Privately luxury escorted wine tour to
Champagne, Burgundy and Loire Valley.
7 days and 6 nights.
GW 5
REIMS / EPERNAY / NUITS SAINT GEORGES / BEAUNE /
SANCERRE / VILLANDRY /CHINON / BOURGUEIL.
6 nights in 4*L hotels.
Let yourself be seduced.
This tour is the perfect combination of three fantastic regions. Discover major French historical sites, gourmet food, and get to taste Champagnes, Burgundy and Loire Valley grands crus in world famous wineries.
Day 1: Champagne Bubbles.
Your chauffeur wine guide picks you up at Charles De Gaulle airport.
The transportation is with an air-conditioned Mercedes S Class.
Transfer to Reims in the morning.
Guided tour of the Cathedral of Reims. Listed in the Unesco World Heritage, 13th century Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures. Let you be captivated by the unique stained glasses and the exceptionally rich statuary – over 2 300 statues among which the famous Smiling Angel. It is here that King Clovis was baptized around year 498 giving birth to the Kingdom of the Franks and starting a long lasting tradition: except two, all of the Kings of France would be crowned here!
Lunch is at your convenience in Reims.
After lunch, we take you to the Montagne de Reims vineyards. 9 of the 17 grand cru villages in the whole of Champagne region lay on and around the Montagne de Reims. Here, the special terroir gives Champagne much of its character.
Drive through Epernay, the Capital of Champagne and scenic tour on the Scenic Route du Champagnes. It meanders among the vineyards and picturesque villages, offering a charming bucolic landscape. We take you to the Côte des Blancs for a sightseeing of some of the most famous Grandes Maisons de Champagne such as: Bollinger, Gosset, Deutz, etc. En route the countryside is enameled with beautiful Grand Cru villages like Ay, Hautvillers, Bouzy, Le Mesnil, Vernezay, etc.
Tour and Champagne tasting at a family estate near Reims or Epernay, dedicated to the true expression of Champagne.
Dinner and night in at your 4* L hotel near Epernay, Reims region.
Transfer to your hotel**** & SPA nearby Epernay.
In an amazing landscape, in the heart of Champagne vineyards, this hotel is an exclusive property, offering rest and gourmet facilities. You will experience a warm welcome, high quality and customized services.
Day 2: Champagne & Chablis.
Check out and after beakfast, drive to Epernay.
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Guided tour and tasting at world famous Grande Maison de Champagne Moët & Chandon.
Founded in 1743 by Claude Möet it becomes within 40 year the first international brand in the world. Its history is linked to some famous figures such as The Marquise de Pompadour and Napoleon 1st. This Champagne is also sold to many important historical events among which King Edwards VII’s coronation, Cannes Film Festival, the 120th anniversary of the Liberty Statue, etc…It is probably nowadays the most famous Champagne brand around the world.
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Lunch is at your convenience on the way to Chablis.
Tour and wine tasting of a beautiful Chablis Domain.
Discover one of the most beautiful historical sites of Chablis. This old monastery from the 9th Century was the home of the Monks of the Order of Saint Martin from Tours (Linked with Vouvray wines that we will tour in a few days).
| The success that Chablis has enjoyed over the centuries relies on the particularity of these vineyards that are located in a semi-continental climatic zone marked by strong temperature fluctuations. But above all else, the key to this success is the marriage between Chardonnay, one of the most noble of all grape varieties, and the Kimmeridgian subsoil, making the terroir of Chablis one-of-a-kind, all of which amplifies the characteristics of Chardonnay. |
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Wedding richness and minerality, the wines express themselves in four appellations: Petit Chablis (650ha), Chablis (3,055ha), Chablis Premier Cru (775ha), and Chablis Grand Cru (100ha).
At the end of the afternoon, check in at Le Cep Hotel**** in the heart of Beaune.
Superior room, double occupation.
Ideally located, the hotel is in the very heart of historic Burgundy, just a stone's throw from the center of Beaune. The Hotel is two minutes walking distance from the famous Hospice de Beaune and its magnificent cathedral Notre Dame.
Gourmet in a restaurant near the hotel.
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Day 3: Burgundy North, Cote de Nuits.
Drive through the vineyards along "Route des Grands Crus", passing Chambolle-Musigny, Vosnes Romanée, Nuits-St- Georges and Aloxe Corton.
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Wine tasting in Nuits Saint Georges.
This family domaine elaborates very elegant wines. The Nuits Saint Georges 1er Crus are incredibly rich with round tannins (masculine wines).
Lunch is at your leisure in Nuits Saint Georges.
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Transfer and tour of the Chateau Clos Vougeot.
Founded in 1098 by monks, the vineyard of Clos de Vougeot covers 50 hectares. Its wines are ones of the most famous in Burgundy.
Today the vineyard is divided between 80 owners.
Chateau Clos Vougeot is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage.
We end the afternoon in the Northern part of the Cote de Nuits, Gevrey Chambertin.
Tour and wine tasting at a famous Domain.
The family is established in Gevrey Chambertin since 1850. Since, they managed to increase the size of their vineyard always looking for the best “Terroir”. Nowadays the family produces wine in 7 Grands Crus appellation as prestigious as Clos Vougeot, Musigny, Latricière Chambertin…as well as 4 famous 1er Cru of Gevrey Chambertin.
