French Wine Country 8 Nights

Day 1: Arrive Paris

Arrive Paris and enjoy a half day of sightseeing. Take in breathtaking views of Paris during lunch and a cruise on the Seine. In the afternoon visit the Louvre Museum, one of the most famous museums in the world and home to some of the great masterpieces such as Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace, and Mona Lisa. Afterward visit the Musée du Vin for an introduction to French wine.

Overnight Paris

Day 2: Paris – Versailles – Paris

This morning take quick ride to the outskirts of Paris to the Palace of Versailles. When the château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a suburb of Paris. The court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Palace and Gardens and have some time to take in the beauty before you return to Paris for free time and exploring the City of Light on your own. Tonight you’ll be treated to a dinner and wine tasting at a local restaurant and afterward, the Moulin Rouge and a Champagne toast!

Overnight Paris

Day 3: Paris – Epernay – Reims

You can never have enough bubbly and today you’ll travel east of Paris to the champagne region to visit two world famous champagne houses. In Epernay you’ll have a champagne tasting at the iconic Moet et Chandon. Moët et Chandon was established in 1743 by Claude Moët, and today owns more than 2,500 acres of vineyards and annually produces approximately 26,000,000 bottles of champagne. Continue to Reims and visit the Fujita Chapel. Fujita Chapel was entirely imagined and decorated in the refined Japanese tradition by Leonard Fujita, a Japanese painter of the School of Paris in 1966 after his conversion to Catholicism and baptism in Reims. This afternoon, visit another famous vintner, Mumms, which has been producing champagne for over 200 years, for more delicious sampling.

Overnight Reims

Day 4: Reims – Dijon – Beaune

Wine with everything! Visit the Burgundy area today, first stopping in Dijon, known as the mustard city and home to some of the finest wines and cuisine in France, Dijon hosts several interesting historical attractions, including pieces of medieval and renaissance architecture. Here you’ll have a city tour to include visits to Ste. Benigne Cathedral and crypt. Travel south on the wine route to Chateau Marsamnay, have a tasting in their cellars and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon travel to Vougeot for a visit to Chateau de la Tour for another Burgundy tasting. You’ll end your day in Beaune.

Overnight Beaune

Day 5: Beaune

This morning have a city tour of Beaune, one of the key wine centers in France and the home of the country’s primary wine auction. Visit Reine Pedauque, which controls the production of more than 1200 acres of vineyards and ranks among the most predominant traditional houses in Burgundy. This afternoon visit Marche aux Vins, another house of wine, in the prestigious chapels of the Eglise des Cordeliers, the oldest in Beaune. Next visit Patriarche et Fils for more Burgundy tasting in their medieval cellars.

Overnight Beaune

Day 6: Beaune – Lyon

This morning visit the Château de Chassagne for a wine lecture. Later travel to Lyon in time for lunch and a brief sightseeing tour. In the afternoon visit Le Hameau en Beaujolais, where you’ll learn the history and evolution of the wine and vineyards, followed by a wine tasting. Have some time on your own for enjoying free time and dinner in Lyon.

Overnight Lyon

Day 7: Lyon – Avignon – Arles

This morning head to Provence, first stopping in Avignon for a city tour. Visit Palais des Papes. Leave Avignon to visit the Pont du Gard (and museum), a Roman aqueduct, dating back to the 1st Century B.C. In the afternoon visit nearby Chateauneufdu-Pape for a visit to Henry Bouachon Vineyards. Have a city

tour of les Baux de Provence for amazing views of Provence and see the village’s medieval castle. Overnight Arles

Day 8: Arles – Camargue

Have a city tour of Arles, UNESCO World Heritage city, then on to the Carmargue