Epicurean Getaway in Paris and Bordeaux

Your long week in France begins with a smile and a warm handshake with the private driver who picks you at the airport on arrival. Then head to your hotel in Paris center, drop off your luggage, and start your visit of Paris!  

The rest of the day is spent along the Seine, the heart of Paris, and where the city was established. We encourage you to spend the day along the photogenic waterway — with pit stops for art, food and simple sightseeing.

Get around the heart of Paris by boat, and take in the breathtaking views along the Seine.  We will include a Batobus full day pass. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and so much more are just at your reach. The nine main-attraction stops along the Seine River give you easy access to the most beautiful sights in Paris. Hop on and off the river boats whenever you want and enjoy a relaxing ride on the water as you visit the city's must-see spots at your own pace.

In the shadows of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, a host of less-famous museums also contain world-class troves. Food and festivities appeal to Epicureans and hedonists. Even some green spaces — the Tuileries gardens, the Jardin des Plantes — unfold amid the urban crush alogside the river.

Later in the day, the Palais de Tokyo is full of wonder and diversion and it is open in the evenings.

Your driver will pick you up around 10am for the short drive to the outskirts of central Paris. 

Paris is a great place for flea markets, known as brocantes, and the Saint Ouen market is the biggest and most dynamic of them all (only happening on Sundays). The name flea market in fact comes from the 1920s France, when the practice of selling anything - from antiques to bow ties to brass bedposts, they often sold flea-infested old bed linen that gave them their name, marchés aux puces. A moniker that the English adopted with flea market. 

This carefully and intimate (small group of 8 people max.) selected treasure hunting will lead you to the best vendors and help to hone your vintage shopping skills. Revel in an antique shopper’s fantasy, complete with historic French paraphernalia, vintage clothing, old books, distinguished furniture, home furnishings and much more. A feast for the eyes and the imagination awaits!  It’s the perfect place to source weird, wonderful, affordable and unique presents - or a gift or two for yourself.  

Your driver will come back and pick you up (after lunch, of-course) for the short drive back to central Paris and your visit to the Iron Lady. 

The afternoon is at your leisure, and the Seine river bank has the best informal book sellers, as well as Shakespeare and Co. perhaps the most famous independent bookstore in the world. 

After meeting the guide you'll take the train to Versailles, then hop on bikes to explore the beautiful town & favorite food market. Every stall of this quaint and quintessentially French marché tempts, with its fresh-baked pastries, crêpe stands, organic produce, cheese and wines - the things that we all love the most about France! 

The rest of the morning is spent exploring the inner Royal Grounds, Gardens, Fountains, inside Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and the Trianons, with a few hidden secrets along the way.

Then take an invigorating break with an authentic French picnic lunch by the Grand Canal, overlooking the spectacular Château. Post picnic you skip the infamous line at the Château to explore the State Rooms, King's bedroom & famous Hall of Mirrors. After a bit of time on your own to take the last pictures of this historical landmark, you take the train back to Paris center. 

In the evening, head to Montmartre and South Pigalle, these areas really coming alive when the tourists are gone and the true Parisians come out to enjoy the wine bars and restaurants. The little cobbled lanes are transformed at night, illuminated by the warm glow of the Paris street lamps and candles from restaurants. It is the perfect place for a memorable and authentic food tour.

After a slow start, you’ll be picked up after breakfast to the train station.

The high speed bullet train TGV now takes just 2 hours to get you to Bordeaux. You’ll be picked up and taken to your centrally located hotel.

2000 years of history and not a wrinkle! Bordeaux, the world-wide wine capital, has seen much of the 18th century areas of the city listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. And for a good reason: it is the town with the most protected buildings in France (363), just behind Paris! Its historic center focuses indeed an exceptional architectural heritage: the Grand Theatre, the Place de la Bourse and the entire facade along the quays, as well as the Chartrons district; the birthplace of the wine trade in Bordeaux.

