour with a wine tasting, but of course!...pairing wines with chocolates and followed by a picnic in the vineyards.
• You will then spend 2 nights in downtown Bordeaux and enjoy discovering this lively city and within walking distance from the historical district.
• Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to Bordeaux. The rise of colonial trade together with the growth of the wine industry contributed to the amazing expansion of the Gironde region during the 18th century.
• Follow Mary, your private guide to explore what Bordeaux Unesco city has to reveal!

The Loire Valley in a castle

• On the 15th day, you will move to the Southern Loire Valley and treat yourself with 2 nights in a charming and romantic stay in the former royal stables of a magnificent medieval castle, now an intimate 4-star boutique hotel where historic interiors, contemporary art and views over the grounds create a truly distinctive setting. Once the daytime visitors have left, step into the gardens for a peaceful evening stroll and you can feel like a Queen & a King!

   

Central Loire

• Your trip continues to the wilder part of the Loire Valley. Stay for 5 nights in a very pleasant family house which is located half-way between Blois and Amboise, in the heart of the "castle country." Also, a Michelin-star restaurant is only 1.5 miles away . . . a great opportunity to plan for an extraordinary dinner !
• From here, you will explore the Loire Valley's most famous sites: Chambord or Chenonceau, Chaumont gardens and if you want to do some shopping, you may enjoy Tours.
• Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and many more. Meet Chris who will take you to the vineyards and explain the vine work, stroll through the estate’s lovely park, then taste four local wines paired with the family’s own charcuterie, cheeses and biscuits.
• 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.
• You will also wander into tiny villages dotted along the Loire river and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you.

Normandy – World War & Middle Ages

• For 3 nights, taste the Norman quietness in a manor from the 11th century. Jump into the Middle Ages while still enjoying all the modern amenities . . . and amazing breakfasts cooked by your lovely hostess.
• Perfectly located between Bayeux and the WWII beaches, you will get a real feel for the Norman history, from William the Conqueror to the Second World War.
• To help you better understand the events of the Battle of Normandy and bring them to life, we have planned a private guided tour with a specialist in WWII history. You will be shown all the main landing sites and learn in detail about what happened here on D-Day.

Last night in Giverny

• Spend your last night in Giverny, which is only a 1hr drive to Paris and to CDG Airport, so very convenient. Get a last feel for Normandy andenjoy Monet’s house and gardens with apointment tickets to avoid some of the lines.
• We can plan for you to return the car where it is the most convenient for you. 

In this tour, you will uncover the Many Facets of France !