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Overview

Best of Bordeaux

A plate of oysters enjoyed on a cooking vacation in FranceBordeaux may be most associated with its surrounding vineyards, which of course you explore on our Bordeaux wine tours in France, but that’s just scratching the surface of what this grand and elegant city in the west of France has to offer! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, and Europe’s Best Destination in 2015, the city has been revitalized in recent years thanks to the vision of the city’s mayor, and is now more than just the home of great Bordeaux wine tours. In addition to restoring the historic buildings, boulevards are now pedestrian friendly, making the streets even more enjoyable for a stroll before dinner at one of Bordeaux’s gastronomic restaurants and for shopping among the city’s many boutiques and fashion designers. History is just about everywhere you turn too, as the city has interesting ties to the French Revolution.

Just outside of this thriving and bustling city, discover the different terroirs of the region on our Bordeaux wine tours by visiting chateaux on both sides of the River Garonne, the Medoc and St. Emilion, two of the most famous areas of this wine region. Not only will you visit the vineyards on wine tasting tours in Bordeaux and its environs, but you will also learn about the winemaking process, including how wines are blended. While there is nothing quite like visiting the vineyard first hand on our Bordeaux France wine tours to see how wine is made, Bordeaux is also now home to a wine museum unlike any other in the world, too: La Cité du Vin, a permanent wine exhibit that is structured around a variety of wine experiences, including wine tasting, and is situated right on the river.

One of the most stunning neighborhoods in Bordeaux is the Golden Triangle, an area of boulevards flanked by trees and populated with beautiful 18th-century buildings. It’s in this awe-inspiring area, and just down the street from the Opera, that you’ll find your 4-star hotel and home for your food and wine tour of Bordeaux, the de Seze (or similar).

What are you waiting for? The wines of France await you on our fabulous Bordeaux wine tours!


Latest Review

I gave this trip 5 stars
Dana
IL
Trip taken October 2023
Our International Kitchen agent Adrian was wonderful! Our trip to Bordeaux exclusive and excellent.

Trip Details

Although wine is the focus of the week, you will delve into the world of gourmet French cuisine with a cooking class at a chateau situated in a Medoc vineyard. The chef leading the course grew up in the area, and later studied at the prestigious Blaye Hotel School. With his roots in the area, he loves sharing regional ingredients and seasonal dishes with his students. During the course in the chateau’s kitchen, you’ll learn how to make a 3-course menu. The class is a wonderful introduction to the cuisine of the Bordeaux region, and will be just one part of your fabulous culinary and wine tour of this vibrant and beautiful area.

Itinerary

Day One

Bedroom in Bordeaux France

  • Arrive at Bordeaux airport, and transfer on your own to the city center.
  • Check in to your accommodations, the 4-star Hotel de Seze situated in the heart of Bordeaux’s historic city center. (If unavailable a comparable property will be proposed.) This will be your home for your amazing Bordeaux wine tour.
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner at a gastronomic restaurant located in the prestigious and majestic Opera House of Bordeaux. This classy bistro will be your introduction to gourmet French cuisine. (Drinks not included).
  • Overnight.

Bordeaux, France


Day Two

  • Breakfast.
  • In the morning, your food and wine tour of Bordeaux continues with a private guided visit of Bordeaux. During this tour, you’ll discover the historic center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as have the chance to see one of the largest examples of 18th and 19th century architecture and opulent stone facades that are decorated with mascarons (ornamental faces) and sculpted arches.
  • Lunch on your own in Bordeaux.
  • In the afternoon,  continue your Bordeaux wine tour with a visit of the recently opened La Cité du Vin, an immersive and sensorial permanent tour space all about wines from all over the world located on the river. You’ll be free to wander around the exhibition space and take it in as you’d like. Perhaps interact with the ‘e-vines’ or exhibits like ‘meeting the experts.’ All the exhibits are about discovering the evolution of wine and its civilizations.
  • Some time in the afternoon to explore Bordeaux on your own. Perhaps stroll the pedestrian shopping streets for luxury brands and French designers. Your local contact will happily provide some ideas and addresses to stop at!
  • Dinner on your own, and overnight.

Duck Confit during a culinary tour of France


Day Three

  • Following breakfast, head off on our Bordeaux wine tours,  transferring just north of Bordeaux to the Medoc wine region, an area known for its full-bodied red wines. Begin a your Bordeaux wine tours with a journey into the gourmet world of French cuisine with a hands-on cooking course in a chateau.
  • After your French cooking class, enjoy a lunch based on your efforts as well as a visit to the chateau’s wine cellars. Drinks not included.
  • In the afternoon, your Bordeaux wine tours continue with a visit of another chateau in the region, this one a Chateau Grand Cru Classé, for a private cellar visit and tasting.
  • Return to Bordeaux.
  • Dinner tonight will be on a boat-restaurant. During the cruise on Bordeaux’s Garonne river, see the city’s UNESCO listed World Heritage architecture as well as the bridges of Bordeaux (Pont de Pierre, Pont d’Aquitaine, and a new drawbridge). The dishes served for dinner are all based on regional products, and drinks are not included.
  • Overnight.

