Biking Tour of France

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Paris & Versailles, Loire Valley, Bordeaux & Saint-Emilion

This private luxury tour is perfect for active travelers wanting a combination of culture, cuisine, wine, walking and biking. It features walking tours in Paris and Bordeaux, and bicycling through beautiful rural landscapes in the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux wine country.

Begin in Paris. With your own private guide and driver—sophisticated experts who will share the very best of Paris with you—explore Paris according to your interests. Tour the city's most interesting neighborhoods, markets, boutiques, specialty food shops, gardens, museums and other cultural attractions. A few of our favorites: Walk among centuries-old mansions on exclusive Ile Saint-Louis. See the stained glass windows of exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, and see iconic Notre Dame. Visit the backstreets of Montmartre. Climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur Basilica for panoramic views. Explore Le Marais, whose private homes once belonged to kings, noblemen and courtesans. Wander the old Jewish quarter to the Place des Vosges, the city's oldest and one of its most beautiful squares. See the art treasures of museums such as the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, l'Orangerie, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton and other major museums. Or visit smaller specialty museums off the beaten track. If desired, enjoy reservations at one of the restaurants atop the Eiffel Tower. Stroll the Latin Quarter, and relax in the Luxembourg Gardens. Shop exclusive boutiques along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore and Rue Royale. Take a break at Left Bank cafes made famous by poets and philosophers, and stop in the church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange personalized shopping (antiques, flea markets, haute couture, tea, copperware and cooking utensils, chocolate, fashion and more). Perhaps spend hours enjoying a degustation gastronomique at a leading restaurant.

Next, enjoy a private excursion to Versailles to tour Louis XIV's opulent palace, including the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens, and the Hameau de la Reine, the mock hamlet created for Marie-Antoinette.

During private touring in the Loire Valley, visit the most beautiful and interesting chateaux and gardens. If desired, also visit local vineyards and wineries to sample the wide range of the Loire Valley's best varietals. Touring is flexible according to your interests, but some of our favorite options are chateaux such as Chambord, the largest royal chateau in the Loire; romantic Chateau de Chenonceau, built on arches across the Cher River; Chateau Villandry and its stunning Renaissance gardens; and Chateau du Clos-Luce, the mansion in which Leonardo da Vinci lived out his final days. One day, enjoy a private bicycle tour through the Loire Valley, passing through ancient forests and the villages of the Sologne. Other highlights include visiting the outstanding Chartres Cathedral, as well as lesser-known chateaux with unique gardens.

Next, take the train to Bordeaux, one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Enjoy a private walking tour of the city of Bordeaux, a historic port and UNESCO World Heritage Site of well-preserved 18th-century architecture, ancient churches, markets and museums. During a private bicycle tour, sample wines at vineyards, wineries and chateaus in Saint-Emilion and other wine-making villages of Bordeaux. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange meetings with local winemakers, vertical flight wine tastings, meals in Michelin-star restaurants with wine pairings and more.

Return to Paris for one night at the end of the tour.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Paris Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Paris Half-day private tour Day 3 Paris – Versailles – Loire Valley Private tour of Versailles en route to the Loire Valley and hotel for 3 nights Day 4 Loire Valley Full-day private tour of chateaux, gardens and vineyards Day 5 Loire Valley Private biking tour Day 6 Loire Valley – Bordeaux – Saint-Emilion Private transfer to station for train to Bordeaux. Private city tour en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 7 Saint-Emilion Full-day private tour, including biking among vineyards and wine tasting Day 8 Saint-Emilion – Bordeaux – Paris Private transfer to station for high-speed train to Paris. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 9 Depart Paris Private airport transfer

Hotels

Paris: Ritz Paris or Four Seasons Hotel George V Loire Valley: Les Hauts de Loire Saint-Emilion: Hotel de Pavie

Cost

Upon request