Highlights
- Indulge in classic Parisian elegance at the 5-star Hôtel du Louvre
- Cruise the winding streets of Dijon via bicycle tour
- Sample exquisite Burgundy wines along the Route des Grands Crus
- Discover the art of food and wine pairing at a Burgundian cooking class
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, Explore Medieval Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame & Conciergerie | Paris |
| Day 2 | Treasures of Musée du Louvre, Marais Cheese & Wine Tasting | Paris |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Dijon, Discover the City of 100 Steeples via Bike | Dijon |
| Day 4 | Vineyard Tours & Tastings in Côte de Beaune & Côte de Nuits | Dijon |
| Day 5 | Cooking Class in Beaune, Transfer to Lyon, Free Afternoon | Lyon |
| Day 6 | Golden Stones of Beaujolais Tour, Exclusive Bouchon Lyonnaise Dinner | Lyon |
| Day 7 | Depart Lyon |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Explore Medieval Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame & Conciergerie
Welcome to France! Your flight lands in the capital city of Paris, otherwise known as the "City of Lights." This thriving metropolis blends far-reaching history with modern vibes, featuring ancient architecture alongside chic cafés, world-class museums, and high-end shopping.
Your private driver will collect you from the airport and transfer you to your accommodations at Hôtel du Louvre, a 5-star retreat located in the sought-after 1st arrondissement, within walking distance of the Musée du Louvre. Offering elegant rooms decorated in classic Parisian style and suites with private terraces and glorious city views, you'll find yourself just steps away from some of the city's most important monuments.
Once you've checked in, learn more about the city's medieval history on a privately guided tour. Start at Notre-Dame Cathedral, where you'll learn about the birth of Gothic art as you hear about the painstaking rebuilding process, and visit Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century royal chapel with golden arches inside and more than 1,000 stained glass windows. You'll also see the Conciergerie, Paris' first royal palace. Turned into a prison during the French Revolution, this was the place where Marie Antoinette and thousands of others spent their final days.
Day 2: Treasures of Musée du Louvre, Marais Cheese & Wine Tasting
The day begins with a deep dive into the home of some of the most historic artistic works of the Western world—Le Louvre. Originally built as a fortress and then used as a royal residence, the Louvre was inaugurated as a museum in the late 1700s. Today, its collections are valued at more than 45 billion, with works that include the revered "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus de Milo."
Team up with a private local art historian, who will help you discover these masterpieces and others, sharing insight into the different works and their history. The 2.5-hour VIP tour bypasses the general admission lines, and you'll be able to specify which artists you'd prefer to see. Walk the halls of this former royal palace and marvel at masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Delacroix as your guide helps to demystify and decode each piece.
Later, head to Paris' Marais district for a gastronomical adventure that's sure to please any foodies in your group. You'll visit a 17th-century cheese cellar, where an expert cheesemaker will teach you the ins and outs of crafting the perfect artisanal cheese. Taste different cheeses alongside local wines and discover the wonders of the perfect pairing as the wine and cheese "speak" to each other. After the tour, take a stroll along the bohemian Canal Saint-Martin area before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Transfer to Dijon, Discover the City of 100 Steeples via Bike
Your next destination is the city of Dijon, the former capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and easily one of France's most charming cities. In the morning, your driver will collect you from your hotel for the scenic 3.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, you'll check in at the fabulous Grand Hôtel la Cloche, a 5-star property that creates the perfect blend of refinement and comfort for its guests. Nestled in the quiet luxury of well-manicured gardens, the hotel has an internationally renowned on-site restaurant, rooms decorated with museum-quality art, and options for garden-view rooms.
Get settled at your accommodations, then it's time to see more of the city via a privately guided bike tour. Make your way to the Old Town district, where you'll meet your guides and head out along Dijon's winding, picturesque streets. Cruise by the elegant Renaissance structures and Burgundian tile roofs, and learn why Dijon is referred to as the "City of 100 Steeples" as you pass the many churches. See sites such as Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, the stunning architecture of Chartreuse de Champmol et Puits de Moïse, and the Gothic spires of the Church of Notre-Dame before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Day 4: Vineyard Tours & Tastings in Côte de Beaune & Côte de Nuits
The Burgundy region is famous worldwide for its legendary winemaking, and today, you'll have the opportunity to explore the region's greatest wines and those who make them. Together with your private guide, you'll travel along the Route des Grands Crus of Côte de Nuits, making stops at estates such as Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denism, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and the unmissable Romanée Conti and Clos de Vougeot plots.
Visit a private wine cellar to taste an insider's selection of wines from estates not open to the public, and sip local gems that are difficult to find outside of Burgundy. You'll have the option for lunch and a tasting at Château du Clos de Vougeot, otherwise known as "the temple of Burgundy wines," or a four-course set menu at La Table de Léonce, served on the terrace of a 15th-century vat house.
Take a walk in the vineyards, learning more about cultivation techniques and the history of wine in Burgundy, then end the day with a visit to the "Golden Triangle" of the great white wines of Burgundy: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet. Tour a local estate and taste some of the most beautiful and delicious varietals of unoaked white wines, all while discovering the art, craft, and history of enology (the study of wines).
Day 5: Cooking Class in Beaune, Transfer to Lyon, Free Afternoon
Today you'll roll up your sleeves to learn the art of Burgundian cuisine and how it pairs with wine at a private cooking class. Your driver will transport you from Dijon to the city of Beaune, located approximately 45 minutes from Dijon and considered the capital of Burgundy wines. Upon arrival, meet with a local chef and help prepare a traditional Burgundian menu made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you happen to attend on a Saturday, you'll have the added bonus of shopping with your instructor at the weekend farmers market!
Explore different cooking techniques as the chef shares personal stories and insight into the cultural history of Burgundian food, then pair your creations with a delicious selection of wines, gaining a better understanding of how the flavors can complement each other.
Afterward, you're off to Lyon, France's third most populous city. Banked by the Saône and Rhône Rivers, the compact city center features traboules (hidden passageways), a UNESCO-listed Old Town, and a wealth of gorgeous architecture. Enjoy the scenic, two-hour drive, checking in at Boscolo Lyon Hôtel & Spa, a luxury property located near the Place Bellecour and Lyon's shopping district. Rooms here feature a blend of Italian and French design, with elegant touches of velvet and gold. Relax at the hotel this evening, taking advantage of the on-site spa or dinner at its highly-rated restaurant, Angelo.
Day 6: Golden Stones of Beaujolais Tour, Exclusive Bouchon Lyonnaise Dinner
Make the most of your last day in France with a visit to southern Beaujolais. Often compared to Tuscany, this region is dotted with hilltop villages, all built with golden stone that makes for a magnificent backdrop against the lush greenery of the countryside. Your driver/guide will meet you at your hotel and you'll set out, traveling along rural roadways and stopping to walk the cobbled streets of local villages. You'll also have a chance to visit a local winemaker, learning more about the region's famed Beaujolais Nouveau varietal while enjoying a wine tasting.
This evening, have dinner at Bistrot de Lyon, a gourmet brasserie located in the Cordeliers neighborhood. Featuring a menu focused on fresh, seasonal products and traditional Lyonnaise cuisine, you can sample dishes such as pâté en route (a pastry-wrapped meat pie), pike quenelles (fish dumplings), and gâteaux de foies de volaille (chicken liver cake), as well as delicious homemade profiteroles or sponge cake for dessert.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Depart Lyon
The time has come to say goodbye to the beguiling cuisine and culture of France. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport where your departing flight awaits. Au revoir!
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