French Cheese and Wine Tour
What do the French do better than anyone else? Many would say ‘wine’. Just as many, however, would also say ‘cheese’.
10 nights from $5,932pp
This is the ultimate French cheese tour: traverse the entire country, enjoying not only the sights and sounds of France’s finest viticultural regions – but also the cheese and wines.
Our curated self-drive French cheese and wine tour offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of France, perfect for wine and cheese lovers seeking authentic flavours and cultural richness.
Highlights of our French Cheese and Wine Tour
- Travel across the whole of France, enjoying hands-on cheese experiences and tastings in Normandy, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Paris
- Learn traditional Norman cheesemaking techniques and sample Camembert on a cheese factory tour
- Visit a family-run Loire Valley goat farm and dairy with a hands-on cheesemaking workshop
- Enjoy a three-course dinner with access to the restaurant’s cheese sampling cellar with over 100 cheeses
- Tour a Bordeaux Château for a private tour with a sensory wine and cheese tasting experience
- Explore a Burgundian dairy on a private half-day cheese and wine tour before visiting renowned wine cellars
- Learn to make cheeses and how to pair them with wines in a hands-on workshop with an expert cheesemaker in Paris
- Relax with a dinner cruise along the Seine at sunset
- Boutique 4- and 5-star accommodation with breakfasts included. Upgrade options also available
- Fancy a more indulgent experience? Upgrade to private transfers or a luxury car hire
Day 1: Arrival into Normandy
On arrival in Paris, pick-up your hire car and self-drive Northwest to Normandy, where you’ll check into your stone and timber-framed boutique hotel in the charming town of Honfleur.
Take the afternoon and evening at your own pace, wandering the town, perhaps visiting the Musée de la Marine before enjoying a relaxed dinner on the harbourfront before your cheese and wine journey begins.
Day 2: Full-day Normandy Gourmet Tour
After breakfast, meet your guide and set off into the picturesque Norman countryside. Your first stop is the renowned Grain d’Orge fromagerie, where you’ll learn about local cheese-making techniques and enjoy a guided tasting of regional cheeses such as Camembert, Livarot, and Pont-l’Évêque.
After a local lunch, continue your journey with a visit to a Calvados distillery, learning all about how Normandy’s traditional apple brandy is crafted from orchard to barrel.
If time allows, your guide will also take you for a short stop in the charming village of Beuvron-en-Auge, officially listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”.
Day 3: Welcome to the Loire Valley
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out and driving to your next stop: the Loire Valley. On arrival, you’ll settle into your boutique hotel in the heart of Tours.
After settling in, you’ll join your expert local guide for a private walking tour of the city – once the capital of France and the birthplace of Balzac. Stroll through medieval streets, admire the stunning Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, and soak up the charm of the “Garden of France.” A perfect blend of culture, architecture and local flair.
Day 4: Wine and Cheese in the Loire Valley
Your full-day private tour in the Loire Valley starts with a visit to a family-run goat farm and dairy. Here, you’ll meet and feed the goats, see the cheese-making facilities and explore their gardens before a sampling the creamy chèvre (goat cheese).
Then follows a gourmet, vineyard picnic lunch of regional specialties, possibly with other regional cheeses such as such as Valençay, Crottin de Chavignol and Fleur de Sologne – served with local wine.
After lunch, your guide will take you to one of the region’s grand châteaux for a tour and wine tasting.
Day 5: From the Loire to Bordeaux
Journey onwards to the stylish city of Bordeaux in southwest France.
Your wine and cheese adventure continues here with a three-course dinner with wine, along with access to the restaurant’s cheese sampling cellar, stocked with over 100 cheeses.
Be sure to try some well-loved local Bordeaux cheeses, such as Bleu de Termignon and Gabietou, or even varieties from the nearby Pyrenees like Ossau-Iraty and Chabichou.
Day 6: Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
Your Bordeaux wine tasting tour continues with a visit to a prestigious Bordeaux Château for a private wine and cheese sensory experience. Here you’ll enjoy sampling Grand Cru Classé de Graves wines alongside 6 French cheeses.
The afternoon is yours to explore after returning to Bordeaux city. We highly recommend a visit to La Cité du Vin, a unique cultural facility where the region’s world-class wine comes to life through an immersive experience, all held between the walls of its intriguing and unique architectural design made to resemble “the swirl in a wine glass”.
Or if you prefer, we can extend your wine tour to a full day, giving you the opportunity to explore picturesque Saint-Émilion or discover bold left bank wines of the Médoc.
Day 7: Onwards to Burgundy
Today, you’ll leave Bordeaux for your drive east to Burgundy. Take your time and enjoy the French countryside as you go, watching as sun-soaked vineyards give way to forests, river valleys and finally into Burgundy’s esteemed limestone slopes.
On arrival in Beaune, check into your five-star boutique spa hotel in the town centre. Be sure to unwind and enjoy the wellness facilities or wander into town to see the iconic Hospices de Beaune – a historic 15th-century former charitable almshouse, which now hosts one of the world’s most famous wine auctions each year.
Day 8: Burgundian Wine and Cheese Tasting
After breakfast there’s no time to waste as you meet your English-speaking guide and head off for a half-day tour of Burgundy to try local French wine and cheese pairings.
