4950€ / personne
On the Way to Compostela
21 days / 20 nights
Culture, Gastronomy & Wine from Biarritz to Reims
13 days / 12 nights
Programme
Fall in Love with the Soul of France Step into a journey where every moment is rich with discovery. Over 13 unforgettable days, you’ll trace the quiet elegance of France, from the Basque charm of Biarritz to the pilgrim paths of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Taste bold wines where vineyards meet the Pyrenees, and drift through Bordeaux—where time slows and every village tells a story, from the medieval grandeur of Saint-Emilion to the citadel views of Blaye. In the Loire Valley, awaken your senses with river cruises to fairy-tale castles like Chenonceau, and explore royal towns like Blois by carriage. Feel the pulse of Paris in hidden wine cellars beneath the Louvre, and let Champagne’s effervescent sparkle lift your farewell in Reims, home to kings and cathedrals. This is more than a vacation—it’s a reconnection with beauty, pleasure, and the timeless spirit of France. Sept 8 – Sept 20, 2025 | 13 Days, 12 Nights
Travel :
Cruise ship 5-anchor, 1st class High speed train (TGV) and high comfort coaches for day visits.
Accommodation :
- Basque country: 2 nights, 4-star hotel in Biarritz / 1 night on the cruise ship
- Bordeaux region : 4 nights on a cruise ship along the rivers Garonne & Gironde
- Loire Valley: 3 nights in a privatized château in Amboise
- Paris: 1 night, 4-star hotel in Paris
- Champagne: 1 night, 4-star hotel in Reims
Meals :
Breakfast & either lunch or dinners included, full board on the boat
Day 1 – Meeting in BIARRITZ, Pays Basque
- Group settles in 4-star hotel,
- Welcome cocktail at 5 pm,
- Dinner and night at the hotel.
Day 2 –Biarritz and area, Basque country
- Visit the lovely city of Espelette and its famous “pepper of Espelette”,
- Traditional Basque lunch in Espelette,
- Guided visit of the charming village of St-Jean-Pied de Port, on the way to Compostelle before the Pyrenees, one of the most beautiful villages of France,
- Wine tasting in Irouleguy wine cellars amid the Basque vineyards,
- Back to the hotel in Biarritz, dinner and night at the hotel.
Day 3 –Biarritz and area, Basque country
Morning spent on a guided visit of Bayonne old city,
Enjoy a traditional Basque meal at lunch in a local cider house. Have a glass of cider directly from the barrel!,
Then the group goes to Bordeaux by coach, and settles onto the boat,
Crew introduction at a welcome cocktail,
Dinner and 1st night on the boat.
Day 4 – Cruise, Bordeaux region
on the river “La Garonne” from Bordeaux to Cussac-Fort-Medoc
- Morning: Sail to the Bec d’Ambès, northern islands of Bouchaud and Patiras and then Cussac-Fort-Medoc
- Afternoon: following the trail of the grands crus wines of Medoc and wine tastings,
- Back to the boat,
- Dinner and night on the boat.
Day 5 – Cruise, Bordeaux region
in the estuary of the river Gironde, from Cussac-Fort-Medoc to Blaye
- Morning: Sail and stop in Blaye,
- Afternoon: guided discovery of Blaye citadel, built by the Maréchal Vauban upon the request of Louis the XIVth, to protect the city of Bordeaux from invasions as part of the “verrou Vauban” (World Heritage site),
- Back to the boat,
- Dinner and night on the boat.
Day 6 – Cruise, Bordeaux region from Blaye to Libourne, on the river Dordogne to Saint Emilion.
Morning: Sail along the river Dordogne to Libourne
Afternoon: departure by coach for excursion in the famous village of Saint Emilion. This unusual medieval town, nestled in a setting of vineyards, has retained all the charm of its origins.
A wine tasting at one of the wineries is a must.
Back to the boat,
Dinner and night on the boat
Day 7 – Cruise Bordeaux
from Libourne to Bordeaux
Morning: Sail from Libourne to Bordeaux,
Afternoon: visit of Bordeaux, the quartier des Chartrons which is a blend of bourgeoisie and bohemian spirit. A must-see stroll in Bordeaux. Then head to the Musée du Vin et du Négoce, which traces the history of the wine trade in Bordeaux followed by a wine tasting,
Back to the boat,
Dinner and night on the boat
Day 8 – From Bordeaux to Amboise
- Morning: disembark and take the High speed train (TGV) to the city of Tours in the Loire Valley; a coach will take us from Tours to Amboise.
- Visit of Amboise & Clos- Lucé
- The group will settle at Château de la Huberdière where we will have dinner
Day 9 – Loches, Blois
Morning: guided tour of the royal city of Loches (World Heritage site) and then the castle,
- Free for lunch in Loches,
Afternoon: Visit of the royal city of Blois and its castle
Evening : Horse-drawn carriage ride from Blois Castle to the restaurant « l’Amour Blanc » for our gourmet dinner by famous chef Christophe Hay, 2 Michelin stars
Night in Château de la Huberdière.
Day 10 – Chenonceau, Montlouis, La Bourdaisière
Morning: Boat cruise on the Cher River aboard “la Bélandre” and discovery of the castle of Chenonceau by the river
Visit to a local wine producer in Montlouis followed by lunch accompanied by a selection of wines chosen by the producer.
Lunch accompanied by his different wines.
Afternoon: guided visit of Château de la Bourdaisière: national conservatory of tomatoes (700 varieties of tomatoes).
Free for the evening,
Night in Amboise
Day 11- From Blois to Paris by coach
- Morning: Transfer to Paris by coach.
- Afternoon: 2.5 hour guinguette-cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin… a very poetic place, an incredible aquatic alley with romantic walkways, immersed in an unusual, romantic and mysterious Paris; the boat will cross locks and descend to the Seine, at the lock of «La Bastille» ;
When you arrive on the Seine, you will see in front of you the magnificent private hotels of the Île Saint-Louis, then Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Tuileries until you reach the Port Solférino, under the Musée d’Orsay. - Evening: guided tour of the wine cellars of the Louvre, 800 years old; the visit will be followed by a wine tasting in the cellars of the Louvre and a dinner nearby.
- Transfer by taxi to the hotel,
- Overnight in Paris.
Day 12- From Paris to Reims, Champagne
- Morning: Taxi transfer to Gare de l’Est and High speed train (TGV) to Reims,
- Afternoon: guided visit of Reims Cathedral (World Heritage site), one of the biggest Christian world cathedrals, and famous for its beauty and historic importance: French Kings were crowned there.
- Rest of the afternoon and evening is free in Reims,
- Night in Reims.
Day 13- Champagne !
- Morning: by private coach to Ay en Champagne for an initiation at Champagne wines school,
- Farewell Lunch served with champagne at one of the local producers,
- Afternoon: transfer back to Paris train station
Services
The price includes
- Accompanied by Tour Leader/Tour Manager throughout the tour.
- Transport during the tour: cruise ship 5- anchors, Trains first class, high comfort coaches.
- Accomodation : 4-star hotel, privatised château in Amboise.
- Breakfast and one main meal a day either lunch or dinner including a gourmet dinner and few gastronomic meals.
- All expenses related to entries, guided tours and visits.
The price does not include
- One meal a day
- Personal expenses
- Insurances
- Travel to and from France
