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Planet Rail · Tailor-made / Self-guided

Vineyards of Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire Valley

French wine regions by train and car hire from London to Loire Valley

Illustration of Vineyards of Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire Valley

Planet Rail's 10-day Vineyards of Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire Valley is a self-guided journey for wine lovers and château explorers. You depart London on Eurostar Standard Premier, crossing the Channel at 186 mph with a light meal and drinks, then connect by TGV First Class to Bordeaux. Over nine nights, you stay in three four-star hotels with daily breakfast included: three nights each in Bordeaux, Cognac, and the Loire Valley village of Chenonceaux. A nine-day car hire allows you to explore at your own pace, visiting the Médoc and St Emilion vineyards near Bordeaux, sampling brandy at Cognac houses and craft distilleries, and discovering historic châteaux including the Château de Chenonceau spanning the River Cher and the Château de Clos Lucé, once home to Leonardo da Vinci. The journey ends with a return leg by TGV First Class and Eurostar Standard Premier back to London. This suits independent-minded couples and wine enthusiasts comfortable navigating France by car.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided package; there is no tour escort, and you drive yourself between regions using the included car hire.
  • The from-price of 1,595 GBP is per person sharing and excludes any single supplement, which applies if you book alone.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bordeaux

    London to Bordeaux

    Board the Eurostar at London St Pancras International. Travel through the Channel Tunnel to France, reaching speeds of up to 186 mph. Enjoy a light meal and drinks served at your seat as you continue to Paris. On arrival at Paris Gare du Nord, transfer by private taxi to Gare de Montparnasse, then continue by high-speed TGV to Bordeaux. Check in to the Best Western Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona (4 star) for a three-night stay.

    Meals: Light meal on train

  2. Day 2overnight: Bordeaux

    Exploring Bordeaux and the surrounding wine regions

    Collect the included hire car from the station. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage old town of Bordeaux, the Miroir d'Eau (world's largest reflecting pool at 3,450 sq m), and the Cité du Vin wine museum. Optionally drive to the Médoc and St Emilion to visit some of the oldest fine wine vineyards in the world.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Bordeaux

    Exploring Bordeaux and the surrounding wine regions

    A second full day to continue discovering the delights of Bordeaux and the surrounding wine regions, including the Médoc and St Emilion vineyards.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Cognac

    Bordeaux to Cognac

    Drive northwards from Bordeaux to Cognac. Check in to the Hotel Francois Premier (4 star), ideally located in the heart of the city, for a three-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Cognac

    Cognac and its world-famous brandy

    Explore the beautiful medieval quarter of Cognac with its cobbled streets alongside the River Charente, buildings dating back to the 15th century, and sculptures of the salamander – symbol of King Francis I, born here in 1494. Visit the Cognac Public Garden and sample the double-distilled spirit at famous Cognac houses, craft distilleries and vineyards.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Cognac

    Cognac and its world-famous brandy

    A second full day to take in the attractions of Cognac, including further exploration of the Cognac houses, craft distilleries and surrounding vineyards.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Chenonceaux

    Cognac to Chenonceaux

    Drive northwards through France into the Loire Valley, arriving in the idyllic village of Chenonceaux. Check in to the Auberge du Bon Laboureur (4 star) for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is free to explore, including the unmissable Château de Chenonceau – a Gothic masterpiece spanning the River Cher with ornate rooms and manicured gardens.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Chenonceaux

    The Loire Valley

    Explore the Loire Valley with its many châteaux within easy reach of Chenonceaux, including the Château du Rivau with its conical towers and drawbridge, and the Château de Clos Lucé – once home to Leonardo da Vinci and now housing some of his works. Visit the local vineyards, many of which have produced wines since the Middle Ages.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Chenonceaux

    The Loire Valley

    A second full day to explore the Loire Valley châteaux and vineyards at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, leave Chenonceaux and drive to nearby St-Pierre-des-Corps. Drop off the hire car and board the train in First Class back to Paris. Private taxi transfer from Montparnasse to Gare du Nord, then connect with the Eurostar Standard Premier Class back to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks served at your seat.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on train

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras International, reach speeds of 186 mph through the Channel Tunnel, then continue by TGV First Class to Bordeaux with light meal and drinks served at your seat.
  • Day 2Collect the included hire car and explore Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage old town, the Miroir d'Eau reflecting pool, and the Cité du Vin wine museum, with optional drives to Médoc and St Emilion vineyards.
  • Day 5Explore Cognac's medieval quarter with 15th-century buildings and sculptures along the River Charente, then sample double-distilled brandy at famous Cognac houses and craft distilleries.
  • Day 7Drive into the Loire Valley and arrive at Chenonceaux village, where the Château de Chenonceau spans the River Cher with ornate rooms and manicured gardens.
  • Day 8Visit the Château du Rivau with its conical towers and drawbridge, and the Château de Clos Lucé, once home to Leonardo da Vinci, alongside local vineyards producing wine since the Middle Ages.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Bordeaux (Eurostar Standard Premier with light meal & drinks, then TGV)
  • First Class rail travel from St-Pierre-des-Corps to London (TGV then Eurostar Standard Premier with light meal & drinks)
  • Private return taxi transfers in Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Montparnasse)
  • 9 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
  • 3 nights in Bordeaux at Best Western Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona (4 star)
  • 3 nights in Cognac at Hotel Francois Premier (4 star)
  • 3 nights in Chenonceaux at Auberge du Bon Laboureur (4 star)
  • 9 days' car hire in France

Not included

  • Single supplement (applicable)
  • Cancellation, medical & travel insurance
  • Optional alternative hotels, room upgrades and additional nights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes Eurostar Standard Premier from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord and return, plus TGV First Class from Paris Gare de Montparnasse to Bordeaux and St-Pierre-des-Corps back to Paris. Light meals and drinks are served on board the Eurostar legs.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
This is a self-guided, tailor-made package. You travel independently with a nine-day car hire included in France to explore at your own pace.
Which hotels are included?
You stay three nights each in three four-star hotels: Best Western Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona in Bordeaux, Hotel Francois Premier in Cognac, and Auberge du Bon Laboureur in Chenonceaux. Breakfast is included each morning.
What is not included?
Not included are cancellation and travel insurance, any single supplement, alternative hotel options, room upgrades, and additional nights beyond the nine provided.
How much driving is involved?
You drive the included hire car between Bordeaux, Cognac, and Chenonceaux, and explore surrounding regions. On Day 10 you drive to St-Pierre-des-Corps station to return by train to Paris and then London.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail publishes no departure calendar in their description; contact them directly to confirm available dates.

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