FREEWHEELING FRANCE - sample itineraries
ALSACE
 
Monday: Your itinerary starts in Strasbourg and heads north through the pretty villages of Hagenau and Wissembourg. After lunch you wind through the pine-clad hills of the northern Vosges Mountains to La Petite Pierre for a traditional hotel which has been in the same family for three generations.
Tuesday's route leads to forests, waterfalls, chateaux, castles and
churches, via Saverne, Haut Barr, Marmoutier and Obernai for a two night
 stay in a family-run hotel in the centre of town.
On Wednesday you explore Obernai, the neighbouring wine villages and
Alsace's holiest spot, Mont Ste-Odile.
Thursday's itinerary follows the wine route, via Haut Koenigsbourg and
Ribeauville to the picturesque wine village of Riquewihr,where you stay
for three nights.
Friday takes you along the southern wine route to Eguisheim and the huge
 Eco-Musee de Haute Alsace - a working medieval village.
Saturday is market day in Colmar - a lovely town with superb museums,
medieval streets and buildings and wine merchants galore.
Your holiday ends on Sunday after returning to Strasbourg
(or to Mulhouse for its superb museums of textiles, wallpaper and cars).
 
We recommend a two night stay in Strasbourg before or after your Freewheeling France itinerary. We can book you into a good central hotel.  
Harvest time, Riquewihr
BORDEAUX-LOT VALLEY Monday - your itinerary starts in Bordeaux and takes you to the Medoc, where an elegant hotel-restaurant amongst the vineyards of Margaux will be your base for three nights. Tuesday - an optional visit to Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, before taking a ferry across the Gironde for the citadelle at Blaye and the Bourg and Fronsac vineyards. Overnight Margaux. On Wednesday you discover Libourne and St-Emilion; famous for macaroons, wine and the Eglise Monolithe. Overnight Margaux. On Thursday you head south through the Sauternes vineyards to the Armagnac town of Condom. Overnight in the hill village of Lectoure at a historic 18th century mansion, complete with a pool, a wonderful restaurant and magnificent views. Friday’s route takes you to the Lot Valley, via Puymirol for a chance to experience one of France's best restaurants. Overnight in Touzac at a picturesque converted mill with garden, swimming pool and sauna. On Saturday you explore the pre-historic grotto at Peche Merle,the cliff-clinging St Cirq Lapopie and taste the Lot Valley wines. Overnight Touzac. On Sunday the itinerary leads you back to Bordeaux via one of France's largest fortified chateaux and the16th century Chateau de Montbazillac in the Dordogne Valley. We recommend a two night stay in Bordeaux before or after your Freewheeling France tour. We can book you into a good central hotel.
Harvest-time in the Medoc
Mouton Rothschild cellars
Vineyards, Riquewihr
BURGUNDY- Cote d’Or Monday - your itinerary starts in Lyon and leads you through the Beaujolais and Maconnais vineyards to a delightful country inn with a notable restaurant - your base for two nights. On Tuesday sample the local chardonnay on the wine trail and visit the ancient abbey at Cluny. On Wednesday head north to Tournus, and its exquisite 10th century church. Then through the Chalonnais vineyards to Beaune, for two night at a charming hotel. On Thursday, explore Beaune. Afternon excursion through the Cote de Beaune to La Rochepot and the medieval village of Nolay. Overnight Beaune. Friday takes you through the famous Cote de Nuits vineyard to Dijon. Your comfortable hotel for the next two nights is in the antique quarter, near the pedestrian zone. Saturday is market day in Dijon, so you can enjoy the abundance of fresh local produce, before discovering Dijon's rich history and its wonderful restaurants. Overnight Dijon. The tour ends on Sunday in Dijon, which has good high speed road and rail connections. We recommend at least a two night stay in Lyon or Dijon before or after your Freewheeling France tour. We can book you into a good central hotel in either city.
Pates & charcuterie,
Dijon Market
BURGUNDY-Chablis Monday - your itinerary starts in Dijon and takes you through the beautiful Ouche Valley to Chateauneuf and on to the medieval walled town of Semur- en-Auxois, where you stay at a handsome old mansion for two nights. On Tuesday your circuit includes the picturesque hilltop village of Flavigny- sur-Ozerain, the chateau and gardens at Bussy-Rabutin and the historic abbey of Fontenay. Overnight Semur-en-Auxois. On Wednesday, discover the Renaissance chateau at Ancy-le-Franc and the 16th century village of Noyers en route to Auxerre, where your base for three nights is an elegant mansion with swiming pool and garden. Thursday’s itinerary explores historic Auxerre, followed by an optional excursion to Chablis. Overnight Auxerre. Friday is Auxerre's market day, so a good day for a picnic lunch in the Yonne Valley, exploring the wine villages of Bailly, St-Bris and Irancy, as well as medieval Clamecy. Overnight Auxerre. Saturday’s route follows the dramatic Cure Valley to underground caverns and the great 12th century basilica at Vezelay. Then winds through the forest and hills of the Morvan regional park to Saulieu for an old coaching inn with a notable restaurant. Tour ends on Sunday returning to Dijon, for high speed train connections to Paris, Lyon and beyond. We recommend a two night stay in Dijon either before or after your Freewheeling France itinerary. We can book you into a good central hotel.
Chablis lookout
Semur-en-Auxois
CHAMPAGNE
 
