Entrance Gate at Château Margaux

Tour de France Gastronomique BORDEAUX • PARIS This tour took place in October 2001, was fully booked and will be repeated in Fall 2007. Read Praise from some of Our Past Clients

Hosted by Peter Blattmann
"Commandeur d'Honneur de la Commanderie du Bontemps de Medoc et des Graves" and "Hospitalier d"Honneur de la Confrerie des Hospitaliers de Pomerol"

Led by Stéphane Soret,
Sommelier, Wine Expert Guide, French Wine Explorers

- Itinerary -

DAY 1
Bordeaux
Participants will be met individually today at Bordeaux airport and train station and transferred to the 4-star Burdigala Hotel in the city center district. At 6:00 p.m. a welcome reception in the hotel hosted by Peter Blattmann and Mrs. Gunda Dignac, a highly regarded professional oenologist who will accompany you for all visits in the Bordeaux wine region. Depart by luxury coach at 7:00 p.m. for dinner at La Tupiña, a traditional South Western restaurant in the old city of Bordeaux. Dinner

DAY 2
Bordeaux

Château Mouton Rothschild

Depart the hotel at 8:30 a.m.to drive along the Medoc wine route to St. Estephe, followed by a visit to Château Mouton Rothschild at 10:00 a.m. At Mouton a cellar tour, tasting and see the spectacular wine museum.

Posing with Jamie Sichel of Chateau Palmer

DAY 3
Bordeaux

Château Haut-Brion

Leave the hotel at 9:00 a.m. for a tour and tasting at 9.30am at Château Haut Brion, where there is an excellent opportunity to see the coopers at work.

Florence & Daniel Cathiard, Owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Then drive to Smith Haut Lafitte nearby for a tasting and lunch, with a glimpse of the “Caudelie” vinotherapy spa. This afternoon drive to Sauternes for a visit and tasting at Château Climens. Return to Bordeaux. This evening a special seafood dinner at Chez Philippe Techoire. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4
Bordeaux

Winemaker Pierre Lurton at Château Cheval Blanc

At 9: 00 a.m. depart Bordeaux to visit Château Cheval Blanc for a tour and tasting. At 11:30 a.m. attend an inthronisation ceremony for induction into the Jurade de Saint Emilion, the oldest wine Brotherhood in France dating back to 1199. The ceremony will take place in the medieval “Petite Chapelle”, next to the cloister of Saint Emilion. This followed by a celebration lunch at the Hotel Grand Barrail. Time to stroll in St. Emilion this afternoon. Return to Bordeaux for a special cooking class with master chef, Thierry Marx, at the Chapon Fin restaurant, with a tasting dinner. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5
Bordeaux

Dinner at Château Beychevelle, Bordeaux

This morning shop at wine stores and gourmet food shops, then visit Jean d’Alos, the best cheese affineur in Bordeaux, with a tour of his cheese-aging cellar, followed by a special lunch. You will experience the secrets of pairing wine with cheese. Tonight drive to St. Julien in the Medoc for a special dinner at the Château Beychevelle, one of the most beautiful chateaux of the St Julien appellation. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6
Paris

Taking cooking lessons at Hotel Ritz, Paris

This morning transfer to Bordeaux train station to take the 8:22 am TGV to Paris, where you will stay for two nights at the deluxe Ritz Hotel. Ms. Stephanie Curtis, one of the city’s most knowledgeable gastronomic tour hosts, who will accompany you on all your Paris visits, will meet you. Wine tasting lunch at Macéo, a landmark Parisian wine restaurant.

Graduation Night at Ritz cooking school, Paris

This afternoon visit some of the city’s most renowned specialty food shops near the Place de la Madeleine such as Caviar Kaspia, Fauchon, Hediard, Boutique Maille, Maison du Miel and Maison de la Truffe. At 6:00 p.m. a tour of the Hotel Ritz kitchen is followed by a cooking class at the internationally acclaimed Hotel Ritz Culinary School followed by a dinner at the Chefs table in the heart of the kitchen. The wines will be commented by the Ritz sommelier. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7
Paris

Employee at Poilâne Bakery

Depart at 08.30am for a special visit of the famous Poilâne Bakery followed by a visit to President Wilson, one of the best Parisian street markets. Lunch on fresh oysters and seafood arrived this morning from Brittany at the Cap Vernet restaurant. This afternoon visit kitchen utensil stores, including world-famous Dehillerin then a unique visit to the Baccarat Crystal Museum. Tonight a farewell dinner at Lucas-Carton, one of the top 3-star Michelin restaurants in Paris. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8
Canada
Transfers to Paris airports for your return flights. Breakfast

Tour Cost

Price per person, based on shared twin CAD $9,950.00
(International airfare not included)

Prices, services and conditions are based on information available at time of print and are therefore subject to minor changes. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars and may be subject to currency fluctuations.