*EXPIRED* Journeys Rediscovered – Culinary Journey of France
*This deal has now expired. Please feel free to contact me regarding similar deals*
From $Contact Kirsty @ Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 for Price*
Make an enquiryInclusions
Culinary Immersion Tour Unique to Journeys Rediscovered
Culinary Journey of France
Small Group Tour of no more than 8 people
Paris – Bordeaux – Loire Valley -Champagne - Paris
14 days/ 13 nights
- 4 nights accommodation in Bordeaux – Le Boutique Hotel
- 2 nights accommodation in Loire Valley – Domaine des Hauts de Loire
- 7 nights accommodation in Paris – Le Saint Hotel
- Breakfast daily at hotels
- Other meals & tastings included as per itinerary at specially selected restaurants and culinary experiences
- All private transfers
- All activities included as per itinerary
- Entrance fees
- Sightseeing and touring with a local English speaking guide
Contact Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary or REGISTER for our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journeys (no more the 8 passengers).
Boutique 4 star accommodation twin share. Single Supplements available.
More Information
Day 1 – Paris/ Bordeaux: Arrival in Paris CDG Airport VIP Meet & Greet. Ours hosts will meet and greet you direct from the plane (at the door or end of the jetty) with a name board sign and fast track you through immigration, assist with baggage and customs clearance and out of the terminal building to the curbside and take you to the train station platform. 1st class train tickets from CDG airport to Bordeaux train station. Upon your arrival at Bordeaux Train Station – you will be met by your driver.
Day 2 – Bordeaux: Meet your English-speaking guide and your driver in the lobby of your hotel and departure in Minibus for a full day tour of Saint Emilion and wine estates. Please note that the names of the wineries in the program, are subject to availability at confirmation. We will do our best to confirmed the wineries named and if any change happens, we will offer you a different choice of the same level or higher category.
Start with a visit of St Emilion. Cross the Garonne River to the Right Bank and arrive in the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-coloured jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it’s perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.The steep and narrow cobblestone streets are lined with remnants of monasteries and convents dating from the 11th to 18th centuries that tell the story of the village. A Unesco World Heritage-inspired scavenger hunt will bring you face to face with the art, wine and stunning landscapes of Saint-Emilion.
Lunch at La Terrasse. After lunch, continue for a wine tasting at Chateau Beauséjour Bécot. Since 1969, the Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, premier grand cru classé B of Saint-Emilion, belongs to the family Bécot, winemakers in Saint-Emilion since the eighteenth century. They are also owners of Château La Gomerie since 1995 and recently Château Joanin-Bécot. The Château Beau-Séjour Bécot also produces a second wine, la Tournelle de Beau- Séjour Bécot.
Private Visit and tasting at Chateau La Tour Saint Christophe. Château Tour Saint Christophe was acquired by Peter Kwok and his daughter Karen in 2012. The property overlooks beautiful centuries-old dry stone terraces on a clay-limestone terroir. In order to preserve its rich heritage, Peter undertook to restore the Château. The objective was to revive the vineyard terraces with the reconstruction of dry stone walls as it had been built in the 18th century. About 1.5 km of dry-stone terraces have been repaired by hand, a two-year process to preserve the appearance of these unique terraces in Saint-Emilion.
The vineyard, with vines of an average age of thirty years, is orientated South-Southwest and benefits from an ideal exposure to sun and perfect natural drainage conditions. It is this secret alchemy which contributes to the quality of our terroir. Today the property consists of 20 hectares on the appellation of Saint Emilion Grand Cru. Head back to hotel to refresh for dinner.
Dinner at la Brasserie Bordelaise at a walking distance from your hotel. It is the opportunity to talk around a glass of wine, nibble at some ham Bellota, at some crisp vegetables and at a slice of sausage. Here You will taste beef of Bazas, Simmental, Limousines and of course Blondes of Aquitaine ...
Meals included B L D
Day 3 – Bordeaux: Meet your English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel and departure for a half day walking tour of Bordeaux. You will discover the city of Bordeaux during a private walking tour. Part of the world heritage since 2007, Bordeaux is a jewel of 18th century architecture with a rich past starting in the Gallo roman period. Bordeaux is known to have the second largest patrimony of the 18th century after St Petersburg. This tour is the occasion to discover most of these treasures along the waterfront: Palais de la Bourse, in the Triangle d’Or the Grand Theatre and some private mansions. Have the chance to visit “les quais” the docks in French, inhabited by wine merchant warehouses.
