Luxury France self-drive holidays

At a glance

Trip Summary

Upon arrival, check into your Superior room at the authentic 5* Chateau d’Artigny. The remainder of the day will be free to spend as you please, either exploring the local area or relaxing in the Château’s expansive grounds. This evening, we would be very pleased to recommend a restaurant and reserve you a table for dinner if required.

After breakfast on day two, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis.

The morning will be spent sampling the best wines from Vouvray appellation. You will be taken on a private tour of the estate and cellars of a highly-regarded producer, and your visit will conclude with tastings of a selection of the estate’s wines alongside local delicacies such as cheese and rillettes. Your journey of discovery will continue and take you to a 15^th Century wine-making Château in the Chinon appellation, where you will be welcomed by the Count and Countess of the estate. Following a private visit to the Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc vineyards and a tour of the cellars, a tasting session will take place in the Château’s historic tasting room. A picnic lunch with a bottle of wine will then be served in the stunning grounds of the Château. Your day will conclude with a private tour at a second winery in the Chinon appellation. In the evening, a delicious four course meal paired with local wines will be served in the Château’s gastronomic restaurant.

On the morning of day three after a leisurely breakfast, check out of the Château. On your way to the Bordeaux region, enjoy a visit at the breath-taking Château de Chenonceau, one of the finest examples of the region’s historic Châteaux. You will have the opportunity to explore whilst taking an audio-guided tour. The drive from Chenonceau to Saint-Emilion is just under four hours.

Upon arrival at the 5* Château Grand Barrail, located just outside of Saint-Emilion, check into your Deluxe room. The remainder of the day will be free for you to do as you please. As always, we would be pleased to suggest a restaurant for dinner.

After breakfast on day four, you will be met at the Château by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Today will be spent around the UNESCO Classified appellation of Saint-Emilion and neighbouring Pomerol. Merlot is the predominant grape variety in Saint-Emilion, and guests are free to choose their preferred two Châteaux for tours and tastings. The Grape Escapes Bordeaux specialists are happy to offer advice and make suggestions if you would prefer. Please note that a number of the more exclusive estates do not tend to receive visitors at weekends and some of them do not receive visitors at all. We would be pleased to discuss the various options with you and contact the individual estates accordingly. Lunch will be arranged in a local award-winning Château. After a tour of the estate followed by two tastings, a selection of delicious fresh platters will be served as you look out over the nearby vineyards. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the day.

In the evening, a five course gourmet dinner will be served in Château Grand Barrail’s gastronomic restaurant. The Chef offers a modern and innovative cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients and served in the elegant and traditionally-French dining room. Drinks can be ordered and paid for locally.

Your private guide will return on the morning of day five and accompany you on a second day of tours, this time focusing on the Médoc and its majestic Châteaux with powerful Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Again, you are free to let us know your two favourite Châteaux and we will contact the estates on your behalf to arrange a visit for you. For lunch, you will visit Château Phélan Ségur, where a grand three course lunch will be served in the opulent surroundings of the Château’s dining room. Your meal will be served with a Champagne apéritif and a selection of Phélan Ségur vintages. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

After breakfast on day six, check out and drive to Burgundy. The drive will be just over six hours. If you would prefer to spend a night en route to break up the drive, we would be pleased to arrange this for you.

Upon arrival at the 5* Hostellerie de Levernois, check into your Pavilion room. The remainder of the day will be free for you to relax at the hotel or explore your lovely surroundings. Your hotel boasts two lovely restaurants on-site, a Michelin-starred establishment and a traditional bistro, please let us know if you would like us to reserve you a table at any of these.

On day seven, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking driver/guide who will accompany you throughout the day on a private transported tour. Visiting three wineries in the Côte de Nuits throughout the course of the day, guests are free to request their favourite estates in famous villages such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée. One of the highlights of the day will be a visit to a premium domaine in the quaint village of Aloxe-Corton, the only village in Burgundy to boast both red and white Grand Cru wines. You will see their vineyards and historic cellars, and conclude your visit with a three course lunch, accompanied by six of their Grand Cru wines. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour. Once again, please let us know if you need any recommendations for dinner.

Day eight is free for you to explore the region independently. This will be a welcome opportunity to re-charge your batteries before you head off to Champagne!

