#1 France

Arrive Toulouse. You will be welcomed by your driver guide and transferred to Carcassonne. Guided tour of the Medieval Citadel of Carcassonne, UNESCO Heritage Site. Before dinner, you are invited to a wine tasting initiation by a professional “sommelier“. Dinner and overnight in Carcassonne.

Breakfast and pick-up at your hotel by your driver guide. Short drive to the Château Auzias in Pennautier for a guided visit of the vineyards and winery. Wine tasting session in the wine cellars. Suggested lunch at the Chais du Château Pennautier, followed by a visit of the wine cellars of the Château.

Drive across Carcassonne to Caunes Minervois for a fascinating visit of the ancient Louis XIV marble quarry, where the marble for the Palace of Versailles was extracted. On through the surrounding Minervois vineyards to Domaine Clos Centeilles in the award winning La Livinière region of the Minervois. A small independent producer, where they still press one of their wines by foot!! You are invited to an intimate ‘aperitif vigneron’, tasting the wines with local produce.

Back to Carcassonne. Gourmet dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Carcassonne.

Breakfast and pick-up at your hotel by your driver guide and departure for Montauban, city of pink bricks. Walk through the historical centre of Montauban to discover the main monuments and head towards Cahors. Visit of Cahors, city with a prosperous past with the famous Pont Valentré, fortified work of art with three towers.

This afternoon, visit and wine tasting of Cahors vineyards which are implanted on two types of “terroir”: the Lot Valley and the Limestone Plateau. Transfer to the Quercy region and settle into your hotel.

Gourmet dinner and overnight in St. Beauzeil.

Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast the chef welcomes you into his kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson about the preparation and service of foie gras, fish or dessert.

For lunch you will enjoy the fruit of your own labour! Wine is included. After the visit of a foie gras farm, the evening will be devoted to the particularities of the Cahors wines.

Dinner and overnight in the château.

Breakfast and pick-up at your hotel by your driver guide and departure for Lascaux II, where the cream of Europe’s cave paintings is displayed. Then your guide will drive you to Sarlat. Sarlat is the capital of Black Périgord and an exceptionally well-preserved city. More than 1000 years of architecture live in its lanes, roof-tiles and stone walls. Dinner & overnight in Sarlat.

Breakfast and pick-up at your hotel by your driver guide and departure for Saint Emilion. Visit of the Château Franc Mayne, Grand Cru classé of Saint Emilion. Visit St Emilion, medieval city, UNESCO world heritage site and one of the centres of Bordeaux wine-making. Transfer to Bordeaux.

In the afternoon your guide will take you on a tour of Bordeaux to visit its main monuments and the old town.

Overnight in Bordeaux.

Breakfast and pick-up at your hotel by your driver guide and departure for the famous ‘Route des vins’ to discover some of the most prestigious names and châteaux. From Pauillac to Margaux, scattered along the Gironde river, you’ll visit or drive through some of the most prestigious locations. Of course, wine tasting sessions will also be on your program today!

Tonight, enjoy a gourmet dinner. Overnight in Bordeaux.

Day at leisure in Bordeaux or Arcachon (option).

Overnight in Bordeaux.

Breakfast at your hotel and end of our services.