A Week in France: From Wine Country to Paris

After a quick layover in Paris, today you start your French getaway in the historic port city of Bordeaux. Often called the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux, which is split by the Garonne River into the Left Bank and the Right Bank, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check in to the centrally located InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, which is right across from the Opera National de Bordeaux. Make sure to reserve a room with an Opera view, as the view of the illuminated theatre at night is spectacular.

Enjoy a croque monsieur and a glass of local red wine outside at Le Bordeaux Restaurant before heading to explore the city by foot, either on your own or on a guided walking tour. Walk through the city’s signature Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror along the river, and then explore the historical sites and bustling squares dating back to the 15th century, including the Saint-Pierre District, which is the heart of medieval Bordeaux. Make sure you stop for canelés at Cassonade and dunes blanches at Dune Blanches Patisserie off of Rue de la Vielle Tour. Both of these are iconic pastries native to Bordeaux. If you are a foodie, there are hundreds of restaurants to explore, from traditional French bistros to Mediterranean, Asian Fusion, and North African.

Return to the Intercontinental Bordeaux and enjoy dinner at Gordon Ramsey’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent, or for a more casual, light meal, head to the Rooftop Bar for tapas and a cocktail with panoramic views of the sunset.

Today is all about wine. After breakfast, take a pre-arranged car service to explore a few of the over 6,000 wineries around the region, such as Médoc or Graves on the Left Bank or Saint-Émilion or Pomerol on the Right Bank.

Explore the Merlot-dominant wines of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Émilion, which is an easy 30 minute drive from the center of Bordeaux. Your first stop will be a pre-arranged tasting in the heart of this charming medieval village at Direct Chateau wine shop. Here, you will learn about some of Bordeaux’s most famous wineries, the history of the region and of course, enjoy a wine tasting.

Then, walk with your guide through the cobblestone streets of this storybook village and pop into Saint-Émilion’s first historic wine bar, L’Envers du Décor, for lunch. Next, you’ll head to Château Troplong Mondot, one of the largest estates in Saint-Émilion, at one of the highest points in the region, which makes for stunning panoramic views. You will enjoy a unique private immersion tour around the property in the estate’s 1970s Land Rover, followed by a tour of the beautiful wine cellar and then a private tasting of some of their wines. Finish your day with dinner at Troplong Mondot’s Michelin-star restaurant, Les Belles Pedrix, which overlooks the expansive vineyard.

This afternoon you will take the train to Paris, but there’s still plenty to explore in the city of Bordeaux before you leave. Spend the morning at the wine museum, the Cite du Vin, learning about the region through interactive exhibitions. Or walk along Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street, Rue Saint-Catherine, do some high-end shopping at Hermes or Louis Vuitton, or take a private city tour in a vintage Sidecar where you can zoom around the city to see all the highlights in record time, including the Darwin Ecosystem. Darwin is a former military barrack on the right side of the Garonne River, that has been rehabilitated to accommodate co-working spaces, shops, restaurants, art, and cultural spaces including flea markets, graffiti art, and skate parks. This area is a fun juxtaposition to the centuries old buildings throughout the rest of the city.

Catch the train from Bordeaux to Paris and check in to your hotel, freshen up, and then enjoy the “City of Lights” on a dinner cruise along the Seine River with Le Calife. You will have a front-and-center view of some of Paris’ most historic monuments such as Notre Dame and of course, the Eiffel Tower sparkling at the top of the hour every evening.

You might be waking up in Paris, but today you’ll be spending the day exploring the region of Champagne, which is just a short 40 minute train ride east of Paris. From the Champagne train station, you will take your pre-arranged, guided car service to tour your first stop of the day, Maison Ruinart. Established in 1729, this property was the first official House of Champagne, and offers tours through their amazing labyrinth of cellars located in white chalk caves over 130 feet below the ground. While walking through these cellars, you will also experience an immersive contemporary light and music show that is truly one-of-a-kind. Walk through the spectacularly landscaped gardens, which are host to several contemporary pieces of art, and then enjoy a private tasting of both their vintage and non vintage champagnes.

