One of the most popular European countries to visit is France. It not only boasts historic architecture, stylish fashion, great food and some of the world's most famous works of art, but also has an incredibly beautiful countryside. With France wine tours you get to enjoy the scenery while at the same time getting to experience another of the country's best attractions, its wines.
If you're a true oenophile, your first trip should be southwest, to the Bordeaux region. This is one of the world's largest wine regions and by far its most famous. The regional capital is named Bordeaux too and with its location along the peaceful Garonne River, it makes for the perfect base. Here you'll find a wine museum which is a good place to visit before you head out to the world-famous vineyards and wineries.
The Burgundy region offers everything that makes the French countryside so romantic. Medieval towns like Semur-en-Auxois, forests and lakes make this centrally located region a joy to explore. Dijon, the regional capital, has stunning churches, museums and other buildings to explore but is probably best known for its mustard.
Another famous destination for oenophiles is the Champagne region near the northeastern border. This is, after all, where the eponymous bubbly drink comes from. The regional capital is Chalons-en-Champagne but if you want to spend a few days in these parts, you may want to consider using Reims as your base. French kings used to be crowned in breathtaking Reims Cathedral. Many champagne producers have their head offices in Reims too.
Near Paris you may want to explore the Loire Valley, part of which is a World Heritage Site. The valley is home to scores of castles and most of these are located near Orleans, where Joan of Arc was from. You may want to make Orleans your base if you don't want to do a day trip from Paris. This makes it easier to sample the locally produced vintages too.
Another popular tourist region lies in the southeast, along the coast and the border with Italy. Provence is the ultimate foodie destination, renowned for fragrant dishes such as ratatouille. This area is also the center of France's perfume industry and the smell of lavender and jasmine will follow you pretty much wherever you go. Moreover, there are many vineyards that produce rose wines, perfect for enjoying in the sun.
No visit to France can be complete without a stay in Paris. While the City of Lights is not a wine region in itself, its central location means that you can easily visit places like the Loire Valley on a day trip from here. At night, you can then visit top restaurants that offer the best French wines with gourmet food. Moreover, Paris is at the center of the fashion industry and has plenty of top museums and other sights.
Sampling great French wines is easy. One option is to book a day tour or even a longer tour package through a travel agency. Many offer packages that focus specifically on wines. Another option is to simply hire a car and explore at your own pace.
If you're a true oenophile, your first trip should be southwest, to the Bordeaux region. This is one of the world's largest wine regions and by far its most famous. The regional capital is named Bordeaux too and with its location along the peaceful Garonne River, it makes for the perfect base. Here you'll find a wine museum which is a good place to visit before you head out to the world-famous vineyards and wineries.
The Burgundy region offers everything that makes the French countryside so romantic. Medieval towns like Semur-en-Auxois, forests and lakes make this centrally located region a joy to explore. Dijon, the regional capital, has stunning churches, museums and other buildings to explore but is probably best known for its mustard.
Another famous destination for oenophiles is the Champagne region near the northeastern border. This is, after all, where the eponymous bubbly drink comes from. The regional capital is Chalons-en-Champagne but if you want to spend a few days in these parts, you may want to consider using Reims as your base. French kings used to be crowned in breathtaking Reims Cathedral. Many champagne producers have their head offices in Reims too.
Near Paris you may want to explore the Loire Valley, part of which is a World Heritage Site. The valley is home to scores of castles and most of these are located near Orleans, where Joan of Arc was from. You may want to make Orleans your base if you don't want to do a day trip from Paris. This makes it easier to sample the locally produced vintages too.
Another popular tourist region lies in the southeast, along the coast and the border with Italy. Provence is the ultimate foodie destination, renowned for fragrant dishes such as ratatouille. This area is also the center of France's perfume industry and the smell of lavender and jasmine will follow you pretty much wherever you go. Moreover, there are many vineyards that produce rose wines, perfect for enjoying in the sun.
No visit to France can be complete without a stay in Paris. While the City of Lights is not a wine region in itself, its central location means that you can easily visit places like the Loire Valley on a day trip from here. At night, you can then visit top restaurants that offer the best French wines with gourmet food. Moreover, Paris is at the center of the fashion industry and has plenty of top museums and other sights.
Sampling great French wines is easy. One option is to book a day tour or even a longer tour package through a travel agency. Many offer packages that focus specifically on wines. Another option is to simply hire a car and explore at your own pace.