Culinary Trip to France Featuring Local Food and Wines

Every itinerary is entirely bespoke and can be tailored to your individual preferences

At a glance

Trip Summary

You’ll discover the restaurants locals love, from authentic bistros and Provençal brasseries to harbourside eateries where the menus change with the seasons and the produce comes straight from the market. Your days will be filled with expertly guided wine tours and tastings in Burgundy, the Northern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Cassis, together with a gourmet walking experience in both Avignon and Marseille that bring the region’s flavours to life through markets, artisans, and food stories.

On day one of your culinary trip to France, arrive in Dijon and check in to your carefully selected 4* hotel in the heart of the historic centre: Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge. Combining character, comfort, and convenience, your base in Burgundy’s capital puts you within easy walking distance of cafés, boutiques and the city’s lively covered market.

Spend the afternoon at leisure – perhaps with a gentle stroll through the medieval streets, a visit to the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin, or simply some time spent relaxing with a coffee in a sunny square.

In the evening, your gourmet journey begins with a welcome dinner at a highly regarded local bistro. Here, you’ll enjoy a menu of seasonal Burgundian classics – think oeufs en meurette, boeuf bourguignon, and artisan cheeses, paired with a carefully chosen glass of local wine. 

After your meal, take a short walk or a leisurely stroll back through Dijon’s illuminated streets to your hotel, where you can unwind and settle in for the night.

After breakfast on day two of your culinary trip to France, join your small-group Burgundy wine tour for a full-day exploration of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, two of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Travelling in a comfortable minibus as part of a small group, your guide will introduce you to the landscapes and traditions that shape Burgundy’s wines. Enjoy two guided visits and tastings at family-run Domaines, sampling both reds and whites that express the region’s unique terroir. Between tastings, stop in a local village for free time and the chance to enjoy lunch at a local café or bistro (payable locally).

In the late afternoon, you will be dropped off in Dijon and you will have the rest of the evening free to explore further or simply relax at your hotel.

On day three of your culinary trip to France, you will check out after breakfast. A pre-arranged taxi will collect you and take you to the train station where you will catch the scenic train journey south to Lyon (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, another taxi will collect you and escort you to your centrally located 4*hotel, Hôtel Globe et Cecil, where you will be able to leave your bags before taking a stroll to explore the city’s riverside walks and the atmospheric lanes of Vieux Lyon. Perhaps stop at a local café for lunch or a light bite.

The afternoon will be yours to relax or explore the city before enjoying dinner at your hotel.

On day four of your culinary trip to France, after breakfast you will join a small group tour to explore the vineyards of the Northern Rhône, discovering the renowned appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph. During the day you will visit local wineries, enjoy guided tastings of elegant Syrah and aromatic Viognier wines, take in the dramatic hillside vineyards overlooking the Rhône Valley, and savour lunch in a charming regional restaurant.

After the tour you will return to central Lyon and you will have time to freshen up at your hotel before heading out to enjoy dinner at a traditional Bouchon Lyonnais, where red-and-white checked tablecloths, hearty dishes such as quenelles or coq au vin, and a warm, convivial atmosphere capture the spirit of Lyon’s dining scene.

After your meal, make your way back to your hotel to relax.

On day five of your culinary trip to France, after breakfast and check out, a private car will collect you at your hotel and transport you to the station where you will board a morning train to Avignon (approx. 1 hour), travelling through a changing landscape of river valleys and sunlit hillsides. On arrival, make your way to your 4* hotel, Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis, which is located inside the historic ramparts of the city, within easy walking distance of the city centre. Leave your luggage at the hotel before setting out for the afternoon to explore at your leisure. Since Avignon sits both in the Côtes du Rhône and at the gateway to Provence, tonight you will enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings in a wonderful local restaurant, where the menu reflects the season and the flavours of the local markets. After your meal, stroll back through Avignon’s beautiful historic centre to your hotel for the night.

On day six of your culinary trip to France, you’ll enjoy a relaxed start and leisurely breakfast at the hotel before joining a small-group gourmet walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. This engaging experience offers a delicious way to explore Avignon, combining gentle sightseeing with tastings that celebrate the city’s food heritage.

As you wander through the historic centre and the lively Les Halles market, you’ll pause at a handpicked selection of artisan producers to sample Provençal specialities such as tapenade, cheeses, cured meats, pastries, and seasonal treats – all complemented by local wines or other regional flavours. Along the way, your guide will share stories about Avignon’s culinary traditions and the people who keep them alive today.

The tour is possible at different times depending on the day, offering welcome flexibility – some departures take place around lunchtime, while others run in the early evening, allowing you to enjoy the experience either as a generous gourmet lunch or as an apéritif-style dinner. Whichever timing applies during your stay, it’s a relaxed and flavourful way to discover the city through its food.

The remainder of the day is for you to spend at your leisure, giving you time to make the most of Avignon at your own pace. You might like to visit the Palais des Papes, stroll along the famous Pont d’Avignon, or wander among the quiet lanes and shaded squares of the old town. Art lovers can stop by the Collection Lambert, while those in search of a slower moment may prefer a coffee on Place de l’Horloge or a riverside walk with views across to Île de la Barthelasse. As evening falls, Avignon’s many cafés and restaurants offer plenty of inviting options for dinner or a final glass of local wine.

