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 !
You may already know from other reviews that "France Just for You" will create an itinerary based on your interests and time frame, booking attractions and lodgings, arranging a …
You may already know from other reviews that "France Just for You" will create an itinerary based on your interests and time frame, booking attractions and lodgings, arranging a car, and providing a detailed guide book with historical and cultural information, and suggestions for things to see and do with your unscheduled time. The whole service is magnificent. One of the valuable things "France Just for You" did for us last time was to point out that we could not see all of France in 17 days, so we did a few regions well, and went back this year to spend 12 more days in different areas. We'll be back! If only they could cover Italy and Spain!
#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 - A comfortable B&B in a Champagne townYour hosts both come from the Champagne industry
#4 - A comfortable B&B in a Champagne townYour B&B is right next to Bollinger worldwide famous winery
#4 - A comfortable B&B in a Champagne townStroll along the famous Avenue de Champagne in Epernay
#4 - A comfortable B&B in a Champagne townAnd like Emilie, taste the 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 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 Champagne town, in a house owned by a lovely couple: she spent her entire working life at Bollinger and he was a vineyard owner . . . so you are in good hands. From here, you are perfectly located to enjoy Champagne wines and tour the beautiful old town of Reims.
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.
Burgundy Wine Tasting
Spend a half-day with Seb who will drive you in his 4WD in the back tracks and the dirt roads of Burgundy vineyards. He will take you like a friend would do to several wineries in some of the most famous vineyards in the world.
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!
My friend and I decided to do a trip to Paris and then drive down to Nice. I was initially going to plan it however I got busy with work and did not have the time. This is when I found, France Just for You, and read the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor and decided to book. Emilie was great! She was thoughtful and paid great attention to detail. We …
My friend and I decided to do a trip to Paris and then drive down to Nice. I was initially going to plan it however I got busy with work and did not have the time. This is when I found, France Just for You, and read the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor and decided to book.
Emilie was great! She was thoughtful and paid great attention to detail. We thought everything was well organized, and easy to follow. This was from making the initial payment, to working together to make our itinerary and budget work. The guidebook was great for a little history lesson, and great attractions.
Overall the trip was well planned and all we literally had to do was pack our bags and follow our guidebook. Emilie had our tour maps dated and it was beyond easy to follow. We also knew that Emilie was available had we any questions. There was a personal touch to every place we visited. Emilie's warm and friendly personality seemed to be felt even in the hotels/BnB's we stayed at.
There was a lot of thought, consideration and attentiveness that was put into the planning that made the trip extremely special. We truly enjoyed our time in France, and we want to thank you again for such a great trip!
Liz & Chris
A great team of Professional, Friendly people who really know France ! The team at France Just For you are Fantastic. From the first introductory email to the last farewell, they listened, planned, helped and crafted a brilliant trip around Bordeaux, Medoc and Dordogne. They responded immediately to questions as if we were the only people they had …
A great team of Professional, Friendly people who really know France !
The team at France Just For you are Fantastic. From the first introductory email to the last farewell, they listened, planned, helped and crafted a brilliant trip around Bordeaux, Medoc and Dordogne. They responded immediately to questions as if we were the only people they had to deal with.
Their choice of places to stay and things to do were perfect.
Faultless. Thank you All so much.
Hannah from the US
I cannot recommend France Just For You enough! We had a wonderful time as we customized a trip and experienced our French dreams come true! Thank you for the best experience!
I cannot recommend France Just For You enough! We had a wonderful time as we customized a trip and experienced our French dreams come true! Thank you for the best experience!
