Your private driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Lyon for this full-day tour of the Côte d’Or. Begin by following the Rhône north through the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions until you arrive at the Côte de Nuits. This growing area, located north of the town of Beaune, is home to some of Burgundy’s most celebrated vintages, including Clos Vougeot. Admire the historic chateau and rows of flourishing vines as your guide explains France’s complex regulations about labels, appellations and cru designations.
Continue on to Gevrey-Chambertin, a small medieval town that also lends its name to the AOC. Visit a historic wine shop where the bottles are still stored in underground limestone cellars. Here, you can sample some of the full-bodied merlots and cabernet sauvignon blends that the region is known for.
Heading south, stop for lunch at Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or. Burgundy is known for its exceptional cuisine, including boeuf Bourguignon and garlicky escargots à la Bourgogne. You can enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the town’s many excellent restaurants (not included). Afterwards, take a little time on your own to wander among the cobbled lanes of the town, which dates back to before the Roman era. We suggest walking past the Hospices de Beaune, a gloriously overwrought Gothic charity hospital with a brightly patterned tile roof typical of the area.
After you’ve eaten, continue south to the Côte de Beaune, another sub-region of the Côte d’Or. You can stop at one of the region’s well-known large appellations, such as Aloxe-Corton. Enjoy a guided tasting before heading to the Château de Chassagne Montrachet, where you’ll tour the castle’s 11th-century cellars. At the end of the day, your driver-guide will take you back to your hotel in Lyon.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our France specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Annecy walking tour
A medieval city built around a hilltop castle and riddled with canals, Annecy is best explored on foot. On this walking tour, your private guide will reveal the history behind the rickety old buildings, fortifications and characterful cobbled lanes.
Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions
This full-day tour gives you the chance to explore the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions. With your private driver-guide, visit the Côte Dorée and sample gamay wines before enjoying an indulgent lunch. In the afternoon, sample white Burgundies in Mâconnais.
Geneva walking tour
A short hop from France lies the historic city of Geneva on the edge of its namesake lake. On this private guided walking tour, you’ll hear about Geneva’s international significance and its importance during the Protestant Reformation as you take in its old town on foot.
Gourmet walking tour of Lyon and Les Halles covered market
Discover why Lyon is known as the culinary capital of France on this private tour of its bakeries, markets, restaurants and delis. Learn about its renowned chefs past and present and sample some local delicacies such as praline brioche and coussin de Lyon.
Hiking near Mont Blanc with picnic lunch
Get out onto the trails and into the mountains around Chamonix on a full-day privately guided hike. You’ll ascend into the high meadows for panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks, and return via another route passing a quiet mountain lake.
Mountains and glacier tour with cable car ascent
The alpine scenery of Chamonix is unveiled on this tour of the mountains and glaciers with a local guide. You’ll take in the views from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi and visit the ice cave in the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier.
Private boat tour of Lac d'Annecy with apéritif
Cruise along the scenic shores of Lac d’Annecy on a private boat on this evening cruise. Visit a smuggler’s cave and admire the turquoise waters then sip an apéritif as you watch the sun set behind Annecy.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
