Take a gastronomical tour of the best that France has to offer, starting in the Champagne region before heading off to the vineyards of Bordeaux and the distilleries of Cognac. End your trip with a stop in Paris.
They say that France’s allure comes from its je ne sais quoi, but there’s a reason that it’s the most visited country in the world. The quoi, as it happens, is the unceasing power to surprise you. You could spend a lifetime in Paris and discover something new with every stroll. Outside the capital, charming villages reside in the mountains, countryside, and by the sea, while wine enthusiasts could visit a different French winery every day for a lifetime and still be unable to see them all.
Sept. 27–29, 2024: Reims (2 nights)
Sept. 29–Oct. 1, 2024: Saint-Émilion (2 nights)
Oct. 1–3, 2024: Bordeaux (2 nights)
Oct. 3–7, 2024: Paris (4 nights)
If you need any assistance while you are traveling, or if you would like to make any changes, reservations, or cancellations during your time in France you can contact the following who will be your local contacts during your trip:
Our local partners on the ground will be your main point of contact:
Important: If something needs immediate assistance, your local contact is the best person to call first as they are in the same time zone.
WhatsApp: If you don’t have WhatsApp on your phone, we strongly encourage downloading it for free as it makes contacting our local team easier.
In early October, the weather in France is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F. Northern regions and the interior can be cooler and occasionally rainy. It's an ideal time to experience the fall colors and enjoy outdoor activities without the summer crowds.
Check out a personalized guide to visiting France, including helpful information like:
From your cellphone, dial "+" (by holding down the "0"), then the country code followed by the 9 digit phone number (dropping the first "0" in parentheses which is only used when calling from another number).
If you can't find the "+", replace it with "011" - this is the US exit code, interchangeable with "+".
WhatsApp is recommended for ease of dialing local numbers. We suggest pre-programming the contacts ahead of your arrival.
U.S. passport holders don't need any special visa in order to enter France for tourism purposes. Make sure your passports are valid for at least three months after your travel dates.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
Upon your arrival at the airport after exiting baggage claim, meet your driver for a private V-class transfer to your hotel in the Champagne region.
Booked by Scenset.
After your long flight and drive to the Champagne region, we recommend spending your first day unwinding and recovering from jet lag.
You can explore the grounds on an e-bike or indulge in some time at the renowned spa.
Please note, check-in begins in the afternoon. A request for early check-in has been made, but this is subject to availability. If your room isn't ready upon arrival, feel free to leave your bags at the front desk and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Indulge in a day of unparalleled relaxation and leisure, taking full advantage of the hotel's exceptional spa and swimming pool.
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been booked.
Tonight, dine at La Table Kobus.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Why we love it for you: Overlooking the rolling vineyards of the Champagne region, Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa redefines luxury with its exquisite blend of modern comfort and traditional elegance. Guests are treated to a world-class spa experience, gourmet dining, and panoramic views that capture the essence of French beauty and refinement. This majestic retreat offers an unparalleled escape into the heart of France's most celebrated wine country, making every moment a cherished memory.
Booked by an individual.
Please ensure you're wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes for today's adventure.
Meet your chauffeur-guide at your hotel as you embark on a full-day tour across the Champagne region of France, visiting some of the top vineyards with plenty of tastings along the way.
Champagne Scenic Road
Private visit and tasting at La Maison Penet, a premium boutique producer
Lunch stop along the way.
Small group visit and tasting at Champagne Tattinger
End at the Cathedral of Reims
Lunch is not included, but your guide will be able to recommend local favorites for grabbing lunch.
Booked By Scenset.
Tonight, dine at Le Royal.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Arguably the world’s most famous wine region, Bordeaux is more than just a destination for wine enthusiasts. The vine-covered chateaux and endless vineyards are, of course, the biggest draw, but don’t gloss over the city proper. Stylish riverfront bars meld into the 18th-century historic center, which is the largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world. After undergoing its own modern-day renaissance, Bordeaux even rivals Paris with its delectable art and food scenset.
After lunch, meet your driver at your hotel. They will take you to the Champagne-Ardenne train station for your train to Bordeaux.
