Overview
Board a fast train to Lyon where dining delights day and night and local landmarks tell stories of daily life, past and present. Stunning pastoral views of hillside villages and volcanoes seduce during a three-night stay in the Dordogne in southwest France, inspiring with a pre-opening visit to Château de Beynac, guided discovery of the Bastide village of Monpazier and Cadouin Abbey, a private tour of Lascaux IV Caves, replicating the original caves, and a gastronomic dinner by a Michelin-starred chef at Lascaux IV Museum.
If you could bottle up the experiences you'll have in Bordeaux, you'd find a bespoke visit to Chateau de Ferrand Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion;, walking tours of wine-making villages, and tasting visits in the Medoc along the Route de Grand Vins. Basque villages, sand dunes and beaches line the seascapes of Biarritz, giving you the opportunity to bask in its coastal charms from your oceanfront accommodations at the former imperial residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, Hotel du Palais. The memories you'll make will be unforgettable.
Itinerary
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Sofitel Paris Baltimore. A transfer is included upon arrival from Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport to the Sofitel Paris Baltimore, ideally located steps from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the elegant Champs Élysées. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner, prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Stay Three Nights: Sofitel Paris Baltimore (D)
Discover the landmark sights of Paris today with a locally guided visit to Musée de Cluny (Le Monde Médiéval) located in the lively Latin Quarter and home to the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Enjoy lunch amidst stunning views of the city at a French brasserie in the Eiffel Tower. The remainder of the day is free. (B/L)
Drive to hilltop Montmartre today for a morning of sightseeing, choosing to walk along the cobblestone walkways or ride aboard the Petit Train to the start of your walking tour in this artsy village. Visit Musée du Montmartre, set in a 17th-century manor house where local artists, including Auguste Renoir, Raoul Dufy, and Maurice Utrillo would meet to discuss their art. Enjoy a private visit to Montmartre winery, regarded today as the last operational vineyard in Paris. A walking tour follows with stops at local restaurants to sample an appetizer, main course and dessert for a true taste of daily life here. (B/L)
Board a fast TVG train bound for Lyon this morning, arriving in the culinary capital of France for a tasting lunch at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, where acclaimed chefs shop. Continue to your hotel on the banks of the Rhône and join us this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. Stay Two Nights: InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel Dieu (B/L/D)
Spend the morning exploring landmark sites in Lyon. Drive up to the top of "the hill that prays" for a visit to centuries-old Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue to Vieux Lyon for a locally guided walking tour through the heart of Old Town, pausing for a taste of local specialties and a visit to a silk weaving workshop. In addition to its gastronomic pleasures, Lyon is known as the world's silk capital with a history dating back more than 2,000 years. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Leave Lyon this morning and drive to the Dordogne, stopping en route in the Auvergne region to view its dormant volcanoes and enjoy a cheese tasting and lunch in the village of Orcival.
Continue on to your hotel in Périgord Noir, known for its rich history and stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy an aperitif and expert lecture on the region's prehistoric sights, before dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Stay Three Nights: Hotel les Glycines (B/L/D)
Enjoy an early opening private visit to 12th-century Château de Beynac this morning, one of the best preserved and most famous feudal castles in Périgord. Enjoy free time in the village of Beynac before stopping in the fortified bastide village of Monpazier, a jewel of medieval architecture, for an orientation walk, followed by lunch on your own and an opportunity to meet local artisans.
This afternoon, visit the Abbey of Cadouin with a local guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1115 as a Cisterian monastery, it is a masterpiece of Gothic art. Dinner tonight is a special treat at a local restaurant in Sarlat. (B/D)
Venture to the mysterious lost village of Madeleine this morning, learning more about the stories behind this prehistoric settlement. Explore the gardens of Eyrignac, astounding with topiaries, before a choice of activities this afternoon, including time at leisure or a walking tour of Les Elyzies with a local guide.
This evening, join us for a private guided torch-light visit to an exacting replica of Lascaux IV caves, followed by an exclusive dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef at Lascaux IV Museum. (B/D)
Depart for Saint-Émilion this morning, stopping for a private tour and wine tasting at Château de Ferrand; dating to 1702 and owned by the same family since 1978. Drive through the countryside through the heart of wine country for a walking tour of Saint-Émilion with a local guide and free time for lunch. Have dinner at your leisure in your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Hotel Burdigala by Inwood Hotels (B/D)
Explore the beautiful city of Bordeaux on a locally guided sightseeing tour and during free time, by trolley if you wish, to discover the sights on your own. Nestled on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is home to more than 350 historic buildings, monuments, museums and galleries, the multi-level La Cité du Vin center and some of the best food in France. (B)
Travel along the Route des Grand Vins, enjoying the scenery and stopping at different châteaux for guided visits, lunch and tastings. Visit the village of Blaye, a key French seaport for centuries. Return to Bordeaux for an evening spent as you please. (B/L)
Savor the seaside scenery in Arachon, famous for being the site of Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune of Pilat, and for the oyster beds that make the town a haven for seafood lovers. Explore the national park and climb the dunes if you wish, before lunch overlooking the beach. Continue to Biarritz in France's Basque country for a two-night stay. Your grand dame hotel, once the palatial summer residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers views of the Bay of Biscay. Stay Two Nights: Hôtel du Palais Biarritz (B/L)
Embark on a guided sightseeing drive through the Basque countryside surrounding Biarritz, stopping to sample a taste of daily life and immerse in Basque traditions as you view arts and crafts workshops and more. Join us tonight for our farewell dinner at the hotel. (B/D)
Tour ends: Hôtel du Palais. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hôtel du Palais to Biarritz Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- An early opening private visit to 12th-century Château de Beynac, one of the best preserved and most famous feudal castles in Périgord
- Torch-light visit to Lascaux IV, replicating the Paleolithic paintings in the prehistoric caves of Dordogne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef
- A private tour and tasting at Château de Ferrand, one of the premier wineries in Saint-Émilion
- Tastings along the Route des Grand Vins
- A guided visit to Musée de Cluny in the Latin Quarter of Paris to view its medieval art and Ladu and the Unicorn tapestries
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as detailed
- Service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
- All small group departures averaging 24 guests or smaller group departures averaging 15 guests
- 26 included meals (13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners)
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Brochure
Tauck Europe Land Journeys (2025)
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