BORDEAUX & ONEOPHILE TOUR ITINERARY 2025

Let me guide you through these enchanting areas, for an unforgettable adventure with lasting memories!

The following itinerary includes all of the following: 10 days and 9 nights of daily hotel accommodations, all breakfasts, all meals (7 Luncheons & 5 Dinners ) are 3 to 4 courses, with choices, always accommodating everyone’s diets, accompanied with wines & beers, coffee, etc., sometimes aperitifs too. Only 4 evenings will be at your leisure. This tour includes all bus travel, entrance & tickets to daily activities (see activities below). All daily travels (from Friday, April 25th to Sunday, May 4th) with a 44-seat Deluxe A/C and Heated Motor Coach. 

Every new day is more enticing than yesterday!

The price is based on double occupancy, at $3300 (with the 5% “Early Bird“ discount). The regular price is $3475. Single occupancy is available at an additional $425. The tour price does not include the airfare from the United States to Paris, nor train travel from Paris to Bordeaux and return.

Take the TGV, the Fast Speed Train, which takes about a couple of hours from Paris. From Paris airport Charles De Gaulle (CDG), go to Gare Montparnasse and take a TGV Train to Bordeaux (Gare Saint Jean, in Bordeaux, is the only train station). These train tickets are inexpensive, book them online in advance at www.sncf-connect.com. If you are flying into Paris on Friday, April 21 you can also connect to an Air France flight into Bordeaux (BOD) from CDG( Paris Airport ). It is a little over an hour's flight. Upon arrival at Bordeaux-Merignac airport, you can take a taxi to the tour meeting point near Bordeaux Gare St. Jean.

Friday, April 25th

Meet Chef Didier in Bordeaux, at La “Tavern du Midi Restaurant” across from the train station, Gare Saint Jean, by 2:30 pm).  La Taverne du Midi - Restaurant in Bordeaux

Chef Didier’s cell: 773-620-3986

Email: chefdidierdurand@yahoo.com



(If you arrive early, have a bowl of fresh mussels with a Stella Artois or an espresso, I probably will be there myself, if you are late, the bus, and I will wait for you.)

Friday, April 25th.  The Tour begins : (D)

Deluxe Motor Coach transfer from Bordeaux to Bergerac, where we will explore the Dordogne area. Start with a visit & degustation at Chateau THENAC, followed by a dinner at a restaurant along the Dordogne River then check into a 3-star Hotel, for two nights.

Saturday, April 26th : (B,L)

Start your day with a lecture on Cyrano in the old town of Bergerac, followed by a visit to two markets and the cathedral. Lunch is at “La Grappe d’Or” where the chef trained, in Monbazillac. Wine tasting Pecharmant wines at Chateau Tiregand. Demystifies & taste local wines at IVBD ( interprofession of Bergerac & Duras Wines ). Return to Bergerac and our hotel.

Sunday, April 27th : (B,L,D)

Going to the region of Sarlat La Caneda for 2 days. Discover "Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac", called "The Cristal Cathedral", near the town of Rocamadour., the most famous cave in Europe and the most interesting geological site, with stalagmites & stalactites. After lunch at “Le Toune-Pique” along the river, we will visit the Chateau Des Milandes, its gardens & the life of Josephine Baker. Watch the Falcons and Birds of Prey SHOW! An exceptional outside show. Going to a 3-star hotel in Sarlat-La-Caneda, followed by dinner across the hotel.

Monday, April 28th : (B,L)

Hop on a boat to cruise up & down the Dordogne River then have lunch at La Laugerie Basse with Guinea Hen as the main course, picture in front of the restaurant. Discover the Lascaux IV Caves, world known and unique opportunity to explore primitive painting from 20,000 years ago. Explore Eyrignac and its unique gardens of 300 sculptures followed by dinner in Sarlat, before returning to the hotel

Tuesday, April 29th : (B,L,D)

Start your day with a cooking class in the old town of Perigueux, learning about the famous “Pate Truffe de Perigueux”. Lunch in the old town with Chef Francis Delpey, Chef’s Didier best friend, followed by a roof tour of the Cathedral Saint Front in Perigueux. Going to a 4-star hotel in Perigueux, where we will stay for 2 nights. Before dinner, we will stop to look at porcelains, flower seeds & beluga caviar lentils, we can bring back to the US.

Wednesday, April 30th: (B,L)

The cultural heart of Perigueux are the 3 local different farmer markets, held in this old medieval town square. Enjoy lunch at Chef Francis Delpey, Sixieme Sens Restaurant where Chef Didier will open bottles of wine from his French cellar. Then visit some authentic Perigord Homes from the XVeme to XIXeme Century, led by Mrs. Martine BALOUT, local expert & conferenciere, followed by a short class on Foie Gras cooking.

Dinner and evening at your leisure

Thursday, May 1st : (B,L)

Visit, degustation & lunch at the exceptional wines of Chateau de Fayolle, an authentic medieval castle, from 1480, transformed into an opulent winery. Oenologist Daniel Hecquet from Chateau Haut Sarthes minds the production of the wines here. On our way to our 4-star hotel in Bordeaux, we will stop at Chateau de Ferrand, for a degustation.

Friday, May 2nd: (B,L,D)

Be prepared to be pampered with Mademoiselle Margaux Chocolate Boutique & Degustation of Chocolates, then a big welcome, visit, degustation, and lunch at Chateau Giscours  https://giscours.com/en/ A Fabulous Experience to say the least: Hors D’oeuvres served with Champagne, degustation Michelin-quality 4 courses lunch, a culinary experience by Chef Benjamin LAURENT, a protégé of worldwide acclaimed 3 Stars Michelin Guide Michel GUERARD. 

(Chef Didier worked at the Guerard’s Kitchen in 1985 & 1986, before moving to the US ).

Visit and Degustation at Chateau Desmirail followed by our return to our Hotel in Bordeaux

Dinner at a brasserie, well known for its Alsatian Specialties where memoirs of the trip will be exchanged.

Saturday, May 3rd: (B,D)

Visit in Bordeaux to “La Cite du Vin”, on the banks of the Garonne River. This is a world-class museum about wines around the world. You will love the interactive exhibits and thoroughly enjoy a glass of wine from its top floor with a 360-degree view of the beautiful port city of Bordeaux. Enjoy lunch on your own, probably at “Le Bacalan” across from “La Cite du Vin” before we embark on a visit and degustation at Clos Fourtet, a “Premiers Grand Crus Classes” of Saint Emilion. Tour of underground Saint Emilion, its collegiate church, and its cloister. Light snacks & ice cream at “Les Cordeliers” a shop where we have bread, bubbly, wine, salamis, and rillettes.

Finally, the jewel of this TOUR is a Winemaker’s Dinner in Saint Emilion, where 80 Grand Crus winegrowers will offer their wines, along with a wonderful 4-course menu, followed by our return to the hotel in Bordeaux.

Sunday, May 5th: (B)

Enjoy an early or late breakfast at the hotel before getting on the TGV Back to Paris or another destination you may have chosen.