You will discover both the very traditional & the modern side to the city. Discover Bordeaux’s Gourmet Specialties: Our visit offers to combine historic discovery with regional and typical "delicacies" punctuated by three stops at specialized producers: Tasting of cheese, Tasting of “cannelé” a very local sweet specialty at Baillardran, and of course, a commented "wine tasting" in a bistro...
Afternoon at leisure, then at 4pm - Meet your private English-speaking guide and your driver at the lobby of your Hotel and departure for an evening cooking class with a local chef at the Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret. You will visit a local market in Libourne and taste regional products. The market tour is followed by a cooking class at a château and a delicious three course meal! The tour includes:
- Visit and product tasting at a market in Libourne
- Cooking class followed by a 3-course meal
- 3 glasses of the estate’s wine
- Mineral water, coffee, tea and macaron from Saint-Emilion
- Recipes sent by email after the class
This workshop gives you the opportunity to become a real ‘chef’ for a day and create a menu to discover the art of cooking both regional and seasonal French products! Menu sample:
Starter: Seasonal vegetable risotto, Fleur de sel seared scallops
Main: Tender loin pork baked at low temperature, tarragon sauce, potatoes mousseline with porcini mushroom
Dessert: Tonka bean panna cotta, caramelized seasonal fruits flavored with French rum.
At end of cooking class transfer back to hotel.
Meals included B L D
Day 4 – Bordeaux: Meet your English-speaking guide & your driver at the Lobby of your hotel for a full day tour to discover Médoc area. You cannot miss to follow the «Route des Chateaux of the Medoc» to finally discover all these names you have been dreaming about! The most famous Grands Crus from the 1855 classification are opening the door to offer you a magic tasting.
Stop for visit and tasting of Chateau Leoville Poyferré. Between Margaux and Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary, Saint-Julien is a small appellation of 920 hectares. As far as the eye can see, the land is covered with pebbles that naturally regulate soil temperature. Gravel, sand and clay are the other components of this geological alchemy, the result of sedimentary deposits by the Garonne in the Quaternary period.
Lunch at Le Saint Julien. After lunch, stop at Chateau du Tertre for a visit and tasting. The building of the present Château du Tertre dates back to the 18th century. It is a delightful manor which shows off elegantly the architectural features of the Regency period: coffered ceilings, a central staircase and wrought iron banister, symmetrical French windows, and elegant façades built in cut stone. It is built over superb underground cellars. In a subtle and confidential setting, the team of Chateau du Tertre welcomes you for the organisation of your event. You might even have the privilege to enjoy a cocktail at the Orangerie situated in the private part of the property on the highest point of the Margaux appellation. End of the tour at your hotel around 5pm. Dinner & evening at leisure.
Meals included B L
Day 5 – Loire Valley: Meet your private English-speaking guide and your driver at the lobby of your Hotel and departure for a transfer from your Hotel in Bordeaux to your Hotel in the Loire Valley with 2 hours stop on the road for a lunch. Afternoon at leisure, dinner at hotel.
Meals included B L D
Day 6 – Loire Valley: Meet your English-speaking guide and your driver in the lobby of your hotel for a full day wine tour in Loire Valley. Visit and Winetasting in a Family estate -in Chissay: Escher & Thomas. You will then head to Clos Rousselely in Angé for a visit and winetasting, followed by a lunch in the domain.
The Clos Roussely is an outbuilding of the village castle since the 18th century. Vincent the current owner represents the 4th generation installed on this place.In 1917, Anatole, the great grandfather, buys the Clos and settles winemaker and distiller. Marcel, the grandfather, develops the vineyard and creates in 1947 a wine trading company. At the beginning of the 1980s, Jean Claude and Nicole, Vincent's father and aunt, devote themselves to the development of the trading company and leave it to a village winegrower to take care of the Clos vineyards.
Vincent Roussely decided to take over the exploitation and the buildings of the old trade in 2001. Since then, he never ceases to revive this place, to arrange it to better welcome and share his passion for wine. After your lunch, go to enjoy a visit of Chenonceau. Chenonceau Castle - The unique architecture of the chateau/bridge makes it one of the most original Chateaux of the Loire Valley. The Château of Chenonceau is located in the Centre Val de Loire region, and was once a royal residence as property of the crown. It is a truly exceptional site, both for its original idea of building it on the Cher River, and for its destiny: to be loved, managed, and protected by women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis. Today, the Château of Chenonceau is second only to Versailles as the most visited château in France.
