A Foodie's France: Paris and Bordeaux

Arrive in Paris where you will hop in a cab and arrive at the beautiful and hip Hoxton Hotel in the 2nd arrondissement. 

The adventure begins at 6pm where you will meet up with your crew in the lobby for champagne and homemade gougères. 

Afterwards, we'll all go for dinner at Joia restaurant, Helen Darroze's restaurant that combines her traditional French cooking with inspiration taken from abroad. This Michelin award winning chef's restaurant is just a 4-minute walk away.

Today is the foodie tour day as we indulge in amazing French food and pastries. You will begin the day in the 6th arrondissement at one of the oldest boulangeries in France, Poilane, followed by stops at a cheese, épicerie and then a macaron shop to pick up items for a picnic lunch in the illustrious Jardin du Luxembourg.

On the way back to our hotel, we will stop at the oldest cookware shop in town, E.Dehillerin in the heart of Les Halles is where Julia Child purchased her copper pots. (And they ship!) We'll continue walking towards Rue de Nil where we'll enjoy a wine tasting at Frenchie Caviste.

After our banner day, you'll be ready to get back to the hotel for a little rest.

Refreshed, we'll head out for dinner at a local bistro, Juveniles on rue de Richelieu. Here they focus on natural wine and small plates.

Wake up at your leisure and have breakfast at the hotel.

In the early afternoon you will meet Veronique at the farmers market to shop for local, seasonal ingredients. Then we'll head back to her place for a cooking class followed by a relaxing sit-down lunch enjoying the fruits of our labors.

The afternoon is yours to relax, shop or do whatever you please.

In the evening, we'll head over to the Marais for a galette at the famous Creperie Breizh.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel we will all meet up in the lobby to catch the 9:00am TGV train to Bordeaux where we'll arrive at 11:07am. We'll check-in to the stunning 5-star Villa Foch Hotel.

After dropping our bags we'll head over to learn about the local specialty at the Dune Blanche pastry shop where we'll pick up dessert for our picnic of baguette sandwiches made of delicious French butter, ham and cheese*. 

Then we'll continue to the Jardin Public in Bordeaux to enjoy our lunch. Then, visit Le CAPC, musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux. Afterwards, walk around the Chartrons district.

The evening will be spent at your leisure. 

*Vegans, vegetarians and those on special diets can always be accommodated. 

Today we’ll take off for the medieval village of St. Emilion, a UNESCO world heritage site. Weather permitting we’ll rent electric bikes and visit Chateau St.George for a tour and tasting, followed by light lunch in the village at Chai Pascale.

Afterwards, we'll explore with a guide the incredible subterranean monolithic church in the town square and then walk through the charming streets of the village. 

We'll finish off a delightful afternoon on out bikes through the bucolic countryside ending the bike tour at Château Troplong Mondot.

Dinner tonight will be at the Michelin Star restaurant, Les Belles Perdrix on the Chateau's property.

After a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning at the hotel, you will meet at 11:00am take a tram to the Capucins covered market in Bordeaux where we'll lunch at the rustic Au Bistrot.

After lunch we'll take a short drive to Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte aka wine lover's paradise. We'll start the afternoon by being pampered by vinotherapists at their renowned spa, Les Sources de Caudalie and then we'll top off a perfect afternoon with wine tasting hosted by a local sommelier.

Head back to Bordeaux for an evening spent at leisure.

After checking out of Villas Foch, meet at the Chartrons Sunday marché to tour the market, followed by a cooking class and a sit-down lunch at a beautiful Chartrons apartment overlooking the Garonne.

All good things have to come to an end. After lunch you will catch a late afternoon TGV train to Paris, but your memories will last a lifetime.