Uncork Adventure: France Awaits with Art & Wine
Where to start when planning a trip to France? After all, this country is an unapologetic titan of gourmet cuisine, culture, and art. From the soaring peaks of the French Alps and Pyrenees to sun-drenched vistas and cliffs along France’s 3,015 miles of coastline, l’Hexagone (as the French call it) is brimming with natural beauty. Pair that with ancient Roman towns, art-filled cities, a romantic capital, and charming hilltop villages, and you’ll need years to truly see it all.
To enjoy the full art de vivre of France, move slowly between map pins — by train, bike, or car in rural areas. Spend days in each place, savor open-air markets, indulge in dégustation (tastings), and linger over leisurely lunches. Here are three standout regions to start your French adventure:
🏰 Lorraine — History & Hidden Gems
Best for history buffs and those seeking something different
Few linger in Lorraine, in northeastern France, but it’s a treasure trove for curious travelers. History lovers are drawn to Verdun’s WWI battlefields and the Remembrance Circuit, a 25km driving and cycling route along the Somme River.
Art enthusiasts will adore Centre Pompidou in Metz and Nancy’s art nouveau architecture, best enjoyed with an alfresco coffee or evening apéro. For something truly unique, explore the Parc du Haut Fourneau U4 ironworks after dark — it’s like stepping into a sci-fi film! And for peace and nature, the Hautes-Vosges mountains offer gloriously quiet green escapes.
🧀 Rocamadour — Hilltop Village Adventure
Best for a family adventure
While Provence’s Luberon is famed for its hilltop villages, the Lot region offers medieval cliff-top villages without the crowds. Rocamadour, perched dramatically on vertical cliffs, was a historic pilgrimage stop from Rome to Santiago de Compostela.
Foodies and families alike will love sampling Rocamadour cheese at farms like La Borie d’Imbert, while adventurous kids can enjoy tree trampolining at Saute-Mouton and wild swimming along the Lot and Dordogne rivers. It’s a perfect blend of nature, culture, and hands-on fun.
🍷 Bordeaux — Wine Lover’s Paradise
Best for wine tasting
France’s wine regions are legendary, but Bordeaux pairs top vintages with accessible tours of ancestral estates. Must-sees include La Cité du Vin, wine flights at Bar à Vin, and cellar tours at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion and Château Lynches-Bages.
Planning tip: Book cellar tours and vineyard lunches well in advance. In St-Émilion, dine among the vines at Château Troplong-Mondot’s Les Belles Perdrix. In the Médoc, discover the gourmet secret Nomade for wine and cuisine lovers.
✨ My Takeaway
France is best experienced slowly and intentionally, letting each region’s unique flavors, landscapes, and history unfold. Whether your clients are seeking history, family adventures, or world-class wine, there’s a slice of France perfectly suited to them. Reach out today so we can start working on that beautiful curated vacation!
💡 Pro Tip: In regions like Bordeaux and St-Émilion, reserve vineyard tours and lunches in advance. Popular estates fill up quickly, and booking ahead ensures you get the full experience — from cellar tours to tasting top vintages in the sun-drenched vineyards.
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