You want to discover Paris, the prestigious Bordeaux vineyards, and the Atlantic coast all in one remarkable journey? This fully customizable 11-day itinerary immerses you in three distinct French worlds, complete with your private guide and driver. Savor leisurely strolls through Paris and an essential introduction to French wines, explore the famed appellations of Saint-Émilion and Médoc with tastings at renowned châteaux, then unwind by the sea in Arcachon, enjoying fresh oysters facing the ocean.
This is the ideal combination of urban culture, oenological discovery, and a refreshing seaside escape, all delivered with attentive, tailor-made service from start to finish.
Your private driver greets you at the airport and smoothly transfers you to your boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. Settle in, then meet your Paris Toujours travel consultant to finalize any details and receive your personalized travel notebook.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure—take a moment to discover your neighborhood and soak in the quintessential Parisian atmosphere.
The evening is free; we provide our curated suggestions for dinner addresses.
Start your day with a private walking tour alongside your expert guide. You explore the Île de la Cité, the cradle of Paris: the dazzling stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, the iconic facade of Notre-Dame, and the Conciergerie, where Marie-Antoinette was once held.
Next, you cross over to Île Saint-Louis, a haven of tranquility with cobblestone streets and elegant 17th-century hôtels particuliers (mansions). Your guide shares the secret history of these places, where the spirit of old Paris still lingers.
The afternoon is free to continue exploring at your own pace with our recommendations. The evening is yours, with our dinner suggestions.
The morning is free for you to explore the covered passages of the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, frozen in time from 19th-century Paris. Wander through the artistic Galerie Vivienne, the buzzing Passage des Panoramas, and the charming Passage Jouffroy—these elegant arcades host art boutiques, antique bookshops, and cozy tea salons.
At midday, you meet a passionate sommelier at a renowned wine cellar, tucked inside the Galerie Vivienne, for a delightful lunch and wine initiation. Following an introduction to France’s major wine regions, you savor a gourmet meal with carefully selected wine pairings. Your sommelier expertly shares the art of tasting and answers all your questions.
The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy with our handpicked suggestions.
Spend the morning at the Louvre Museum with your private guide. You discover the essential masterpieces: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace… This visit is designed for you, and your guide can also delve into other treasures based on your specific interests. Your reserved tickets guarantee easy access.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy Paris at your leisure with our recommendations. The evening is free.
The morning is free for your final Parisian discoveries.
In the afternoon, you meet Pierre, a passionate master cheesemaker, in his vaulted cellar dating back to the 17th century. A true immersion into the world of French cheese awaits: you savor seven varieties of cheese paired with two glasses of wine. Pierre shares the secrets of the aging process (affinage), showcasing the incredible richness of French fromages. This is a rare and intimate experience in the heart of the capital.
The evening is free with our last Parisian recommendations.
After breakfast, your private chauffeur takes you to the Montparnasse train station. You travel in comfort on the high-speed TGV train toward Bordeaux (approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes). Watch the ever-changing French countryside glide by your window.
Upon arrival, you settle into your charming guesthouse or boutique hotel in the heart of Bordeaux. The afternoon is free to discover this UNESCO World Heritage city: see the Place de la Bourse and its reflective Miroir d’eau, stroll along the Garonne quays, and admire the Grand Théâtre.
The evening is free with our suggestions for authentic Bordelais restaurants.
Enjoy a full day with your private driver-guide in the heart of the Saint-Émilion vineyard.
You explore this medieval village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, perched on its limestone promontory. Visit the Monolithic Church, an astonishing underground masterpiece carved out of the rock in the 12th century.
You visit two or three wine châteaux in the prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. You meet the owners or cellar masters who share their expertise. You discover the winemaking process, tour the cellars, and, of course, enjoy expertly guided tastings. Your guide explains the subtleties of this exceptional terroir, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc flourish in the limestone and clay soils.
Lunch is at leisure with our curated list of recommended local eateries in the vineyard.
You return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.
Spend a full day with your private driver-guide discovering the Médoc, the emblem of Bordeaux’s left bank. You drive along the legendary Châteaux Route, passing through mythical appellations: Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe… These names resonate like an ode to French viticultural excellence.
You visit two prestigious châteaux with tastings. The wine estates of the Médoc impress with their grand architecture and the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see toward the estuary.
After a leisurely lunch, you board a boat for a cruise on the Gironde Estuary. You navigate to Blaye to discover the imposing Vauban Citadel, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Onboard, savor a tasting of local wines and products as the scenic vineyards of the right bank drift past.
You return to Bordeaux in the late afternoon.
