The French Wine Country Trip
Foodie • Nature • Cultural
For the love of Bordeaux wine, long French lunches, and medieval villages. Add riverside canoeing, château tastings, and local traditions shared with a laid-back crew. That’s our French Wine Country trip.
Welcome to French Wine Country!
7 Days / 6 Nights
Starting At $4,699
Up To 16
This trip takes you from the wine bars and elegant streets of Bordeaux to the vineyards of Saint-Émilion and deep into the Dordogne countryside. Along the way, you’ll taste wines at a family-run château, linger over long French lunches, explore medieval villages, and discover the people and traditions that shape this corner of France.
Canoe the Dordogne beneath clifftop châteaux, learn to play pétanque, cook alongside a local chef, and get hands-on with centuries-old crafts. With memorable meals, plenty of wine, and pockets of free time along the way, this trip is for travelers who want to experience French Wine Country from more than one side.
Physical Activity
Nightlife
Foodie Trip
Cultural
Adventurous
Trip Pace
what you’ll Love about this trip
What's Included
6 nights of shared accommodation, including a boutique stay in central Bordeaux and a countryside manor in the Dordogne
Meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
A guided food & wine walking tour through Bordeaux's Old Town, tasting local specialties and sipping wine along the way
An intimate evening at a beloved local wine bar, with a curated glass of wine paired with cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate
A friendly pétanque lesson — France's iconic lawn game, played the way the locals do
A private guided tasting at a family-run château, walking the vines before sitting down to explore the estate's wines
Exclusive access to Saint-Émilion's underground medieval monuments — the only way to see the town's astonishing 12th-century monolithic church, carved by hand from a single limestone hill
A private visit to a storybook medieval fortress overlooking the Dropt valley
A hands-on papermaking workshop at a centuries-old mill, where you'll pull your own sheet of rag paper to take home
A full day of canoeing down the Dordogne River from Cénac to Beynac, gliding beneath clifftop châteaux
A hands-on cooking class using seasonal Dordogne ingredients, taught by a local chef
A guided walnut mill visit & tasting, uncovering one of the Dordogne's oldest culinary traditions
Private transportation throughout
• A dedicated Trip Leader
*This itinerary is weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
What's Not Included
Flights to and from France
Airport transfers
Meals not mentioned (budget around $350, depending on consumption habits)
Additional wine tastings or optional activities
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Where you'll be going
Trip Dates
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Limited private room upgrades are available starting from $999 at checkout. If no longer available, you can inquire after booking, and we may be able to secure one.
Standard payments include a $500 deposit + 3 installments. Extended payment plans are available upon request.
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Day by Day
Read through an outline of what’s in store for our French Wine Country trip. This itinerary may be updated as needed.
Day 1 – Bordeaux
Bienvenue en France
Arrive in Bordeaux and make your way to our centrally located boutique hotel. After checking in, you’ll have time to settle into your room, meet your roomie, and shake off the travel day with a short walk or coffee nearby.
As evening rolls in, we’ll gather at a beloved local wine bar for a proper Bordeaux welcome: a glass of wine paired with shared plates of cheese, charcuterie, and chocolate, poured by young local sommeliers who love talking you through what’s in your glass. From there, we’ll head to dinner at a local favorite for regional dishes, good conversation, and the first night out with your new travel crew.
Trip Notes
Read through helpful flight details, trip notes, and details about our French Wine Country Trip.
Arrive
Fly into Bordeaux (BOD) or Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG)
You’ll need to arrive at Bordeaux (BOD) by 12:30 PM or Paris (CDG) by 10 AM local time on Day 1 so you can reach the hotel by 2 PM.
Depart
Fly out of Bordeaux (BOD)
We recommend departing Bordeaux on Day 7, whether you’re flying out or taking the high-speed train (TGV) back through Paris, or extending your trip for a few more days in France.
Dietary Restrictions
French cuisine includes seafood, meats, and dairy. Veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options exist but may be limited in rural areas. Let us know your preferences early, and consider packing a few reliable snacks.
Accommodations
You’ll stay in a boutique hotel in Bordeaux and a countryside manor or château style retreat in the Dordogne. Each property offers comfort, character, and a setting that enhances the experience of French wine country.
Itinerary Changes
This itinerary is subject to change based on the weather conditions and traveler feedback. In the unlikely event that we are unable to run a specific activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
Packing Tips
Be ready for warm days and cooler evenings! Light layers for daytime, a warmer layer for nights, comfortable walking shoes, and a light rain jacket or umbrella will keep you comfortable through occasional showers, while a hat and sunscreen are great for sun protection in September.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for 3+ months after your departure from the Schengen zone. Six months’ validity is recommended to be safe.
