Bordeaux and Dordogne Customized Tour

From $750

From $750 – Full day

Discover the soul of southwestern France, where world-class wines and centuries of history come together

Bordeaux enchants with its elegant vineyards, UNESCO-listed treasures, and the sun-drenched Arcachon coast, framed by dramatic sand dunes. Journey through the famed Médoc region, home to prestigious estates like Château Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, and Latour. Explore the legendary wine villages of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, and venture to Cognac for a taste of its iconic spirit.

Just beyond Bordeaux, the Dordogne Valley awaits with its postcard-perfect medieval villages, like Rocamadour, and astonishing prehistoric cave art in Lascaux and Rouffignac. Towering castles, including the mighty Château de Beynac, line the Dordogne River, echoing tales from the Hundred Years’ War. This region is also a haven for food lovers, offering specialties like duck confit, foie gras, and black truffles, and a playground for outdoor adventures—from kayaking to hiking through serene countryside.

  • 1-8 Days
  • Private guided experience
  • Bordeaux, Dordogne, France
Pick-up: Your hotel or any address of your choice in Paris
Drop-off: Your hotel or any address of your choice in Paris
Activity level: Moderate, no restrictions
Price: From $750 / $1050 (minivan)
What's included:
  • Guiding services
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Private premium vehicle (Berline or Minivan)
What's extra:
  • Lunch, drinks, souvenirs

TOUR PLAN

01

Day 1: Bordeaux and a gourmet Tour

  • Take a first-class train ride (around 1h from Paris) to Bordeaux.
  • Explore Bordeaux on a guided walking tour through its historic center, visiting landmarks like Place de la Bourse and the scenic riverfront. Alternatively, take a bike tour to discover more of the city, including Cité du Vin and the Bassins à Flot area.
  • Indulge in a food tasting tour to savor Bordeaux specialties, including foie gras, Fresh produce at Marché des Capucins and sturgeon caviar from the Aquitaine region.
  • Alternatively, take a cooking class with a local French chef.
  • Join a Grand Cru Classés workshop, where you can taste renowned wines, including a Premier Grand Cru.
  • Alternatively, visit Cité du Vin, an immersive wine museum, or enjoy visual art at the Bordeaux Fine Arts Museum or MECA, a contemporary art hub with panoramic views of the Garonne River.
  • End your day with a performance at the Bordeaux Opera House.
02

Day 2 : The Médoc Castles Wine Route

  • Explore three renowned Classified Growth or Cru Bourgeois estates, where expert sommeliers reveal the history and techniques behind exceptional wines.
  • Enjoy gourmet French cuisine with a local twist in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, overlooking the vineyards and Garonne River.
  • Visit iconic châteaux like Château Margaux and Château Palmer, experiencing their grandeur and tasting wines that define Bordeaux’s legacy.
03

Day 3: Arcachon Bay and the Dune Du Pilat

  • Take a day trip to Arcachon Bay, once a 19th-century retreat for Bordeaux’s elite, it is renowned for its belle époque villas, spas, sandy beaches, and a vibrant town center for families and surfers.
  • Visit The Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, for stunning views, or opt for a paragliding ride for an even more breathtaking perspective.
  • Famous for its seafood, enjoy mussels, oysters, langoustines, and prawns at a beachside restaurant, or try oyster picking with a local.
  • Explore the bay on a traditional sailboat, passing oyster beds, Bird Island, and picturesque villages while savoring a seafood platter.
04

Day 4: Saint-Emilion and Pomerol

  • Take a picturesque drive through the stunning vineyards of the Saint-Emilion region.
  • Your first stop is a wine tasting at an authentic family-owned Bordeaux winery, where you'll enjoy a private tour and a tasting of three wines.
  • Next, visit the picturesque village of Saint-Emilion and discover why it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy lunch in a charming traditional restaurant.
  • Experience a tasting of wines known for their elegance and balance at one of Saint-Emilion’s historical properties, such as Château Ausone, Château La Gaffelière, or Château Pavie.
  • A short drive takes you to the Lalande-de-Pomerol region for a wine tasting at a second château. Pomerol wines are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and richness, making them some of the most sought-after and highly regarded wines in Bordeaux.
  • On the way, drive past the magnificent medieval Château de Vayres, perched on the Dordogne River.
05

