Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Dordogne
France Wine Tasting Tours
French Towns & Villages Tours

This loop from Bordeaux will take you on a journey to the South West of France: vineyards, mountains, cliff-hanging fortresses and rolling hills. You will enjoy all the diversity of this unique part of France.

Includes

19 nights in premium B&Bs that we personally selected for you
A rental car with automatic transmission & full insurance coverage, for 20 days
A «Table d’Hôtes» home-cooked dinner, with your Hosts and other travelers
The assurance that you can contact us at any time, for any reason, while you're in France
A guidebook made for you and all road maps with recommended itineraries, activities & visits
FJFY App all your trip, contacts, GPS destinations, weather… in your smartphone
5.0
Chuck
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this …
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5 340
Per traveler, including taxes,
based on double occupancy.

Your accommodations

Pictures of the specially selected accommodations

Step by step

Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country Bordeaux

The Bordeaux area, from the Medoc vineyards

  • Start your journey with 4 nights in a comfortable B&B, located in the Médoc's worldwide famous vineyards. Your friendly hosts are wine aficionados and will be happy to share their love for the Bordeaux wines and their region with you.
  • Built along the banks of the Garonne river the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to the city of 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. You will find everything in this area: from villages nestled into the Medoc or Saint 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!
  • 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, but of course, a wine tasting!
  • On the 5th day, you will drive South towards the Basque Country – about 2hr30.
 

 

Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country Bordeaux

The Basque Country, from its heart

  • Stay for 6 nights in a gorgeous Basque Country villaThe B&B is located just 3 miles to the beach but in a very quiet landscaped garden.
  • From here, you will discover the seaside from Saint Jean de Luz to Biarritz, and also explore the Spanish Basque Country, which is about a 1hr drive.
  • We will craft your days so you get a feel of everything the Basque culture has to offer, and there is a lot: taste the local Bayonne ham after strolling a valley and discovering the traditional and still alive mountain pig farming, get acquainted with the Basque weaving tradition, try to make your own Basque cake or stroll one of the many farmers markets.
  • You will enjoy following a local guide in Biarritz. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture so you will better understand the Basque language and the traditions and festivals such as Pelote or Basque Force. This tour ends at the covered market, where you will taste some Basque specialties: cheese, ham, wines, jams and much more.
  • Several “most beautiful villages of France” will be on your scenic drives – and you may see some locals playing the Basque Pelote game at the town’s fronton. Nature and outdoors lovers will enjoy endless walks and hikes in the Pyrenees foothills, occasional walkers will relax on the walks along the beaches and enjoy a coffee on a terrace watching surfers.
  •  On the 11th day, you will drive East all along the Pyrenees chain to Carcassonne.
Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country Bordeaux

Carcassonne: Wines & History

  • Carcassonne and the Cathar country are quite unknown but are well worth a visit. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation. You will reside for 3 nights in charming B&B in the lively Bastide neighborhood, within walking distance to restaurants and to the medieval city.  
  • In the Cathar country, walkers/hikers will be rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and fortresses such as Quéribus or Perpeytuse. History lovers will be intrigued by the Cathar history. Wine lovers may be surprised by the quality of the “Minervois” wines which have improved a lot in the past 10 years. They are now on the wine lists of some of the most famous restaurants in the world.
  • On the 14th day, you will drive about 3 hours North through Toulouse and the Lot to get to Dordogne.
Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country Bordeaux

Gorgeous Dordogne

  • End your sightseeing journey in the Black Perigord where you will stay in an old stone Perigord style house for 6 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a convival cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers. 
  • You are very close to Sarlat and the prehistoric caves and we will be happy to recommend some intimate visits for you, in 20,000 year old caves. 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.
  • Eventually, you will jump into medieval history with fortresses hanging on cliffs above the Dordogne river - one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30-minute walk from your B&B. Also, four of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4-mile drive.

On your last day, you can return the car in Brive airport, Bordeaux train station or airport, or drive to your next destination.

 

This is the best discovery tour of the South West of France !

Activities included

bordeaux wine tasting

Bordeaux Wine tasting & blending

Visit a Medoc wine estate with an English speaking guide: from the vineyards to the wine storehouses. After the tour, you'll make your own blend with different varieties.

A Private Guide to Biarritz

A Private Guide to introduce you to the Basque culture

Follow a local guide in Biarritz, by the Ocean. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture. You will end this tour at the covered market, tasting some Basque produces: cheese, hams and wines. 

cooking at your hosts in Dordogne

Cooking Class & Dinner

Spend a late afternoon with your hosts preparing local dishes from the Dordogne region. Then you'll enjoy a convivial and savory dinner with your hosts. 

Customize this tour

We are glad to customize this itinerary to include additionnal night stays, extra activities or any specific request you have.

YOUR Guide Book

100% customized to your itinerary, it is the perfect tool before, during & after your trip.

Explore the French regions

Brittany

Alsace

North

Lyon

Somme

Champagne

Verdun

Normandy

Provence

Dordogne

Loire Valley

Paris

Bordeaux

Our Travelers’ Reviews

John
My wife and I recently engaged Emilie, of France Just For You, to plan a two week trip to Provence in the first two weeks of May. It was mid-March and we found Emilie during a web search of self-driving tours of France. What a find! Emilie responded within twenty-four hours with very specific questions, wanting to know more about us, our interests …
Judy
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
Sharon & Bob
We couldn't recommend France Just For You highly enough. After visiting various parts of Europe on our own we were delighted to have someone else attend to all the details. Emilie was a joy to work with and couldn't have chosen better B&B's, tours and day trips to meet our needs. I can't wait to call upon her services again!

Our Travelers’ Photos

Harry & Caroline
From Australia
Wine & Cheese Tasting
Yvette & David
from the US
on the French Riviera, near Nice
Leslie & Family
from the US
A la Tour Eiffel, Paris
Scott & Linda
From Australia
In Mont Saint Michel
Mike & Lynda
from the US
Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
Chee Keong & Zack
From Malaysia
On Pegasus Bridge in Normandy for the D-Day celebrations
Colleen & Russell
from New Zealand
Having Breakfast at the B&B
Karla, Lee, Irm, Joel, Brenda & Eugene
from the US
At a restaurant
Pam & Mercer
From the US
At the B&B in Giverny
Tracey & Sandra
From the US
In Provence...
Jane & Ron
From Canada
Visiting the Opéra Garnier, in Paris
Elizabeth
From Canada
At her B&B in Normandy