The ultimate road trip in France for wine lovers

Take the ultimate road trip for wine lovers, which will take you through the most prominent wine regions of France. Designed for lovers of food, wine and beautiful cars, this 7-10 day itinerary can be customized to suit the preferences of each of our clients.

Covering a distance of roughly 1,100 miles, the itinerary starts and culminates in Paris, taking in the best of Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire Valley along the way. At the halfway point there is a 24 hour pitstop for some R&R and an indulgent spa experience.

Private tours of champagne houses, wineries and cognac houses will feature most days. During the full-day wine tours, we would recommend the use of a driver which is arranged as part of the itinerary. If you prefer to drive yourself and use a spitoon during your tastings then that’s OK too.

In the evenings, you will enjoy the very best dining and accommodations that each region has to offer.

Our clients can bring their own vehicle for their road trip. Alternatively we can take care of the arrangements of sourcing a specific type of car on your behalf to really make it a road trip to remember.

Shorter road trip itineraries, taking in fewer wine regions or focusing on a specific wine region, are also possible. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to plan something just for you!

Included in this itinerary

• 5 full-day private wine tours in Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire.

• Tailor-made dining program and booking of all restaurant reservations and dining arrangements.

• Fully customizable to suit your schedule and preferences with flexible start and finish points.

Duration: 7 - 10 days

Day 1 - Paris to Champagne*

On your first day, you’ll make the short drive from Paris to the world-famous region of Champagne. Once you’ve checked into your 5 star accommodations nestled amongst the vines, the afternoon will be yours to settle in, enjoy a spa treatment or explore the nearby town of Reims with its stunning gothic cathedral. In the evening, you can dine at the hotel’s restaurant enjoying uninterrupted views of the vineyards of Champagne.  

*For those who wish to avoid the roads of Paris, the itinerary can start in Champagne.

Day 2 - Private wine tours in Champagne

Today will be devoted to the wonderful world of champagne. Your day will start with a pick-up from your accommodations by your driver for the day who will take you to your first private tour and tasting at a leading Champagne house. After your first tour of the day, you’ll head to lunch at a local bistro where you will enjoy some wonderful local cuisine. After lunch you’ll head to your afternoon appointment at another champagne house for another private tour followed by a guided tasting. Your full-day tour will end back at your accommodations around 5pm. For your evening meal, we would recommend either one of our favorite Michelin star restaurants featuring a pairing of thoughtfully selected champagnes or a private dining experience at one of the region’s top champagne houses.

Day 3 - Champagne to Burgundy

After breakfast overlooking the vineyards of Champagne, you will continue your journey, heading south towards the beautiful Burgundian town of Beaune – home to some of the finest wines in France, and dare we say - the world. Your destination is a beautiful 18th century mansion located just outside Beaune, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. A lunch reservation will be made for you at a local restaurant and the afternoon will be yours to enjoy at your own speed, before enjoying another gastronomic Michelin-star experience crafted by the in-house chef at your accommodations.

Day 4 - Private wine tours in Burgundy

Day 4 is all about the magnificent wines of Burgundy. Your private wine tours and tastings will be organized according to your preferences - your day could focus on the pinot noirs of La Côte de Nuits or the chardonnays of La Côte de Beaune and Chablis. Or why not spend the day enjoying both the reds and the whites of this legendary region. Whichever you prefer, you will learn all about the diverse terroir of Burgundy and taste some incredible wines along the way. Your day will end back at your accommodations where you’ll get ready to head out and enjoy another wonderful meal featuring local specialties such as gougères, escargots de Bourgogne and coq au vin.

Day 5 - Burgundy to the heart of Charente Limousine

Your road trip continues, heading southwest towards one of France’s most idyllic chateau-hotels. This luxuriously appointed chateau, nestled in parkland of 2,500 acres, will be your haven for the next 24 hours. Here you can enjoy fine dining at the property’s restaurant, indulgent spa treatments in a stunning watermill, and a range of outdoor activities throughout the estate including boating, game spotting and tennis. Your stay here will indulge all the senses and leave you revitalized for the second half of your trip.   

Day 6 - Charente Limousine to Bordeaux

After your relaxing break in the French countryside, you’ll make the short trip south-west to Bordeaux. Your next pitstop will be another 5 star property, this time located amongst the vines in the Bordeaux appellation of Pessac Léognan. This will be your base for the next 2 nights from where you will enjoy the world-famous vineyards of Bordeaux. During your first afternoon, you will have a private tour and tasting of one of Pessac Léognan’s most prominent wineries, before a wonderful evening meal at your hotel’s rustic but elegant bistro.

Day 7 - Private wine tours in Bordeaux

Today will be dedicated to exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux. Once again you will enjoy private wine tours and tastings at two or three wineries accompanied by your guide and driver. With our guidance you can choose to explore either the left bank of Bordeaux with its world-famous appellations of Margaux and Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, or Bordeaux’s right bank – home to the vineyards of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. Alternatively, you could head down to Sauternes for the day where you’ll taste and experience the world’s finest sweet wines. For your second evening in Bordeaux, we would recommend the Michelin-starred experience at your hotel where you’ll be treated to unique creations incorporating the finest ingredients from the terroir of southwest France. Alternatively you can head into the city of Bordeaux to explore the old town where we’ll guide you to one of our favorite local restaurants in town.

Day 8 - Bordeaux to Cognac

After breakfast, you’ll make the 90 minute drive from Bordeaux to the wonderful world of Cognac, with its carefully guarded traditions, precious eaux-de-vie, and centuries-old chais oozing with authenticity and charm. Once in Cognac you’ll enjoy a lunch followed by a private tour of a cognac house - which can either be one of the world-famous brands such as Rémy Martin or Hennessey, or something more intimate at one of the many small, privately owned cognac houses which dot the landscape. You’ll end the day at your 5 star accommodations in the heart of Cognac where you can enjoy cognac-inspired cocktails and live jazz before another wonderful evening meal.

Day 8 - Cognac to Loire Valley

After a leisurely morning, you will drive north-east to the Loire Valley, often referred to as the Garden of France thanks to the abundance of vineyards and orchards along the banks of the Loire River. Here you can either explore the appellations of the Loire such as Saumur, Chinon or Sancerre or devote your time here to the regal chateaux for which this part of France is also so well-known. Either way, your penultimate day of your trip will leave you yearning to return!

Day 9 - Loire Valley to Paris

The homestretch of this itinerary will take you through the Loire Valley with its idyllic villages and numerous chateaux to Paris, where your French road trip will end.

At this point you can continue your journey onwards or we can assist you with your stay in Paris to make sure it is as perfect as the rest of your trip.