Booked by Scenset.
Take train TGV INOUI to Bordeaux (last stop). You have seats in the first-class carriage.
Upon your arrival at Bordeaux train station, meet your driver for a private V-class transfer to Hotel de Pavie.
When you get off the train, exit toward Hall 3. Follow signs for Belcier and the car rental offices. Your driver will meet you there.
Booked by Scenset.
Arrive at the hotel and check in before dinner.
Tonight, dine at Grand Barrail.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Why we love it for you: An imposing turn-of-the-century chateau that stands out against the skyline with its fairy-tale turrets and spires, Château Grand Barrail Hôtel & Spa is set in secluded and tranquil grounds in the midst of the vineyards of Saint-Emilion.
Booked by a person.
Head out today on a full-day of visits to Bordeaux wineries and châteaux to experience the best of what the region has to offer.
Please ensure you're wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes for today's adventure.
Booked by Scenset.
Here are some dinner recommendations for this evening:
After breakfast and check out, you'll be picked up in private transfer and taken to your hotel on the Left Bank for a new perspective on Bordeaux.
Booked by Scenset.
You can explore the grounds on an e-bike or indulge in some time at the renowned spa.
Please note, check-in begins in the afternoon. Early check-in has been requested, but is subject to availability. If your room isn't ready upon arrival, feel free to leave your bags at the front desk and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Bicycles are available free of charge at the hotel, giving you the opportunity to stroll through the vineyards and discover the vines on a leisurely ride.
Electric bikes are also available for hire.
Reach Bordeaux in just 20 minutes by car to discover the wonders of the city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
The city has many architectural and heritage treasures: from the Saint Pierre district to the Sainte Croix district, the squares of Old Bordeaux are located in one of the largest architectural complexes of the 18th and 19th centuries. A sumptuous "stone screen", the façade of the quays stretches for more than a kilometer along the banks of the Garonne and is an ideal place for a stroll.
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been booked.
Enjoy a credit to use on food and beverages at the Les Sources de Caudalies restaurants and bars as a special perk for using Scenset to book your trip!
Tonight, dine at L'Observatoire de Gabriel.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked by Scenset via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Why we love it for you: This five-star hotel and spa, an early pioneer of wine tourism, is something very special. The exquisitely placid lakeside setting, fabulous food and vinotherapy beauty treatments combine to create a very memorable experience.
When in Bordeaux—fill your time with wine! Today is set to explore the vineyards of the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, with the Médoc wine region.
Lunch reservation at Bistro des Vignes at midday.
Booked by Scenset.
Tonight, dine at L'Grand Vigne.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked by scenset via hotel concierge - paid locally.
With its belle époque architecture, centuries of history, and countless museums, it’s no wonder Paris has been the home to generations of artists, writers, and musicians. It’s easy to feel inspired while climbing the Eiffel Tower or wandering the Louvre, but the city’s true soul resides in its quotidian pleasures: a flaky croissant from the corner patisserie, discovering a quiet cobblestone street, drinking an apéritif along the Seine. Perhaps you’ll find your own muse in the City of Lights.
This morning after check out, meet your driver at your hotel for a private V-class transfer to Bordeaux train station.
Booked by Scenset.
Upon your arrival at Paris Montparnasse train station, meet your driver for a private V-class transfer to your hotel.
Booked by Scenset.
Enjoy a credit to use on food and beverages at the Grand Powers restaurants and bars as a special perk for using Scenset to book your trip!
Tonight, dine at Le Cinq.
📍Google Map Directions Link
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked by scenset via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Why we love it for you: When the Powers opened in 1920 it was an instant Haussmann beauty. Its refurbishment has now morphed the prestigious Golden Triangle maison into an oasis of on-trend Parisian chic. Radiant rooms mix Chanel hues with 1920s craftmanship and modern design, the bar offers all-day dining, and there is a rather dreamy spa.
Meet your guide at your hotel lobby. Start your day in the crowned jewel of art museums: the Louvre. One of the world's most renowned art museums, it boasts an extensive collection spanning from ancient civilizations to the modern era, including iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Its architectural splendor, exemplified by the glass pyramid entrance juxtaposed against historic palatial structures, offers a captivating blend of contemporary and classical elements.
