(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis) Paris, Versailles, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne
On this private luxury tour, experience sophisticated Paris, the outstanding chateaux and gardens of the romantic Loire Valley, the wine and history of Bordeaux, and the market villages and cave paintings of the Dordogne region.
Begin with three nights in Paris. With your own expert guide, enjoy the very best of Paris according to your interests. First-time visitors may wish to tour major attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, the Eiffel Tower, the Luxembourg and Tuileries Gardens, and major museums such as the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Other possibilities include an epicurean tour; walking tours through the exclusive residential streets on Ile St-Louis, the old Jewish quarter in the Marais, the former art colony of Montmartre, the medieval streets of the Latin Quarter, or to Left Bank cafes made famous by poets and philosophers; and shopping for antiques in flea markets or haute couture in fashionable boutiques.
Next, visit Versailles. Tour Louis XIV’s opulent palace, extensive gardens, and Hameau de la Reine, the mock hamlet created for Marie-Antoinette.
Continue to the Loire Valley and visit the most beautiful and interesting chateaux and gardens. If desired, also visit local vineyards and wineries to sample the wide range of the Loire Valley’s best varietals. Touring is flexible according to your interests, but some of our favorite options are chateaux such as Chambord, the largest royal chateau in the Loire; romantic Chateau de Chenonceau, built on arches across the Cher River; Chateau Villandry and its stunning Renaissance gardens; and Chateau du Clos-Luce, the mansion in which Leonardo da Vinci lived out his final days.
Next, transfer to Bordeaux, one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Enjoy a private walking tour of the city of Bordeaux, a historic port on the banks of the Garonne River. Tour highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site such as well-preserved 18th-century architecture, ancient churches, markets and museums. Stay three nights at a luxury Relais & Chateaux property in Saint-Emilion, an ancient town and another UNESCO Site. One day, sample local wines during a private tour of Bordeaux vineyards, wineries and chateaux (Artisans of Leisure can also arrange meetings with local winemakers, vertical flight wine tastings, meals in Michelin-star restaurants with wine pairings and more, upon request).
Another day, enjoy a private excursion into the Dordogne (Perigord) region to the charming medieval village of Sarlat or visit other important sites in the Vezere Valley, such as the National Museum of Prehistory and the cave paintings of Lascaux.
Return to Paris by TGV high-speed train (first-class) for one more night in Paris.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Arrive Paris
Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights
Day 2
Paris
Full-day private city tour with guide and driver
Day 3
Paris
Private half-day city tour with guide and driver
Day 4
Paris – Versailles – Loire Valley
Private tour of Versailles en route to Loire Valley for 2 nights
Day 5
Loire Valley
Private tour of chateaux, gardens and vineyards
Day 6
Loire Valley – Bordeaux
Private transfer to Saint-Emilion for 3 nights with walking tour of Bordeaux en route
Day 7
Bordeaux
Private vineyard touring
Day 8
Bordeaux & the Dordogne
Private excursion to Sarlat or the Lascaux caves
Day 9
Bordeaux – Paris
Private transfer and TGV train (first class) to Paris. Private transfer to hotel for 1 night
Day 10
Depart Paris
Private airport transfer
Hotels
Paris:
Four Seasons George V or Hotel Le Bristol Paris
Loire Valley:
Domaine des Hauts des Loire
Bordeaux & St. Emilion:
Hostellerie de Plaisance or
Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa
