Family getaway to France | 12 Nights of Châteaux, Cuisine, and Culture

Embark on an enchanting journey through Paris, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Carcassonne, and Albi, where history, culture, and gastronomy unite. Explore iconic landmarks in Paris, discover the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley, and indulge in wine tastings at family-owned vineyards in Bordeaux. Experience medieval wonders in Carcassonne and Albi, while Toulouse offers a perfect blend of art, history, and vibrant local life. From breathtaking landscapes to savoring traditional French cuisine, this itinerary promises an unforgettable exploration of France’s charm.

  • Explore iconic landmarks in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
  • Discover the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau.
  • Indulge in wine tastings at family-owned vineyards and gourmet dining in Bordeaux, the heart of wine country.
  • Walk through medieval wonders in Carcassonne, one of Europe’s most stunning fortified cities, and Albi, with its remarkable cathedral.
  • Experience the vibrant cultural life of Toulouse, known for its art, history, and local traditions, while savoring regional delicacies.

Itinerary Information

Duration

12 nights / 13 days

Destinations

Paris, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Carcassone, Albi

Keywords

Châteaux, French Cuisine, landmarks, Medieval History, Vineyards

Tour Highlights

Day to Day

Day 1: Paris

Departure

Welcome to France! | Arrival in Paris

Your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals gate in Paris International Airport of your arrival holding a sign with your names on it.

Inclusions: Private transfer airport – -hotel

Accommodation in Rome | Two bedroom Suite Elysée & Saint-Honoré + 1 extra bed

typical late XIX-century Parisian palace, one of all Paris’ most elegant and prestigious districts, contemporary luxury and welcome with an Italian imprint: the Splendide is a unique charming little jewel, proud member of the exclusive Relais & Châteaux collection.

Selected room: Two bedroom Suite Elysée & Saint-Honoré + 1 extra bed (Breakfast included)

When it comes to traveling with your family, it feels like you never have enough space: with the needs of families on mind we created our Family Suites. Generously sized environments whose common denominator is comfort, together with elegant convenience and pleasantness.

The style is the unmistakable one of the Splendide Paris: warm family atmosphere, classy furnishing, cutting edge accessories and valuable materials.

The Family Suites are the result of the union of two different rooms: a Suite Elysée and a Junior Suite Saint-Honoré, for a total surface area of about 105 m2. The family suite offers two bedrooms, two large living rooms and two bathrooms, to easily accommodate up to four people (additional beds are possible on request).

Day 2: Paris

Private Food Tour in Montmartre | Enjoy a stress-free slow-living afternoon just like the French do

Delight in a private 3-hour food tour in Montmartre with a local foodie guide. Visit some of the best artisans in the area. Sample a range of products, from wines and cheese to cream puffs and chocolate, united under the same umbrella: quality.

Tour highlights:

  • Follow your local foodie guide for a unique private tour in the heart of Montmartre
  • Enjoy the best sweet and savory tastings Montmartre has to offer
  • Admire the most breathtaking view over Paris from the Sacré Coeur

The hilltop village of Montmartre has so much to offer. From its unique vineyards to its colorful bistros and picturesque little houses, the most bohemian area of Paris will amaze you at every street corner. On this private 3-hour food tour, discover the best foodie spots in this fantastic area with a passionate local guide. With a flexible departure time, begin your walking tour in the Montmartre area. Savory and sweet specialties will delight you along the way, from the Moulin Rouge to the Sacré Coeur. During your tour, discover small artisans working with traditional methods, and get quickly introduced to French delicacies. Stop by 8-10 of some of Montmartre’s most fantastic shops to sample the quality produce. Try wines, cheeses, cured meat, the French baguette, cream puffs, and other tasty and traditional French treats. You will also have the opportunity to taste chocolate and Macarons from renowned chocolatiers.

DETAILS

Start time: customizable
Duration: 3 hours
Tour type: private
Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip hotel private transfers
  • Cheese and wine at selected stops
  • Charcuterie and wine at selected stops
  • Tasting of homemade chocolate

Day 3: Reugny

Departure

Private transfer Paris – Reugny

Our driver will pick you up from the hotel in Paris and take you to your next accommodation in Reugny.

Inclusions: private transfer

Accommodation in Reugny | Junior suite & Deluxe room

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service

Built in the Valley of the Kings of France and nestled in the countryside, this 16th century castle hosted the first vacations of the young Louise, future Duchess of La Vallière and great love of Louis XIV. Having become a luxury hotel, it now welcomes its guests for a journey through the history of France and that of royal favorites. Through the sumptuous decorations and objects of the hotel, the spa and the restaurant, immerse yourself in the sensuality and elegance of past centuries and escape with our signature services.