A place famous for civilization, transmission, and sharing, the Château of Chenonceau owns a collection of paintings by the great masters. It is a magnificent art gallery that rivals some of the greatest museums, as well as boasting a remarkable series of Flemish tapestries. Diner at ORANGERY RESTAURANT in Domaine de la Tortinière. The food is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds alike, and our Chef and his team pay special attention to detail, selecting the best products available, working especially with those that come from the rich Touraine region, such as the Marigny Marmande truffle, the Racan pigeon, the Rivarennes "Poire Tapée", the Sainte-Maure de Touraine goat’s cheese, rillons etc.
Meals included B L D
Day 7 – Loire Valley/Paris: Meet your private English-speaking guide and your driver for a morning departure for a bakery class . Throw away your bread machines and the "ready-to-go" bread sets: this is about time and sensations. Making homemade bread is a matter of patience and technique. But in the end, what a pleasure to get out of the oven a fresh baguette just for you, golden and ready to sing on the kitchen table!During this session, you will learn how to make your own sourdough, take home and maintain regularly to maintain its strength and flavor. You’ll learn to master the techniques of bread, brioche and croissants and have all the time to question the different ingredients that come into play. A homemade lunch will be served and prepared by the participants with fresh ingredients and vegetables straight from the garden.
Bread baking morning with an English-speaking baker including:
-Workshop in a picturesque country home in the heart of the Loire Valley
-Baguette, brioches and focaccias baking
-Lunch with wine
-Visit of the vegetable garden
Afternoon Transfer from Loire Valley to Paris, and dinner within walking distance of hotel.
Meals included B L D
Day 8 – Paris: Morning and lunch at leisure in Paris. In the afternoon, Meet your 3 Sidecarist's at your hotel and departure for a Sidecar tour in Montmartre - 2 persons per side car. Let yourself be taken along little-known streets as well as the famous boulevards known the world over. Your gentleman sidecarist is a Parisian who will also quickly become a friend. He’ll share his knowledge of the history and gems of his city: her architecture, the Parisian way of life and the places and stories known only to her inhabitants.You’ll be driven in total safety with numerous stops along the way. Each sidecar has space for two passengers and your very own guide; it’s for this reason that your tour will be a personal and magical experience the way you want it.
Bohemian Paris tour - Undertake an exploration of Montmartre, her cobbled streets, Sacré Coeur, the Place du Tertre and its caricaturists, the last vineyard in the city. During the tour enjoy as well a 1 – hour sightseeing in Paris.
End of the tour at the Fromagerie and start your cheesemaking workshop. During this 2h30min workshop, we want to transmit you the basics of cheesemaking and all the small tips that will help you reproduce it at home: the know-how!You will be welcomed by the English-speaking cheese expert, at the cheese shop. He/she will guide you to the back stage of the fromagerie and will give you your tools, your apron and your RAW MILK!Guided by passionate experts you will learn the know-how of making cheese. In 2h30, we will teach you how to make a fresh cheese that you could age (or eat straight away!), an incredibly good butter and a perfect mozzarella! Including the know how of the fromager, you'll learn and make 3 cheeses, and enjoy a cheese & wine tasting. End of the tour and a private transfer with an English-speaking driver back to your hotel, dinner at leisure.
Meals included B
Day 9 – Paris: Meet your private English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel and departure for a full day walking tour of Paris left bank including some gourmet tour & the Ile de la cite with Notre Dame. St Germain des Pres (Left Bank) - The Left Bank, or Rive Gauche in French, spreads on the southern side of the Seine. Together the district of Saint Germain des Près and the Latin Quarter define the Esprit Rive Gauche ("Left Bank spirit") as a blend of Parisian chic intellectual attitude and history. Established in the Middle Ages, the Left Bank Quarter in Paris has been dominated by the Sorbonne, and acquired its name from the early Latin speaking students. It dates back to the Roman town across the Ile de la Cité.
The area is generally associated with artists, intellectuals and a bohemian way of life, mainly due to the thousands of students living in the area. The Left Bank features many of the Paris Monuments, Museums and Gardens, ranging from the Orsay Museum, the new Musee du Quai Branly, the Insitut du Monde Arabe to the Musée de Cluny, or the National Museum of Natural History.
At Saint-Germain-des-Près, the fashion district par excellence, discover all the trends for sweets created by exceptional artisans, who have been widely celebrated in the gastronomical press. The chef confectioners and chocolate makers vie with each other in talent, and the windows in refinement and elegance, for the greatest joy of the eyes and of the palate.
