Bordeaux & Loire Valley Wine Tour

Grape harvest and wine festival at Loire Valley in France

What to expect on this itinerary

The châteaux are legendary, the landscape is spectacular, and the wine is beyond comparison. In the Loire Valley and Bordeaux region of France, you will delight in exquisite landscapes while sampling some of the world’s finest wines. You’ll visit the Loire’s fairy-tale castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, the historic cities of Amboise and Chinon, and the prestigious wineries of Chinon and Vouvray appellations. Then you’ll tour the elegant city of Bordeaux, the UNESCO village of Saint-Émilion and the surrounding Médoc vineyards with stops at world-famous wineries. This luxurious Bordeaux and Loire Valley wine tour also includes relaxing by a beautiful beach and leisurely gourmet meals.

Countries Visited

France

Places Visited

Loire Valley, Paris, Amboise, Chinon, Bordeaux, Médoc

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Loire Valley - Arrive in Paris and Transfer to the Loire Valley

Upon your arrival in Paris, your English-speaking guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the Loire Valley. Enjoy a relaxing ride through the scenic countryside in your comfortable air-conditioned transfer. You’ll arrive in the village of Chambord and have lunch at your leisure. Your guide will take you to one of the charming restaurants in the village. Sample the local cuisine such as Salmon in Beurre Blanc Sauce paired with a refreshing glass of Anjou wine (a local appellation) and Chicken Fricassee with Mushrooms accompanied by Vouvray, another one of the Loire Valley’s fine wines.

After lunch, you’ll visit the Château de Chambord. This glorious castle was built in the early 1500s for King François I to impress his distinguished visitors, including royal heads of state and foreign ambassadors. The château is surrounded by expansive woodlands that are comparable in size to the entire city of Paris! Your private tour takes you inside this magnificent Renaissance château with over four hundred rooms. Soak up the grandeur of the immense interior, as the spiraling staircase alone is a breathtaking architectural statement. After your tour of the château, you’ll be treated to a wine tasting at the Domaine de la Grange, an artisan winery that produces exceptional white, red and sparkling wines.

The proprietor will welcome you to the domaine and educate you about the property’s Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny appellations. The highly regarded Cour-Cheverny wines were originally made for King François I. Returning from a trip to Italy, King François I made a detour in Burgundy where he sampled their famous wines. The King then took back native (Romorantin) grape vines from Burgundy to his château in the Loire Valley. Today you will not find any other wine made with Romorantin grapes except for the Cour-Cheverny appellation. You’ll have a chance to sample this unique wine during your visit. Following the wine-tasting tour, you’ll be provided a transfer to your luxurious hotel. For dinner, choose one of the traditional restaurants within walking distance of your hotel. Consider learning more about your France travel agents who strive to produce a highly personalized and memorable trip of a lifetime, tailored to your particular interests and desires.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Loire Valley - Guided Tour of Amboise and Loire River Boating Excursion

Day 3

Wine Tasting in Chinon and Tour of Chenonceau Castle

Day 4

Bordeaux - Travel to Bordeaux with a Stop at a Cognac Winery

Day 5

Bordeaux - Sightseeing Tour of Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion

Day 6

Bordeaux - Visit Pristine Beaches and Quaint Villages of Bassin d’Arcachon

Day 7

Bordeaux - Wine Tour Including Visits to Chateaux in the Medoc

Day 8

Departure from Bordeaux

Trip Highlights

  • See the elegant Loire Valley castles of Chambord and Chenonceau
  • Guided tour of the historic city of Amboise and the Château d'Amboise
  • Sample the finest Vouvray white wines at a prestigious wine château
  • Visit a winery in Chinon for a tasting of this famous wine appellation
  • Private visits to renowned wineries in Cognac, Médoc and Saint-Émilion
  • Relax in the pristine nature site of Arcachon Basin on the Atlantic Coast
  • Private tour of the Château Margaux winery

Detailed Description

From the elegant châteaux to the perfectly manicured vineyards, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux region are especially appealing to wine connoisseurs. These two areas epitomize the beauty and culture that draws visitors to France. Both regions have beautiful historical monuments and an impressive winemaking heritage. Embark on the finest luxury France tours, where you’ll see the charming villages and lovely vineyards of the Loire Valley and the Médoc, and enjoy stops at famous wine appellations: Chinon, Vouvray, Saint-Émilion and Margaux. The Bordeaux and Loire Valley wine tour even includes a winery visit in Cognac to sample this fine liqueur.

This customizable vacation takes you on private tours of prestigious wineries, many of which are not normally open to the public. You’ll have a chance to taste exceptional quality wines from several different regions while your guide educates you about the winemaking process, each appellation’s characteristics and the best recent vintages. In the Loire Valley wine regions of Chinon and Vouvray, you’ll sample crisp and refreshing white wines made from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. In the Bordeaux regions of Margaux and Saint-Émilion, you’ll discover the legendary red wine blends made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. These full-bodied, aromatic wines are crafted to age for decades and will make a wonderful addition to your wine collection.

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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