The 20 signature rooms, suites and boudoirs located in the Château, the Guardian’s House, the Orangery, the Pavilion, or even in the stables are all decorated with charm and elegance while respecting the place and tell their own story. It is in fact in homage to the great favorites of France that each room has been designed.

The 19-hectare park, in which the castle is nestled, is home to two-hundred-year-old trees with majestic shade, a Fig conservatory and a “Madame de La Vallière” rose plantation. Spaces of unparalleled calm and serenity where you can stroll and forget time.

GASTRONOMIC RESTAURANT L’AMPHITRYON, TIMELESS REFINEMENT

From breakfast, to brunch, lunch, tea time and dinner, at Amphitryon, the property’s gourmet restaurant, you will enjoy the pleasure of brilliant and refined cuisine, like at the table of the King of France.

The service in period costume and the decor inspired by the pageantry of the 17th and 18th centuries create a captivating atmosphere that will also take you back in time.

THE “LA ROSÉE” SPA, A PLACE DEDICATED TO WELL-BEING AND SERENITY

Under the high eaves of a centuries-old wood, on the edge of the forest, SPA “La Rosée” is an invitation to pure relaxation.

Relax in the jacuzzi, under the sensory shower or in the halotherapy area and relax in the heated swimming pool. Then enjoy a signature massage with precious oils and let yourself be sublimated by the specialists in cellular cosmetics.

Selected rooms: Junior suite & Deluxe room (Breakfast included)

Day 4: Reugny

Private day trip Chambord, Blois & Cheverny with wine tasting

Discover some of the finest châteaux of the Loire Valley on a private guided tour of the Châteaux de Blois, Cheverny & Chambord. Journey into the world of French Royalty & taste local wines.

Tour highlights:

  • Discover some of the finest châteaux of the Loire Valley
  • Take a guided tour of the Châteaux de Blois, Cheverny and Chambord
  • Taste some of the finest organic wines of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation at 9.00 AM. Greet your guide, then set off into the sprawling countryside of Loire Valley. Stop at the Château de Blois, notable for its unique mix of Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Classical architecture. The former home of kings Louis XII and François I, its history is steeped in tragedy and is notable as the place where Joan of Arc went to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to drive the English from Orléans. Free time for lunch. Our guide will recommend a nice place. Pause for a wine tasting and sample some of the organic wines of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny. The Cheverny appellation produces elegant reds from the pinot noir and gamay grapes, as well as fruity whites from the chardonnay and sauvignon grapes. Sample a stunning organic white wine made from the romorantin grape, imported into the Loire Valley by King François I. Take a guided tour of the Château de Cheverny, owned by the same family since the days of Louis XIII. See some of the most beautiful furniture in the Loire Valley, and learn the château’s rich history, such as its connection to Tintin comic books and the impressive hunts on horseback that used to take place with a pack of 100 dogs. You may even get to see the spectacular daily event of “the dogs’ soup!” Move on to the Château de Chambord, one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world for its distinctive French Renaissance architecture. Discover the vast national game reserve of the largest château in the Loire Valley, and learn the monument’s fascinating history, including the unverified tale of Leonardo da Vinci’s involvement in its construction. Return to your accommodation at 6.00 PM.

DETAILS

Start time: 9.00 am
Duration: full day
Tour type: private
Inclusions:

  • Full-day private excursion
  • Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation
  • Transportation by minivan
  • English-speaking driver-guide
  • Tickets and guided tours of the châteaux of Blois, Chambord and Cheverny
  • Organic wine tasting at a local winery (drinks included)

Exclusions: lunch

Day 5: Bordeaux

Departure

Land transfer to Tours & First class train to Bordeaux

Your designated driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tours to catch a train to Bordeaux.

ETA in Bordeaux: 13.02 pm

Inclusions: private land transfer, first class train tickets to Bordeaux

Departure

Pick up at the train station & drop off at your hotel

Inclusions: private transfer

Accomodation on Bordeaux | Elegance Double Room & Duplex Suite with Terrace

In the 19th century, Mr Barbe, a resident of Bordeaux, asked the Swiss architect Camille Martin (1877-1926) to build a private residence in the centre of Bordeaux. The original central building was built in 1895.

The street was then called rue Saint-Sernin, in honour of Jean de Saint-Sernin, director of the Institut des sourdes-muettes until his death in 1816. The city then renamed it after Abbé Charles-Michel de l’Épée, one of the precursors of specialised education for the deaf. He had notably participated in the creation of the Institution Nationale des sourdes-muettes in 1786, a historical monument still located at 87 rue de l’Abbé de l’Épée.

