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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Taste of France

Independent French food and wine rail trip from Paris to Bordeaux

Illustration of Taste of France

Railbookers operates this 11-day independent rail vacation through France, built around food and wine. The trip starts in Paris with two nights and a hop-on, hop-off tour, then moves by high-speed TGV train to Dijon for a Burgundy wine tour through vineyards near Gevrey-Chambertin. From there, short train rides connect Lyon, described as the gastronomic capital of France, and Avignon in Provence, where a cooking class begins at the Les Halles covered market. The route continues by train to Bordeaux for a Saint Emilion wine day trip among Merlot vineyards, before returning to Paris for a final night that includes a 3-course dinner cruise on the Seine. Guided experiences are included at each stop, but the days between them are unscheduled, suiting travelers who want a mix of planned food and wine activities and time to explore six different hotel bases on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 24 accommodation options across price tiers and cities for this trip; the hotel used depends on which tier and city combination you choose at booking.
  • This is an independent, self-guided package with a handful of included guided experiences, the pastry tour, wine tours, and cooking class; the rest of the time, including days 1 and 11, is unguided.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this package; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    On arrival in Paris, head to your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day sightseeing with your included hop-on, hop-off tour.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Chocolate and Pastry Tour in Paris

    Today enjoy a two-hour intimate tour around the scenic Montmartre district visiting 5 to 6 local eateries and getting an insight into French sweets, chocolates, pastries, and Parisian culture. Check out the view from Sacre Coeur, then the Marais district and Paris flea markets.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Dijon

    Paris to Dijon

    Today, take the high-speed TGV train to Dijon and check in for a two-night stay. In the afternoon head to the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Pass by Dijon's cathedral and rub the stone owl for good luck.

  4. Day 4overnight: Dijon

    Burgundy Wine Tour

    Set off on a half-day, small-group tour discovering the vineyards and wine-producing region of Burgundy, including a traditional historic cellar and a family-owned vineyard, stopping in Gevrey-Chambertin.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lyon

    Dijon to Lyon

    After breakfast, take the two-hour train ride south to Lyon in the Rhone Valley for a one-night stay. Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France. Explore the Vieux Lyon and Bellecour districts.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Avignon

    Lyon to Avignon

    Board a short train ride over to the Provence region for a two-night stay in Avignon. Use your fast-track tickets to explore the famous Palais des Popes and the Pont d'Avignon bridge.

  7. Day 7overnight: Avignon

    Cooking Class and Private Wine Tour in Provence

    Meet your English-speaking chef at Les Halles covered market to select fresh ingredients, then try classic techniques and enjoy your handmade Provencal lunch. Continue with a private winery tour, visiting two cellars.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Bordeaux

    Avignon to Bordeaux

    After breakfast, head to the train station for your journey to Bordeaux. Visit the Cite du Vin complex, a museum with the world's biggest selection of wine, with views across the Garonne River.

  9. Day 9overnight: Bordeaux

    Saint Emilion Day Trip from Bordeaux

    Depart for Saint Emilion with your guide, a day of wine tasting and exploring multiple wineries and the Chateau Wineries and Merlot red wines, plus free time in the village.

  10. Day 10overnight: Paris

    Bordeaux to Paris

    Return to Paris today for your final night in France. In the evening board a river cruise along the Seine with a delicious 3-course dinner, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A two-hour tour through Montmartre visiting 5 to 6 local eateries to sample French sweets, chocolates, and pastries, then a view from Sacre Coeur.
  • Day 4A half-day, small-group wine tour through Burgundy's vineyards, including a historic cellar and a family-owned vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin.
  • Day 7A cooking class with an English-speaking chef starting at the Les Halles covered market in Avignon, followed by a private tour of two wine cellars in Provence.
  • Day 9A full day of wine tasting in Saint Emilion, visiting Chateau wineries known for Merlot, with free time in the village.
  • Day 10A 3-course dinner cruise along the Seine River in Paris, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the evening.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 total nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dijon
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lyon
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Avignon
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bordeaux
  • Hop-on, hop-off tour in Paris
  • Chocolate and Pastry tour in Paris
  • 3-course dinner cruise on the Seine River
  • Burgundy Wine Tour from Dijon
  • Tickets for Palais des Papes in Avignon and La Cite du Vin in Bordeaux
  • Cooking Class followed by a Private Half-Day Wine Tour in Provence
  • Saint Emilion Wine Tour from Bordeaux

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes, rail travel is included as per the itinerary, including a high-speed TGV train from Paris to Dijon and further train rides between Dijon, Lyon, Avignon, and Bordeaux.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a number of included guided experiences such as wine tours and a cooking class.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary includes SNCF's high-speed TGV between Paris and Dijon, plus further train travel between the other cities; Eurostar is also listed among the trains for this package.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 24 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; sample hotels include the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera and the Grand Hotel La Cloche in Dijon.
What food and wine experiences are included?
The package includes a chocolate and pastry tour in Paris, a Burgundy wine tour from Dijon, a cooking class and private wine tour in Provence, and a Saint Emilion wine day trip from Bordeaux.

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