Loire Valley and Bordeaux Discovery

Touring Western Touraine

Meet your private guide after breakfast and set out to visit the historic Chateau de Chenonceau. Discover the extensive royal history of Chateau de Chenonceau as your guide leads you through this extraordinary 16th century castle and its gardens. Learn how the King of France lived during the Renaissance period and of the women of power who embellished and protected it over the years. As you explore the property, take in the incredible gothic/renaissance architecture, beautiful furnishings, and extensive art collections.

Next, enjoy a visit and tasting at a Vouvray vineyard such as Domaine Huet where you will enjoy an extensive range of white wines typical from Vouvray, specifically Chenin Blanc.

You are then welcomed for a visit to an authentic winery in Bourgeuil, Domaine de la Chevalerie in Restigné. With a long family history of talented winemakers, the knowledge of the estate vines has been passed down with immeasurable precision and care. A family member or colleague will take you into the 11CE cellars, among the oldest in the regions, where their vintages, which are occasionally offered for sale, are stored.

Continue this afternoon, with a tasting of the day near the village of Cravant-les-Coteaux in Chinon. You will be welcomed into the caves of a producer such as Domaine Pierre, and mature your pallet for wines of bio dynamism with a generous tasting of the domain’s fleet.

Your day concludes back at your boutique accommodations, where you will be at leisure to dine at a local restaurant.

Deeper Loire Discovery

We begin the day with a visit to one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine, Château de Villandry. By its diversity and originality, Villandry is the Loire Valley Garden not to be missed. We will arrange for a professional historian guide to lead you through the Chateau and gardens, describing the history and architecture of the chateau.

Next, you are welcomed at through the doors of Domaine Pierre et Bertrand Couly, a highly influential producer in this region, for a tasting of their red Cabernet Franc wines.

Enjoy a delicious lunch this afternoon in a traditional winery.

Appreciate the beauty of Azay-le-Rideau and its English Garden as you pass by on route to your next appointment. One of the purest gems of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley, financer Gilles Berthelot’s Chateau is delicately placed on an island on the Indre river, and still shines today thanks to the lightness and balance of its mullioned, pepper pots, dormers and above all its graceful staircase.

If you would like for us to arrange for a professional historian to guide you through Chateau de Villandry and the Gardens, as well as Azay le Rideau, we are happy to coordinate a more in depth and historical experience.

You are returned to your lodging following visits.

After checking out of your accommodation, meet your private driver who will transfer you to the train station to catch your connecting train.

Rail Journey - St Pierre des Corps to Bordeaux via Paris
Comfort Class Tickets

Welcome to Bordeaux! On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your accommodation to check in.

Rest of Day at Leisure

Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Relax and unwind at your accommodation or set out for your own discovery of the area.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is bottled history with a fascinating story to tell. Now a vibrant, sophisticated city, its history is long and intricately interwoven with its agriculture. Bordeaux is the largest fine wine district on earth. Long revered as a French wine icon Bordeaux wine is age-worthy, much sought after, and highly prized. There is more Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in this southwest corner of France than anywhere else on earth. 10,000 producers craft these two varieties and their supporting cast into polished full-flavored red blends.

Additional Options for Day 4

InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel - Classic Room

Nostalgic French decor and UNESCO World Heritage architecture set the scene for your stay at InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel. The Rooms & Suites of the hotel have a unique character, combining charm, luxury and refinement. Enjoy exemplary wines and fine dining at the Le Bordeaux restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent Gordon Ramsay, L’Orangerie bar and a rooftop bar with views over the city. You can also relax in the indoor swimming pool or book a massage in the Guerlain Spa.

The Great Cabernets of the Medoc - Shared Touring

After breakfast this morning, meet your wine guide and small group at central location in the city and depart for an exquisite day of tastings in the Médoc.

Begin the morning at a renowned estate such as, Château Gruaud Larose. Another one of the 15 exclusive 2nd growth properties, this winery is based in the Saint Julien appellation. The notion of terroir binds geology and climate together. The largest concentration of Grand Cru Wines is in the Medoc, an area which benefits from a microclimate that is particularly favorable for the expression of the vine. Since its creation, in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud and Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family and the Merlaut family. This family attachment has been passed on to the employees who often work at the chateau from father to son and from mother to daughter.