You'll visit with an art historian who can shed light on the many masterpieces you'll see.
This is a half-day tour lasting 3-4 hours. You'll be picked up in private transfer from your hotel. After the tour ends, you can stay in the Louvre at your leisure or enjoy lunch somewhere nearby.
Booked by Scenset.
For lunch today, enjoy Cafe Marly.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked by Scenset via hotel concierge - paid locally.
If you're looking for a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine, we recommend the following:
Take an iconic luxury hotel opposite the Jardin des Tuileries and an incredibly gifted chef, then add a sprinkling of luxury à la Versailles (white ceiling adorned with gilding, crystal chandeliers) and – voilà! – you get Le Meurice.
Reservation: Evening.
Reservation made independently.
Meet your guide at your hotel to enjoy a lovely walking tour to explore some of the oldest parts of the city, starting with a tour of the Île de la Cité. This island in the middle of the Seine River is where Paris was established as the capital of the kingdom at the turn of the 13th century. You can still admire there some of the oldest houses in Paris, as well as iconic monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sainte Chapelle.
Then continue your tour across the Seine River with the Latin Quarter, Paris’ students’ district, with major landmarks such as the Sorbonne University, the Panthéon modelled after its Roman equivalent, where the souls of some of the most prolific characters in Paris’ history have been laid to rest, or the Gallo-Roman baths of Cluny, among the largest ancient remains in northern Europe. Finally, you could see the site of the Arènes, an amphitheater where gladiators and wild beasts entertained the denizens of Lutetia, as Paris was then called.
Booked by Scenset.
At the end of the tour, we suggest taking a taxi to the Maison de Parfum for your afternoon workshop, Maison Molinard Paris Ier; you could have lunch at a restaurant close by such as the Brasserie du Louvre - Bocuse.
Enjoy an unforgettable learning experience and dive into the world of perfume-making at one of the oldest perfume creators in the world Molinard Paris 1er - and an entirely family-run business to this day!
You will be welcomed in a private studio of the Atelier, which is reserved for you two alone, with champagne, refreshments, and mignardises. Learn about the history and process of creating perfume from raw materials and, guided by a master perfumer, choose from nearly 100 essences to compose a personalized 90 ml bottle of your fragrance. A fascinating experience, that you will leave with your very own Eau de Parfum—and the memories to last a lifetime.
Booked by Scenset.
Tonight, dine at Guy Savoy.
To cancel or make any changes to your reservation, please visit or call your hotel concierge or front desk.
Booked by scenset via hotel concierge - paid locally.
Nothing beats lunch inside the Eiffel Tower, especially when the food comes from the Michelin-starred chef of Jules Verne.
Reservation: midday
Reservation made independently.
Meet your driver at your hotel lobby for transportation to your cruise. Embark on a dreamy boat ride down the Seine, where the city of light reveals its enchanting secrets. The Eiffel Tower shimmers, bridges become arcs of love, and Parisians' laughter fills the air. In this romantic aquatic waltz, the Seine whispers tales of timeless passion beneath the starry Parisian sky.
Aboard your private vintage mahogany boat, enjoy a unique view of the Seine River and its beautiful bridges from different angles. Ironically, the impressive Pont Neuf, which means “new bridge” is the oldest in Paris dating from 1607. Also admire Pont Marie, the second-oldest bridge in Paris which links the Ile-Saint-Louis with the right bank of the Seine.
This very exclusive overview will allow you to catch a glimpse of Paris’ entire history. After your cruise you will be able to walk to dinner or the captain can help you call a taxi.
Booked by Scenset.
This evening, enjoy dinner at Brasserie Thoumieux.
Confirmed by Scenset - paid locally. If you'd like to amend or cancel this booking, please speak with the Concierge at your hotel.
This European adventure has ended, but this was just the first of many journeys as spouses to come. I'm sure it won't be long until you're back!
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for the ride to the airport to catch your flight home.
Booked by Scenset.