Discover Bordeaux and Dordogne over 8 Days

ARRIVAL IN BORDEAUX / PRIVATE HOTEL TRANSFER

Pick up at Bordeaux Airport or Train Station. Transfer to your centrally located hotel and check in.

Enjoy some free time to discover the lively city of Bordeaux!

Bordeaux is classified "City of Art and History" and has been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble". It is home to one of Europe's biggest 18th century architectural urban areas and stands out as one of the first French cities to have entered an era of urbanism and metropolitan big scale projects, with the team Gabriel father and son, architects for King Louis XV, under the supervision of two Governors, first Nicolas-François Dupré de Saint-Maur then the Marquis de Tourny.

BORDEAUX WINE TOUR SHARED DAY TRIP TO SAINT EMILION

Breakfast at your hotel. 9.30am Pick up at the Tourist Office of Bordeaux

Discover the Magic of the ‘Right Bank’ Wine Region of Bordeaux

The wine region of Libournais encompasses much of what is referred to as the Right Bank. Named after its historical capital, the expression Right Bank typically refers to wines from the Pomerol and St-Emilion areas of the Libournais. There are several villages around the region that share the Saint-Émilion name, such as Montagne-Saint-Émilion and St-Georges-Saint-Émilion that are named the satellite appellations.

Mix Incredible Wineries with the Enchanting Village of Saint Emilion

Today, depart for the Saint Emilion wine region and enjoy a visit and wine tasting in a famous Classified growth Chateau of the Saint Emilion appellation or surrounding (Pomerol, Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol…).

Then, arrive in the village and participate in another visit of a Classified Growth Chateau, followed by some free time for personal discovery and lunch. In the afternoon, after a walking tour of the village, experience another visit and wine tasting session in a local winery of the Saint Emilion appellation or surrounding (Pomerol, Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol…). The wine tasting fees, the guided walking tour of the village and bottled water in the minivan are all included.

5.30pm return to Bordeaux.

BORDEAUX WINE TOUR SHARED DAY TRIP TO MEDOC

Breakfast at your hotel. 9.30am Pick up at the Tourist Office of Bordeaux

A Full Day Including Visits to 3 Renowned Estates

The Medoc area covers approximately 5,700 hectares of declared vineyards, annually producing on average 300,000 hectoliters of wine. Of the grape varieties permitted, 50% of the viticultural area is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and to a lesser extent Petit Verdot and Malbec. Also allowed within the AOC regulations are the varieties Cabernet Franc and Carménère.

Taste Fabulous Wines, Guided by a Knowledgeable Hand

This morning, head towards the famous Medoc wine region with your small group tour. On this full day tour, experience 3 visits and wine tasting sessions in Classified Growth or Cru Bourgeois Wineries that have been carefully selected for their exceptional setting and quality of wine.

During these visits you will learn all there is to know about the history of the estates, the wine making process as well as the techniques used during the winemaking. The visits are followed by a wine tasting session. The wineries are usually located in Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac or the Haut Medoc appellations.

Stop along the famous Route des Chateaux for great photo opportunities

During the day you will inevitably drive along the D2 road or Route des Chateaux as it is known locally. It is along this route that some of the most famous Wineries such as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Latour or Chateau Pichon Longueville are located. Depending on the timing of the tour, your tour guide will certainly make a stop in front of one of these world renowned wineries so that you may have the opportunity to take some photos.

6.00pm return to Bordeaux

PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM BORDEAUX TO SARLAT LA CANEDA

Pick up at your hotel in the course of the day, to be confirmed.

Private Transfer from Bordeaux To Sarlat

This morning we will come and pick you up at your centrally located accommodation in Bordeaux and transfer you to the Dordogne region. Upon arrival in Sarlat, check in at your accommodation and rest of the day is at leisure.

SARLAT GOURMET WALKING TOUR / VILLAGES OF THE DORDOGNE VALLEY SHARED DAY TRIP FROM SARLAT

Breakfast at your Hotel. 9.20am Meet your guide at the meeting point Place Pasteur

9.30am Begin your Gourmet walking tour

The medieval town of Sarlat hosts one of the biggest and best food markets in the Dordogne. On this 2 hour tour, visit on market day to experience the town at its most atmospheric. Meet your English speaking local guide, expert in Dordogne Culinary specialties.

Start your visit of the Market

Walk towards the Market and begin your discovery of the best produce of the Dordogne region. Then your first stop will be at a family run local delicacies shop. Here, we will stop to taste small toasts spread with patés or foie gras from either duck or goose. Then taste a Top rated Foie Gras from a local producer that has obtained many rewards at the Paris Exhibition. Finish this tasting stop with a local cheese called Trappe d'Echourgnac.