Next, Kirwan, or similar, will welcome you for a visit of the estate and a special vertical tasting. The chateau’s white stones peep through from behind the park and contrast with the glass of the greenhouse on the edge of the garden, a few paces away from the terrace. Encountering Kirwan is initially a visual experience. Its vineyard overlooks the Margaux appellation area from the plateau of Cantenac. Run a finger over the barrels in the long towering passageway of the first-year cellar, where the fruit of a vintage and transmission between generations rests.

This afternoon, stop to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant such as Restaurant Le Saint Julien, where you can enjoy a bistronomic style lunch in a lovely setting.

End the day with a spectacular visit at Lynch Bages Grand Cru Classé, or similar. Although there are records of the Bages territory as far back as the 16th century, the history of wine production in the area really began in the 18th century. From 1749 to 1824, the vineyard was owned by Thomas Lynch, the son of an Irishman from Galway who worked as a merchant in Bordeaux. Thomas Lynch managed the land wisely and produced high quality wines under the name of ''Cru de Lynch''. As part of the prestigious 1855 Classification, for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, his wine would soon be classified as one of the fifth growths.

You will be returned to your accommodations at the end of your charming day in the vineyards.

Bordeaux Leisure

Enjoy a day of leisure to experience the area at your own pace.

Consider hopping on a river cruise. The Garonne River runs through Bordeaux, and a river cruise is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. Some cruises also include wine tastings and other activities.

Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which is home to an impressive collection of art, including works by famous artists such as Rubens, Renoir, and Matisse.

Walk or bike along the quays: The quays along the Garonne River have been transformed into a pedestrian and bike-friendly area. Take a stroll or rent a bike and enjoy the river views.

Shop at the markets: Bordeaux has several markets, including the Marché des Capucins, which is one of the largest indoor markets in France. Here you can find fresh produce, cheese, seafood, and other local specialties.

Further Exploration of the Right Bank

After breakfast this morning, you will be joined by your regional wine guide and small group for another day of discovery.

This morning, you will be welcomed through the doors of Château Troplong Mondot for a visit and tasting of their production. The Chateau has a long and colorful history in Saint Emilion that dates back to the 17th Century. ettled upon its hilltop, the Château discretely dominates an unusual ‘terroir’, quite unlike any other. On the one side, soft wave-like sweeping hills. On the other, the valley and the village of Saint-Emilion, stretching out under our feet. And all around, vines, bushes, hedges, lanes and low stone walls.

Afterwards, Château La Dominque will host your next visit with a special 4 wine Blind Tasting. As in all beautiful stories, one look was enough for successive owners of La Dominique to be smitten with this magnificent Saint Emilion estate, and commit to making the most of it. Called "Durieu" in the early 17th century, the property was acquired by the Glenne family and named "Dominique" by Jacques and Isabeau Micheau in 1690. A subsequent owner, merchant Henri Greloud, added the definite article "La" in the mid-19th century. He is said to have done so because of his love for the Caribbean island of Dominica (or "La Dominique" in French). The Fayat family wanted to build a state-of-the-art winemaking facility that was also well-integrated into the landscape and in harmony with existing buildings. This turned out to be a unique, imaginative, avant garde structure that is functional, luminous, and spacious. It is totally in keeping with the emotion generated by the wine and is widely acknowledged as one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful modern cellars.

We suggest stopping to enjoy lunch at the estate's esteemed restaurant, La Terrasse Rouge, afterwards. Enjoy beautiful views overlooking the vineyards while enjoying refined French cuisine.

This afternoon, we set out to the village of Saint Emilion for a historical walking tour to see the underground monuments. The origins of the village Saint-Émilion go back to the 8th century when the monk Emilion turned the place into a monastic site. The town and the surrounding vineyards developed during the Middle Ages. The visit will cover several centuries of history and legend from the time of the monk Emilion to the carving out of the amazing monolithic church. You will see paintings in the Chapelle de la Trinité and learn the secrets of the catacombs.

You will be returned to Bordeaux at the conclusion of the day.

Today, you will be greeted by your private driver at your accommodation and transferred to the Bordeaux Saint Jean train station for your departing coach.

Rail Journey - Bordeaux to Paris CDG Airport
Comfort Class Tickets