Weather
Early fall (September–October) offers warm days and cooler evenings, with highs around 65–75°F (18–24°C). Harvest season means golden vineyards, crisp air, and ideal weather for wine tastings and exploring.
Expect warm, sunny weather in September and cooler, milder conditions in October across Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, and the Dordogne.
Private Room Upgrades
Private room upgrades are available for an additional amount and can be added during booking. These are available on a first-come basis, so plan to book in advance if you are interested in your own room.
Let's Get Social
#ftlofrenchwinecountry in the wild
What are the accommodations like?
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In Bordeaux, you’ll stay in a central boutique hotel with easy access to cafés, shops, and the riverfront.
In the Dordogne, accommodations are manor houses or château-style countryside hotels, scenic, peaceful, and full of character, with gardens, pools, and communal spaces. Rooms may be more traditional and vary in size, as is typical of historic properties.
How much should I budget for extras and optionals?
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We recommend budgeting $350–$550 for the week. This covers:
A few lunches and dinners on your own
Optional wine tastings, cafés, or souvenirs
Snacks, coffee, and small extras
Most major activities and several meals are already included.
I have dietary restrictions. Will there be options for me?
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Yes! We can accommodate most dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergies. Please note your requirements during booking so we can plan accordingly.
That said, vegan diets can be more challenging in rural France, and we can’t guarantee that all included meals and activities will have fully vegan options. We’ll do our best to accommodate where possible, and your Trip Leader can also help suggest nearby alternatives if needed.
What should I pack?
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Think stylish, comfortable, and practical:
Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones + vineyard paths)
Smart-casual outfits for dinners and wine tastings
A light jacket or sweater for evenings
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
A small day bag for excursions
Swimwear (many countryside hotels have pools)
Any recommendations if I’d like to extend my time abroad?
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Absolutely! Popular extensions include:
Paris – perfect before or after the trip
Basque Coast (Biarritz or San Sebastián)
Provence or Loire Valley for more wine and villages
We’re happy to suggest routes and timing — just ask!
When’s the best time to visit the French wine country?
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May through October is ideal.
September and early October are especially special due to harvest season, grape picking, and vibrant vineyard activity — with beautiful weather and fewer crowds than peak summer.
When should I arrive and depart? How should I get to the hotel?
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Arrive: You’ll need to arrive at Bordeaux (BOD) by 12:30 PM or Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) by 10 AM local time on Day 1 so you can reach the hotel by 2 PM.
Depart: The trip wraps up back in Bordeaux, so you’re free to depart whenever suits your plans on Day 7. Fly out of Bordeaux (BOD) or take the high-speed train (TGV) to Paris and fly home from there.
We’ll share exact hotel details and recommended transfer options before departure; taxis, Uber, and public transport are all reliable.
What’s the pace of the itinerary?
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Full and immersive. This trip is designed to make the most of each day, blending guided experiences, active adventures, and long, memorable meals with pockets of free time to explore at your own pace. Days are full, but there’s room to catch your breath, whether that’s an afternoon by the pool, a slow lunch, or a free evening to wander on your own.
In the Dordogne, you’ll stay in a manor house or château-style property, with fresh air and beautiful natural surroundings to come home to after days out exploring. Expect fewer shops and nightlife here. Evenings are cozy, communal, and scenic.
Days are thoughtfully planned and packed with variety, including:
A mix of guided experiences and free time
Long, leisurely lunches built into busier days
Active adventures alongside cultural and culinary experiences
This is a trip for travelers who like their days full and varied, with enough breathing room to enjoy where they are.
What’s the vibe of this trip?
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Elegant but unpretentious.
Think: château tastings, medieval villages, long lunches, riverside canoeing, and cozy countryside evenings. Social, scenic, and deeply French, perfect for travelers who love food, wine, culture, and connection.
What’s the weather like in the French countryside?
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Early Fall (September–October):
Warm days, cooler evenings. Highs ~65–75°F (18–24°C). Harvest season — beautiful, golden vineyards and ideal wine weather.
Common Questions about this trip
Traveler Review Summary
5-Start Rating
The Bali trip with FTLO is consistently praised for its expertly curated itinerary, which strikes a perfect balance between cultural immersion, adventure, relaxation, and authentic local experiences. Customers rave about the tour guides for their friendly demeanor, extensive local knowledge, attention to detail, and ability to create a welcoming and enjoyable group dynamic.
Read through helpful flight details, trip notes, and details about our French Wine Country Trip.
Interested in learning more about our French Wine Country trip?
We're here to help! Whether you're curious about accommodations, accessibility, group vibe, or dietary needs, fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you ASAP.
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