Western France driving holiday

At a glance

Trip Summary

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. You will be transported in a spacious Mercedes Viano-style vehicle and your guide will follow the necessary safety procedures.

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.

After a leisurely breakfast on day three, check out of the hotel and drive to Cognac. The drive is just over 2 ½ hours. Upon arrival at the Hôtel l’Yeuse, check into your Superior room. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free to settle in and relax at your hotel. The hotel boasts an extensive Cognac library as well as on-site gastronomic restaurant. We would be delighted to reserve you a table for dinner if required.

On day four, e-bikes will be provided for the day (if you would prefer a private driver instead, just let us know and we will provide you with the relevant supplement). Cycle to the pretty riverside town of Cognac, and each of your Cognac tours will be a short ride. You will firstly enjoy a visit to the prestigious Rémy Martin Maison. Here, you will be taken on a tour of this world-famous House and the rest of the estate, learning about the secrets of the Rémy Martin heritage and expertise. Your visit will conclude with tastings of three Cognacs and gourmet appetisers.

A three course lunch will then be served as the guests of Meukow Cognac. Michel Coste and the architect Pascale de Redon completely refurbished the estate three years ago and after lunch, you will be taken on a tour of the Maison, with tastings of three Cognacs. Please note that drinks are not included as part of the lunch package and can be ordered and paid for locally on the day.

Before cycling back to the hotel, we will arrange an exclusive tour for you at the largest and grandest Cognac House, Hennessy. The visit entails a boat ride across the Charente River with a detailed explanation of Hennessy’s history, savoir-faire and international standing, an immersive 360^o experience in the traditional ageing cellars, a visit to the revered Paradis Cellar and a tasting of Hennessy X.O and Paradis in a private tasting lounge.

After breakfast and check out on day five, make your way to the Médoc. The driving time will be around 2 ¼ hours, and we would be pleased to recommend a suitable place to stop en route for lunch. Upon arrival, check into a Superior room with its own private terrace at the 5* Château Cordeillan-Bages, located in the Médoc countryside. The afternoon and evening will be free for you to relax and enjoy your beautiful home for the next couple of days. The Château boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as a more informal brasserie. We would be very pleased to reserve you a table at either of these for dinner this evening.

On day six, e-bikes will be provided for the day (if you would prefer a private driver instead, just let us know and we will provide you with the relevant supplement). Take a scenic 10km ride along the pretty riverside to the famous village of Saint-Estèphe. Here, you will be welcomed at a Grand Cru Classé Château where following a tour of the estate, a grand three course lunch will be served in the opulent surroundings of the Château’s dining room. Your meal will be served alongside a selection of the Château’s vintages. After lunch, cycle back to the hotel and en route, stop at a second Château for a private tour and tastings.

After breakfast on day seven, check out of the hotel and drive to Saint-Emilion. The drive is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Upon arrival at the stunning Château Grand Barrail, you will find your e-bikes for the day waiting for you (if you would prefer a private driver instead, just let us know and we will provide you with the relevant supplement).

After a short cycle, you will be warmly welcomed at a Grand Cru Classé producer. Here, you will enjoy a private tour of the estate and cellars, where you will be presented with the history of the Château and explanations about the specific terroir and climate that makes Saint-Emilion so unique. The visit will conclude with tastings of three wines. You will then be welcomed as the guests of a family-run Château where following a tour of the estate, you will taste three wines. A fabulous picnic lunch accompanied by wine will be served in the picturesque setting of the Château’s grounds. In the afternoon, cycle to a third Château for a private tour of the estate and a tasting session of their wines. Cycle back to your hotel at the end of the day.

You will be able to check into your Deluxe room and settle in before dinner. The Château has an excellent gastronomic restaurant on site in some of the most impressive rooms of the Château, please let us know if you would like us to reserve you a table for dinner or suggest a nearby restaurant.

On your final day, after a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. If you would like to extend your trip (for more wine or just to relax), we would be delighted to provide inspiration.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day Two of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day in a spacious Mercedes Viano-style vehicle on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour and tasting at one of the best producers of Vouvray wines, with local delicacies served to accompany your wines.
• A private tour and tasting at a 15^th Century wine-making Château located just outside of Chinon, with a picnic served in the picturesque grounds.
• Your day will conclude with a private tour and tasting at another Chinon winery.
• Again, we would be very pleased to reserve you a table at the Château for dinner this evening.

Day Three of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast and check out, drive to Cognac.
• Upon arrival at the Hôtel l’Yeuse, check into your Superior room.
• The remainder of the day will be free for you to do as you please.
• We would be delighted to reserve you a table for dinner if required.

Day Four of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast, e-bikes will be provided for the day. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A tour and three tastings at Rémy Martin.
• A tour, three tastings and three course lunch (excluding drinks) at Meukow Cognac.
• An exclusive tour and two tastings at Hennessy.

Day Five of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast and check out, drive to the Médoc.
• Here, check into a Superior room with its own private terrace at the beautiful Château Cordeillan-Bages, located in the famous village of Pauillac in the heart of the Médoc vineyards.
• The afternoon and evening will be free for you to relax and enjoy your pleasant surroundings.
• The Château boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as a more informal brasserie. We would be very pleased to reserve you a table at either of these for dinner this evening.

Day Six of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast, e-bikes will be provided for the day. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A tour and tasting with a three course lunch as the guests of a Grand Cru Classé Château in the village of Saint-Estèphe.
• A private tour and tastings at a second Château.

Day Seven of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After breakfast and check out, drive to Saint-Emilion.
• E-bikes will be provided for the day. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A private tour and tastings at a Grand Cru Classé Château
• A tour, tasting and picnic lunch at a family-run estate
• A private tour and tasting a third Château.
• Cycle back to your hotel at the end of the day.
• As always, we would be pleased to reserve you a table for dinner if required.

Day Eight of your Western France Driving Holiday

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your homeward journey, taking the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone.

(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 (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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