A Taste of Bordeaux, Biarritz and the French Basque

Day 1  Bordeaux  
Fly to Bordeaux. On arrival, make your way to the hotel and drop your bags off before heading out to explore. Take a stroll down Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrianised street, and observe the impressive architecture, boutique shops and cafés.  

Day 2  Bordeaux  
Today, perhaps delve into the city’s medieval history at the Musée d’Aquitaine. Admire the gothic Cathédrale Saint-André head to the top of the separate bell tower, Tour Pey Berland for fantastic views of Bordeaux. Later, be sure to visit the Place de la Bourse, an impressive neoclassical square featuring the world’s largest reflecting pool.  

Day 3  Bordeaux  
Spend your day sampling Bordeaux’s finest wines on a guided tour of Saint-Émilion. Enjoy the regions famous wines in a traditional château, before joining a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint-Émilion.

Day 4  Bordeaux  
Pick up a car and head out to explore the wider region. Just over an hour west of Bordeaux lies Arcachon Bay. Meander the villages and beaches that surround and call in to one of the Oyster cabins along the shoreline of Cap Ferret to sample the delicacies that have led to the area being known as France’s Oyster Capital. In the afternoon, head around the bay to Arcachon and climb the constantly shifting sands of the Dunes de Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe.  

Days 5-8  Biarritz  
Travel southwest to the beaches of Biarritz. Formerly a whaling village, the surrounding waters became renowned for bathing, so much so that in 1854 Napolean III built a palace there, now the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz. Côte des Basques beach embodies Biarritz as a whole: a harmonious blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Thirty minutes north of Biarritz lies the capital of the French Basque region, Bayonne. Discover the culture, language and unique architecture at the Basque Museum then climb the steps to the ornate Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, with Gothic chapels and ancient paintings. Make sure to view the giant street art frescoes of the Saint-Esprit district, created by the world’s best graffiti artists.  

Day 9  Fly home  
Enjoy a final morning in Biarritz before driving back to Bordeaux airport to drop off your car in time for your flight home.