Day 5: Cognac

  • Discover Cognac region, just an hour away from Bordeaux, famous for its brandy-style wines and as the birthplace of Renaissance King Francis I.
  • Stroll through Cognac’s charming historic streets, enjoy its scenic riverside views, great lunch with regional specialties and rich heritage of brandy-making.
  • Enjoy a private visit and tasting at renowned houses like Hennessy, Martel or Remy Martin, as well as a smaller local producer, where you'll learn about the history of this unique spirit and taste three types of cognac (VS, VSOP, XO).
  • You can also become a "Maître Assembleur" in a workshop, crafting your own Cognac XO and taking home a bottle of your creation.
  • Sleepover in the Cognac region, Bordeaux or head to the heart of Dordogne region (around 2 hours 30 min drive).
06

Day 6: Dordogne and the Valley of the Five Châteaux

  • Stroll through the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, renowned for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant local market.
  • Venture into the breathtaking Valley of the Five Châteaux, a picturesque stretch along the Dordogne River, where history comes alive through a collection of impressive medieval castles.
  • Visit Château de Beynac, a formidable 12th-century fortress that once stood at the heart of the Hundred Years’ War.
  • Admire the elegant Château des Milandes, former home of American singer and resistance heroine Josephine Baker. Stroll through its manicured gardens and discover the story of her life and her "Rainbow Tribe" of twelve adopted children.
  • Savor the flavors of the region with local specialties like duck confit, foie gras, black truffles, and walnut tarts.
  • Explore La Roque-Gageac, a postcard-perfect village nestled into limestone cliffs above the river—one of France’s most photographed spots.
  • Continue on to Domme, a bastide village offering panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley and a fascinating underground cave system.
  • End your day with a tranquil boat ride on a traditional Gabbarre, once used as market boats along the river, before returning to Sarlat for the night.
07

Day 7: Prehistoric Caves and Paintings

  • Step back in time to the dawn of human creativity with a visit to the iconic Lascaux IV, a state-of-the-art replica of the original cave featuring vivid Paleolithic paintings dating back over 17,000 years.
  • After lunch, journey to the Rouffignac Cave, also known as the “Cave of 100 Mammoths.” Board a small electric train that winds through the cave's tunnels.
  • Conclude your day in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, the heart of France’s prehistoric legacy. Visit the National Prehistory Museum, which offers an engaging overview of the region’s UNESCO-listed archaeological treasures.
08

Day 8: Rocamadour and Return to Bordeaux or Paris

  • Embark on a journey to Rocamadour, a spectacular cliffside village that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Visit the Sanctuary of Rocamadour, home to the miraculous Black Madonna, and explore its chapels and sacred stairway.
  • After lunch, stop at a local goat farm to discover the art of traditional chèvre-making and sample fresh, creamy cheeses.
  • Cap off your journey with a magical hot air balloon ride over Rocamadour, offering unforgettable views of the village and the dramatic surrounding landscapes.
  • Return to Bordeaux for an overnight stay or catch an evening train to Paris.
09

Optional Experiences:

  • Enhance your wine journey with a visit to the Pessac wine area with such prestigious estates like Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Château Pape Clément for exclusive tastings.
  • Enjoy a scenic e-bike tour through Bordeaux’s vineyards.
  • Explore more of the Dordogne region, from its prehistoric caves to its breathtaking natural landscapes. For a bit of adventure, opt for kayaking along the majestic Dordogne River, flanked by dramatic cliffs and hilltop castles.
  • Combine your Bordeaux and Dordogne experience with a tour of Paris, the Champagne region, the Loire Valley’s fairytale castles, or any other region in France.
010

Final Tips

  • You will be accompanied by a professional guide-driver with expertise in history, art, and local culture.
  • Enjoy guided tastings led by professional sommeliers and wine producers.
  • We provide assistance with hotel and restaurant reservations, travel and transfers, ticket bookings, and scheduling activities.
  • Enjoy 24/7 English-speaking telephone support during your travels.
  • This itinerary can be customized to suit your preferences.

Bordeaux & Dordogne Tours

Traditional stone houses of La Roque-Gageac built into cliffs along the Dordogne River in southwestern France

Bordeaux and Dordogne Customized Tour

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Vibrant green vineyard with a traditional château in Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, under a moody sky

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