Compare Cruising the Rivers of France by Titan Travel vs Paris to Bordeaux, a private wine tour in France by Paris-Toujours

Day 1 Southampton
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to Southampton, where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Braemar (3T+) in preparation for a late night sailing.

Day 2 At sea
Relax as we sail for France, and familiarise yourself with the attractions of Braemar.

Day 3 Cruising Gironde & Garonne Rivers - Bordeaux, France (overnight)
The Gironde Estuary and the Garonne River are fringed with some of the great vineyards of the world, such as Pauillac and St Emilion, which have made the attractive city of Bordeaux synonymous with fine wine and fine dining. Braemar cruises these tranquil waters into the heart of France’s picturesque Gironde region.

Day 4 Bordeaux
With a day to explore Bordeaux, take the opportunity to stroll the historic streets of the city centre, now UNESCO World Heritage-listed, visit the elegant Place des Quinconces, one of Europe’s largest squares and, of course, sample some of the famous local claret.

Day 5 La Pallice (for La Rochelle)
Another fine historic city of western France is La Rochelle, with a pretty Old Port and ancient streets dotted with charming cafés and bars. Take your time to enjoy its quintessentially French pleasures.

Day 6 At sea
A further day at sea to appreciate life aboard Braemar.

Day 7 Honfleur
The great Impressionist painters of France adored Honfleur for its enchanting old harbour views and the clarity of its light and it remains to this day one of the country’s loveliest towns.

Day 8 Rouen (overnight)
Rouen is Normandy’s ‘museum city’, a treasure trove of 2,000 years of history, including the Gothic cathedral which inspired Monet to paint more than 30 canvasses and the poignant place where Joan of Arc was executed. See its many sights for yourself or join an optional tour to visit the unforgettably romantic city of Paris.

Day 9 Rouen - cruising Seine River
A cruise along the Seine reveals yet more scenic vistas that inspired artists of yesteryear. Settle back and enjoy the unfolding panoramas in sublime comfort.

Day 10 Southampton
We disembark after breakfast and you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

Day 1: Arrival and private transfer

On arrival at the airport welcome and transfer to your charming boutique hotel in the center of Paris. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel before starting your wine tour in France.

Day 2: Discover the islands of Paris

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide will introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You will start with the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ and the gothic jewel from the 12th century, Notre-Dame Cathedral now under a massive reconstruction work. You will then continue to the Ile Saint Louis, where the French aristocracy used to live in private mansions in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Day 3: Gourmet lunch and wine tastings

Free time in the morning to discover the covered passages and the Palais Royal. For lunch you are expected in the Galerie Vivienne, in a Parisian institution for a unique wine tasting paired with regional produces. You will be welcomed by your personal sommelier and you will have an introduction to the French wines. You will also be able to focus on a specific wine region such as Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Rhone Valley if you are a connoisseur and ask all you have ever wanted to know about wine. A great introduction to your wine tour in France !

Day 4: The Palace of Versailles

After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private visit of the famous Versailles castle. The Palace of Versailles was the residence of three kings of France: Louis XIV, XV, and XVI, from 1682 to 1789. Your guide will accompany you throughout the morning as you discover the majesty of the Palace of Versailles in the King’s appartments and its spectacular gardens and groves. Free time in the afternoon to bike ride around the gardens or relax on a rowing boat on the King’s Great Canal.

Day 5: Welcome to the Loire Valley

After breakfast you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train from Paris to the Loire Valley, a great way to see the French countryside. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel you will spend the afternoon discovering the charming and royal town of Amboise. You could discover the Royal castle of Amboise and even the Clos Lucé, where Leonardo Da Vinci used to live at the end of his life.

Day 6: A day to Chenonceau and Chambord castles

Discover the Loire-Valley culture by visiting the most famous castles with your private guide. In the morning you will visit Chenonceau castle. The unique architecture of the Chateau of Chenonceau built on the Cher river makes it a must-see in the region. In the afternoon you will be driven to the Estate of Chambord, a national reserve as large as the town of Paris. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.

Day 7: Organic Touraine wine tour

After breakfast, meet your driver-guide at your hotel for a private organic wine tour in the Touraine area. Your guide will take you to a selection of small winemakers of Bourgueil, Vouvray and Chinon appellations, producing organic or biodynamic wines. After a gourmet lunch you will discover another part of the Loire Valley for two other wine tastings. A wine tour in France needs to cover this small but innovative region.

Late afternoon, transfer to your hot air balloon ride over the Loire lush countryside. After a training session, the ballon will take off for a ride over the Loire valley and its castles. Enjoy this slow transportation, fly in the air at sunset and be amazed by the nature and remarkable castles and villages.

Day 8: Train to Bordeaux

During the day you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train to Bordeaux. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel you will spend your afternoon discovering the city of Bordeaux.

Day 9: Stroll and wine in Bordeaux

After breakfast you will be picked up by your professional wine guide for a private wine tour in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol appellations. Start with Saint Emilion charming medieval village famous for its impressive collection of historical sites and monuments such as the monolithic church. You will then have tastings at famous Chateaux or family-run estates to understand the local specifities and cepages as well as the grading system of the Crus. A intense and tasty day through an area that is a must for a wine tour in France.

Day 10: Free day to relax

Relaxing free day at your leisure to discover this lively city. If you are a true foodie, enjoy walking around Bordeaux city center to eat different specialties like a canelé or visit the Cité du Vin opened in 2016 to share the heritage of the Bordeaux region wine culture.

Day 11: Train back to Paris

In the morning, you will take the train to Paris and then be transferred to airport or train station.