8 Day Bordeaux/Dordogne Tour
Daily Itinerary
8 Day Bordeaux & Dordogne Tour
Daily Itinerary
Day 1- Welcome to Bordeaux!
Welcome to magnificent Bordeaux! Known worldwide for its exceptional wines, Bordeaux is also one of the most popular cities in France thanks to its idyllic lifestyle and abundance of cafés, restaurants and more. This elegant city resembles a smaller Paris, with glamorous 18th-century architecture gracefully spanning the Garonne river. Read our blog here to see why we love Bordeaux so much!
Your Bordeaux adventure will begin between 11am - 4pm when we pick you up from either the Bordeaux airport or train station. We'll drive you to the lovely Chartrons neighborhood to check in to the 4* Hotel Vatel, your home for the next three nights. After unpacking and relaxing, the group will gather around 6:30 pm for our Welcome Dinner. This will be the time to meet the other travelers as well as your Tour Leader around your first French meal.
Tip: If you have the option, we recommend arriving 1-2 days early in Bordeaux in order to adjust to the time difference and have a buffer day in case you encounter travel delays. During our time together in Bordeaux you will enjoy a walking tour of the city center, a Medoc wine masterclass at the Vin & Negoce museum, and a visit to Les Bassins de Lumieres. You will also have 2 free evenings in Bordeaux to explore restaurants and wine bars. With extra days before the tour you could visit the Cite du Vin museum, Medoc wineries, spend extra time shopping in Bordeaux, and more! You can add the extra nights directly at booking for Hotel Vatel. Feel free to email us if you would like a list of additional activities and sightseeing recommendations.
Pick up from 11am to 4pm, Hotel Check in - Welcome Dinner - 4* Hotel Vatel Bordeaux
Day 2- Highlights of Bordeaux
& Wine Masterclass
Today you'll become intimately acquainted with magnificent Bordeaux on a walking tour of the city's landmarks and historical sites. We'll stroll the Garonne riverfront quai, learning about Bordeaux's Roman settlers and its rise as a port town. You'll admire some of the most famous landmarks of the city including the Miroire d'eau, Porte Cailhau, Eglise St Pierre, Place du Parlement, Rue St Remi, and the Gallerie Bordelaise. We will finish our walk by the Sculpture Sanna in front of the historic Grande Theatre and reward ourselves with a delicious lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Bordeaux.
After a lunch break, we'll head to the Musee du Vin et du Negoce for a Bordeaux wine masterclass and tasting. We will discover the nuances of Médoc wines and explore this small but fascinating museum filled with artifacts chronicling Bordeaux's wine commerce history. (This museum is not La Cite du Vin)
Tonight, enjoy your first free evening in glamorous Bordeaux and discover the city's vibrant restaurant scene. We will email you our Bordeaux guide with restaurant recommendations to try, or you can grab some treats from the local bakery for a light dinner and relax in your comfortable hotel room.
Bordeaux Walking Tour, Bordeaux Wine Masterclass - Free Evening - 4* Hotel Vatel Bordeaux
Day 3- Wine Country & Saint-Émilion
Today we will explore the exquisite world of Bordeaux wine. After crossing both the Garonne and the Dordogne river, we will arrive at a lovely boutique winery where we will visit the estate and sample the wines while the owner tells us her inspiring story. The real treat of this stop is having a delicious lunch together overlooking the endless vineyards of Bordeaux, carefully prepared just for us by the owner. A perfect time to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
Next we'll take a short 30-minute drive to the picturesque village of Saint-Émilion for a walking tour of this medieval gem. Here you will wander cobblestone streets and soak in fascinating history, legends, and architecture like the 12th-century underground church and catacombs- a highlight most visitors miss. The postcard-worthy scenery of vineyards and limestone buildings surrounding this countryside village will be sure to impress!
Our last stop of the day will be at a family-run winery to discover Saint-Émilion's famed wines - some of Bordeaux's most renowned and coveted reds. Tour the vines and old underground quarry cellars of this storied region, whose winemaking pedigree dates back to Roman times. We will finish with a tasting of their delicious wines.