This 5-star hotel was first a private residence where various notable families of Bordeaux lived until 1968. Then a renowned doctor, whose activity as a physiotherapist required the installation of fitness and wellness areas for his patients, wished to extend the hotel. A new building was built in the garden.

A must-see place in Bordeaux’s life

More than just a luxury hotel, this property is also a landmark of Bordeaux life. Its gourmet restaurant offers a warm, luxurious setting for both business meetings and convivial evenings with friends.

The gastronomic restaurant, La Table de Montaigne, features the cuisine of chef Oli Williamson.
Open to the public as well as hotel guests, it is no less a landmark of Bordeaux life.

Selected rooms: Elegance Double Room & Duplex Suite with Terrace (Breakfast included)

Bordeaux walking city tour with a local certified guide

Discover the history of Bordeaux and some special places in the Classic Bordeaux with a local certified guide to take you to the heart of the city.

Bordeaux cuts a fine figure, as evidenced by the city’s classical and neoclassical architecture, which has dazzled for over two centuries. It was in recognition of the value and unity of the Gironde capital’s 18th-century heritage that Bordeaux was awarded a place on UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List in 2007.

Tour highlights:

  • A walking city tour during which you will learn about Bordeaux history
  • Meet passionate winemakers to deepen your knowledge of the art of viticulture
  • Choose a customized tour during which you will see the highlights customized to your interests

The suggested tour itinerary includes:

• Place des Quinconces • Eglise Notre Dame • Grand Théâtre • Hôtel de Saige • Place du Parlement • Place de La Bourse • Pont de Pierre • Porte Cailhau

DETAILS

Start time: customizable
Duration: 1,5-2 hours
Tour type: private
Inclusions: 

  • hotel pick up and drop off
  • The itinerary
  • A Bordeaux native certified tour guide expertise.
  • 1h30-2h00 walk in the Classic Bordeaux.
  • Stop at places of particular interest for historical comments.
  • Discover places and monuments from the outside (except churches and the great theater when opened).
  • Enjoy the moment sharing with your friendly guide.

Exclusions:

  • Optional tastings
  • Entrance monuments fees

Day 6: Bordeaux

From Bordeaux: Private Wine Tour to Saint-Émilion

Enjoy Saint-Emilion’s most beautiful landscapes and learn more about one of the most famous wines.

Tour highlights:

  • Walking tour to discover the UNESCO village of Saint-Emilion
  • Visit 3 different wineries
  • Learn more about Saint-Emilion wines
  • Taste Grands Crus
  • Receive the full attention of your private guide

Your guide will pick you up directly at your hotel or in downtown Bordeaux, before taking you to the Saint-Emilion region. On the way, your guide will explain the characteristics of the wines, the terroir and the history of the region. This excursion will immerse you in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage city and its historical monuments. You will discover the secrets of this medieval city, which is the birthplace of the Bordeaux wine industry. Our team will ensure that you receive the full attention of your private guide, who will take care of the itinerary, reservations and activities to allow you to fully enjoy your day. For lunch, you can either opt for a picnic of fresh local produce or a gourmet lunch in a castle or local restaurant with reservations. You will visit and taste the best wines of the region in three wineries specially selected according to your level of knowledge and expectations. From the oldest and most family-owned Chateaux to the most modern and luxurious, you have the choice to personalize your itinerary, we take care of the organization. This private tour, exclusively for your group, also takes care of your return to your place of stay or to the city center.

DETAILS

Start time: 9.00 am
Tour type: private
Duration: full day
Inclusions: 

  • hotel pick up and drop off
  • A driver and guide for your tour
  • Air-conditioned premium vehicle (Minivan or sedan)
  • Informative brochures

Exclusions: 

  • Entrance fees at the chateaux
  • Wine tastings
  • Lunch

Day 7: Toulouse

Departure

Private transfer to Toulouse

Inclusions: pick up at your hotel in Bordeaux and drop off at your accommodation in Toulouse

Traditional French apartment in the center of Toulouse

Right in the centre of Toulouse, situated within a short distance of Capitole Metro Station and Palace du Capitole.

The spacious apartment has 3 bedrooms.
Breakfast is included in a traditional French cafe nearby.

Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef

Join Chef Alejandro in Toulouse! Explore Carmes & Saint-Etienne’s history in 7 stopstasting tales from Roman to Medieval times. Unique twist? Alejandro cooks for you on his cargo bike. Dive in!