After breakfast, your private chauffeur drives you to Arcachon, an elegant seaside resort on the Arcachon Bassin (about a 1-hour drive).
Begin by climbing the magnificent Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest dune at 360 feet (110 meters) high. From the summit, you are rewarded with an exceptional panorama: the Arcachon Bassin on one side, and the vast Landes pine forest on the other. Banc d’Arguin and the Atlantic Ocean stretch out infinitely.
Lunch is onboard a pinasse, a small traditional boat of the Bassin. You savor fresh oysters paired with a glass of white wine, enjoying an incredible view of the Bassin, its changing reflections, and the picturesque cabanes tchanquées (stilt cabins).
Enjoy a walk through Arcachon before returning to Bordeaux. The evening is free with our dinner suggestions.
Today is a day at leisure to enjoy Bordeaux. Explore the Garonne quays, stroll across the Place de la Bourse and its reflecting pool, wander the narrow streets of the Saint-Pierre district, and savor local specialties: traditional cannelés, cheeses from the Southwest, and artisanal charcuterie at the Marché des Capucins.
The evening is free with our final recommendations.
Your private chauffeur accompanies you to the Bordeaux train station or airport, depending on your onward destination, marking the seamless conclusion of your French journey.
Request a quote or customize this itinerary with our team.
Customizable itinerary
This sample itinerary is designed to inspire you. It is fully customizable with your travel advisor.
Manon, with Paris-Toujours, was absolutely fantastic to work with, both with the planning for our trip and the execution of it! This was our first time in France and we were celebrating our anniversary. We had initial concerns with COVID along with the natural anxiety of being in a country where we do not speak the language. However, Manon covered every aspect of our trip and it couldn’t have gone any better. We were provided a personalized itinerary that included both the standard tourist attractions and also more personalized small events that made the experience even more enjoyable. When we arrived, she personally met us at our hotel in Paris and walked us through the itinerary, helping to address any questions we had.
We spent 4 days in Paris where we saw the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, Versailles, enjoyed a picnic cruise on the Seine, visited cheese cellars, and had a bakery class. We then spent 3 days in Bordeaux, which ended up being an amazing/breathtaking city! We had a day of wine tasting in Saint Emilion and a private walking tour of Bordeaux including some food and wine tastings. All of it was planned in a way so that we never felt like our plans were “chores” and still left us with plenty of time for personal exploration, shopping, and eating!
I also want to give a thank you to our driver Tony! He went above and beyond in many situations! Also, our tour guides Manon set us up with were all fabulous and if I could give all of them their own personal reviews, I would give them all 5 stars for everything they did. (Elodie, Emilie, and Anne Marie – thank you!)
Honestly, I was skeptical of using an agency since there is so much information and resources online – but after doing it – I would highly recommend everyone taking advantage of Paris-Toujours and Manon!
Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October) offer ideal weather for discovering the vineyards and the Arcachon Bassin. Summer brings out the best of the Atlantic coast, with perfect temperatures for swimming. The grape harvest in September creates a truly unique and vibrant atmosphere in the Bordeaux châteaux.
This program includes visits to 4 to 5 châteaux over two days: 2-3 in Saint-Émilion and 2 in the Médoc, all with expertly guided tastings (approximately 12-15 wines in total). We can tailor this selection to your preferences, whether you prefer classified growth estates, family-run properties, or organic vineyards.
Not at all! Our oenologist-guides and sommeliers seamlessly adapt to all levels, from novice to connoisseur. They share their passion with enthusiasm and clarity, making the world of wine accessible and engaging for everyone.
Absolutely. The châteaux you visit offer the sale of their wines. More importantly, we can easily organize the shipping of your bottles directly to your home in the US, handling all the necessary logistics for you.
Due to the focus on wine tastings, this itinerary is primarily designed for adults. For families, we can fully customize the itinerary with enriching alternative activities, such as creative workshops, engaging museums, and water sports on the Arcachon Bassin.
The wine initiation lunch on Day 3 and the oyster tasting lunch on Day 9 are included, as are all breakfasts. For other meals, we provide our handpicked list of top recommendations, from authentic Parisian bistros and fine Bordeaux restaurants to charming oyster shacks.
Travel is via the high-speed TGV train. You are comfortably settled in, and the 2 hour and 15 minute journey offers beautiful views of the French countryside. Your reserved train tickets are included and provided in advance.
Yes, this entire program is fully customizable. You can add a day trip to Versailles, spend more time in Bordeaux to visit the Cité du Vin museum, explore other appellations (Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes), or even add a paragliding excursion over the Dune du Pilat. We design it for you.
