Tour de France of the vineyards
Discover a unique experience combining culture, flavors, and iconic landscapes in a single trip for a total immersion in the heritage and art of living of the Southwest.
Detailed program
Day 1: Paris
Visit the Musée du Vin. Immerse yourself in the history of wine through collections of antique objects, winemaking tools and interactive exhibits. An immersive visit, followed by a tasting, to discover the art and culture of wine.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Paris.
Day 2: Paris – Amboise – Tours
Departure for the Loire Valley, renowned for its vineyard landscapes and exceptional wines. Visit a winery, where you’ll learn about the winemaking process, local grape varieties and the history of the region. The tour ends with a wine tasting. Lunch – as in Leonardo da Vinci’s time. Visit Le Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home. After this historic immersion, take the road to Tours, where you can explore the city center, admire its medieval streets, Place Plumereau and the majestic Cathédrale Saint-Gatien.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Tours.
Day 3: Tours – Saumur – Angers
Departure for Angers, in the heart of the Loire wine region. Visit a winery in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, famous for its red wines made from local grape varieties. Discover the winemaking process, the history of the estate and enjoy a tasting to savor the typical aromas of this appellation. An authentic moment in the heart of the terroir. Lunch – troglodyte restaurant. Arrive in Saumur, the emblematic town of the Loire wine region. Visit a Saumur Pétillant winery, where you’ll learn about the history and know-how behind the production of this renowned sparkling wine. Explore the cellars, learn the secrets of winemaking and finish with a tasting of this delicious wine, a symbol of the local terroir.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Angers.
Day 4: Angers – Nantes
Visit the Cointreau distillery in Angers. During the tour, you’ll learn about the manufacturing process, from fruit selection to distillation. A demonstration will show you the techniques in action, followed by a tasting to savor Cointreau’s unique aromas. Lunch at leisure. Drive to Nantes for a guided tour of a cheese factory’s production workshops, where you’ll discover the steps involved in making cheese, from milking the cows to maturing. Enjoy a tasting of a selection of local cheeses.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Nantes.
Day 5: Nantes – Vendée – La Rochelle
Discover downtown Nantes, where history and modernity meet. Discover its lively streets and explore iconic sites such as the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Place Royale. Don’t miss the Galerie des Machines, a unique place where art and mechanics meet, with impressive creations such as the giant elephant and other fantastic machines. A fascinating tour combining heritage and innovation. Lunch at leisure. Off to the Vendée, where you’ll visit an authentic Vendée fiefdom, a historic estate rich in tradition. Explore the estate’s cellars, discover the local winemaking process and learn the secrets of local wine production.
Dinner in a restaurant and 2nd night in La Rochelle.
Day 6: La Rochelle – Cognac – Bordeaux
Discover La Rochelle, with its old quarters and iconic old port. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Bunker Museum, a historic site that plunges you into the history of the Second World War through a captivating exhibition. At the end of the morning, drive to Cognac, birthplace of the famous brandy. Lunch on your own. Visit a cooperage, where you’ll discover the art of barrel-making, essential to the maturation of cognac. Then enjoy a cognac tasting to savor the aromas of this emblematic spirit. At the end of the day, departure for Bordeaux, capital of wine and the art of living.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Bordeaux.
Day 7: Médoc
Discover Bordeaux, famous for its elegant architecture and renowned wine. Discover the Place de la Bourse, admire the Miroir d’Eau and explore the charming streets of the historic center. A city of history, culture and gastronomy. Lunch at your leisure. Take an excursion along the Médoc wine route, a prestigious wine-growing region, and discover the emblematic appellations of Margaux, Saint-Julien and Pauillac. Explore the renowned châteaux of this wine route, where you’ll learn more about winemaking techniques and the history of these estates. The tour ends with a Grand Cru tasting, a unique sensory experience in the heart of one of the world’s finest wine-growing terroirs.
Dinner in a restaurant and 2nd night in Bordeaux.
Day 8: Bordeaux – Saint-Émilion – Toulouse
Drive to Saint-Émilion, famous for its exceptional wines. Enjoy a guided tour of a vineyard, where you’ll discover the secrets of vine cultivation and winemaking methods specific to this renowned appellation. A unique opportunity to explore picturesque landscapes and taste the vintages for which the region is famous. Lunch on your own. Discover the underground world of Saint-Émilion, a fascinating network of caves and troglodyte churches, where you’ll explore the history of this medieval village through its sculptures and underground remains. After this immersion in local history and heritage, set off for Toulouse. Discover the city center.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Toulouse.
