Beaujolais, Burgundy & Champagne Regions Tour

Itinerary Highlights

Explore Lyon with its stunning architecture, exquisite Basilica de Fourvière and historic old town
Wander the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed city of Dijon
Take a private tour around Notre Dame Cathedral in the “capital of the Champagne region”
Travel the scenic roads to Hautvillers and its church where Dom Pierre Pérignon is buried

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Breakfast
English Speaking Guide

10 nights

Peter

Travel Specialist

01244 435 177

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Experience guided private excursions and tastings at the vineyards of Beaujolais, Burgundy and Champagne on this luxurious French cultural and culinary tour.

Beginning in the gastronomic capital of Lyon, you’ll walk in the footsteps of the World War Two resistance movement in the city’s Old Town; visit the National Opera; tour a traditional silk workshop; and survey the views from the top of the hill after a journey in a funicular.

This glorious region of France is not just for wine-lovers either; it’s famed for its gastronomy too. So a private cooking class to learn French kitchen skills using traditional ingredients has been worked into the tour, followed by a lesson in how to correctly serve champagne.

And the history of the area is just as intoxicating as the food and wine. Your tour will take you to the medieval village of Semur-en-Auxois, the ornamental gardens of Fontenay Abbey and to see the stunning streets and buildings of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain where the film Chocolat was set.

With so much packed into this 11-day French luxury tour, you’ll return home with new culinary skills, an excellent knowledge of wines and champagnes, and first-hand insight into the history and culture of the heart of France.

Itinerary

Day 1 | UK to Lyon

Following your flight from the UK, you’ll be collected by a private car at Lyon airport and taken to your hotel. On your first day, experience the National Opera of Lyon in the city centre. Here, the acoustics are created by an auditorium topped by an immense black shell suspended in the heart of the building - an exceptional setting to enjoy classical music or ballet.

Day 2 | Lyon

Discover the city on a private walking tour. After meeting your guide at Place de Bellecour, the heart of the Presqu’île, they’ll first show you the fabulous views from the square of the Basilica de Fourvière, before you cross into Old Lyon via the Bonaparte bridge. Travelling on the legendary ficelle cable-car, you’ll reach the top of the hill with its unusual architecture and fantastic city views.

Day 3 | Pérouges

This unique experience will see you head for Beaujolais and start the day with a tour of a winery and tasting of wines from the estate. Your driver will then take you to Pérouges through the Dombes, the “region of a thousand lakes”. Explore medieval Pérouges, wandering the glorious cobbled streets before stopping for a meal in a hostellerie that includes a traditional galette.

Day 4 | Dijon

This morning, a chauffeur will collect you from your hotel and take you to Lyon's main train station for your journey to Dijon. There we have arranged for you to experience a private guided walking tour of the city’s historic centre, once the capital of the powerful Duchy of Burgundy. Your guide will lead you through this UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site, from its towering Ducal Palace and half-timbered medieval buildings to its quaint cobblestone streets.

Day 5 | Dijon

With a local wine expert keen to share their passion for Burgundy’s vineyards, today will see you taken on a private guided tour of the Côte de Nuits wine region. You’ll be taken to the wine-growing village of Vosne-Romanée, along the “Route des Grands Crus”, and the renowned vineyards of the Côte de Nuits which produces world-famous AOC wines (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée): Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny and Romanée-Conti.

Day 6 | Fénay

Just outside of Dijon is the commune of Fénay, and it’s here you will take a private cooking class today. This personalised experience will teach you French cooking skills; like how to make macarons, or molecular cuisine, and how best to use traditional ingredients such as foie gras. This interactive experience, which includes dining on the meal you have prepared, will also show you the “art de vivre” skill of how to properly serve champagne.

Day 7 | Semur-en-Auxois and Vezelay

A day for history-lovers awaits with battlegrounds, medieval villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Travelling through the picturesque Auxois country roads, your private guide will show you around the 18th-century Burgundy Canal’s waterfront landscapes and Semur-en-Auxois’s well-preserved medieval village. In the afternoon you’ll drive through Alésia, a famous battleground where Julius Cesar beat the Vercingétorix’s Gaul army in 52BC; before stopping at Flavigny-sur-Ozerain for a visit to the Anis de Flavigny candy factory and a wander around the village where the film Chocolat was set.

Day 8 | Reims

You’ll spend part of the day travelling in style to your next destination, with a private transfer to Dijon train station for your First Class train ride to Reims. On arrival you’ll be collected and taken to your next hotel.

Day 9 | Reims

Today you’ll embark on a private guided walking tour of Reims. Meeting your expert guide at the cathedral, you’ll be taken on a private tour around this feat of gothic art, with its 13th century architecture, stained-glass windows and famous Smiling Angel. Afterwards you’ll head into Reims’ centre with your guide to wander the boulevards and spot the art deco facades of this stunning city.

Day 10 | Hautvillers

On your final full day, you will end your French trip in style with a private driving tour of the Champagne region. In a luxury car your guide will talk you through the scenery as you wend your way through the villages and vineyards, stopping at the charming UNESCO-listed small town of Hautvillers, where you can visit the church where the famous monk Dom Pierre Pérignon is buried.

Day 11 | Reims to Lyon to the UK

You’ll be collected from your hotel by a chauffeur who will take you to the train station for your return train travel to Lyon, and your flight back to the UK.