Then continue walking as real Parisians through the medieval part of the Latin Quarter, a familial neighborhood famous for the high quality and large choice of food produce. Our tour brings us through a market, then in a cheese dairy, at several bakers’ and confectioner’s, and finally in a regional specialty shop. A walk rich in tastes and flavors, with a focus on family cuisine, with tastings stops, to introduce you to the French gourmandize.
Lunch at leisure, your guide will suggest you the best places on site according to your tastes and requests.After lunch, continue your walking tour at the “Ile de la Cité” As a consequence of the fire at Notre DAME Cathedral on the night of April 16th 2019 The access around Notre dame Area is restricted .Your guide will discuss will adapt the itinerary on site. Despite being the birthplace of Paris, these two neighboring islands, embraced by the arms of the Seine, are very different. On the Île de la Cité, amid a flurry of uniforms and lawyers’ gowns, you go from one historic site to another: place Dauphine, the Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle, Hôtel-Dieu. The Pont Saint-Louis marks the boundary – often with music – beyond which lies the tranquility of sumptuous mansion houses. A refuge for artists and poets, the Île Saint-Louis is also a haven for gourmets judging by the profusion of restaurants, cafés, ice-cream makers and confectioners, whose tempting windows line the rue Saint-Louis-en-l’Île. Back to hotel around 4pm, dinner at leisure.
Meals included B
Day 10 – Paris: Meet your private English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel for a walking tour in the Right Bank. Walk into gourmet Paris in Les Halles-Montorgueil area. The place that we also call "The Belly of Paris" (according to a novel by Emile Zola in 1873) offers many attractions: old shops (including the oldest pastry shop in Paris, Stohrer), French brasseries and traditional restaurants, but also gourmet specialty shops (kitchen tools, food books etc.). Your guide will introduce and explain the highlights of that famous area.
Les Halles-Montorgueil is also a place with much cultural interest: St. Eustache church, Jean Sans Peur tower, or Le Grand Cerf passage : let's get through the heart of Paris !You will discover French traditional food and its evolution from Middle Ages to nowadays.The tour includes several tasting of French traditional products: pastries, bread, cheese, delicatessen and wine. Head back to hotel, lunch at leisure before your afternoon Macaroon Cooking class – 3hours. Macaroons, their colors are in all Parisian pastry shops. Trendy and irresistibly delicious, often chosen as a gift, you can eat them at any hour of the day.
Learn how to make yourself these wonderful foodies: macarons! Under the Chef Frederic's watchful eye, you discover all the culinary secrets to succeed in making these delicate pastries. The class takes place in the kitchen of a private apartment, with family utensils and equipment, so that you can easily make them at home. Two flavors are chosen and cooked by the group among the following ones:- Chocolate and cocoa, Lemon, Raspberry with tonka bean, Coconut with milk chocolate or Coffee You take away the macaroons after the class and share them with your friends. A copy of the recipe is remitted.6pm – End of the cooking class and transfer back to your hotel, dinner at leisure.
Meals included B
Day 11 – Paris: Meet your guide at hotel, you will start your morning visiting one of the most famous neighborhoods of Paris: Montmartre. Montmartre village, so famous for its bohemian life and its top-ranked artists as Picasso and Renoir, has kept its soul beyond the legend. We walk through the small streets off the beaten track of that mythical neighbourhood to tastes local produce with a traditional and artisanal character. We start our riding of the hill with a pastry-shop specialising in fine tarts. On Lepic and Abbesses streets, we visit a fishmonger, a charcutier, a butcher, a baker and a vegetable seller. We finish in front of Clos Montmartre winery, last trace of an agricultural past. During the tour, we taste charcutier specialities, bread, wine and pastries.
Continue on to Père Lachaise cemetery. The Père Lachaise is the biggest and best-known cemetery in the capital. Located in the 20th arrondissement, it sprawls across an area of 44 hectares... The Jesuits originally purchased the site in the 17th century with the intention of starting a convalescent home there. One of the most famous occupants was François d’Aix de La Chaise, known as “Le Père La Chaise”, the Sun King’s confessor. 2pm – End of the tour at your Hotel - Afternoon & dinner at leisure.