 Tour Highlights

  • Explore Toulouse’s cuisine with a trained chef who’ll cook for you on his bike.
  • Learn about ancient Toulouse tales intricately tied to its cuisine.
  • Demystify the vast and intricate realm of French cheese, sampling from the best.
  • Savor exceptional charcuterie, crafted with the local Porc Noir de Bigorre AOP.
  • Taste the oldest and most decadent pastry of the city, 2000 years old.

Itinerary:

1. Rue Maletache: Discover the origins of the big fire of 1463 in Toulouse, which started at a boulangerie, while sampling a sweet bite from the town’s oldest pâtisserie.

2. Rue du Languedoc: Learn about the ancient regional language of Toulouse, spoken by medieval troubadours since the 11th century, while savoring the city’s most iconic baked good.

3. Place du Salin: Step into the past at the southern gate of Roman Tolosa and the Royal Saltworks. Discuss salt’s medieval significance and savor the star of the regional charcuterie: AOP Jambon Noire de Bigorre.

4. Marché des Carmes: Dive into the evolution of a Carmelite convent turned car park, and at a premier covered market, delight in two raw-milk artisanal cheeses perfectly paired with a mindblowing local wine.

5. Place de la Trinité: Immerse in tales of heresy, inquisition, and religious crimes through the Calas Gate, which witnessed the tragic execution of an innocent man. Here, savor the regional star recipe: la véritable saucisse de Toulouse.

6. Hôtel d’Assezat: Delve into Toulouse’s renaissance history, discovering how the exports of bleu de pastel pigment showered the city in wealth. Conclude with a taste of the iconic cultural emblem: the Violette de Toulouse.

7. Cathédrale de Saint-Étienne: Reflect on the Martyrdom of Saint-Sernin and how his legacy profoundly shaped Toulouse’s destiny. Culminate your journey with the city’s most decadent dessert from an emblematic pâtisserie.

DETAILS

Start time: customizable
Tour type: private
Duration: 3,5 hours
Inclusions:

  • Food and drink samples
  • Guided tour

Exclusions: hotel pick up & drop off (the tours starts and ends at a very close walking distance to your accommodation)

Day 8: Toulouse

Free day to enjoy “The Pick City”

It is filled with terra-cota buildings, giving it a nickname of “the pink city”. You’ll find a beautiful old town with many impressive landmarks and museums. It’s often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in the Best Travel Destinations for 2023.

Day 9: Carcassonne

Departure

Pick up from Toulouse and Drop off at Carcassonne hotel

Inclusions: private transfer from your apartment in Toulouse to your hotel in Carcassonne

Accommodation in Carcassone | Family Room & Superior Room

This hotel is an integral part of the history of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the very heart of the medieval city and built on the site of the former bishop’s palace, this 5-star hotel stands next to the Saint-Nazaire Basilica and overlooks the lower town from the ramparts, offering an enchanting view over the city, its gardens, its walls and its stones that have been there for centuries. The hotel’s foyer and lounges are an enchanting mix of Neo-Gothic and 1920s Art Deco styles.

With its distinct and original atmosphere and its strong links to the history of the region, the hotel is a perfect place for your stay in Carcassone!

Selected rooms: Family Room & Superior Room (Breakfast included)

Private guided tour of the city of Carcassonne

Continue your exploration of French countryside with a visit to Carcassonne. The walled city of Carcassonne in Languedoc is world renowned as a spectacular, perfectly-preserved fortified medieval city. The city fortress was designated in 1997 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Tour highlights

  • La Cité de Carcassonne
  • Château Comtal and Ramparts
  • Basilique of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
  • The Lower city of Carcassonne
  • The Carcassonne Cathedral
  • Lac de la Cavayère
  • View of Musée des Beaux – Arts
  • Châteaux de Lastours View of Canal du Midi
  • Optional visit to the school museum. This is a museum that shows how school was in France in the early 1900s.
  • View of the inquisition museum
  • Caunes-Minervois

A dream like destination with a romantic ambience, the tour is tailor-made to enchant you.

DETAILS

Start time: customizable
Tour type: private
Duration: 2 hours
Inclusions: private 2-hour guided tour of Carcassonne
Exclusions: entrance fees, any extra personal purchases

Day 10: Carcassonne

Suggestion for dinner

A gourmet dinner AT THE HEART OF CARCASSONNE’S MEDIEVAL CITY. Holding one Michelin star, the restaurant La Barbacane also benefits from a terrace with a brilliant view of the city walls.

Day 11: Albi

Departure

Private transfer to Albi from Carcassonne

Inclusions: hotel pick up in Carcassonne and transfer to your hotel in Albi

Accommodation in Albi | Fleur De Lys Double Room & Sainte-Cécile Suite

Located in the centre of Albi, this bed and breakfast is located 50 metres from Toulouse Cathedral. Some rooms have panoramic views of Albi Cathedral and city centre.

