Bordeaux with
Deb Van Pelt

This one‑week journey - designed as much for those who love wine as for those who are newly curious - begins in the storied vineyards of Bordeaux, where sun‑drenched rows of vines, elegant private tastings and gourmet meals invite us into the art of French wine and joie de vivre. 

In the Left Bank’s Médoc and Graves, we’ll explore the power and precision of Cabernet‑driven blends, learning how soil, sun and age come together to create wines of remarkable structure and depth. Across the Garonne, the Right Bank reveals its softer side - velvety Merlot and lush plum‑laden notes that speak of Saint‑Émilion’s ancient limestone terraces and centuries‑old winemaking traditions. We’ll wander among Grand Cru Classé estates, where each tasting tells a story of heritage and terroir, then linger over the golden sweetness of Sauternes, whose botrytized grapes yield one of the world’s most delicate and ethereal dessert wines. Along the way, intimate cellar visits and leisurely meals invite conversation, discovery and delight in every glass.
 

Then, aboard the train to Paris, countryside serenity will give way to city splendour. From our temporary home in Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés, we’ll discover the allure of Parisian life: café terraces traced by autumn light, quiet courtyards hidden behind wrought‑iron gates, and twinkling evenings that capture the essence of France’s timeless elegance.

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Highlights:

• three days exploring Bordeaux's key wine producing regions

• two days at leisure in Paris

• private tours and tastings. We will visit two  Châteaux Grand Cru Classé 1855 estates (the elite châteaux that were ranked at the very top of the famous Bordeaux classification created for the Paris Exposition). We will some smaller producers, which means you will taste unique wines that are hard or even impossible to buy through stores and other online sources. The winemakers concentrate on quality over quantity, with small production numbers, meaning only the best wine gets bottled.

• a hands-on cooking class in Bordeaux

• a show at the legendary Moulin Rouge

• delicious local food

• time each day to do as you please in Bordeaux and Paris

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This trip includes:

• Five nights shared (double) accommodation in a four star hotel in Bordeaux city centre

• Two nights shared (double) accommodation in a four star hotel in chic St-Germain-de-Prés, Paris

• All activities, tours and tastings, breakfasts and other meals outlined in the itinerary below*, as well as private transportation to/from these activities:

  • ​Day 1, September 21st: arrival day, walking tour and dinner at a typical Bordelais restaurant near our hotel

  • Day 2, September 22nd: wine visits and lunch in Medoc

  • Day 3, September 23rd: wine visits and lunch at a château restaurant in Sauternes 

  • Day 4, September 24th: hands-on cooking class and lunch in Bordeaux

  • Day 5, September 25th: wine blending workshop and lunch with a winemaker in Saint-Émilion

  • Day 6, September 26th: train to Paris and 9pm show at the Moulin Rouge

  • Day 7, September 27th: choose your own adventure in Paris and farewell dinner

  • Day 8, September 28th: departure day

 

The trip does not include:

• Flights

• Airport/train station transfers to hotel in Bordeaux and from hotel in Paris

• Alcohol outside of included tastings

• Mandatory medical insurance

• Optional trip cancellation insurance

• Incidentals

• Gratuities

• Anything not outlined in “included” list

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Somethings to consider: 

• This is not a particularly physically active trip but the ability to walk on uneven ground in vineyards, navigate cellar stairs and join guided walks in villages and Paris (sometimes for a couple of hours at a time) is important for this to be a pleasurable experience. 

• As we will be travelling by train from Bordeaux to Paris, it is advisable to pack light as we will each be responsible for taking our bags on and off the train.

• This trip starts in Bordeaux and ends in Paris so you will want to look at transportation in and out of these cities.

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Trip cost:

$12300 Canadian dollars (about $9000 USD) per person

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​Join this trip:

If you would like to join this trip, please fill out this registration form and we will contact you about the deposit. For more information, please contact natasha@thevoyagiste ​​​​