Self-Drive Journey Through Burgundy, the Loire Valley & Brittany - 11 Days

Highlights

• Bike through the lush vineyards of Côte de Beaune and taste select wines
• Sample the floral notes of chenin blanc on a guided tour of the Vouvray appellation
• Look out over the Loire Valley from the 10th-century Château de Saumur
• Explore the Breton coast around Saint-Malo by boat
• See the waterlilies immortalized by Money in the gardens of Giverny

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lyon, Drive to Beaune, Beaujolais Tour & Wine Tasting

Welcome to France! Your flight lands in Lyon, where you'll pick up your rental car and make the 1.5-hour drive to Beaune, a charming walled town located in the center of the Burgundy winemaking region. Get settled at your hotel, then step out for a guided tour of Beaujolais, a historical province and wine-growing region just north of Lyon. 

This beautiful countryside, dotted with picturesque hilltop villages, offers a gentle pace of life, which you'll feel immediately as your guide transports you along quiet roads and rural farms. Visit a local vineyard and meet the winemaker, learn more about the soil and cultivation of the Beaujolais varietals, and enjoy a tasting as you chat about the nuances and flavors of each wine. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, where you're free to explore more on your own. 

Day 2: Bike Tour Through the Vineyards of Burgundy

After breakfast, take a full-day bike tour into the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. Meet your guide and, after a safety and equipment briefing, hop on your bikes and be on your way, cycling along verdant vineyards and quaint villages. Visit a 13th-century medieval castle, once home to a count and countess of Burgundy, and stop for a traditional lunch at a small restaurant nestled in the Beaune hills.

Continue to the Grand Cru vineyard of Puligny-Montrachet. Learn about the different vines that grow in the Burgundy region, and meet a local producer who will take you on a tour of the estate and cellars. Sample wines from their reserve, and if you like, you can purchase a few bottles to be delivered back to your hotel or shipped directly to your home. Return to Beaune via an easy, downhill route, relaxing in town for the rest of the evening. 

Day 3: Drive to Amboise, Explore the Loire Valley

You're off to Amboise today, located within the famed Loire Valley and approximately four hours by car from Beaune. Once you've arrived and checked into your hotel, spend some time getting to know the city. Start with a stroll to the town center, where you can see Maison du Clos Lucé, the former home of Leonardo da Vinci. If you happen to arrive on a weekend, you'll find local markets selling fresh produce and other goods. 

The Loire Valley is also home to more than 300 different châteaux, and many are easy trips from Amboise. Tour the Azay-le Rideau, which seemingly floats on the Indre River, see Château de Candé, where Edward, Prince of Wales married Wallis Simpson, or walk in the gardens of Villandry and Chaumont-sur-Loire. A few of the chateaus, like Le Grand Pressigny and Oiron, also house museums and galleries.

You'll also want to consider a visit to some of the valley's vineyards, as more than 1,000 of them are open to the public. Travel along what is the longest wine route in France, visiting the villages, gardens, and abbeys dotted along the hills and plains. See châteaux such as Chenonceau, Chambord, or Brissac, and stop at local wine cellars to meet winemakers and taste exceptional wines. Return to Amboise in time for dinner at one of the city's premier restaurants. 

Day 4: Wines of the Loire Valley Discovery Tour

The winery excursions continue as you take a guided tour to two estates of the Vouvray appellation, a region of the Loire Valley located just east of the city of Tours in the commune of Vouvray. Dedicated almost exclusively to chenin blanc, you'll learn why the soils of this area are so perfect for this distinct varietal. Meet the winemakers and try wines that range from dry to sweet, each with its own character, depth, and fragrance. Learn more about their traditions, and discover the heritage of one of the most well-known winemaking regions in the world. 

Day 5: Drive to Saumur, Free Time to Explore

Your next destination is the town of Saumur, located in western France on the banks of the Loire River. This historic town is known for its lively squares and shopping districts, winding streets, and imposing Château de Saumur. Depart Amboise in the morning and upon arrival, drop your luggage at your hotel and take a self-guided city tour.

Start at Place Saint-Pierre, a central spot where you'll find the Eglise Saint-Pierre. Dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the church has stunning stained glass windows. For more of French history, the Calvary Museum has excellent exhibits of France's military background throughout the ages, or visit the Armor Museum where hundreds of tanks are housed. Stop by the Maison du Roi (House of the King), built in the 15th century and housing various kings and queens over the years, or see elegant 17th-century mansions like Maison des Anges.

Save the best for last with the medieval fortress of Château de Saumur. Originally built in the 10th century to protect against Norman attacks, it also served as the residence for the town's governors and was used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk the fortified walls and lovingly restored interior, and visit the onsite museum for archaeological finds, ceramics, and tapestries. End the day with dinner at a local café and a sunset walk along the river. 

