Escorted Culinary Tour In France
Our tours are private and may be customized, combined, lengthened or condensed.
Gastronomic Tour 11 days/10 nights
Wake Up Your Taste Buds with Culinary Small Group Tour in France
The simplicity and elegance of French cuisine continues to gather fans from around the world. Bring the tastes and charm of the Old World back to your kitchen when you take one of our culinary tours in France from Destination Artisans. Over five, six, or eight days we will visit wineries, farms, markets, and some of the finest kitchens to discover taste sensations worthy of a scrapbook.
Sample the Best of Provence
Surprise your palate every day as you wander into every corner of this historic region. Take a walking tour through cobbled streets lined with charming stone houses and churches that is part of our small group tours in France. See the vast fields of blooming lavender destined to scent your soaps and perfumes. Each morning brings you new tastes and sensations.
Immerse Yourself and Learn to Master Favorite French Dishes
Bring those newly discovered tastes home when you take one of our immersive cooking classes. Learn from a classically trained chef while you enjoy the comforts of an 18th-century country manor situated in a bucolic setting. Learn many classic dishes including Coq Au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, Cheese Soufflé, and Ratatouille. Master the art of creating your own pastry and take home a lifetime of skills. Cooking classes can be taken either in Paris or in any one of the many regions of France, if regional cuisine is your preference.
Truffles and Wine
Perhaps the highlight of our culinary tours in France is our truffle expedition. Head out into the woods with a local guide and their specially-trained truffle hounds. Dig your own service of the ambrosia known as the truffle. Bring it back to the farm and savor your discovery with a glass of fine wine. Please note that truffle hunting is only available during truffle season.
On this tour you will discover the very essence of France travelling through different regions, from the peaceful Loire Valley to the sophisticated city of Paris. This tour is specifically designed for travellers wanting an authentic experience and to see as much of France in a short time.
The tour starts in the Loire Valley, where the main focus of the visit will be the beautiful châteaux and gardens. Amongst the most renowned sites are: Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau.
Called the ‘Garden of France’, the Loire Valley offers scenery rich in vineyards, flowers and green hills where thousands of châteaux lie. Over the centuries, its charm and gentle lifestyle have made it an inspirational place, much sought out by writers and poets. The Loire Valley will plunge you straight into the history behind some of the most beautiful pieces of French art.
A stopover for a day and night in the town of Bordeaux, classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will give you time to appreciate this architectural jewel of the 18th Century. Private excursions around the famous vineyards of Bordeaux will enable you to fully appreciate this wine-producing region. Following this you will head south to visit the towns and villages of Provence. Wonderful perched little villages, seaside towns with their ‘calanques’, inlets and fishing ports, fields of lavender and olive groves.
Lastly you will slow down in Paris after such a hectic schedule. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the ‘Bateaux Parisiens’, and a tour of the city in a 2CV.
Day 1: Arrival In The Loire Valley
Upon arrival by Paris CDG airport, your tour escort will meet the group and together you will take the high speed 1st class train and transfer to Amboise. Upon arrival you will be met by your driver-guide and head for lunch followed by a half day tour.
You will hit the ground running !
Enjoy a half day private tour of Amboise with a visit of the Royal Château of Amboise and the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci, the Clos Lucé.
Dinner in a restaurant with local specialities and night in Amboise in a 4* hotel.
Day 2: Gardens And Wines, A True Local Experience
Meet your driver-guide in the lobby of your hotel for your full day tour. First up you will visit the Château de Villandry and its outstanding gardens.
After lunch enjoy a cooking class. Enjoy a gastronomic dinner in Amboise. Night in your 4* hotel.
Day 3: Loire Valley Chateaux And Arrival In Bordeaux
This morning with your driver-guide you will discover the famous and fabulous Chateau de Chenonceau.
Lunch will be at the restaurant of the Chateau.
