7 Days • 6 Nights
Bordeaux & the Dordogne: Wine and Villages
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll tour Bordeaux's neoclassical waterfront and taste at revered chateaux, wander the medieval wine town of Saint-Emilion, drift past castles on the Dordogne river, and stand before the astonishing prehistoric art of the Lascaux caves. Duck, walnuts, truffles and great red wine season every day.
With characterful hotels and expert guides, it is a rich, delicious immersion in the France that gourmets dream about.
Trip Highlights
- Elegant Bordeaux and its neoclassical waterfront
- Wine tasting at revered Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion chateaux
- The medieval hilltop wine town of Saint-Emilion
- The castle-crowned Dordogne river valley
- The prehistoric cave art of Lascaux
- The clifftop village of Rocamadour or Sarlat's golden old town
- Six nights across Bordeaux and the Dordogne
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and two wine-country lunches
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Arrive in the graceful wine capital of Bordeaux and settle in. A welcome dinner introduces the region's celebrated food and, of course, its wine.
A guided tour of Bordeaux's UNESCO waterfront and grand squares, then out to the Medoc for a chateau visit and tasting among some of the world's most famous vines.
A day in the medieval wine town of Saint-Emilion, its monolithic church carved from the rock, its lanes lined with cellars, with a tasting and lunch among the vineyards.
Travel east into the Dordogne, a valley of castles and golden-stone villages. Settle into Sarlat, whose perfectly preserved old town is a feast in itself.
A day exploring the Dordogne valley — clifftop castles, a gentle river stretch beneath the fortresses, and the clifftop pilgrimage village of Rocamadour.
Marvel at the extraordinary prehistoric paintings of Lascaux, tens of thousands of years old, then time to enjoy Sarlat's markets and duck-and-walnut cuisine.
A final southwest breakfast before your onward journey from Bordeaux or the region.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 3 nights in Bordeaux and 3 nights in the Dordogne
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and two wine-country lunches
- A guided Bordeaux city tour
- Wine tastings in the Medoc or Saint-Emilion
- A guided visit to Saint-Emilion
- A Dordogne river and villages day and the Lascaux cave art
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from France
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (taxe de sejour), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can point you in the right direction
- Language: French is the language, and a warm bonjour and merci go a long way. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small cafes and tips
- Tipping: Service is included by law, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is a kind gesture
- Best seasons: France is wonderful year-round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively, and Provence and the Riviera shine from May to September
- Etiquette: Dress a little smartly for dinner, and cover shoulders and knees inside churches. A greeting when entering shops is always appreciated
- Getting around: France's TGV high-speed trains connect cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Meal times: Lunch runs roughly noon to 2pm and dinner from about 7:30pm. Many kitchens close between services, so we time meals to suit
- Museum closures: Many museums close one day a week — the Louvre on Tuesdays, Versailles on Mondays — and your itinerary is arranged around this
- Safety: France is safe, but as in any big city keep an eye on your belongings on the Paris metro and at busy attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a wine-country lunch or a Riviera dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy France's superb restaurants and cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there are no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for France?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal for touring, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Provence and the Riviera are at their best from May to September.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by France's excellent TGV high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
Is this trip only for wine lovers?
Not at all — while the wine is superb, the Dordogne's castles, prehistoric art, riverside villages and famous cuisine make it a rich cultural journey for everyone.
Do we see the original Lascaux caves?
The original caves are closed to protect the art, but the meticulous Lascaux facsimile recreates them exactly, and the experience is remarkable.
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