ITINERARY USING BORDEAUX AS A BASE

DAY 1 – MAJESTIC BORDEAUX

Morning – UNESCO-listed old town
Guided tour of the old town: Place de la Bourse and its famous water mirror, Grand Théâtre, Bordeaux Cathedral and Tour Pey-Berland bell tower.
End the morning on a foodie high at Bordeaux’s famous markets, Halles de Bacalan or Marché des Capucins, to feast your senses on South Western produce, bay oysters and canelé cakes.

Afternoon – Contemporary Bordeaux and the world of wine
Explore Les Chartrons district and the Cité du Vin, a hotspot celebrating wine culture and civilisation.
Wander around the docks and visit Darwin, flying the flag for the city’s creative revival.
Enjoy an evening cruise on the Garonne (optional).

Overnight stay in Bordeaux.

DAY 2 – DAY TRIP TO YOUR CHOICE OF VINEYARD: SAINTÉMILION, MÉDOC OR SAUTERNES

OPTION A – Saint-Émilion: world heritage and sensory wonder (50 min drive)

Morning – UNESCO-listed village and vineyards
Tour of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion and its
landmarks: underground monolithic church, Tour du Roy tower and Cordeliers convent. Stroll along cobbled lanes lined with wineries and winemakers’ houses.

Afternoon – What makes a grand cru?
Tour of a listed grand cru winery and guided tasting(Château de Candale, Château Fleur de Lisse or
Château de Ferrand).

Back to Bordeaux for the evening.

OPTION B – Médoc: estuary and grands crus (1 hr 15 drive)

Morning – Route des Châteaux
Head for Margaux and Pauillac.
Visit an iconic winery (Château Giscours, Château Siran, Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker)

Afternoon – Soak up the estuary and great outdoors
Depending on the season, take a cruise or crossing to Île de Patiras to visit the island’s vineyard and lighthouse.
Alternative: trip to Cordouan Lighthouse (UNESCO) or stroll on the Pauillac docks to visit the local wineries.

Back to Bordeaux for the evening.

OPTION C – Sauternes: sweet and sophisticated (1 hr 15 drive)

Morning – Saunter around Sauternes
Winery tour (Château Guiraud, Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château d’Yquem). Sweet wine tasting and introduction to wine pairings.

Afternoon – South Gironde villages and heritage
Visit the medieval bastide of Bazas and its Gothic cathedral or take a stroll along the Garonne in Cadillac.

Back to Bordeaux for the evening.

DAY 3 – ARCACHON AND DUNE DU PILAT: THE HIGH SEAS AND PINE TREES (1 hr 15 drive)

Morning – Ville d’Hiver district and its Belle Époque villas
Guided tour of Arcachon’s Ville d’Hiver: eclectic architecture, leafy parks and 19th century sea resort vibes.
Feast your eyes on views of the bay from the belvedere.

Afternoon – Dune du Pilat and oyster tasting
Take a break on the bay’s shores after climbing up the tallest dune in Europe, Dune du Pilat.
Sample oysters at an oyster hut in Le Canon or L’Herbe.

DAY 4 (OPTION) – COGNAC VINEYARD, STILLS AND SKILLS (1 hr 45 drive)

Morning – Land of distillation and history
Drive to Cognac, the birthplace of French brandy. Uncover the secrets behind double distillation, the cellars and storehouses on a tour of an iconic brand (Martell, Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Château de Cognac or Camus).

Afternoon – Charente heritage and heart
Walk around Cognac old town, Charente riverbanks and Musée des Arts du Cognac. Grande vs Petite Champagne: taste the difference.

Back to Bordeaux for the evening.