Your guide will delight you with facts about this esteemed wine region as you make your way through the Côte de Nuits to a local dairy. Here you’ll sample local Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs with regional cheeses including morbier, Brillat savarin affiné, Régal de Bourgogne, Côte d’or and Nuitons – discovering how the flavours, aromas, and textures complement each other.
After returning to Beaune, it’s off to historic cellars beneath the town centre’s cobbled streets. You’ll learn all about the family’s production and historic cellars, which once belonged to the Canons of Beaune, Dukes of Burgundy and Kings of France before sampling six wines from their extensive range.
Day 9: From Burgundy to Paris
Leaving Burgundy behind and heading westwards to Paris, you’ll return your hire car and take a private transfer into the French capital’s romantic heart.
All your driving done, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city of lights – perhaps enjoy a picnic along the banks of the Seine or wander the Bohemian streets of Montmartre. Or, to satisfy a sweet tooth, head to Rue Montorgueil, the birthplace of the delectable Rum Baba.
Day 10: Cheese Workshop and Seine Dinner Cruise
On the final full-day of your French cheese extravaganza, you’ll enjoy an hands-on culinary experience in a renowned cheese school located in the heart of Paris.
Your visit starts with a welcome from an expert cheesemaker followed by a visit to the aging cellar, where you’ll learn how cheeses mature and develop flavour.
You’ll then get to take part in the cheesemaking process, learning secrets of this ancient artisan skill. The workshop concludes with a tasting of fresh cheeses you’ve made with wine.
On your final evening, board a luxury river boat for an unforgettable sunset dinner cruise. This is the perfect way to reflect on your incredible gastronomic journey as you glide by Paris’s iconic, illuminated landmarks.
Day 11: Your Journey Home
After waking up for a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, take some time to enjoy walk around the city, perhaps taking time to visit the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay to enjoy artistic masterpieces or have a picnic on the banks of the Seine before your journey home.
Where You Could Stay in France
La Ferme Saint-Siméon
Set amid leafy apple trees with dramatic views over the Seine Estuary, La Ferme Saint-Siméon occupies a stunning location close to the old harbour of Honfleur.
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Les Trésorières
Located in the historic heart of Tours next to the covered market, Les Trésorières is an intimate, five-star hotel arranged around a spacious inner courtyard.
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Hotel de Sèze
Set in an elegant 18th century building on the iconic Allées de Tourny, the Hotel de Sèze is a quintessential grand hotel that’s been fully renovated for the 21st century.
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Le Grand Hotel
Located on the Place de la Comédie facing the iconic Grand Theatre, InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel is a magnificent neoclassical monument and a Bordeaux institution.
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Hostellerie Cèdre & Spa
Located on the edge of Beaune Old Town overlooking the famous ramparts, Hostellerie Cèdre and Spa is a small, friendly hotel set in a 19th century townhouse.
Read more
La Fantaisie
Set in Paris’ vibrant Faubourg-Montmartre, La Fantaisie is a whimsical hotel that redefines luxury.
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We craft each itinerary just for you. Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.
Start planningFAQs about our French Cheese and Wine Tour
How will I get from region to region?
As this is a sample itinerary for a self-drive tour, with the price of a hire car included.
However, every itinerary we create is individually crafted for you and your preferences, so of course we can include any other arrangements you might want, such as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle tickets if you’d like to drive your own vehicle. You could also choose a more indulgent option with train travel or private transfers throughout.
The best way to understand how you’ll get from region to region is to speak to our Travel Designers who will be more than happy to walk you through the options and put together a bespoke itinerary just for you!
How can I upgrade my French cheese and wine tour?
Because our tours are all completely bespoke, the upgrade options are truly endless! You might choose to stay in luxurious 5-star châteaux or hire a vintage car to drive around for the ten nights.
You could also choose to extend your trip to include more regions of France or stay longer in each area – check out our ultimate French cheese guide for inspiration. And of course, we can add in truly exclusive tastings at renowned domaines or special experiences such as hot air balloon tours.
Got something specific in mind? Speak to us today to start planning!
Where is the best cheese region in France?
While well known for cheese, there is no single ‘best’ cheese region in France. Rather, each region is known for different varieties and styles of cheeses.
Our French cheese and wine tour takes you to Normandy, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Paris, so you might try local cheeses, such as:
- Camembert, Pont‑l’Évêque, and Livarot, from Normandy
- Valençay, Crottin de Chavignol and Fleur de Sologne, all varieties of goat cheese in the Loire Valley
- Bleu de Termignon, Gabietou, Ossau-Iraty and Chabichou, various types of cheese from Bordeaux and the Pyrenees
- Boucheron, Montrachet, Charollais, Brillat Savarin and Epoisses de Bourgogne, Burgundian cheese varieties
How do I pair wine and cheese?
As a general rule of thumb for pairing wine and cheese, aim for matching each from the same region. Both wine and cheese from the same area have been shaped by generations of local craftsmanship, evolving side by side over time to complement each other naturally.
Another good pairing ‘hack’ is that the more complex and aged the cheese, the more complex and aged the wine also needs to be.
Have more questions?
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