Monday -  your itinerary starts at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, where we
 recommend you collect your vehicle. The route quickly leads you to the
Marne Valley for a scenic drive to Epernay - your base for three nights at a
central hotel. En route, a lunch stop is suggested at a beautiful chateau in a
parkland setting with medieval ruins, or at a modest road-side inn.
On Tuesday you can explore Epernay on foot, discovering and its champagne
houses and museums. An optional 33km driving circuit is suggested through
the vineyards and back roads to Hautvillers.
Overnight Epernay.
On Wednesday you’ll visit historic Reims and follow the wine trail around the
 Montagne de Reims. Overnight Epernay.
Thursday’s route takes you south, through the Cote des Blancs to Sezanne
 for a family hotel with the best kitchen in the region.
Friday’s itinerary loops around Troyes to discover a small village market, the
cheese town of Chaource and the wine village of Les Riceys, before returning
to Troyes to a traditional hotel with a traditional restaurant.
Saturday is a car-free day, exploring Troyes, its weekly market and its
medieval pedestrian quarter. Overnight Troyes.
Sunday is the last day of the tour and the route takes you back to Paris.
Choose either the direct route (191km) or a scenic drive through Sens and
Fontainebleau.
Verzenay
DORDOGNE Monday - your itinerary starts in Bordeaux and takes you to the picturesque village of St Emilion. Enjoy the cobbled streets, the magnificent underground church and savour the wine. On Tuesday follow the Dordogne river to Bergerac, then up to the Monbazillac vineyards and the oval bastide village of Issigeac on the way to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac. Overnight in a lovely hotel with a notable restaurant. On Wednesday enjoy the attractions of Les Eyzies; cave paintings, prehistory museum and grottoes before a late afternoon departure to Sarlat, your base for the next three nights. On Thursday explore Sarlat and then take a short excursion to the chateau at Beynac-et-Cazenac, the gardens at Marqueyssac and the cliff dwellings at Roque-Gageac. Friday’s route takes you to the cliff-clinging villages of Rocamadour and Domme. Overnight Sarlat. On Saturday head west through bastide country to Duras for a welcoming hotel-restaurant. On Sunday return to Bordeaux via the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards. We recommend a two night stay in Bordeaux before or after your Freewheeling France tour. We can book you into a good central hotel.
Dordogne village houses
LOIRE Monday’s itinerary starts in Tours and leads you along the Loire to Langeais and the Bourgeuil vineyards before reaching Chinon; your base for four nights at a character hotel with private parking. On Tuesday, an early start will reward you with the best view of the fairytale chateau at Ussé, before visiting Azay-le-Rideaux; one of the most beautiful of the Loire's Renaissance chateaux.Return to your hotel via the Chinon vineyards. Wednesday’s route takes you back to Azay-le-Rideau for market day, en route to Villandry for its chateau and gardens. Overnight Chinon. Thursday is market day in Chinon. Picnic or indulge in a grand lunch at Chateau Marçay, before exploring the ancient abbey at Fontevraude and the Saumur wine trail. Overnight Chinon. Friday’s programme leads you through Loches to the upper Loire for Pouilly- sur-Loire, home of Pouilly-Fumé. A charming hotel-restaurant on the banks of the Loire is your base for two nights. On Saturday, visit the hilltop village of Sancerre, taste the goat cheeses and explore the Route des Vins. The tour ends on Sunday; returning to Paris directly, or by the scenic route through Montargis and Fontainebleau. We recommend a two night stay in Tours before your Freewheeling France itinerary. We can book you into a good central hotel. RHONE VALLEY-PROVENCE Monday’s itinerary starts in Lyon and takes you south to discover the Roman history of Vienne and the great wines of Condrieu and Hermitage, before reaching the hamlet of Mirmande. Overnight at a charming inn with superb views and a notable restaurant. On Tuesday you follow the Drome river to Crest and Saillan and then over the hills into Provence, to the artisan villages of Dieulefit and Poet-Laval, en route to Vaison-la-Romaine. A charming family hotel in the heart of the village will be your base for three nights. Wednesday’s itinerary explores the Roman and medieval history of Vaison-la- Romaine, the vineyards of Gigondas and Beaumes-de-Venise and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Thursday is market day in Nyons, famous for its olive oil, so it’s the perfect chance to savour the produce of the region. Afternoon circuit to the lavender and essential oil producing villages, before heading up Mt Ventoux for spectacular views. Friday’s route leads you to Avignon, via Orange and its famous Roman theatre, and the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Saturday is a car-free day in Avignon with its papal palace, museums, shops and the bridge. The tour ends on Sunday in Avignon, which has good road and rail connections. We recommend at least a two night stay in Lyon. We can book you into a good central hotel.
Chateau Chambord
Marqueyssac
Blois
Lyon
Mas Dame Winery, Provence
Southern Champagne
 
The freedom of independent travel with the security of pre-booked hotels & a detailed route guide.