Enjoy the perfect blend of wine, culture, and relaxation with our Wine and Art de Vivre : Bordeaux to Cap Ferret tour.

Bordeaux is one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, renowned for its elegant red blends, crisp whites, and sweet dessert wines.
Centered around the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, the area offers a diverse landscape of vineyards and historic châteaux. Beyond wine, Bordeaux is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant food scene, and beautifully preserved architecture.

Just west of the vineyards lies the Bassin d’Arcachon, a coastal gem famous for its oyster farms, wide sandy beaches, and the towering Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe. This bassin area adds a refreshing maritime dimension to the region, blending nature, gastronomy, and relaxed seaside charm.

And with a group of maximum 12 people, the experience feels truly intimate, far from the typical package tour where travelers are being shuffled on and off large coaches.

Welcome to Bordeaux!

We will be meeting at 6 PM that evening for a brief introduction and to go over the program for the days ahead, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.

If you arrive early, feel free to take some time to explore the city at your own pace — stroll through the historic center, enjoy a glass of wine on a terrace, or simply relax after your journey.

Check-in to the hotel for 4 nights. Please, note that check-in opens at 4pm

Meals - Dinner

We begin the trip and day with Marianne, for a captivating historical tour of Bordeaux. From the wide avenues of neo-classical neighbourhoods surrounding the Quinconces and the Grand

Theatre, to the narrow lanes of the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood, this tour invites you to discover the diversity of the heritage of Bordeaux.

Next, we make our way to Sauternes, a renowned wine-producing region known for its exquisite sweet wines. There we will enjoy a vineyard-side lunch, followed by a guided visit and a delightful Sauternes-and-chocolate tasting.

Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Bordeaux, have a drink at one of the numerous patios or simply relax at your hotel before dinner.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Onward to Saint-Emilion, a picturesque village and UNESCO World Heritage sites. After a scenic drive through the vineyards, enjoy a guided stroll through it's charming streets, cloisters, city gate, fortifications and underground monuments that have so much to tell you.
Followed by some free time for lunch.

After lunch, we will experience a memorable wine tasting at Chateau Pipeau and Le Puy. Here we will be sampling wines and gaining insights into the art of winemaking from expert winemakers. Return to Bordeaux for dinner and night.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we will explore the Left Bank region. Where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a white wine and caviar tasting at Château Fourcas Hortens. Followed by lunch, at the Château Kirwans in Margaux.
Return to Bordeaux for an evening at leisure.

Optional cooking class in the evening* : $175 per person

Savor the flavors of duck as you learn to prepare it with confidence and precision.

Guided by the chef, you’ll master essential techniques, including achieving the perfect sear on duck breast and understanding how different preparations highlight the ingredient.

The experience concludes with a plated duck entrée, served with Sarlat potatoes, a seasonal vegetable, and a red wine sauce, accompanied by a glass of local wine.

*The excursion will be made possible, with a minimum of 6 participants.

Reservation needed at booking.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

On your final day in Bordeaux, we will join again with Marianne for a "balade gourmande" through the lively halls of the Marché des Capucins, tasting local specialties and soaking up its energy feeling its energy. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore the city at your own pace or do some shopping, before your transfer to Cap Ferret.

Suggestions:

-Visit the Bordeaux Cité du Vin for a captivating journey into the world of wine and enjoy panoramic city views from the rooftop. 

 -Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Jardin Public, a green oasis with beautiful gardens and peaceful surroundings. 

 -Explore the historic neighborhood of Saint-Pierre, known for its quaint streets and inviting cafes, and perhaps pick up some last-minute souvenirs.

Dinner and check-in at the hotel for a 3-night stay by the Atlantic ocean.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Optional excursion in the morning* : $140 per person

Join Christel on an electric bike tour to explore the oyster-farming village of l'Herbe.

Discover it's unusual chapel, picture-postcard oyster district and learn about the history and oyster cultivation process. This tour includes a delicious oyster tasting, a glass of wine and gratuity to the guide.

*The excursion will be made possible, with a minimum of 4 participants.

Reservation needed at booking.

Enjoy your free day or afternoon to explore the Cap, book a massage, walk along the beach or relax on the hotel patio.

 -Climb to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views of the peninsula and the Atlantic coast. 

 -Explore the blockaus, a remnant of the German defenses from World War II.
-In the village de l'Herbe, you can visit the Chapelle de la Villa Algérienne. This Moorish-inspired chapel is a vestige of the former Algerian villa that was built in the 19th century. 

 -Simply enjoy the beach and relax in the serene coastal environment of Cap Ferret.

Meals - Breakfast

For the morning, I invite you to cross the Bassin and visit the picturesque town of Arcachon:

 -Explore the Ville d'été and/or the Ville d'hiver. 

 -Walk along the promenade Marcel Gounouilhou. 

 -Climb the Arcachon Observation Tower, for panoramic views of the town, the bay, and the surrounding landscapes
- Or continue to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cap Ferret.

In the afternoon, embark on a traditional pinasse boat tour in the Bassin d'Arcachon, all the way to the iconic Dune du Pilat and back. As you journey to the Dune du Pilat, take in the serene beauty of the bay and coast, witness the Cabanes Tchanquées, the majesty of the largest sand dune in Europe.

Dinner together, before heading back to Bordeaux airport the next day.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Today, bid farewell to your journey to the Bordeaux region, as you transfer to the airport.

Meals - Breakfast

A $1,450 USD initial deposit (based on a double occupancy) will secure your spot on this retreat or you may choose to pay in full. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the retreat start date. All payments and due in full once you place your deposit. No one books a tour with the intention of canceling, however it is advisable to purchase travel insurance to protect your health and investment from unforeseen circumstances. Exceptions to the cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. There are no refunds or credits for failure to attend and failure to complete the retreat or for arriving late or leaving early. Please note that credit card processing fees apply. Use ACH payments to avoid any booking fees. 

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