France Food Tour: Paris, Champagne and Bordeaux

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Paris, Airport Transfer & Night Tour of Paris

  Known all over the world for its cuisine and lifestyle, France is the mecca for any epicure.

  On arrival at the airport in Paris, a private driver will pick you up and transfer you safely to your accommodation.

  Tonight, get into a red-white-and-blue, open-topped Citroën 2CV with your private driver guide, an English-speaking Parisian, to take in the magic of the French capital at night. During the tour, you will capture the beautiful images of Paris's landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Pyramid.

  • Paris

• Day 2: Lunch on the Eiffel Tower & Cheese and Wine Pairings

  Even if you are in Paris for the first time, there must be many sites in the city you can tell, such as the Arc de Triumph, the Champs Elysees, the Place de la Concorde, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, etc. Today, you will board a chauffeured luxury minibus to see them in style.

  During the tour, you will also shoot the majestic Hotel des Invalides, marvel at the Palais Garnier Opera House, and admire the impressive buildings of the Place Vendome. At the 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant, you will have a memorable lunch while enjoying the spectacular views over the Seine River, Champs de Mars, and Trocadero. Afterward, cruise along the Seine leisurely with the iconic landscape of Paris gliding over in front of your eyes.

  Late day, in an old cheese cellar, you will taste nine kinds of cheeses and try to tell the subtlety when they pair up with different wines.

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  • Paris

• Day 3: Paris, Half-Day Private Guided Tour of Versailles

  As an emblem of French royalty, the Palace of Versailles is synonymous with extravagance. In its construction, the designer did every possible thing to glorify the king by gorgeousness and splendor. Its completion defined what a royal residence could be and inspired the birth of many other palaces in Europe, like Schonbrunn Palace in Austria and Sanssouci Palace in Germany.

  In the half-day guided tour, your professional guide will lead you through the state apartments of the King and Queen, the Royal Chapel, the Hall of Mirrors, and the French Gardens.

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  • Paris

• Day 4: Paris - Reims, Guided Tour of Champagne

  After breakfast, set off on a scenic journey to discover some villages in the Champagne appellation area.

  Stop at the UNESCO-listed town of Hautvillers, the cradle of champagne, where you can visit the church where Dom Pierre Pérignon, a monk who made valuable contributions to the production of champagne wine, is buried.

  At a family-run boutique winery, you will taste some authentic champagnes and get to know how the well-known beverage is born. You will also pass through the scenic Avenue De Champagne that hosts the headquarters of several prestigious champagne houses.

  Next, you will uncover the secrets of Moët & Chandon - the largest producer of champagne, and Ruinart - the oldest producer of champagne, tasting some of their finest champagnes and listening to the stories about them.

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  • Reims

• Day 5: Reims - Bordeaux, Gourmet Tour of Reims

  Explore the amazing streets of the "City of Coronations" along with your guide, stop in a traditional French brasserie for a coffee, and then head towards the Notre-Dame de Reims, where the kings of France were coronated. Your guide will tell you about the history of this emblematic monument.

  Later on, roam the historical center of the town, admire its authentic Art deco and Art Nouveau architecture, and then visit a unique biscuit shop, where you will get engaged in the production and tasting of some authentic French products.

  Continue to visit some other shops and sample some great champagnes paired with cheeses and delicatessen at a wine store.

  In the afternoon, take a private transfer to the railway station in Paris for the high-speed train in 1st class to Bordeaux. On arrival, be welcomed and transferred to your accommodation.

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  • Bordeaux

• Day 6: Bordeaux, Explore the UNESCO-listed Bordeaux by Walk

  Bordeaux, nicknamed Port of the Moon, has maintained its neoclassical style formed in the early 18th century and hosts most protected buildings only second to Paris. With a knowledgeable guide, in two hours, your will admire the prestigious Grand-Théâtre, enjoy the panorama over the Garonne River, photograph the majestic Place de la Bourse with its emblematic reflection, discover the Square Vinet hiding at the end of a narrow street in the heart of the Saint Pierre district, and visit Bordeaux Patrimoine Mondial for a general understanding of Bordeaux's architectural heritage and the city's future.

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  • Bordeaux

• Day 7: Bordeaux, Tour to Graves, Saint Emilion, and Libournais

  Bordeaux is known as the Wine Capital of the World. Today, you will discover the wine world of Bordeaux with your English-speaking driver.

  Located to the west of the Garonne River, Graves is the only subregion of Bordeaux that is famed for the three wine types -reds, dry whites, and sweet wines- at the same time. The name Graves comes from a kind of well-drained gravel soil which is an important factor for producing good grapes and quality wine. Visit a chateau in Graves this morning and taste some of its specialty wines at your own expense.

  In the afternoon, explore the medieval town of Saint-Émilion and then visit two chateaux in Libournais, another important sub-region of the Bordeaux wine area. Wander through the vineyards, listen to the winegrower's introduction about their wines as well as the history of the estate.

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  • Bordeaux

• Day 8: Bordeaux, Private Lunch in a local fisherman's Stilt-hut

  Just off the coast of Arcachon Bay, some stilt-huts stand proudly over the water. When the tide rises, these wooden huts, called Cabanes Tchanquées by the locals, look like floating on the water. They were built by oyster farmers to keep watch over their oyster farms but now have become an icon of Arcachon Bay.

  Today you will visit one of the Cabanes Tchanquées and enjoy a hearty lunch including but not limited to fish rillettes, lobster, cheese, dessert, champagne, and white wine. Private Pick-up & drop-off from your hotel in Bordeaux is included.

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  • Bordeaux

• Day 9: Bordeaux - Paris, Train Journey Back to Paris

  Find your way to the railway station for a comfortable high-speed train/TGV to Pairs. After arrival, get to the hotel on your own.

  At the noon, get on a boat to take in the stunning beauty of the Seine, flanked by the emblematic monuments of Paris, while enjoying a typical French lunch.

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  • Paris

• Day 10: Paris - Departure

  Time to say goodbye to fascinating France. At the appointed time, a chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer to the airport.

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