Gourmet Paris & Bordeaux

Begin your unforgettable adventure in the City of Lights by flying into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where you’ll be met by your private driver. Transfer will be provided to the fashionable neighborhood of Saint-Germain, a beloved community of many artists, writers, and intellectuals from Voltaire and Picasso to Hemingway.

After checking into your boutique hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps resting after a long flight and enjoying a short stroll with many upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants just steps away. Find an idyllic spot to sip a glass of wine or another refreshing beverage while watching the world go by.

Meet your local guide for an immersive introduction to Paris, tracing a path from the soaring towers of Notre Dame Cathedral to the triumphal sweep of the Arc de Triomphe and the unmistakable silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. As you journey between these icons and the book-lined streets of the Latin Quarter, where centuries of scholarship and bohemian life have shaped a neighborhood of winding lanes and hidden courtyards, punctuated by three handpicked pastry stops that reveal why Parisian patisserie is considered an art form in its own right. More than a simple city tour, this experience is designed to give you the “keys” to Paris, blending history and culture.

Inside the Louvre, your private guide transforms what could feel like an overwhelming maze of more than 35,000 works into a focused three-hour journey through masterpieces and quieter treasures. You pause before icons such as the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace while also exploring lesser-known galleries that showcase 9,000 years of artistic achievement, all framed by the story of how this vast complex evolved from a medieval fortress to a royal palace and, ultimately, to the world-famous museum it is today.

A trip to the Palace of Versailles is something that really shouldn’t be missed by anyone who visits Paris, so we’ve included a half-day tour that will bring you there with your own private driver- guide. You’ll be able to admire the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors, a definite highlight with individual mirrors on all of the 17 arched windows, as well as tour the opulent Louis XIV State Apartments. The magnificent gardens are spread across 250-acre grounds with meandering garden paths that provide views of the colorful flowers, ornamental lakes, and the canal where King Louis XIV himself once enjoyed rides on a gondola.

Embark on a Parisian culinary journey from City Hall to the Bastille, joining a true culinary aficionado for a curated exploration of the city’s finest shops, alive with cultural fusion. Discover the lore of French cheeses and the intricacies of artisanal chocolate, savor exquisite crêpes, decode the nuances of wine regions, and master the art of selecting the perfect baguette in the City of Light. This personalized tour shatters conventions, expanding palates with delightful surprises beyond your comfort zone, tailored to your preferences, and culminating in expert dining recommendations.

It’s time to say farewell to Paris, taking private transfer to the train station for the 2-hour ride to the famous Bordeaux region. The historic center of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many delights to discover.

Today meet your guide to begin a captivating walking tour through Bordeaux’s historic heart. Explore iconic landmarks such as Place de la Bourse, Porte Cailhau, La Grosse Cloche, and Rue Sainte Catherine, while your guide shares fascinating stories about the city’s rich heritage and architectural beauty. Along the way, savor local delicacies that highlight the flavors of the region, making this a sensory as well as cultural experience.

The tour concludes with a visit to a charming local wine bar, where you can unwind with a glass of Bordeaux wine paired perfectly with cheese. This immersive experience combines history, gastronomy, and the celebrated wine culture of Bordeaux, offering a memorable introduction to the city’s unique character and charm.

It’s time for a discovery of what makes Bordeaux so well-known, its wine. Head out with your private driver-guide to explore the vine-filled region while enjoying tastings in some unique and breathtaking settings. Bordeaux wines are some of the most highly acclaimed in the world and the first cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines even originated here. They still make up more than 90 percent of the grapes grown here, although there are some whites, particularly in the Entre-Deux-Mer area. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through cobblestone streets, admire ancient architecture and discover the rich history that has shaped this picturesque town.

We’ve left today free for you to enjoy Bordeaux at leisure. However you may want to take an optional private tour of the Medoc wine region which lies between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s been one of the most popular in France for some 300 years, known for its tradition of crafting and blending the benchmark merlots and cabernet sauvignons. Medoc hosts some of the most prestigious wine-producing villages which include Pauillac, Saint-Julie, Saint-Estephe, and Margaux, making some of the world’s most expensive wines. Your tour includes visits with tastings at three different chateaux which are sure to feature Bordeaux’s celebrity grapes along with some lesser-known gems.

After an unforgettable week through Paris and Bordeaux, your journey will soon come to an end. Your private driver will provide transfer from your hotel to the Bordeaux train station so you can take the train to Paris. Upon arrival, you’ll take a private transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. From there, you might head out on further travels or catch your flight home. Should you need assistance with either, as always, our travel experts are here to assist.