Taste of France
Itinerary
This 11-day culinary adventure includes destinations synonymous with the food and wine of which France is famous and is sure to be a delight for your senses. Sample the regional specialities of each city, try your hands at French cuisine in a cooking class, and travel in comfort aboard the world-famous TGV trains between the gastronomic centres. Don’t pack too much luggage as we can guarantee you’ll be bringing a few things home with you at the end of this great “foodie” holiday by rail!
Board the Eurostar in London and upon arrival in Paris, head to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day sightseeing with your included hop-on, hop-off tour. No trip to Paris is complete without a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower perhaps, or a visit to the Louvre Museum to marvel at some of the finest art in the world! Just ask your Rail Expert for more details about Skip-the-Line tickets for popular attractions along the hop-on, hop-off route. Come the evening, board a river cruise along the Seine. While you're delighted with a delicious 3-course dinner, admire the way the City of Light illuminates as night falls and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle. (Overnight in Paris)
Accommodation Options
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse
Hôtel Mercure Paris Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse
Novotel Paris Gare De Lyon
Today enjoy a two-hour intimate tour around the scenic Montmartre district visiting 5 to 6 local eateries and getting an insight into French sweets, chocolates, pastries, and Parisian culture. After you've indulged, check out the great view of Paris from the gorgeous Sacre Coeur church, then head to the Marais district to check out the famous Paris flea markets, or wander the Grand Boulevards which give a wonderful insight into historic Paris. (Overnight in Paris) B
Accommodation Options
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse
Hôtel Mercure Paris Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse
Novotel Paris Gare De Lyon
Take the quick TGV train to Dijon and check in for a two-night stay. In the afternoon head to the huge Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy to marvel at the remarkable tombs and other well-preserved historical wonders. Pass by Dijon's stunning cathedral and give the stone owl a rub for good luck as the locals do, drop by the local market to see some of the local truffles foraged from the nearby woods, or pop into any of the historic mustard shops where it's served from a tap. (Overnight Dijon) B
Accommodation Options
Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon - Mgallery
Maison Philippe Le Bon, Les Collectionneurs
Set off on a half-day, small-group tour discovering the vineyards and wine-producing region of Burgundy. Your first stop is in a traditional, historic cellar, where your expert guide introduces the red and white wines of the region, including Premiers Crus. Afterwards, head to a family-owned vineyard to sample the famous Pinot Noirs over the region and stop in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin on your way back to Dijon. Want to immerse yourself further? Ask your Rail Expert about upgrading to a full-day tour! (Overnight in Dijon) B
Accommodation Options
Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon - Mgallery
Maison Philippe Le Bon, Les Collectionneurs
After breakfast and any last souvenir shopping, take the two-hour train ride south to Lyon in the Rhone Valley, and on arrival head to your hotel for a one-night stay. Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France, and for good reason, with its abundant markets and the authentic and traditional dishes available throughout the city. Explore the Vieux Lyon and Bellecour districts on your own, sampling the iconic cuisine and local delicacies. (Overnight in Lyon) B
Accommodation Options
Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa
Villa Florentine
Hôtel Le Royal Lyon - Mgallery
Sofitel Lyon Bellecour
InterContinental Lyon - Hotel Dieu
Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache
Check out of your hotel this morning and board a short train ride over to the Provence region, where you'll spend two nights in Avignon. After checking in at your hotel for a two-night stay, use your fast-track tickets to explore the famous Palais de Popes, a gigantic gothic palace that nine popes have called home. Continue to the Pont d 'Avignon bridge and enjoy stunning views of the Rhone River. (Overnight in Avignon) B
Accommodation Options
Hôtel Mercure Avignon Centre Palais Des Papes
De L'Horloge Avignon
Novotel Avignon Centre
This morning, meet your English-speaking chef in front of the famous Les Halles covered market, where you'll select all the fresh ingredients needed for your lesson. After a short demonstration, try your hands at the classic techniques, and enjoy the fruits of your labour with your handmade Provencal lunch. the tour continues with a private winery tour with a local guide, visiting two cellars and sampling in each. Return to your hotel in the evening, full of a day immersing yourself in the region's cuisine. (Overnight in Avignon) B
Accommodation Options
Hôtel Mercure Avignon Centre Palais Des Papes
De L'Horloge Avignon
Novotel Avignon Centre
After breakfast, head to the train station for your journey to Bordeaux. Once you've settled in at your hotel, head to the impressive Cite du Vin complex today to discover everything you didn't know and thought you knew about the world of wine with your included admission. This vast museum and exhibition centre, housed in a wonderfully futuristic building, holds the world's biggest selection of wine, and tells the global story of wine in a uniquely immersive and sensorial way. Visitors can not only taste but also make wine, as well as enjoy spectacular views across the Garonne River and Bordeaux. (Overnight in Bordeaux) B
Accommodation Options
InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
Novotel Bordeaux Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Bordeaux Gambetta
Hôtel Mercure Bordeaux Centre-Ville
Mercure Bordeaux Gare Atlantic
Depart for Saint Emilion with your guide this morning, setting off on a day of wine tasting and exploring multiple wineries. You've sampled the Pinot Noirs in Burgundy, and now it's time to delight your palate with the Chateau Wineries and Merlot red wines. You'll also have free time to explore the quaint village and do a bit of shopping as well. (Overnight in Bordeaux) B
Accommodation Options
InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
Novotel Bordeaux Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Bordeaux Gambetta
Hôtel Mercure Bordeaux Centre-Ville
Mercure Bordeaux Gare Atlantic
Return to Paris today for your final night in France. Cross any remaining sights off your bucket list, and come the evening, board a river cruise along the Seine. While you're delighted with a delicious 3-course dinner, admire the way the City of Light illuminates as night falls and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle. (Overnight in Paris) B
Accommodation Options
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hôtel Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse
Hôtel Mercure Paris Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse
Novotel Paris Gare De Lyon
Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you'd like to extend your vacation to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements. B
Trip Details
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy authentic macarons and crepes in the City of Light
- Discover the real Boeuf Bourguignon and sample mustard from the tap in timeless Dijon
- Explore Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France
- Stroll the local market of Avignon, selecting ingredients for your authentic cooking class and delicious Provencal lunch
- Sample some of the finest wines in the world in the Bordeaux and Burgundy wine regions
- Conclude your trip with a fabulous 3-course dinner cruise along the Seine
What's Included
- Rail travel in standard class throughout
- 3 total nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
- 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dijon
- 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lyon
- 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Avignon
- 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bordeaux
- Hop-on, hop-off tour in Paris
- Chocolate and Pastry tour in Paris
- 3-course dinner cruise on the Seine River
- Burgundy Wine Tour from Dijon
- Tickets for Palais des Papes in Avignon and La Cite du Vin in Bordeaux
- Cooking Class followed by a Private Half-Day Wine Tour in Provence
- Saint Emilion Wine Tour from Bordeaux