Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Sofitel Paris Baltimore. A transfer is included upon arrival from Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport to the Sofitel Paris Baltimore, ideally located steps from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the elegant Champs Élysées. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner, prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.

Set out this morning on a city orientation tour by coach, offering an overview of Paris as you pass its most iconic landmarks, from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. A short walk through the Sorbonne district leads you into the Latin Quarter for a guided visit to the Musée de Cluny – Le Monde Médiéval. Housed within medieval walls built atop ancient Roman baths, the museum introduces the layered history of Paris, from its Roman beginnings to the artistry of the Middle Ages, culminating in the famed "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries. Paris reveals itself in layers – from grand boulevards to quiet courtyards, from landmark monuments to the details that reward a closer look.

A highlight is lunch at Les Ombres, where refined French cuisine is served beneath a glass canopy and the Eiffel Tower rises just beyond the terrace. After returning to your hotel mid-afternoon, the remainder of the day is free to explore as you wish.

Drive to hilltop Montmartre today for a morning of sightseeing, choosing to walk along the cobblestone walkways or ride aboard the Petit Train to the start of your walking tour in this artsy village. Visit Musée du Montmartre, set in a 17th-century manor house where local artists, including Auguste Renoir, Raoul Dufy, and Maurice Utrillo would meet to discuss their art. Enjoy a private visit to Montmartre winery, regarded today as the last operational vineyard in Paris. A walking tour follows with stops at local restaurants to sample an appetizer, main course and dessert for a true taste of daily life here.

Board a fast TVG train bound for Lyon this morning, arriving in the culinary capital of France for a tasting lunch at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, where acclaimed chefs shop. Continue to your hotel on the banks of the Rhône and join us this evening for dinner at a local restaurant.

Discover the artisan sites of Lyon this morning on a culturally inspired sightseeing adventure. In addition to its historic sites and gastronomic pleasures, Lyon is renowned as the world's silk capital with a history dating back more than 2,000 years. Visit a silk weaving workshop to learn about the silk industry firsthand, and explore Les Halles. View the gourmet fare on offer at this famous French market before lunch in a typical Lyonnaise "Bouchon." Your hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city center, steps from landmarks sites and an array of restaurants and shops.

Drive to the Dordogne, stopping en route in the Auvergne region to view its dormant volcanoes and enjoy a walking tour, cheese tasting and wine pairing lunch in the village of Orcival. Continue on to your hotel in Les Eyzies, located in the heart of the Périgord Noir and a dream come true for its Michelin-starred chef and owner. Many of the dishes you'll enjoy during dinner come from the hotel's onsite vegetable gardens. Bon appétit!

Enjoy an early opening private visit for Tauck guests only to 12th-century Château de Beynac this morning, one of the best preserved and most famous feudal castles in Périgord. Continue to the gardens of Marqueyssac, a historic National Landmark to view its manicured greenery, before an orientation tour of Sarlat with time to explore on your own. This evening, experience the charming town of Les Eyzies, and have dinner as you wish.

Venture to the lost village of Madeleine this morning for an early opening visit, learning more about the stories behind this prehistoric settlement. Return to the village of Les Eyzies where you can enjoy some free time to explore as you please or do some sightseeing with a local guide. This evening, join us for a privately guided torchlight visit to an exacting replica of Lascaux IV caves, where you'll discover its undergound passages on a walking tour, followed by an exclusive private dinner at Lascaux IV Museum.

Depart for Saint-Émilion this morning, stopping en route at a 6th-generation, family-owned walnut mill. Walnuts have been a prized crop in this region for centuries, valued not only for their flavor but also for the rich oil they yield, still pressed here using traditional methods. Continue through the heart of wine country for a guided walking tour of Saint-Émilion, followed by free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own.

This afternoon, visit Château de Ferrand in Pomerol for a tour and tasting that reveals the craft and character of the wines produced here. Continue to our hotel in Bordeaux, your base for the next three nights. Dinner is included at the hotel on one evening of your stay, allowing you to choose the night that works best for you.

Explore the beautiful city of Bordeaux on a locally guided sightseeing tour and during free time, by trolley if you wish, to discover the sights on your own. Nestled on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is home to more than 350 historic buildings, monuments, museums and galleries, the multi-level La Cité du Vin center and some of the best food in France.

Travel today along the famed Route des Grands Vins, where vineyard after vineyard stretches to the horizon, and the road passes through some of the Médoc's most celebrated wine-producing estates. Stop at select châteaux for guided visits that share the history, terroir, and winemaking traditions unique to this region, pausing midday for a leisurely lunch paired with local vintages.

In the afternoon, board a private ferry to cross the Gironde estuary, arriving at the citadel of Blaye – a strategic stronghold that has guarded this waterway for centuries and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Bordeaux, where the remainder of the day is yours to explore as you wish, perhaps wandering along the riverfront, seeking out local cafés, or simply enjoying the city at your own pace.

Travel to Biarritz today, stopping en route for a walking tour of seaside Arcachon, famous for being the site of Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune of Pilat, and for the oyster beds that make the town a haven for seafood lovers. Enjoy lunch here, before continuing to Biarritz in France's Basque country for a two-night stay. Dating to 1854, your palace hotel was once the palatial summer residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie; it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

Embark on a guided sightseeing drive through the Basque countryside surrounding Biarritz, stopping to sample a taste of daily life and immerse in Basque traditions as you view arts and crafts workshops and more. Join us tonight for our farewell dinner at the hotel.

Tour ends: Hôtel du Palais. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hôtel du Palais to Biarritz Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.