La Belle Vie 2023 - Tour France’s Famous Wine Regions

Welcome to France! After checking in to our hotel in Paris, we will get together that evening for a group “meet and greet” and an introduction to your tour leader. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know our fellow passengers. The the group will “cheers!” to the start of your unforgettable trip! As there is not much time in Paris (and to get over the jet lag!), we suggest you arrive a few days early so you can get under the skin of the City of Light.

After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely trip to the picturesque Champagne region. On arrival we’ll be offered a tailor-made family vineyard imprint to the natural protection of the terroir. A unique experience followed by a tasting rich in emotions. Following the visit to the vineyard you will have the opportunity to visit the impressive gothic Reims’ Cathedral and free time to explore the capital city of Champagne region. In the afternoon we’ll visit some of the world’s most famous Champagne houses in Epernay. We’ll board the train and tour the emblematic Maison Mercier cellars enjoying a unique and immersive audio tour experience, following by a tasting.

Our accommodation is right in the heart of Paris, making it easy to take our time and leisurely stroll exploring the nation’s capital and discover the many attractions that make it one of the most treasured destinations in the world. Live your Parisienne life, your Tour Leader will help you to navigate to your favourite spots. We enjoy a morning pleasuring in the heart of Paris, before making our way southeast to Burgundy. We’ll swap fizz for the dry wines of Chablis with an included tasting before making our way to Dijon. Prepare your palate! It will be a culinary experience in Dijon with the new wine and food museum centre dedicated to celebrating the “Gastronomic Meal of the French”.

You will have the opportunity to visit the bustling indoor market also known as “Les Halles”. It’s a great place where you can immerse yourself with the locals, wandering around and buying some fresh fruits and street food or simply watch the locals do their weekly grocery shopping. Don’t miss out, Mulot et Petit-Jean, a mythical brand in Dijon only sells traditional Burgundian products. Gingerbread, blackcurrant liqueur, old-fashioned mustard with red fruits, lemon, herbs, honey and many other flavours... And so much more to discover strolling around this beautiful city at our own pace. If you prefer to spend some time at the capital city of Burgundy wine, Beaune, your tour leader will happily organise your day there.

Today we journey out into the world famous Rosé area. We are stepping into Provence, a beautiful place to live. It’s time to settle in, maybe by the pool, at your typical lovely countryside guesthouse were you will be warmly welcomed. You will discover all the hidden gems that only locals know about.

First today, we will visit a masterpiece of ancient architecture: the Pont du Gard, a massive 2000 year old Roman aqueduct. It is a milestone of human engineering and one of the greatest monuments of France that stands as a reminder of the tremendous power of the Roman Empire. We’ll then, stop off in Avignon, where we’ll be able to take a stroll around this historic city. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Palace of the Popes – one of the most significant medieval buildings in Europe and centre of the Roman Catholic world during the 14th century. You will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend as you please. Perhaps seek out a local wine cellar and sample some the of the local Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône wines – accompanied with a sumptuous French meal, of course!

A perfect combination of scenery and traditional villages, we are exploring in the "massif" (area) of Luberon, the heart of Provence. Some of the most lovely villages to be found in France are here, with a scenic backdrop of cliffs, rocks, olive trees and ancient farms. We will visit the built and natural heritage meeting the traditions and the know how that forged the character of the terroir and the men The L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Sunday market is the largest outdoor market in the idyllic Luberon massif in Provence. We are diving into the heart of the village's antique shops, flea market, the largest outdoor market in the idyllic markets with colourful and tasty products. Take the time to stroll through pretty cobblestone lanes as we discover the treasures of “ The Little Venice” town which is unlike any other. Our lovely host will prepare us a homemade and tailor made Provençal dinner for your gastronomic pleasure on our last night in their authentic home and our last day in Provence region.

We have a long travel day today from Mediterranean to the Atlantic ocean. We will break it up with an astonishing place of discovery: Carcassonne, world heritage site by UNESCO. This magnificent city with its fortress and castle will take your breath away. You will have some free time to explore on your own walking between the ramparts and surveying the lands, you will feel like you are in a movie, maybe because of the Robin Hood movie scenes filmed here!

Your captain at your service! We will board a pinasse – a typical wooden boat - to enjoy a tour of the Arcachon Bay including a close-up view of the oyster parks where we will make a stop to taste its famous oysters. The beautiful Arcachon Bay, “A small, interior sea” opens to the Atlantic ocean backed by a pine forest. A wide, triangular slash, hemmed by picturesque fishermen villages, and punctuated by the incessant come-and-go of the tides, the Bay of Arcachon is an incomparable site that you discover each time for the first time. With your skipper, you will discover the area ‘like a local’ and learn all there is to know about the traditions and treasures from this beautiful part of France! Famed for its sumptuous seafood, particularly oysters Arcachon bay also has Europe’s longest and highest dune of sand that you will climb for the sport of it or just enjoy the breathtaking view from a delightful restaurant.

Today is your free day in vibrant Bordeaux were you will be able to access the best wine museum in the world! La Cité du Vin, is a unique cultural centre dedicated to the universal, living heritage of wine. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, throughout the ages, across countless cultures and civilisations. This grand homage to the drink that France is famous for and the one of a kind experience you get here makes it a must see when visiting Bordeaux. The choice is yours, you may prefer to shop as it will be the perfect place for it! You will again have the possibility to explore another market, Les Halles de Bacalan - a newly renovated farmers market where local producers are eager to let you taste their specialties in the heart of Bordeaux. Move from stand to stand - taste and enjoy the local gourmet specialities as you go! A very special and authentic moment! Foodies lovers do not miss it!

Discover world-famous Medoc region, where the grandiose chateaux were built as show cases for both the wealth of the owners and the quality of their wines. We will stay in a typical familial cosy house in the heart of the Medoc vineyard, which extends over nearly 100km and bring together the most prestigious Grands Crus Classes of Bordeaux as well as tasty Crus Bourgeois and Artisans. Wines tours, tasting and cheers for our last day. We will reunite a last time for a nostalgic goodbye dinner prepared by our amazing host. Our home made and authentic last dinner will be rich in memories and emotions.

It is time to say goodbye to your new friends, with great memories and plenty of stories. Your host will drop you off to Bordeaux St Jean train station or Bordeaux Merignac airport in the morning and help to make sure that everything is well coordinated for you to travel stress free to your next destination. We hope we will have succeeded our mission of sharing our culture and regions for a trip full of good times and smiles and that you will join us again on one of our other tours!