CASTLES & WINES FROM THE SOUTH of France Tour
All inclusive English-language French Castles & Wines Tour from Avignon in the South of France to Lyon. Visit the Cotes-du-Rhone, Beaujolais, and Maconnais wine regions of France while enjoying the beautiful French countryside.
Land only / 7 nights / Double occupancy accommodations / Daily breakfasts / Six lunches and five dinners (with beverages and wines) / Transfers / Wine tasting fees / Group visit fees / All taxes and service charges
SEE CASTLES & WINES FROM THE SOUTH OF FRANCE TOUR ITINERARY BELOW
B=breakfast / L= lunch / D=dinner
Day 1 | Avignon
Landing in Avignon via Paris (or high-speed train from CDG airport upon schedule).
Relaxing afternoon to catch up on jet lag with a visit of the Palace of the Popes and to get acquainted with this beautiful medieval town.
Convivial dinner in Avignon and first night at the Hotel Mercure Pont d’Avignon.
D
day 2 | SOUTHERN COTES DU RHONE
We will visit Southern Cotes du Rhone today. Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Chateauneuf du Pape and a visit of the Roman theatre of Orange will fill up a busy day.
Lunch on the road, dinner on your own.
Second night at the Hotel Mercure Pont d’Avignon.
L / D
Day 3 | Les Baux-de-Provence to Tain l’Hermitage
Early departure for “Les Carrieres de Lumieres”, an unusual but spectacular visit.
We then hit the road north to Tain l’Hermitage for our next stops, Chapoutier or Delas wineries. Wines will fill up the afternoon before a different kind of tasting at Valrhona, for an interesting chocolate sampling.
Great dinner and night Chez Michel Chabran.
B / L / D
Day 4 | Tain l’Hermitage TO NORTHERN COTES DU RHONE
Morning at the cave de Tain or a small producer for more great wines before a one hour drive to the Northern Cotes du Rhone region. For this afternoon, let’s polish our knowledge with Jean Francois Villard an independent wine maker offering a splendid production.
For aperitif upon arrival at our hotel, northern Cotes du Rhone wines (reds of Saint Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes, Cote Rotie and white Condrieu) will be served to welcome you in the region.
Dinner and first night at the Domaine de Clairefontaine.
B / L / D
day 5 | NORTHERN Cotes du Rhone
Another day for the Northern Cotes du Rhone wines. Syrah and Viognier are the two main grape varieties of the Cote-Rotie. While many of the region's wines are made of 100% Syrah, up to 20% of Viognier can be added to the wine. The Cote-Rotie is one of the few wine appellations that allow white wine grapes to be used in a blend of red wine. The southern Rhône region Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC is another.
Visit to Guigal a large winery with a remarkable and beautiful production representing all terroirs of Cotes du Rhone, south and north.
In a small family owned winery, Remi Niero specializes in white of Condrieu and red of Cote Rotie.
Dinner and second night at Clairefontaine
B / L / D
day 6 | Beaujolais regioN
Going north by-passing Lyon, we are set for the Beaujolais region.
The different crus of Fleurie, Moulin-a-vent, Brouilly, Morgon will be poured at many places, not missing the Chateau de Julienas and the Chateau de Pizay.
Lunch in a village, dinner and night in Julienas or Romaneches-Thorin.
B / L / D
day 7 | Maconnais Region
The Maconnais region is on the program.
The great whites of the Domaines Thevenet, Fichet and the Azé Winery will compete in our glass.
Lunch in a village.
Afternoon visit to the ancient abbey of Cluny, the largest Christian structure before St Peter was built in Rome and its partial destruction during the French revolution.
Late afternoon drive to a Lyon airport hotel for an early stress free flight, landing in the US in the afternoon.
B / L / D
Additional days in Paris or elsewhere can be added. Call 301 364 5050 or email info@froggytravel.com for more information.