Meals included B L
Day 12 – Champagne: 8am meet your English-speaking driver and guide at the Lobby of your hotel for a full day tour of Champagne. Champagne is the region you start your day with the scenic Route du Champagne. It meanders among the vineyards and picturesque villages, offering a charming bucolic landscape. We take you to the Côte des Blancs for a sightseeing of some of the most famous Grandes Maisons de Champagne such as: Bollinger, Gosset, Deutz, etc. En route the countryside is enameled with beautiful Grand Cru villages like Ay, Hautvillers, Bouzy, Le Mesnil, Vernezay, etc.
Stroll along the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. Located in the heart of town, Epernay is internationally known as the "Capital of Champagne". Epernay’s stunning main street appears like an exhibition of opulent mansions housing the most illustrious Maisons de Champagne: Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Mercier, etc. Not to mention the 100km of tunnels under the pavement!
Guided tour and tasting at a Grande Maison de Champagne in Epernay, Moët et Chandon in a small group. Founded in 1743 by Claude Möet it becomes within 40 year the first international brand in the world. Its history is linked to some famous figures such as The Marquise de Pompadour and Napoleon 1st. This Champagne is also sold to many important historical events among which King Edwards VII’s coronation, Cannes Film Festival, the 120th anniversary of the Liberty Statue, etc…It is probably nowadays the most famous Champagne brand around the world.
Then enjoy a regional tasting lunch in Hautvillers - Au 36A selection of local specialties served as "Champagne tapas” and paired with three single-varietal Champagnes.Tour and Champagne tasting at a local domain: Ployez Jacquemart. Ployez-Jacquemart is a family House created in 1930 by Marcel Ployez and his wife Yvonne Jacquemart.The whole essence of Ployez-Jacquemart rests in our continual search for excellence and our remarkable abilities to make truly fine wines. These skills have been passed down through three generations. Deep-seated pride in our product and heritage are the cornerstones of our traditional approach to champagne production. Around 6pm, get back to hotel in Paris, dinner at leisure.
Meals included B L
Day 13 – Paris: Morning at leisure, then afternoon Meet your private English-speaking guide for a chocolate walking tour in Marais (4 hours). Le Marais, a famous neighborhood right in the center of Paris, has as many architectural treasures as excellent foodies’ addresses. We invite you to discover a pastry shop with a chef trained by Pierre Gagnaire, a coffee shop held by a coffee champion, a store of absinthe and a chocolate shop like no other, a Franco-Russian tea store, the best ice cream maker in Paris, one of the most delicious bakeries near Place des Vosges, a shop with a thousand and one spices... Enjoy at the same time the atmosphere of old typical cafés, the Jewish quarter and beautiful mansions. Be guided by your taste buds and visit places filled with a good chocolate aroma, the smell of coffee, the aroma of spices ... You will awake your palate, taste sweet treats and hear mouthwatering stories! An original way to discover a district still at the forefront of new trends. Dinner at leisure.
Meals included B
Day 14 – Paris Departure: Breakfast and transfer to airport or train station.
Meals included B
Travel Dates
Valid for travel 01 Oct 2020 - until 31 Dec 2023.
Terms & Conditions
Terms – Contact Journeys Rediscovered to register for our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journey (no more than 8 passengers.) Journeys Rediscovered Small Group - Culinary Journey of France, will run with a minimum of 6 passengers.
Alternatively, contact Journeys Rediscovered for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary, which is guaranteed with a minimum of one person.
Land-based itinerary is based per person on twin/double share basis (unless otherwise stated), single supplement is available, contact Journey Rediscovered for this surcharge.
International & domestic airfares are additional, please contact Journeys Rediscovered for international flight options and prices.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and can be arranged for you for an additional cost.
For full pricing, terms and conditions, contact your MTA Travel Expert, Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 or journeysrediscovered@mtatravel.com.au
Important Notice
'Our MTA Collection’ is compiled from information provided to us by selected suppliers, and prices are indicative only. MTA cannot guarantee availability for your preferred travel dates or at the prices shown. Prices may differ to those displayed on this website at the time you make a booking.
Where we act as an agent, our quotes and itineraries will include a statement that advises you: i) we act as an Agent; and ii) That our Terms and Conditions are in addition to the Terms and Conditions of each Travel supplier listed on the quote/itinerary; and iii) That it is the Terms and Conditions of the Travel supplier that determine the terms of cancellation and refunds, if any. Please contact your MTA Travel Expert, who can provide you with current accurate information regarding, availability, applicable prices, fees, taxes and charges, and any other terms and conditions which may include blackout dates or seasonal surcharges.