Tailormade tour Bordeaux vineyards and Dordogne castles rail-drive tour France

Depart London St Pancras on a morning Eurostar service, and after changing stations in Paris continue through the French countryside to Bordeaux. You arrive here around 5.30pm and collect your hire car before driving about 20 minutes to your hotel, where you spend two nights.

The city of Bordeaux is a thriving hub of wine-making in the Aquitaine region. On the bank of the Gironde Estuary, just south of the Médoc Peninsula, and about 40 minutes’ drive from world-famous Saint-Emilion, Le Saint-James is the ideal place to be based in order to explore this region. Track down one of the impressive wine châteaux dotted across the region, such as the Château Rauzan Gassies and the Château Mouton Rothschild, to taste the fruity Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and experience the distinctive vanilla and coffee aromas that develop as the wines of the area age. Other grape varieties in the region include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Within the port city of Bordeaux, much more than wine-tasting is on offer. Stroll around the city streets to get a feel for the wealth of extensive and interesting architecture. Recommended stop-off points include The Amphithéâtre de Bordeaux dit Palais Gallien, the Cathédrale de Bordeaux, the Opéra National de Bordeaux, and the Basilica of St. Michael.

From the Bordeaux region, it’s about an hour and a quarter to your next hotel stay: the Chateau de Vigiers near Monestier. You have most of the day to explore before reaching Monestier. On the way, we suggest that you stop off to visit the Chateau de Vayres on the banks of the Dordogne. This mediaeval castle once belonged to the kings of Navarre before being inherited by Henri IV. It has been classified as a historical landmark of France and its original gardens, which were recreated in 1938, are listed among the Notable Gardens of France. The next stop could be at the picturesque wine village of Saint Emilion, and then about 25 minutes further on is the Chateau et Tour Michel de Montaigne. The Chateau de Montaigne was a 14th century building in which Michel de Montaigne was born and died. The original chateau burnt down in 1885, but the library tower was spared from the fire. Visitors to the chateau can see Montaigne’s rooms which have not been altered since he lived and worked there, as well as his bedroom, the chapel and the library. You stay for three nights at Monestier.

You have two full days to explore Bergerac and the surrounding area. One important castle nearby is the Chateau de Monbazillac, a 16th century chateau from the Renaissance period whose vineyards and wines are well known beyond the borders of the Aquitaine region. The views from the terraces are extraordinarily wide, over the Dordogne river and Bergerac. The castle cellar holds about 6,000 bottles. Wine-tastings are available. Nearby is the historic, 15th century Chateau de Bridoire at Ribagnac in the heart of the Monbazillac vines. Bergerac also offers wine-tasting opportunities in the Musée du Vin et de la Battelerie. In Bergerac, experience the lively hubbub of conviviality at the weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) market in the centre of town, whilst picking up a few local treasures, be it food, wine, or arts and crafts.

Drive just over one hour from Chateau des Vigiers to Le Vieux Logis at Tremolat where you spend the next three nights. The hotel is located on a bend in the river Dordogne and is ideally located for visits to local markets and activities such as canoeing on the river.

You have two days to explore the castles and local area around Trémolat. We suggest a visit to the village of Belves, a lively and attractive bastide town built up the side of a steep rocky outcrop. Belves is known for its seven bell towers that date from as far back as the 11th century, and the troglodyte dwellings offer a fascinating glimpse of medieval life. The last castle that we recommend for this tour is the Chateau de Biron near Monpazier. This extensive building dates from the 12th century and commands stunning views of the surrounding countryside, however since the last owner sold all the furniture to pay off his debts the rooms and halls are sadly empty. Along the length of the river be sure to see the Chateau des Milandes, the chateau at Beynac-et-Cazenac, and the Chateau de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with its collection of mediaeval weapons. Nearby are the gardens of Marqueyssac, listed as a National Monument and planted with box through which there are numerous paths, creating a maze-like effect. There are fantastic views from a belvedere. Other gardens nearby include the Clos des Sources at Vitrac and the Jardins d’Eyrignac. Other notable villages in the area are La Roque Gageac, Domme and Beynac. From La Roque Gageac it is also easy to hire a canoe or to take a river trip on one of the gabarres, a boat designed after the old river trading boats.

You return your hire-car to Libourne this morning and take the TGV from here to Paris. If you leave Libourne just before 11.00 hrs you arrive back in London on the Eurostar just after 16.30 hrs.