Provence & the Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour

Sample Full Daily Itinerary

Our wine vacations in Provence and the Rhône Valley treat you to wine tastings at some of southern France’s best and most celebrated domains. The René Aubert Family and Laurent Terrisson have helped us develop a delightfully picturesque vacation in one of France’s most colorful regions.

Our local wine experts will explain the subtleties of this vast region. Balance winery tours with the culture of Medieval Avignon, Roman Arles, and one of France’s culinary capitals: Lyon.

Please join us for a delicious wine tour along the Rhône. Read on for the detailed itinerary, or click here for an overview of our Provence & the Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour.

The price of our Provence Wine Tours is $3495.

Click here to see all it includes.

 

Day 1
Historic Vieux Lyon

Highlights:

  • Guided Tour of Vieux Lyon
  • Champagne welcome
  • Typical Lyonnais dinner

Lyon has a fascinating history. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, and center of the French Resistance during World War II, many claim it today’s culinary capital of France. The area’s rich history comes alive for you this afternoon with a guided tour of Lyon’s historic center. After our champagne welcome, we’ll enjoy the Rhône’s superb wines over dinner in a typical Bouchon Lyonnais.

Day 2
The Northern Rhône, with Côte Rôtie and Hermitage

Highlights:

  • Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Single vineyard Domaine Pichat in Côte-Rôtie; Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage at Caves Fayolle; Cornas and St. Joseph at Domaine Eric et Joel Durand
  • Lunch: Animated Brasserie with a selection of wines from Les Caves de Tain
  • Dinner: At our hotel in the center of Avignon

You’ll follow the river south to Avignon today. On your way, the journey is full of flavors and exquisite scenery along the Rhône River. See the famous Condrieu vineyards as you head for a first tasting at Domaine Pichat in Côte Rôtie. André and Stéphane have enjoyed a lot of good press lately and you’ll taste why. Lunch is accompanied by some of the Northern Rhônes tastiest wines and then we are back to the vineyards to see how they’re made. Dinner this evening is at our luxurious 4-star hotel in the center of Avignon.

Day 3
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône part I

Highlights:

  • Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Domaine de la Présidente
  • Lunch & Wine Tasting: Domaine de la Présidente
  • Guided tour of Avignon's Palace of the Popes
  • Université du Vin
  • Dinner: One of the Aubert family’s favorite restaurants overlooking the Rhône river

The Aubert family is a cornerstone of the Southern Rhône’s fine wines. Your first stop is the Université du Vin, which they founded over 25 years ago. You’ll visit the school and the historic 12th century castle. Lunch in the Provençal garden at Domaine de la Présidente features local Provençal specialties paired with a good selection of Côtes du Rhônes and Châteauneuf-du-Papes. After a visit of the vineyards, you’re free to explore Avignon before we meet up again for an insider tour of Avignon’s Palace of the Popes. The evening starts with an aperitif at the famed Pont d’Avignon and then you’re enjoying dinner on the banks of the Rhône.

Day 4
Arles and the Costières de Nîmes

Highlights:

  • Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Château de Nages, Château l'Ermitage
  • Lunch: At Madeleine and Erick Vedel's cooking school in Arles
  • Insider tour of Arles’ famous outdoor market
  • Roman and Medieval Arles

This morning starts with the colorful outdoor market in Arles. Erick Vedel will meet us and show us the ins and outs of this characteristic Provençal market. You’ll have time to shop or visit Arles’ historic monuments. For lunch we’re back with Erick at his Provençal cooking school. This afternoon is dedicated to the fantastic wines of the Costières de Nîmes. Michel Gassier and Jérôme Castillon lead us through wine tastings at their impressive domains. Back in Avignon for dinner on your own, choose a light dinner in an outdoor café or an elaborate culinary feast in one of Avignon’s great restaurants.

Day 5
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône part II

Highlights:

  • Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Côtes du Rhône Villages and Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Clos St. Michel; Domaine le Colombier in Vacqueyras; Domaine Amadieu in Gigondas; Chante Cigale in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  • Lunch & Wine Tasting: Pierre Amadieu in Gigondas
  • Exceptional Final dinner in Avignon

Our final day of Côtes du Rhône wine tasting takes you to Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and two different renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape properties. The day starts with a visit and wine tasting at Vacqueyras’ Domaine le Colombier. Gigondas sits at the foot of the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail where you’re the lunch guest of Domaine Amadieu. You’ll visit the vineyards of Chante Cigale, a classic example of galets - the glacier worn stones so characteristic of this prized region. Enjoy the remarkable views from the ruins of the Popes’ summer retreat, perched over the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and taste the wines of Clos St Michel. We’ll celebrate over an exquisite final dinner together in Avignon.

Day 6

Our wine tasting tour ends today after breakfast. We hope to see you again soon on another wine vacation in France or Italy. Thank you for coming with us.

Want to know more? Give us a call at 1-800-449-7147 or send us an email.

Click here for an overview of our Provence & the Rhône Valley wine tour.

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