Day 9: Toulouse – Carcassonne – Arles
Depart for Carcassonne, where you’ll discover the famous medieval city on a guided tour. Explore its imposing fortifications, the lices steeped in history, and the majestic Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, a true Gothic gem. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Middle Ages in one of Europe’s most beautiful fortified cities. Cassoulet lunch in Carcassonne. Departure for Arles, with a stop at Château Mourgues du Grès. Enjoy a tour of the winery, followed by a tasting of fine wines, accompanied by Provencal specialties. Continue on to Arles, ready to discover this city with its rich heritage.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Arles.
Day 10: Arles – Marseille – Aix en Provence
Depart for Marseille, where you’ll visit the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, offering breathtaking views of the city and sea. Then discover the Cosquer Méditerranée cavern, a fascinating reconstruction of the famous prehistoric underwater cave. In the late morning, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Old Port, the city’s historic heart, bustling with markets and picturesque cafés. Lunch at leisure. Departure for Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll visit an AOP Côtes de Provence winery. Discover the secrets behind the production of these renowned wines, explore the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of local vintages, while admiring the Provencal landscape. A moment of discovery and tasting in the heart of the wine region.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Aix.
Day 11: Aix-en-Provence – Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Lyon
Departure for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, famous for its AOC wine appellation. You’ll start with a guided tour of a local vineyard, where you’ll discover the secrets behind the production of prestigious wines, followed by a tasting of the region’s crus. Afterwards, enjoy a free tour of the village. Lunch at leisure. Depart for Orange, where you’ll visit the ancient theater and the triumphal arch, two emblematic sites testifying to the city’s historical importance in Roman times. After this discovery, head for Lyon, where you’ll end the day with a pleasant stroll through the Croix-Rousse district.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Lyon.
Day 12: Lyon – Beaujolais – Macon
Discover Vieux Lyon, with its traboules (secret passageways), Renaissance buildings and charming cobblestone streets. Continue your visit by climbing the Fourvière hill, from where you can admire a breathtaking view of the city. Visit the majestic Basilique de Fourvière, one of Lyon’s most emblematic landmarks, before enjoying the unique atmosphere of this site offering panoramic views over the city. Lunch in a Lyonnais bouchon. Take a tour of the Beaujolais vineyards, famous for their picturesque landscapes and renowned wines. Stop off at Oingt, a magnificent village classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, with its golden stone houses and medieval charm. Next, visit a local winery where you’ll discover the secrets of wine production, before enjoying a tasting of typical Beaujolais crus. Château de la Greffière or cité des climats & vins.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Macon.
Day 13: Macon – Beaune
Head off to a specialized deer farm where you’ll learn about the process of producing quality venison, followed by a visit to a local beekeeper to learn more about honey production and beekeeping techniques. The tour ends with a tasting session. Lunch at leisure. Drive to Beaune, capital of Burgundy wines, where you’ll visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, once a medieval hospital. Explore the Hôtel-Dieu, with its spectacular architecture and colorful roofs, and discover its fascinating history through its exhibitions.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Beaune.
Day 14: Beaune – Nuit Saint Georges – Reims
Drive to Nuits-Saint-Georges. Visit a winery, where you’ll discover the secrets behind the production of the region’s white and red wines. Explore the vineyards, learn winemaking techniques, and enjoy a tasting to savor Burgundy’s emblematic crus, in an authentic and convivial setting. Lunch at leisure. On to Champagne, stopping for lunch in Troyes, a city with a rich medieval heritage and beautiful half-timbered houses. Then on to Épernay or Reims, two champagne capitals. Visit a famous champagne house, where you’ll discover the champagne-making process, from vine to bottle, before enjoying a tasting of the famous cuvées. A sparkling experience in the heart of the region.
Dinner in a restaurant and 1st night in Reims.
Day 15: Reims – Paris
Take a train ride through the vineyards of Reims, offering breathtaking views of the region’s wine-growing landscapes. Discover the secrets of the Champagne vineyards, while enjoying a pleasant ride through the hillsides listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then visit the historic cellars of Reims, where you’ll learn about the champagne-making process, followed by a tasting of local vintages. A complete immersion in the world of champagne. Lunch at a winery. Transfer to Paris, the French capital. Take part in the Les Petits Crus escape game, a fun, immersive wine experience. Discover the secrets of oenology while solving enigmas, and taste carefully selected vintages in a friendly, original atmosphere.
Dinner in a Parisian brasserie and 1st night in Paris.
Day 16: Paris
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a stroll through an emblematic Paris neighborhood, such as Montmartre or the Marais, for a final immersion in the capital’s unique atmosphere before your departure.
Transfer to the airport.
Services included
- Transportation by coach or minivan according to the number of participants
- 15 nights in a hotel, youth hostel or accommodation center
- Half-board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16
- Visits and excursions as described in the program
- Travel file for tour leader
- VOYEL assistance 24 hours a day
Good to know
Program duration and activities can be modified
Optional / supplement
- Services of a VOYEL guide
- Lunches