After breakfast on day nine, check out of your hotel and take a leisurely drive to the Champagne region. The drive is just under 3 ½ hours. Upon arrival at the Royal Champagne hotel, check into your Champagne Junior Suite and spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the beautiful views from the hotel’s spa or if the weather is pleasant, from the infinity pool. In the evening, we will reserve you a table for dinner in the hotel’s on-site gourmet brasserie. You will be able to order à la carte and payment can be made locally.

After breakfast on day ten, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your guide will regale you with tales and anecdotes of the history of Champagne and its vineyards, introducing you to the particularities of the region. You will firstly be welcomed as the VIP guests of Champagne Taittinger. Here, you will be taken on a private tour of the estate and cellars followed by tastings of three Taittinger Champagnes including their Prestige Cuvée, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs.

You will then be taken to the famous hilltop village of Hautvillers, the “cradle of Champagne”. As well as having time to admire the spectacular views across the vineyards and visit the Church where Dom Pérignon is buried, a comparative tasting session of three single varietal Champagnes will take place in a quaint tasting boutique in the village. Platters of cheeses and gourmet local delicacies will also be served. After lunch, you will be taken out into the vineyards to visit a small, family-run producer of Champagnes for a private tour of the fascinating Champagne making process from press to bottle, followed by at least three tastings of the estate’s Champagnes.

Ending the day in true style, you’ll then be welcomed as the guest of a prestigious Champagne House for a full tour of the estate followed by a tasting of their Champagne. There are several options subject to your preference and availabilities, including Mercier, GH Mumm, Pommery, Ruinart, Taittinger, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Your guide will take you back to your hotel at the end of the afternoon.

In the evening, a six course Champagne tasting dinner will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Each course will be perfectly paired with Champagnes from one of the region’s prestigious Maisons.

After a leisurely breakfast and check out on your final day, drive back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel at your convenience. If you would like to extend your trip to France and visit other regions (for more wine or just to relax), we would be delighted to provide inspiration.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day Three

• After breakfast and check out, drive to the historic Château de Chenonceau and enjoy an audio-guided tour of the Château and its magnificent
• Once ready, drive to Saint-Emilion and check into your Deluxe room at the 5* Château Grand Barrail.
• The remainder of the day will be free for you to do as you please. We would be pleased to recommend a restaurant for dinner if required.

Day Four

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist/driver guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at your two preferred Châteaux in the appellation of Saint-Emilion and neighbouring villages.
• A tour and tastings with a light lunch served al fresco at an award-winning Château.
• You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.
• In the evening, five course gourmet dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.

Day Five

• Today, your English-speaking specialist/driver guide will return to take you on a second day of tours and tastings, this time in the famous Médoc appellations. Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at your two preferred Châteaux in the Médoc.
• A tour and tasting with a three course lunch with drinks at Château Phélan Ségur.
• You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.
• As always, we would be pleased to reserve you a table for dinner if required.

Day Six

• After breakfast and check out, drive to Levernois, in Burgundy.
• Upon arrival at the 5* Hostellerie de Levernois, check into your Pavilion room.
• The remainder of the day will be free for you to relax at the hotel or explore your lovely surroundings.
• We would be delighted to reserve you a table for dinner if required.

Day Seven

•  After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist/driver guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at your two preferred Côte de Nuits estates.
• A visit and three course lunch accompanied by six Grand Cru wines at a premium domaine in the village of Aloxe-Corton.
• You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.
• Once again, please let us know if you need any recommendations for dinner.

Day Eight

• Today will be free for you to explore the region independently.

Day Nine

• After breakfast and check out, drive to Champillon, in Champagne.
• Upon arrival at the stunning 5* Royal Champagne hotel, check into your Champagne Junior Suite.
• The remainder of the day will be free for you to relax at the hotel or explore your lovely surroundings.
• In the evening, we will reserve you a table for dinner at the hotel’s gourmet brasserie.

Day Ten

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist/driver guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour and three tastings at Champagne Taittinger.
• A tasting session with a light lunch in the beautiful hilltop village of Hautvillers.
• A private tour and tastings at a small, family-run Champagne House.
• A private tour and tastings at a large Champagne house. There are several options subject to your preference and availabilities, including Mercier, GH Mumm, Pommery, Ruinart, Taittinger, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.
• In the evening, a six course Champagne tasting dinner will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Day Eleven

• After a leisurely breakfast and check out, make your way back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone at your convenience.

(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 completed booking form, 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 (usually April to the end of October). Discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or 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