Your first experience is a mid-afternoon walking tour. The walk highlights the most famous landmarks in Bordeaux. You’ll be met by a top local guide, and set off.  Of course, you will discuss the Grand Theatre located in the heart of downtown; the monument to the Girondins, fountains, the role of architecture in this 18th-century city; the Place de la Bourse built by King Louis XV and rue St. Catherine the “main street or high street” since Roman times.  All the while don’t hesitate to get some trending restaurant or bar ideas from your guide.

Evening at leisure to explore a city known for it’s excellent outdoor terrace eating.

Morning at your leisure.  Do not hesitate to visit the special markets, or elsewhere. 

Then undertake an Afternoon visit of the right bank of the Gironde, with its vineyards and famous St Emilion village (small group / approx. 5 hours). The day runs as follows (subject to tweaks of course):

Leave Bordeaux in the afternoon and drive to Saint-Emilion. The guide will provide you with all the information about the Bordeaux & Saint-Emilion wine regions - terroir. 

First up you’ll visit an authentic and charming family-run estate on the right bank. Feel the intimacy and authenticity of a private chateau run by a passionate family for many generations. Visit the vineyards, the traditional vat room and cellar of this intimate place! Some chateaux partners you might see are: Chateau de Reignac (Bordeaux supérieur), Chateau La Dauphine (Fronsac), Chateau de Sales (Pomerol), Chateau Côte de Baleau (Saint-Emilion).  You will learn the steps of a proper tasting and educate your nose in order to identify the aromas. Your guide gives you tips and tricks to taste like a pro! 

Following that you will visit a Grand Cru Classé estate overlooking the Saint-Emilion vineyards (potentially Chateau Soutard or Chateau de Ferrand). There, you enjoy more explanations about the winemaking process from the vine to the bottle. The tour ends, and the night is yours.

After breakfast in your hotel, make your way to the always central meeting spot. Meet your driver-guide, and your fellow excursionists for a day-to-remember: Beaches and Vineyards (small group / approx. 10 hours).

The Bay of Arcachon is a beautiful bay located at 55 minutes' drive away from Bordeaux. Arcachon is a bay of 1500 hectares fed by the Atlantic Ocean forming an inland sea with the colors of a lagoon, bordered on one side by a blond fine sand dune culminating at 110 meters. Climb the the biggest Sand Dune in Europe, enjoy amazing views over the ocean, the bay and the forest! Be brave enough to walk down the dune and put one foot (or more!) into the water! You’ll then savour an oyster's tasting at a local producer with a glass of white wine. Share a nice moment of conviviality overlooking the bay.

You’ll have a picnic together (included!) then drive through the "Chateau Route" of the Medoc.  Arriving in a charming and authentic family-run estate (Chateau Lamarque, Chateau Chasse-Spleen, Chateau Siran...). Feel the intimacy and authenticity of a private chateau run by a passionate family for generations. Start the visit in the vineyards, in front of the château, tour around the traditional vat room and discover the cellar.The final visit is of a Grand Cru Classé estate (Chateau Gruaud-Larose, Chateau Lagrange...). Enjoy some explanations about their wine making process, before a tasting of the estate's wines while enjoying an aperitif with French delicacies (cheese, fresh bread...). Back to Bordeaux.

A driver will pick you up after breakfast and drive you south of Bordeaux to the magnificent hotel/restaurant/spa – Sources de Caudalie. 

You wil enjoy a 3-hour cooking class with Chef Nicolas Masse's team followed by a lunch at the 2-Michelin star restaurant La Grand’Vigne (drinks included).

The restaurant is set amidst the Graves vineyards. Vineyards surround the restaurant, naturally, but also horses, and the kitchen garden are all players on a living stage that changes with the seasons.

Chef Nicolas Masse likes to feel close to this region and those who farm it. Like a winemaker, he seeks to express the very essence of this exceptional terroir and its produce: he assembles and composes, ultimately retaining only the essentials. He will share that with your during your class. Discover the various themed classes like truffle, food

and wine matches, festive meals, etc, based on what season it is. 

Pickup at a prearranged time and transfer back to Bordeaux. 

Rest of the day at leisure. 

A driver will pick you up and take you to the nearby Bordeaux/Merignac international airport (BOD), or drop you at the main TGV station.