Food and Wine in Northern France
This is a sample of a culinary tour that stays in Northern France starting and ending in Paris to experience Cider, Camembert, Calvados, Loire Valley wines and more. Similar tours are available to include the regions around Champagne, Provence, Burgundy, South West France and Bordeaux. This tour can be extended to include Belgium and The Netherlands. Contact us for more details.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Arrival Paris
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the journey in to central Paris to experience an introductory tour of some famous landmarks to include a cruise on the River Seine. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 2 — Paris
This morning enjoy a gourmet walking tour to introduce you to French specialties. Stop by a coffee-roasting shop, a patisserie, a chocolate shop and enjoy a meeting with a wine shopkeeper. This afternoon take time off to explore a traditional French market. Dinner tonight can be in a classic restaurant such at the listed historic monument Le Train Bleu. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 3 — Paris
After breakfast drive west to the Chateau de Versailles. Built by Louis XIV, the Sun King, Versailles became the home of the French royalty during the 17th Century and eventually grew to represent all that was hated about the monarchy in the build up to the revolution in 1789. Tour the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens. A lunch in of the palaces many fine restaurants can be arranged. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 4 — Loire
This morning depart Paris for the Loire Valley. Known as the Garden of France the Loire Valley is also famous for its cultural and architectural heritage and in particular for its world-famous castles. Visit Chenonceau, a romantic pleasure palace created from the Renaissance onwards by a series of aristocratic women. Overnight stay in Tours.
Day 5 — Cycle Tour and Vineyard
Enjoy a cycle tour this morning, winding around Europe's last untamed river – the River Loire. Follow the dedicated cycling tracks and travel through historic towns and villages in which the local ''tuffeau'' stone dominates. Take time to admire castles overlooking the river, gardens and vineyards, landscapes and light effects. Later today stop at a local vineyard and enjoy a private tasting of a few wines before returning to our hotel. This evening attend a special “Son et Lumière” presentation at nearby Chateau Amboise. Overnight stay in Tours.
Day 6 — Normandy
Leave Tours and head up to Calvados country – Normandy! Along the way drive through Le Mans – the home of the 24 hour racing car marathon additionally pause in the area around Camembert. It is in this village, in the heart of the pays d'Auge and the hilly fields that the camembert was born. You will discover all the secrets of this cheese and its changes throughout the centuries. You will travel back in time by learning the original way of making this cheese with tasting. Free tasting at the end of the tour. Overnight stay in Bayeux.
Day 7 — Normandy Culinary Tour
After breakfast meet with a local chef and spend the morning at a traditional French market. Enjoy tastings of the local delicacies while buying the fresh ingredients for today’s cooking lesson. After the visit join the chef in his kitchen and learn how to prepare a traditional French dish. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Bayeux at leisure perhaps to see the famous Tapestry. Overnight stay in Bayeux.
Day 8 — Normandy and D-Day Beaches
This morning explore the historic D Day landing beaches of Normandy. museums, cemetaries and memorials will vary depending on interest of the group. Pay your respects at one of the landing beaches and the cemetery associated with your nation. Overnight stay in Bayeux.
Day 9 — Cider and Calvados
Visit a Norman Cider and Calvados farm this morning. Enjoy a tour of the orchard and the cider machinery before having a typical Norman lunch - homemade pastries, old-fashioned rice-pudding and a glass of cider. In the afternoon enjoy The Calvados Experience. Visitors discover and witness the mystery of transformation that turns apples into Calvados, from the region’s orchards to the cellars passing by the distillery. This unique experience culminates in an exquisite tasting. Become a Calvados connoisseur.
Overnight stay in Bayeux.
Day 10 — Paris
This morning is free for last minute souvenir shopping or browsing the local markets one last time! Late afternoon return to Paris for overnight and farewell dinner in a special restaurant in Paris. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 11 — Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Charles de Gaulle International Airport.