Selected rooms: Fleur De Lys Double Room & Sainte-Cécile Suite (Breakfast included)

Albi : Private Guided Walking Tour

Explore France’s so-called Red City with the help of a local guide on this private walking excursion through Albi. You’ll learn about its medieval history while marveling at architectural feats such as the Berbie Palace and Sainte-Cécile Cathedral. Start your tour at the Place Sainte-Cécile, and learn about the history of the breathtaking Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, around which the whole town was constructed in medieval times. Then, discover the Palais de la Berbie (Berbie Palace), one of the oldest castles in France. With a history dating back to the 13th century, the palatial complex tells a rich history of Albi’s royal past, and is now the site of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum. From the vantage point of Albi’s famous Pont Vieux (Old Bridge), you’ll have an unbeatable panorama of one of the most beautiful towns in Southern France, and unobstructed views of the surrounding River Tarn.

DETAILS

Start time: customizable
Tour type: private
Duration: 2 hours
Inclusions: private tour with a professional local guide
Exclusions: transfers (the tour starts and ends at a close walking distance to your hotel)

Day 12: Paris

Departure

Drop off at Toulouse airport

Inclusions: private transfer from your hotel in Albi to Toulouse airport

10:45 – Departure

Fly to Paris

ETA in Paris: 12.15 pm

Inclusions: flight tickets Toulouse-Paris

Departure

Airport PickUp & Transfer to your hotel in Paris

Inclusions: private transfer

Accommodation in Paris | Single room & 2 x Double rooms

In the heart of the Opera district, just blocks from the Palais Garnier and other historic performance arts venues, as well as the iconic Galeries Lafayette department store, the hotel aims to be both a gathering spot for locals and a place of respite for travelers.

Food and drink 

An artisan-sourced cold breakfast can be enjoyed in your room or in the lobby. For lunch and dinner (on most days), head to the Food Market, where you can grab fresh seafood, including oysters, from the seafood stand, or head to La Grande Bouffe counter for meat and cheese plates, sausage cakes, accessible wines and other treats. Meanwhile, the colorful, casual Bar Guignette—set under a glass roof and rows of fairy lights—is the place for handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment; the latter might include an up-and-coming band, DJ sets or major soccer matches shown on the big screen.

The neighborhood/area 

You’ve got your choice of fun in the 9th arrondissement, from cultural hubs like the Opera and a selection of smaller museums to notable shopping and the restaurants of South Pigalle. With a base here, you’re also close to the luxury stores of the 8th, the Montmartre area (including Sacre-Coeur), and even—if you head south towards the river—the Louvre.

Selected rooms: Single room & 2 x Double rooms (Breakfast included)

Day 13: Departure

Departure

Departure Day

Your incredible trip to France has reached its end. We hope that you enjoyed the views, history, architecture, culture, gastronomy and most importantly, the company of heartfelt locals who were with you during this adventure.

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in order to transfer you to Paris Airport to catch your flight back home.

Thank you for choosing Mythesia. We wish you a safe flight back home and plentiful of joyful memories from this trip!

Inclusions: private transfer

Inclusions

  • Hand-picked accommodation in all destinations (breakfast included)
  • All tours and land transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Domestic flight and train tickets
  • 24/7 Ground support from our team
  • VATs and all taxes

Exclusions

  • Arrival and Departure international flights
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Meals unless mentioned in the itinerary
  • All personal expenses not detailed in the itinerary

Testimonial

Embark on an enchanting journey through Paris, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Carcassonne, and Albi, where history, culture, and gastronomy unite. Explore iconic landmarks in Paris, discover the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley, and indulge in wine tastings at family-owned vineyards in Bordeaux. Experience medieval wonders in Carcassonne and Albi, while Toulouse offers a perfect blend of art, history, and vibrant local life. From breathtaking landscapes to savoring traditional French cuisine, this itinerary promises an unforgettable exploration of France’s charm.

  • Explore iconic landmarks in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
  • Discover the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau.
  • Indulge in wine tastings at family-owned vineyards and gourmet dining in Bordeaux, the heart of wine country.
  • Walk through medieval wonders in Carcassonne, one of Europe’s most stunning fortified cities, and Albi, with its remarkable cathedral.
  • Experience the vibrant cultural life of Toulouse, known for its art, history, and local traditions, while savoring regional delicacies.
Family getaway to France | 12 Nights of Châteaux, Cuisine, and Culture

Family getaway to France | 12 Nights of Châteaux, Cuisine, and Culture

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