After your experience at Ruinart, discover the picturesque village of Hautvillers, famously known as the birthplace of Dom Pérignon, the monk who revolutionized the Champagne-making process. Enjoy breathtaking views of Epernay and the Champagne Valley, and dive deep into the history of the region and its beloved wines. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at Le Jardin des Crayères and then make your way to a much smaller but award-winning Champagne House of Champagne Geoffroy. You will take a tour of their historic cellars, learn the ins and outs of the champagne-making process before sampling their champagnes that are various blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Take the train back to Paris and enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the many casual cafes dotted along the streets, or a more formal dinner at the quintessentially Parisian styled Le Zimmer on the Place du Châtelet.

The next few days are all about exploring the beautiful city of Paris. Start your day by visiting the most iconic monument of Paris, The Eiffel Tower. Buy your tickets directly through the website and journey up the tower either by stairs or elevator. I recommend going to the very top, where you can buy a glass of champagne and some snacks and enjoy the views of the city. Then, take a quick taxi to walk through the newly re-opened Notre Dame Cathedral. No tickets are necessary, but if you’d like more information during your visit, there are plenty of guided tours you can book beforehand or you can buy an audio guide once you are inside.

Walk over the bridge to the other side of the Seine for lunch at Les Deux Margot in the charming, village-like neighborhood of Saint-Germain. After lunch, walk to the iconic Luxembourg Gardens and take a leisurely stroll through the massive 60 acre park that is adorned with statues, fountains, formal gardens, and relaxing spaces. Finish the day with a guided tour of the Louvre at night. On certain days of the week, the museum stays open until 9 pm, and not only are there fewer crowds, but it gives you a much quieter, unique perspective of the artwork. You could spend days at the Louvre on your own, so it’s best to book a guided tour in order to hit the highlights. Finish the day with a late dinner at Cafe Marly, right across from the Louvre for lovely views of the impressive glass pyramid at night.

The Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s estate in Giverny are two incredibly beautiful landmarks that are worth including as a day trip from Paris. You can take the train to both places, but I highly suggest doing both in one day with a private car transfer and personal guide. The town of Giverny is just a quick one-hour drive from Paris. There, you will walk through Monet’s incredibly breathtaking home and gardens, and see the real-life inspiration for his famous Water Lilies paintings.

After you’ve explored the immaculate grounds of Giverny, take an hour’s drive down to Versailles. Before touring the Palace, stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes within walking distance along the Rue de Satory, such as Le Limousin or Le Bistrot du 11. After lunch, you will explore the extravagant Palace of Versailles, which was once home to Marie Antoinette during her time as Queen of France. Your guide will walk you through this massive estate, including the famous Hall of Mirrors and immaculate gardens. After your tour, you will head back to Paris for dinner. Make reservations to sit outside under the tent at Loulou’s for a change of pace from French fare and enjoy gourmet Italian dishes and beautiful evening views of the Eiffel Tower.

Today is your last full day in Paris and it’s time to hit all of the remaining hot spots you haven’t been able to explore yet. Start the day by heading to the famous Champs-Élysées. Walk along one of the most iconic streets in Paris, known for its high end shopping and famous landmarks, including the very recognizable Arc de Triomphe. This monument was commissioned by Napoleon to honor French soldiers and battles.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can climb the 284 steps to the top for a beautiful view of Paris. Since you have a busy day of exploring, enjoy a street crepe on the go for lunch as you make your way up to the historic, bohemian haven of Montmarte. Once attracting famous artists from all over the world, including Van Gogh and Picasso, this area is one of the highest points in the city, so it provides stunning panoramic views of Paris right in front of the impressive white-domed Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur). After snapping some pictures of the view, walk towards the center of Montmartre where you will find street performers and local artists creating and selling one-of-a-kind works of art. If you ever wanted a portrait, you can easily sit and get one commissioned here! Stroll around and explore the many shops and cafes before ending your vacation with some fun at a burlesque dinner show at the famous Moulin Rouge.