Continue nibbling as you stroll the medieval streets

Then follow your guide through the medieval streets of Sarlat. This walking tour allows your guide to point out all the local products of the season that arrive from all corners of the Dordogne. If you are lucky, it might be the season of strawberries, of which the Dordogne is famous for, and your guide will make sure that you have the opportunity to sample some. Another very popular stop is at a local walnut cake producers stall. Let your guide take you to his / her prefered producer.

Visit a Church that has become a Market

Your next stop will be inside St Mary's church which houses the covered market. Even though this market is accessible on the other days as well, we stop here as there is a great opportunity to taste very different specialties. As a starter you will get to taste half-cooked Foie Gras accompanied by a glass of Bergerac white wine. This will be followed by dried magret (duck breast) with pepper. Finally, listen to your guide as your are introduced to the the king of mushrooms, the black truffle.

End with a total walnut experience

Back through the market to make our way to our final stop. On the way there will be a few more stops along the way before reaching your final tasting session. Here it will be all about walnuts! Taste the local walnut oil, the croquants - a dry and crunchy caramelised sugar biscuit like treat. End the tasting with a shot of walnut liquor to rinse all these delicious treats right down.

Enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch (at own expense)

In the afternoon, visit the village of Domme

Drive to the beautiful village of Domme. With its trapezoid city plan, Domme is a bastide, or a fortified medieval town, adapted to the surrounding terrain, and thus falling short of the rectangular city plan characteristic to bastides. The village is classified as one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("The Most Beautiful Villages of France").

Enjoy a peaceful Boat Ride

Then drive to La Roque Gageac and enjoy a peaceful cruise on the the Dordogne River on board an authentic Gabarre to admire mighty castles that loom over the riverside. The Gabarres are traditional flat-bottomed boats that have been used for transporting goods along the Dordogne since the Middle Ages. A trip on one of the Gabarres offers a relaxing way to enjoy the sight of some of the many Dordogne chateaux and villages from the perspective of the river. Various sights and wildlife are pointed out to you as you meander slowly down the river as well as the history of the Gabarres.

Visit the village of Beynac

Finally, reach Beynac to admire the village and the Castle. This Middle Ages construction, with its austere appearance, is perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town and the north bank of the Dordogne River. The castle was built in the 12th century by the barons of Beynac (one of the four baronies of Périgord) to close the valley. See architectural phenomenon, aided by nature, and discover more about the history of this unusual city on this half-day tour!

After the visit it will be time to return to Sarlat.

6.00pm drop off in Sarlat.

JOURNEY INTO PREHISTORY: LES EYZIES MUSEUM & LASCAUX IV PARIETAL CENTER

Breakfast at your hotel. 8.50am Meet your guide at the meeting point Place Pasteur

9.00am Depart from Sarlat

Set out from Sarlat-la-Canéda to explore the region’s most celebrated prehistoric sites, accompanied by a local English-speaking guide who specializes in Paleolithic history.

Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, with recommendations from your guide or the freedom to choose your own spot (meal not included).

Lascaux IV: International Center for Parietal Art Experience the world-renowned Lascaux IV—an expertly recreated cave presenting the masterpieces of Paleolithic wall painting and multimedia exhibits exploring their meaning and modern interpretations.

After immersing yourself in these legendary sites, travel back to Sarlat with memories of an extraordinary journey into prehistory.

Please note: The order of visits may vary according to reserved time slots at Lascaux IV.

After the visit, return to Sarlat.

6.00pm drop off in Sarlat, night at your hotel.

ROCAMADOUR VILLAGE SHARED HALF DAY TRIP FROM SARLAT

Breakfast at your hotel. 8.50am Meet your guide at the meeting point Place Pasteur

9.00am Depart from Sarlat

Rocamadour: A Castle set above a sanctuary set above a village

This morning, board the minivan and head to the nearby village of Rocamadour. Miraculous rock, collection of tales, legends and beliefs, sanctuary of the Black Virgin, pilgrimage site: the Village of Rocamadour is all of this at the same time. The old medieval houses, the towers and fortifications, the oratories all tumble along the steep cliff that dominates the Alzou Canyon. The whole site is topped off by the castle and its dungeon and the seven sanctuaries. Your guide will certainly stop here for a breathtaking view of the whole site that make for fantastic photo opportunities. Upon arrival, follow a guided walking tour of the village or enjoy some free time for personal discovery.

The visit of the village can be painful for those with walking problems but please note that there is a possibility of accessing the sanctuaries by lift (tickets not included in price).

1.00 pm drop off in Sarlat.

SARLAT

Breakfast at your hotel and end of our services.