Tonight is your final free evening in Bordeaux - make it memorable! Savor one last magical night at a Michelin-starred restaurant or cozy French bistro. The perfect finale to your Bordeaux experience.
Winery Visit, St-Émilion Tour, Winery & Underground Tunnels - Free evening - 4* Hotel Vatel Bordeaux
Day 4- Bassins de Lumières, French Bread & Sarlat-la-Canéda
This morning we will check out of Hotel Vatel, but before leaving Bordeaux we will visit one of the town's most in-demand attractions: Les Bassins de Lumieres. Culturespaces is a company known for converting abandoned buildings into immersive light show art galleries. Bassin de Lumieres is their most interesting and largest one yet, as they converted an old German U-Boat base into an art center! The unique light show showcases art from the most famous artists in history and integrates music into the show for an unforgettable immersive experience. 2025 Program: Egyptian Pharaohs From Cheops to Ramesses II (Read More)
We will then embark on the next leg of your journey, venturing into the captivating region of Dordogne, famously known as "the valley of 1,001 castles." This enchanting area, sculpted by the meandering Dordogne River, stands as one of the most picturesque landscapes in all of France.
On the way we will stop at a historic flour mill for lunch. You will then experience a fun bread-making demonstration followed by a guided tour of the mill, where the historical machinery reveals the intricate process of transforming grains into flour. You will discover the captivating tales of the mill's significance within the local community and unveil traditional techniques passed down through generations, a highlight of the tour!
After the mill visit and a nice lunch, we will get back on the bus for a scenic drive through the countryside to reach our next home base for 4 nights: Boutique Hotel Naad, nestled in the medieval village of Sarlat, short for Sarlat-la-Canéda. You will have some free time to relax and settle in when we get to the hotel. Later in the evening we will gather again for a night out: a group dinner in the heart of this magical town, indulging in Périgord cuisine before ending the day.
Check out, Bassins de Lumières, Flour Mill, Check-in, Sarlat - Group dinner in Sarlat - 3* Boutique Hotel Naad
Day 5- Cliff-Hanging Village of Rocamadour
& Guided Tour of Sarlat
Today we will retrace the steps following centuries of countless pilgrims with a walking tour of Rocamadour, a medieval hillside village that seems straight out of a postcard. You will be amazed at the harmony of man’s creation and nature as the buildings and landscape complement each other perfectly. Rocamadour holds spiritual significance, notably recognized as a site of pilgrimage and also an alternative route on the Santiago de Compostela Road. During our visit, we'll delve into the fascinating history of the village, particularly focusing on its revered relics. Read more about Rocamadour fascinating history here.
Following the walking tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the village before we drive to our lunch spot—a refined restaurant with an incredible view of the cliff-hanging village of Rocamadour.
Mid-afternoon we will return to Sarlat. After a short break at your hotel, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of this medieval village. This guided introduction will familiarize you with Sarlat's historic streets and well-preserved medieval architecture, making it easy to explore on your own during your two free evenings. You'll discover a charming town where golden stone buildings and centuries-old squares create a magical atmosphere that seems frozen in time. The evening is yours to explore Sarlat at your own pace. We will send you by email a list of recommended restaurants in Sarlat.
Rocamadour, Sarlat-la-Caneda - Free Evening, 3* Boutique Hotel Naad
Day 6- Castles of Dordogne & Truffle Farm
Today we will explore the castles that the Dordogne is famous for. We have selected two of the best castles in the region to show you in depth on the tour, and the first is the Château des Milandes. Built around 1489 by a Caumont Lord in the Renaissance style to impress his wife, this fairytale castle continues to impress with its timeless looks and most gorgeous gardens. It housed the Caumont family until the French Revolution, after which it eventually became the home of the famous American-born French entertainer and activist Josephine Baker who lived an interesting life and even was a member of La Resistance in WW2! The castle is certainly worth a visit for its rich history and beautiful gardens.
Since Dordogne is known for its gastronomic culture and being the duck, walnut and truffle capital of France, it only makes sense that we would take you to a truffle and walnut farm! After a delicious lunch on site, we will meet with one of the employees of this local truffle farm and walk amongst the trees while they share their passion and knowledge of cultivating and locating these delicacies with beloved dog Noxo. We will finish this special encounter with a tasting of their homemade truffle butter.