Oysters in France


Day Four

  • Following breakfast, our food and wine tours of Bordeaux continue with a visit of Arcachon Bay on the southwest coast of France.
  • Visit a typical oyster farm where the owner will share his passion and knowledge for oysters. He’ll also teach you how to easily open them, so that you can enjoy a tasting!
  • Lunch on your own.
  • In the afternoon, take a private boat trip in a pinasse — a typical boat with a plane bottom — on the Bassin d-Arcachon. This 2-hour trip will take you to the oyster beds, the birds’ island, the “cabanes Tchanquées”, the peninsula fishermen villages, and the Pyle Dune.
  • Transfer back to Bordeaux for dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

Saint Emilion, France


Day Five

  • Breakfast.
  • In the morning, head to another part of Bordeaux’s wine region on our Bordeaux wine tours: Saint Emilion. In this charming area, you’ll be introduced to wine blending in a Grand Cru Chateau. You’ll learn about the terroir — and how it differs from the Medoc — as well as how the team works on the vines and produces wine. During the blending workshop, you’ll participate in a barrel sampling and varietals tasting of various plots to better understand the blending process.
  • Enjoy a picnic lunch at the chateau. Your basket will be filled with seasonal and local products, giving you a chance to taste the range of traditional cuisine — including charcuterie and and cheese. Drinks not included.
  • After the Bordeaux wine tours and lunch, transfer to the town of St. Emilion for a private guided tour of the underground monuments. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a private guide will explain the background of the town’s unique underground monuments, such as the monolithic church. The tour covers several centuries of history and legend from the time of the monk Emilion. Not only see paintings in the Chapelle de la Trinité, but discover also the catacombs. The visit to the four major monuments results in a condensed history of Saint Emilion.
  • Next, continue your Bordeaux wine tours with a private tour of the environmentally conscious Chateau of Fronsac. This chateau uses certified organic agriculture methods and biodynamic techniques to produce their wines. During this Bordeaux wine tour, see their innovative technical facilities, and taste directly from the barrel. The tour culminates in a wine tasting from two of the chateau’s wines.
  • Return to Bordeaux for dinner at Le Chapon Fin, a historic and celebrated restaurant in Bordeaux. Drinks not included.
  • Overnight.

Fruit tart


Day Six

  • Breakfast and check out.
  • Departure on own to Bordeaux airport. We hope you have enjoyed your food and wine tour of Bordeaux, and that we will see you again soon!

Trip Details

Included in the 5-Night Trip

Accommodations

5 nights in a classic room at the 4-star Hotel de Seze (or similar)

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 2 lunches (drinks not included)
  • 3 dinners (drinks not included)

Classes & Instructors

Although wine is the focus of the week, you will delve into the world of gourmet French cuisine with a cooking class at a chateau situated in a Medoc vineyard. The chef leading the course grew up in the area, and later studied at the prestigious Blaye Hotel School. With his roots in the area, he loves sharing regional ingredients and seasonal dishes with his students. During the course in the chateau’s kitchen, you’ll learn how to make a 3-course menu. The class is a wonderful introduction to the cuisine of the Bordeaux region, and will be just one part of your fabulous culinary and wine tour of this vibrant and beautiful area.

Excursions

  • Private guided tour of Bordeaux
  • Visit of oyster farm with tasting
  • Dinner cruise on the Garonne
  • Private 2-hour trip on a pinasse boat on the Bassin d’Arcachon
  • Private guided visit of St. Emilion and its underground monuments
  • Chateaux cellar visits and tastings as per itinerary

Transfer Details

  • Pricing with transportation includes round trip transfers from/to the Bordeaux airport
  • Transfers are not included with the self-driving option

Miscellaneous

  • Entrance to La Cité Vin
  • For the pricing including transportation, transportation is included for the excursions on days 3, 4 and 5 (plan on getting around on foot or by taxi on day 2). For the self-driving option, transportation is not included.

Not Included

  • Wine and beverages
  • For the self-driving option, transportation and transfers are not included.

Accommodation Information

One of the most stunning neighborhoods in Bordeaux is the Golden Triangle, an area of boulevards flanked by trees and populated with beautiful 18th-century buildings. It’s in this awe-inspiring area, and just down the street from the Opera, that you’ll find your 4-star hotel for the week, the de Seze. While the hotel was established in 1927, the building itself dates back to the early 1800s. Today, the hotel features 24 well-appointed and comfortable rooms.

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Pricing & Tour Dates



Low Season Bordeaux Wine Tour Pricing:
November through April

5-night Program

US$4250 per person based on double occupancy

    30% deposit due to confirm booking.

    Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!

    Self-driving itinerary also possible, please inquire for pricing.

    High Season Bordeaux Wine Tour Pricing:
    May through October

    5-night Program

    US$4450 per person based on double occupancy

      30% deposit due to confirm booking.

      Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!

      Self-driving itinerary also possible, please inquire for pricing.


      Tour Dates

      Available year round for a minimum of 2 people.

      2023
      Please inquire for available dates!

      Reviews

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