After breakfast on day seven, you will check out of your room and store your luggage at the hotel before joining a small-group Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tour. Together, you will visit two estates for guided wine tastings. Your guide will introduce you to the history of this legendary wine region, famous for its sun-soaked vineyards and robust Grenache-based blends. You’ll visit two welcoming estates, getting the chance to meet the winemakers and enjoy guided tastings that showcase the diversity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape – from its powerful reds to its elegant whites.

When you return to Avignon, you will have time for a light lunch before collecting your luggage from the hotel and heading to the station to catch your train south to Marseille. Watch from your seat as the scenery shifts from the Provençal countryside to the glittering blue of the Mediterranean. You will be met at the station in Marseille and transferred to your hotel which will be home for the next three nights, Hotel La Résidence du Vieux Port.  Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Day eight of your culinary trip to France is pure relaxation. You are free to discover the city at your own pace. You might choose to wander the narrow streets of Le Panier, browse the fish market along the quay, visit the striking MUCEM museum, or take in panoramic views from the hilltop Notre-Dame de la Garde.

In the evening, we have arranged for you to join a sunset walking food tour as part of a small, shared group led by a local guide. This provides a fabulous way of discovering the hidden gems you may otherwise miss! After the tour you will have plenty of time to relax back at your hotel or perhaps find a lively bar for a glass of wine.

On day nine of your culinary trip to France, you’ll set out after breakfast on a small-group wine tour exploring the sun-drenched landscapes of southern Provence. Travelling in a comfortable vehicle with your local guide, you’ll follow a scenic route where vine-covered hills roll gently towards the Mediterranean, and where the sea breeze lends a distinctive freshness to the wines produced here.

Your first stop is in the Bandol appellation, renowned for its elegant rosés and structured reds crafted from the Mourvèdre grape. During a guided tasting at a local estate, you’ll discover how the region’s unique terroir, which is a combination of limestone soils and maritime influence, shapes the expressive character of these wines.

The morning continues with a visit to the hilltop village of Le Castellet, whose cobbled lanes and sweeping views over the surrounding vineyards make it an idyllic setting for a relaxed lunch at your leisure. Take time to browse artisan boutiques, pause at a shaded café, or simply enjoy the panoramic views before continuing along the coast.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Cassis, a charming fishing port framed by cliffs and turquoise waters. Here, a second tasting introduces the fresh, mineral-driven white and rosé wines for which Cassis is celebrated – subtle expressions of the Mediterranean’s coastal terroir. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the village, wander along the harbour, or linger by the waterfront with a coffee or glass of wine in hand.

Later, you will be dropped back off in Marseille and will have time to freshen up at your hotel before heading out for your farewell dinner at a lively Marseillaise bistro, a fitting finale to your journey through the Vallée de la Gastronomie.

On day ten of your culinary trip to France, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before checking out. If you would like to stay longer in the region, please let us know and we would be delighted to create a bespoke itinerary tailored entirely to your requirements.

Outline Itinerary

Day Four of your Culinary Trip to France

• After breakfast, join a full day small group wine tour to discover the wines of the Northern Rhône, discovering the renowned appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph.
• After the tour you will return to central Lyon and you will have time to freshen up at your hotel before heading out to enjoy dinner at a traditional Bouchon Lyonnais.
• After your meal, make your way back to your hotel to relax.

Day Five of your Culinary Trip to France

• After breakfast at the hotel, check out.
• We will arrange for a private transfer to take you from your hotel to the station.
• Take a morning train from Lyon to Avignon (approx. 1 hour).
• Upon arrival in Avignon, check in to your 4* centrally located hotel, Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis.
• The afternoon will be free for you to spend as you please.
• In the evening, a meal with wine pairing will be served in a local bistro showcasing seasonal flavours of the region.

Day Six of your Culinary Trip to France

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
• Today you will join a small group gourmet walking tour in the city of Avignon. This can be arranged at any time in the day (subject to availabilities), so can be planned around any additional plans you have for the day.
• The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Day Seven of your Culinary Trip to France

• After breakfast, check out of your room and store your luggage at the hotel.
• Join a morning small group wine tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with two estate visits and guided tastings. You will return to Avignon in time for lunch.
• After a quick bite to eat (at own cost), collect your luggage from the hotel and board your train from Avignon to Marseille (approx. 40 minutes).
• Check into your hotel in Marseille, Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port.
• The afternoon and evening will be free for you to explore Marseille at your leisure.

Day Eight of your Culinary Trip to France

• After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the day to discover Marseille at your leisure.
• In the evening, join a small group walking food tour to discover the hidden gems of the city that you may otherwise miss.
• You’ll then have plenty of time to relax at your hotel.

Day Nine of your Culinary Trip to France

• After breakfast at the hotel, join a small group wine tour to Bandol and Cassis with vineyard visits and wine tastings, as well as free time for lunch in the pretty village of Le Castellet (payable locally).
• Enjoy your farewell dinner at a lively Marseillaise bistrot in Marseille.

Final Day of your Culinary Trip to France

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season. Considerable discounts often apply if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

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Further Information

Image credits: Cherrystone, Julien Faure, La Buvette Lyonnaise