Night in 4*L hotel.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 4: Burgundy South, Cotes de Beaune.
Guided tour of the Hospices de Beaune.
Hospices Civils de Beaune which have, since their foundation in 1443 by the Chancellor Nicolas Rolin, kept their doors open to everyone without interruption. This institution, unique in its historical and wine-producing, is closely connected with the economic life of the region.
11.30: transfer to Puligny Montrachet.
Picturesque drive through the famous villages of Pommard, Volnay, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet and Meursault.
Tasting lunch in Puligny Montrachet, 14 wines.
12.00: tour of Olivier Leflaive’s winery in Puligny Montrachet.
In October 1984, Olivier Leflaive decided to create a new renown for the wines of Burgundy with the help of his brother Patrick and his Uncle Vincent. He had one ambitious objective in mind: to apply all the « savoir-faire » acquired from the Domaine Leflaive to the vinification of various different red and white Burgundy « appellations ».
It was a natural progression for the young company of Olivier Leflaive to set up a Domaine. The acquisitions have been in the following « appellations » and today total 12 hectares : Puligny Montrachet, Meursault 1er cru Poruzot, Chassagne Montrachet 1er cru les Chaumées, Chassagne Montrachet 1er cru les Vergers et Clos Saint Marc, Chassagne Montrachet 1er abbaye de Morgeot, Bourgogne Blanc les Setilles, Chassagne Montrachet blanc et rouge, Bourgogne rouge cuvée margot, Bourgogne Aligoté.
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Free time in Beaune for shopping.
Night in hotel****.
Dinner at your leisure.
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Day 5: Loire Valley East.
Departure for the Loire Valley.
We take the direction of Sancerre and Pouilly sur Loire on the way to Burgundy.
Tour, tasting and buffet lunch at the Chateau du Nozet. This Domain is famous around the world for its white wines made of Sauvignon Blanc. After a walk in the vineyards, you take part into a private tour of the winery.
Of course, you will taste their wines of the best "cuvees" (Pouilly Fumé de la Doucette).
A buffet lunch is organized in the winery.
During this finger buffet, you will enjoy some outstanding white and red Sancerre of the Domain. You end the meal with a taste of Black current liquor made at the property La Doucette.
This tour and tasting is exclusive for Pascal Mineau customers!
Option: Landing with a helicopter by the Chateau du Nozet, visit of the domain, visit of the winery and wine tasting at the Chateau du Nozet is exclusively for "Val de Loire Prestige" customers.
Departure from the Chateau du Nozet in a helicopter for a flight over the Chateau of Chaumont sur Loire, Blois, Cheverny and Chambord.
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The helicopter takes you to a lovely guest house in the heart of the Loire Valley.
Check-in at your 4*L Chateau.
Accommodation in double superior room.
Domaine Des Hauts de Loire is the most intimate and luxurious hotel of the Loire Valley Region.
Dinner in the gourmet 2 stars Michelin restaurant of the hotel.
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Day 6: Heart of the Loire Valley.
Guided tour of the Chateau of Chenonceau.
The unique architecture of the chateau/bridge makes it one of the most original Chateaux of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau is related to important French Renaissance women and was offered by King Henry 2nd to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.
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Lunch is at your convenience in Chinon.
Walk in Chinon historical streets in the steps of Joan of Arc and Richard the Lion Heart.
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Transfer to Cravant les Côteaux, one of the very best villages for Chinon wines. With gentle southern facing slops on lime stone subsoil. This excellent wine grower possesses 25 ha of vineyards of multiple ages and some of which exceed 50 years. You will sample a selection of Chinon wines from 1980 to the present in the cellar that he dug for 25 years. You will surely appreciate this winery - a blend of high-technology, traditions, knowledge and authenticity.
Guided tour of one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine, Villandry.
By its diversity and originality (Love Garden, Kitchen Garden, Aromatic and Medicine Plant Garden, Water Garden and the brand new Sun Garden) and by its size ( 15 acres, 1150 linden trees), Villandry is the Loire Valley garden not to be missed. With your guide, learn to speak the language of a medieval and Renaissance garden, discover the power of thyme and basil on your health.
The gardens of Villandry are now maintained without using any pesticides.
Return to your boutique 4* Chateau hotel.
At the end of the afternoon, return to your hotel****.
Dinner at your leisure.
Day 7: Drive to TGV station.
Transfer to Saint Pierre des Corps TGV station.
55 min ride to Paris Montparnasse station.
This tour includes: transportation in an air-conditioned comfortable Mercedes S Class, fulltime wine guide fluent in English, 3 gourmet dinners, 6 nights in 4*L hotels, double occupancy superior rooms, 2 wine tasting lunches, visits and wine tasting in Reims, Epernay, Chablis, Nuits Saint Georges, Gevrey Chambertin, Puligny Montrachet, Pouilly Fumé, Sancerre, Chinon, Bourgeuil, visit the monuments of Reims Cathedral, Dom Perignon tomb, Clos Vougeot, Hospices de Beaune, Gardens of Villandry. The wineries mentioned in this tour are subject to changes.
This tour does not include: Drinks, extra, gratuities and lunches.
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