After lunch you will be transferred to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps train station for your transfer to Bordeaux. Upon arrival you will head to your hotel where you will have free time before your gourmet dinner.
Overnight at the 5* hotel in Bordeaux.
Day 4: Bordeaux Wine Tour
With your driver-guide enjoy a full day wine tour to discovery the vineyards and wine tastings of the region.
Tonight enjoy a gourmet dinner. Night in your 5* hotel in Bordeaux.
Day 5: Carcassonne
From Bordeaux by 1st class train, next stop will be Carcassone. Upon arrival you will be met by your driver and transferred to your charming hotel situated in the city centre.
Take a walking tour with your guide to discovery this amazing walled city with its medieval streets. You will be left speechless by this city’s beauty!
Dinner tonight will be at a Gastronomic restaurant.
Day 6: Arrival In Provence
On the road again by train and this time you will head to Avignon, well known for its ramparts, its famous Pont Saint Bénezet and the Palais des Papes.
After settling into your hotel, your guide will meet you for a walking tour to explore this Provencial city.
Gourmet dinner and night at an enchanting 4* hotel.
Day 7: Provencal Villages
Enjoy a full day tour to some of the prettiest villages of the Provencal region (Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, les Borries, Abbaye de Sénanque, Roussillon d’Apt, Bonnieux).
After a full day of touring it will be time to relaxing at your 4* hotel.
Gourmet dinner and night at the hotel.
Day 8: Provencal Atmosphere
Today you will discover the historic Pont du Gard and the beautiful surroundings of this part of Provence.
You will have free time this afternoon in Avignon to enjoy the local atmosphere. Gourmet dinner in Avignon.
Day 9: Arrival In Paris
After breakfast and checking out, you will take the 1st class TGV and transfer to Paris. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your 5* hotel.
You will have free time to discover Paris on your own this afternoon. Dinner will be onboard the “Bateaux Parisiennes” for a Seine river cruise: an original way of exploring Paris.
Overnight at your 5* hotel.
Day 10: Authentic Paris
For something a bit different, this morning you will take a 2CV tour of Paris, without doubt an authentic way to visit Paris and its most important monuments.
Afternoon you will hve free time for your convenience. We will gladly make suggestions, places to visit or shopping areas.
Enjoy your last group gourmet dinner in Paris.
Day 11: Au Revoir Paris
After breakfast and checking out you will be transferred to Paris CDG airport.
Tour package includes
10 Nights accommodation based on twin/double occupancy
Breakfast daily
7 Dinners (drinks not included)
1 Dinner (with drinks included)
3 Lunches (with drinks included)
4 Full day private tours with a private English speaking guide and transportation included
4 Half day private tours with a private English speaking guide and transportation included
2 hours City tour of Paris in 2CV with a private English speaking guide (pick up and drop off at your hotel included)
All high speed 1st class train tickets
Private car transfer from your hotel in Paris to CDG Airport
All entrances fees
Cooking class
Fees and taxes
Tour Escort Accommodation
* 2 Nights in a 4* hotel in Amboise in a deluxe room
* 2 Nights in a 5* hotel in Bordeaux in a superior room
* 1 Night in a 5* hotel in Carcassonne in a deluxe room
* 3 Nights in a 4* hotel in Avignon in an exclusive room
* 2 Nights in a 5* hotel in Paris in a deluxe room
Tour package does not include
Airfare to/from France
Minibar charges, meals and beverages unless otherwise noted in the itinerary.
Entrance Fees (unless otherwise noted in the itinerary)
Guide and Driver gratuities (discretionary)
Single supplement (price on demand)
Payment / Cancellation Terms
35% deposit at time of booking and 100% payment 60 days prior to trip
Cancellation penalties: 35% over 61 days, 50% 31-60 days and 100% 30 days or less prior to commencement of trip.
Travel Insurance is recommended
Please Note: If you have problems with allergies or dietary restrictions, please advise at time of booking.