Following the farm visit, we will drive by the Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, while our guide tells us the history about this imposing fortress. We will then end the day with a guided tour of our favorite castle in Dordogne: the majestic Beynac Castle. Perched dramatically on a limestone cliff, this 12th-century fortress offers breathtaking valley views that are nothing short of awe-inspiring. The medieval charm and incredible vistas of Beynac Castle promise an unforgettable experience. After a short drive you will be back in Sarlat for your free evening. We will send you by email a list of recommended restaurants in Sarlat.
Milandes Castle & Josephine Baker, Truffle Farm, Beynac Castle - Free evening, 3* Boutique Hotel Naad
Day 7- French Market, Lascaux IV
& La Roque Gageac
Today you will live out a dreamy French experience - visiting a local village market! You will have the entire morning free in Sarlat-la-Canéda during the famous market day. You will be able to use your map that we give you to explore the town and the bustling market stalls filled with regional delicacies, fresh produce, artisans and more. Lunch will also be on your own to try any restaurants you might have your eye on, or get some local food at the market!
Early afternoon we will meet as a group and get on the bus to visit the fascinating and famous Lascaux IV museum containing an exact replica of the prehistoric cave paintings discovered here in 1940 by four local teenagers. This immersive exhibit lets you relive the wonder and excitement the four adventurous boys must have felt when they made the original discovery of the Lascaux cave and stumbled upon hundreds of 15,000 year old paintings.
After plenty of time to see the Lascaux IV museum we will head to the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac, labeled as "one of the most beautiful villages of France". You can decide to follow your guide on a guided tour or simply relax by this picture perfect village on the Dordogne river. (We are not doing the boat ride, we find that it is not the best way to explore the town).
After the tour, we'll gather for dinner in the village, savoring a delightful Perigord meal together to conclude a day filled with history, culture, and culinary delights.
Sarlat Market, Lascaux IV, La Roque-Gageac - Group Dinner in La Roque-Gageac, 3* Boutique Hotel Naad
Day 8- National Museum of Prehistory, Rouffignac Cave & Prehistoric Vézère Valley
Today, we check out of our hotel in Sarlat and head back to Bordeaux's airport for our final night, but the adventure is far from over! We’ll begin the day with a brief visit to the National Museum of Prehistory, where your guide will highlight the museum’s most significant and fascinating artifacts.
Next, we’ll explore the prehistoric site of Le Moustier, famous for the discovery of two significant prehistoric shelters. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a delightful lunch in this charming village. We'll then delve into the fascinating Grotte de Rouffignac, known for its prehistoric art. An electric train ride will guide us through its intricate cave systems, where genuine Paleolithic cave art, over 15,000 years old, adorns the limestone walls. Your expert tour guide will provide insights as you witness these remarkable drawings from our ancestors, preserved in their original setting, creating an incredible life experience that establishes a profound connection to our shared prehistoric heritage.
After our cave tour, we'll bid adieu to idyllic Dordogne and drive back to Bordeaux. Late afternoon we will check into the Sheraton Hotel at the airport where you'll have free time to refresh and relax before we gather one last time for our farewell dinner. Over a gourmet meal, we'll reminisce on our week of food, wine, history, culture and camaraderie. It's been a trip to remember!
The next morning you will head home (or continue your adventures!) with hearts full of memories, already dreaming of your next visit.
Check-out, National Museum of Prehistory, Rouffignac Cave, Vézère Valley, Check-in - Farewell Dinner, 4* Sheraton Hotel Bordeaux Airport
Day 9- Departure
The time to say goodbye to beautiful Bordeaux and newfound friends. The hotel shuttle will take airport-departing guests to catch their flights home. For those leaving by train, we'll arrange transportation to the St Jean train station.
We hope you've enjoyed experiencing France as a local thanks to our carefully crafted itinerary and intimate style of small group travel. Wherever your next destination is, may it be filled with more French joie de vivre. Safe travels and au revoir, for now 🙂 Departure for your train or plane before noon.
