Scenic Roads & French Cuisine

The Loire Valley

• If you start from Paris, drive 3 hours to the Loire Valley where you will spend the first 4 nights of your journey in a lively historical town. Your B&B is right at the foot of the medieval fortress where Joan of Arc met her future King of France. From this B&B, you will enjoy walking to the restaurants and wine bars or having a romantic picnic on the river banks.
• You will visit some of the LoireValley's famous castles such as Chambord or Chenonceau but we will also take you to hidden beauties you would not find on your own. You will wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you. 
• Discover the vineyards of the Loire Valley with Vincent, a real passionate who will take you, like a friend would, to several wineries and have you love the Touraine terroirs and its winemakers. Taste very different wines: red, whites, still or sparkling . . . No worries, Vincent will safely drive you back to your B&B.

Bordeaux region

• Carry on your tour in Bordeaux city for 3 nights 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 Gironde’s amazing expansion during the 18th century. You will find everything: from villages nestled in the Medoc or St Emilion vineyards, to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe!
• At a famous wine estate, we have planned a special tour for you: after visiting the estate from the vineyards to the cellars, learning about the different grape varieties and wine-making process, you will play the sorcerer's apprentice and make your own Bordeaux wine (your own blend). You'll see that it's not that easy! You'll also enjoy pairing 3 wines with 3 different chocolates and then choose a place you like in the vineyard to enjoy a nice picnic.

Dordogne

• Drive about 2hr30 and continue your sightseeing expedition in the Dordogne. In Black Perigord, you will stay in an old stone Perigord style house for 5 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a nice cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers. 
• We will get you tickets for you to walk back on the prehistoric men footsteps, in 20,000 year old painted caves - access is limited to 40 person per day...this is a very private site. 
• You are very close to Sarlat and the prehistoric caves and we will be happy to recommend some more cave visits for you if you wish. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, these are a must!
• Visit the old city of Sarlat and feel the buzz of activity on market days. We'll also tell you where to find the most typical goat cheeses - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
• You will jump into the Middle Ages with fortresses hanging on cliffs all along the Dordogne river - one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30 minute walk from your B&B. Also, 4 of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4 mile drive. 
• On your last day, you will drive back to Bordeaux, return the rental car at the station and get on a high-speed train back to Paris. First class train tickets are included in this trip.

 Here life is truly "sweet".