Day 6: Wine Walk in the Anjou Vineyards

Take a guided walk through the vineyards of Anjou today, discovering the exceptional terroir of this region. Meet your guide and start with a stroll through the vineyards of Château de Saumur, learning more about the vines and their cultivation. Meet with the winemaker and taste different wines, and if you like, you can also visit nearby villages or take an excursion to a traditional troglodyte mushroom farm. Return to Saumur in the afternoon, where you'll have free time to relax or continue your exploration of the town.

Day 7: Drive to Nantes, Free Afternoon in the City

You're off to Nantes today, the former capital of Brittany and where the Dukes of Brittany once ruled. The drive is just under two hours, and upon arrival and hotel check-in, you're free to explore. Sitting on the banks of the Loire River, the city has a long history as an industrial hub. It's also home to the medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne, which you'll get to see today.

Start your self-tour by hopping on one of the city's Navibus shuttles, water taxis that take you across the Loire and to districts such as Trentemoult, where you can wander narrow alleyways and see the colorful homes, or Chantenay and its hilltop of Butte Sainte-Anne, offering expansive views of the countryside. Enjoy a meal at one of Nantes' many restaurants, or do some souvenir shopping at local boutiques.

Spend the rest of your day at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes), where Nantes' ruling class once resided. Built in the late 15th century by François II and his daughter, Anne of Brittany, it was occupied by the Dukes of Brittany and then eventually became the Breton residence of the French Monarchy. Visit the Nantes History Museum within the castle, where you'll find 32 rooms housing a collection of more than 1,000 objects. Learn about the region's past and present as you walk the courtyards, and ascend to the fortified ramparts for views of the river and city. 

Day 8: Drive to Saint-Malo, Crêpes & Coastal Cruise

Check out of your hotel and continue deeper into Brittany as you make the scenic, two-hour drive to the fortified town of Saint-Malo. This port city once served as a stronghold for pirates, with tall granite walls surrounding the atmospheric Old Town district. This is also the home of the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel, one of Brittany's most iconic sites. 

Arrive at your accommodations, then take a deep dive into one of Brittany's most important culinary traditions: the art of crêpe-making! Meet with a chef and learn the technique of baking this typically French pancake, practicing the art of creating the perfect batter and the use of black wheat, a key component in galettes. Prepare your own delicious varieties, then sit down to savor the flavors of your hard work, accompanied by refreshing Breton cider.

Later, sail to the Chausey Islands via guided cruise. Located off the coast of Mont-Saint-Michel, this is the largest archipelago in Europe, comprised of the main island, Grand-Île, alongside 365 islets at low tide and 52 at high tide. Meet your captain and board your boat, traveling along the paths of sailors, pirates, and smugglers. The tidal movement of the archipelago has created a rich fishing environment, making it a haven for many seabird colonies. Keep your eyes peeled for great cormorants, terns, gulls, and little egrets, and you may even catch glimpses of dolphin pods passing by.

Day 9: Guided Day Trip to Dinan & Dinard

This morning, meet your private guide for a visit to the towns of Dinan and Dinard. Your first stop is Dinan, a medieval city that sits directly on the Rance River. Walk along cobbled streets and take in the timber-framed houses, with stops at the port, the basilica and its splendid stained glass windows, and the steep paths of the Rue du Jerzual, which links Dinan to the Port of Lanvallay. Visit the 14th-century keep in Château de Dinan, and stop by artisan workshops to meet local craftspeople before continuing to Dinard.

Sitting just opposite Saint-Malo, Dinard is known for its luxurious beaches and outstanding views of the Côte d'Émeraude (Emerald Coast). Formerly a humble 19th-century fishing port, the city experienced a resurgence thanks to its popularity with artists and the French bourgeoisie. Tour local sites with your guide, then stop in at a local brasserie for fresh oysters and a glass of white wine. End the day browsing Dinard's boutiques and shops, perhaps finding some one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home. 

Day 10: Drive to Giverny, Tour Monet's Home & Gardens

Your final day in France takes you to the village of Giverny, a tiny hamlet once the home of famed Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Take a private guided tour through the tranquil beauty of Monet's home and gardens, learning more about the artist as you go. Explore his house, stroll the paths of his flower gardens, and admire the garden lake, full of his renowned waterlilies. Overnight in Giverny, exploring more of the village and enjoying a final evening of French ambience.

Day 11: Drive to Paris, Depart 

Your adventures in France come to a close today. At the appointed time, drive to Paris and drop off your rental car, then board your flight home. Au revoir! 

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