Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Dijon, France
Tranquil, elegant and awash with history, Dijon is the food-centric capital of the Burgundy wine region. Food and wine come together in the city’s celebrated Dijon mustard, in which verjuice — the green juice of unripe grapes — is substituted for vinegar. Once home to the Dukes of Burgundy, it remains a seat of gastronomic excellence befitting royalty. Half-timbered houses and cobblestone alleys make the past palpable in the historic center, while the surrounding countryside is a tapestry of vineyards, rustic farms and truffle-rich forests.
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2 Dijon – Half-Timbered Old Town
Stroll through Dijon’s Old Town, where half-timbered houses line narrow, cobbled lanes. Step into the Fine Arts Museum inside the Palais des Ducs and take in works by Flemish masters and artifacts from the era of Burgundy’s powerful dukes.
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3 Dijon – Flavors Of Burgundy
Begin your day in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits region with a visit to a family cassis farm. After tasting Burgundy’s signature fruit, move on to the forest for a truffle experience. Watch a local forager and their dog, then sit down to a lunch centered on truffle specialties. Spend the afternoon touring private cellars in the Côte de Nuits, where you can sample Grand Crus and regional cheeses at two estates. Pause in the vineyards as your guide explains the nuances of the terroir and winemaking traditions that shape each bottle.
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4 Lyon – The Beaujolais Countryside
Travel south toward Lyon, winding through the patchwork landscapes of Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon. Pause for a tasting at a Beaujolais estate, where vines trace the contours of the hills, and wander through the medieval lanes of the fortified village of Oingt, perched above the Azergues River.
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5 Lyon – Markets And Masterworks
Explore the highlights of Lyon, beginning at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, where stalls brim with cheese, charcuterie, pastries and chocolates. Sample local flavors as you wander among revered purveyors, culminating in a Burgundy wine tasting. Continue to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for sweeping views over Lyon before wandering through the terraced gardens into the Old Town. Here, step into a working silk workshop and watch a master craftsman demonstrate frame printing and hand-painted techniques.
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6 Lyon – Annecy, Venice Of The Alps
Travel from Lyon to Annecy, where canals wind through medieval and Renaissance streets framed by the Alps. Begin with a tasting of mountain cheese and local wine in the heart of the old town. Stroll cobbled lanes, perhaps pausing at the Baroque cathedral or along Rue Royale. After lunch, board a public cruise to glide across Lake Annecy’s clear waters and take in the mountain panoramas. If you wish, dive in for a swim before returning to Lyon.
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7 Marseilles – France’s Oldest City
Founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers, Marseille lies where the bountiful landscapes of Provence meet the Mediterranean Sea. The fruits of both feature in the cuisine, from aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and pistou (crushed fresh basil, garlic and olive oil) to bouillabaisse (a hearty fish stew). In a port city enriched by a melting pot of cultures, Lebanese bakeries exist alongside Vietnamese grocery stores, Caribbean jerk joints and an African spice market. Beyond food lie centuries of history and distinctive architecture at every turn.
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8 Marseilles – Realm Of The Count
Begin your journey exploring Marseille’s layered past at the Old Port, marked by grand forts, and gaze out to the fortress island Château d’If, famously the setting of Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Walk the Panier district, France’s oldest quarter, before heading southeast to the Calanques. Here, spend the afternoon kayaking through turquoise water beneath limestone cliffs and fjord-like inlets, pausing at hidden beaches.
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9 Marseilles – Time To UnwindToday is yours to spend as you like, perhaps exploring on your own, relaxing at a local café or shopping for some keepsakes.
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10 Depart MarseillesMeals:
