7 Nights / 8 Days
There is a reason why the French call spring la belle saison (the beautiful season). That’s because once you see France in the flourish of springtime, you’ll never see it the same way again.
For this is when the magnificent Château de Chambord is more romantic and inviting than ever. When every sip of wine in Bordeaux is complemented by the fragrance of blooming vineyards. And there’s no better time than this to cycle through the Loire Valley and watch its verdant landscapes blossom before your eyes.
That’s what travelers are invited to experience on this budding journey through France. A celebration of the coming of spring and its glowing effects on an already radiant destination, this voyage sees France reborn in a whole new light.
- 2 Nights in the Loire Valley
- 3 Nights in Bordeaux
- 2 Nights in Dordogne
Day 1 — Arrival & Welcome in the Loire Valley
Arriving in Paris, the journey quickly leaves the capital behind and glides into the gentle countryside of the Loire Valley, where spring already feels alive in the air. Rolling fields, budding vineyards, and château silhouettes set the tone as you transfer to your hotel and settle into your new surroundings. Dinner at the property welcomes you with regional flavors and warm hospitality, as the Loire begins to unfold its springtime charm. This first evening is a quiet exhale, a soft landing, and a graceful introduction to France’s most poetic season.
Relais de Chambord
Royally positioned within the private estate of Château de Chambord, Relais de Chambord offers a once-in-a-lifetime privilege: staying where history reigns. This 4-star boutique hotel blends modern refinement with the château’s timeless grandeur, delivering an immersive Loire Valley experience where Renaissance splendor and present-day comfort exist in perfect harmony.
- Loire à Vélo Season Opening — Spring marks the start of cycling season along Loire Valley’s scenic riverside routes, perfect for exploring châteaux and vineyards by bike with ideal weather and blossoming landscapes.
- International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire (Late April–October) — A celebrated outdoor art and landscape event showcasing imaginative gardens created by leading designers, blending horticulture and creativity. (Festival runs through spring into fall.)
Day 2 – Loire Valley in Bloom
Spring makes even the most treasured of Loire Valley’s gems seem even more priceless; and that includes its iconic castles and wines! Just wait until you see the regal halls and manicured grounds of its storied châteaux liven up amid fresh blossoms and gentle sunshine. Or follow up your royal encounters with a pause at a local vineyard for a tasting that captures the season’s lightness and finesse. For those inclined, greet blooming petals on pedals with an optional cycling experience, savoring a breezy immersion into Loire’s timeless rhythms across its vibrant plains.
Day 3 — Chambord Grandeur & Bordeaux Bound
Greet this morning at the magnificent Château de Chambord, where Renaissance ambition meets springtime romance. Wander beneath its soaring turrets and ingenious double-helix staircase as the surrounding forests awaken to the sound of birdsong. Afterward, akin to French nobility that once frequented its grounds, enjoy a leisurely picnic within the château’s expansive Domaine, savoring the perfect farewell to the Loire Valley.
In the afternoon, trade royal grandeur for viticulture as you board a high-speed train toward Bordeaux, watching the scenery transform en route. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel before indulging in some fine French dining at your accommodation, serving up a delicious prelude to the pleasures yet to come.
Le Burdigala
In the heart of Bordeaux, Le Burdigala is where the city’s creative pulse comes alive in open, comfortable spaces that invite conversation, collaboration, and a seamless blend of travelers and locals. By day or night, this lifestyle address sets the rhythm of the neighborhood, offering an authentic, modern immersion into Bordeaux’s urban soul.
- Spring Vineyard Awakening — Spring brings bright green shoots across Bordeaux’s vineyards as the wine season blossoms, foreshadowing harvest to come.
- Bordeaux Fête le Vin (June) — One of Europe’s largest wine festivals on the Garonne quays, where producers pour regional wines, workshops and tastings abound, and convivial celebrations light up the city.
- Bassins des Lumières — Matisse, la Symphonie des Couleurs — From February through much of 2026, this immersive digital art exhibition in Bordeaux’s submarine base presents the vibrant work of Henri Matisse in a spectacular projection setting.
Day 4 — Bordeaux in Motion & Flavor
Today, Bordeaux reveals itself in full throttle, although your hand won’t be on it. Hop into a charming vintage sidecar for a gastronomic tour that turns the city’s elegant boulevards and hidden lanes into a moving feast. Zip past iconic monuments, pause for picture-perfect moments, and mingle with local life at bustling markets. Along the way, sample beloved regional specialties like canelés, airy Dune Blanche, and freshly shucked oysters (when in season). The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether that means strolling along the Garonne, lingering at a café terrace, or letting Bordeaux’s springtime rhythm guide your next indulgence.
Day 5 – Wine, Wine, and more Wine in Médoc!
Dedicate a well-earned day to Bordeaux’s most celebrated export: wine. Journey into the prestigious Médoc, where orderly rows of vines stretch toward the horizon and spring breathes fresh life into centuries-old estates. Visit a classified château to uncover the terroir, traditions, and techniques behind its renowned reds. Have a guided tasting that offers insight into the balance, structure, and elegance that define the region. For a true taste of Bordeaux mastery, step into a winemaker’s shoes with an optional private blending workshop, where you can try your hand at crafting and bottling your own bespoke cuvée!
Day 6 — From Bordeaux to Dordogne: Vineyards, Villages & Timeless Views
After toasting your way through Bordeaux (no judgment) witness rolling hills and storybook villages spring up on your way into the heart of the Dordogne, where France’s enigmatic history blends with its pastoral charm. Along the way, visit Bergerac, where cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses make you want to settle down there and open an inn. Refresh with a guided tasting of expressive local varietals with a stop at the family-run Domaine de Belingard. Then, before retreating to your hotel in Dordogne, ascend to Monbazillac, a historic château celebrated for its sweet wines and sweeping valley views. Talk about starting you stay on a high note.
Le Vieux Logis
Tucked away in the village of Trémolat, Le Vieux Logis is a sanctuary of elegance, calm, and understated luxury. Surrounded by manicured gardens and the gentle pace of Périgord life, this four-star retreat offers an idyllic base for discovering Dordogne’s rich heritage and rustic beauty.
- Reopening of Castles & Gardens — Many historic castles (like Commarque and Losse) begin welcoming visitors in spring, and special Châteaux en Fête events celebrate heritage and local culture.
- Spring Markets & Seasonal Produce — Dordogne’s towns come alive with markets offering fresh strawberries, local greens, asparagus, and Périgord specialties like jams and fruit, perfect for tasting local flavors in season.
Day 7 — Dordogne: Walking in the Footsteps of Kings
Today, France reveals its medieval soul. Muster up some courage and follow the legendary Path of the Lionheart as hilltop fortresses rise dramatically above the river below. Storm the commanding Château de Beynac, then continue to Castelnaud and Milandes, each echoing tales of rivalry, resilience, and nobility. Drift along the Dordogne River aboard a traditional gabarre, like the merchants and monarchs of yore. And wander the manicured terraces of the Marqueyssac Gardens, before ending in Sarlat, where golden stone streets and lively squares ignite spring’s gentle glow much like they have for centuries.
Day 8 — Au Revoir to a Reawakened France
From blooming château gardens and vineyard rows to medieval ramparts and riverside villages, this journey has revealed France not just as it is, but with a new, reawakened fervor. After breakfast, as you head off to Bordeaux airport, you will depart with a new perspective on a timeless destination, carrying home the flavors, stories, and gentle magic of a France reborn.
