France, a land where tradition, terroir and taste converge in perfect harmony, is a true paradise for wine lovers. From the chalky hills of Champagne to Provence’s sun-soaked slopes, each region tells its own rich and nuanced story. And with the help of some of the world’s most elegant hotels, and their immersive, tailor-made experiences, the journey doesn’t need to end with the last drop of a bottle. Journey through the country’s most iconic wine regions—Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Provence—while staying in grand maisons, cycling through vineyard-lined valleys and unwinding in grape-infused spas overlooking rolling hills. Read on to discover how to savour every drop of French wine country in unforgettable style.
France, a land where tradition, terroir and taste converge in perfect harmony, is a true paradise for wine lovers. From the chalky hills of Champagne to Provence’s sun-soaked slopes, each region tells its own rich and nuanced story. And with the help of some of the world’s most elegant hotels, and their immersive, tailor-made experiences, the journey doesn’t need to end with the last drop of a bottle. Journey through the country’s most iconic wine regions—Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Provence—while staying in grand maisons, cycling through vineyard-lined valleys and unwinding in grape-infused spas overlooking rolling hills. Read on to discover how to savour every drop of French wine country in unforgettable style.
For those who love a good bubbly but don’t want to be away from the‘City of Lights’ too long, a day trip to this deeply demarcated area is a masterclass in sparkling wine reverence.
An oenophile’s icon, the name alone conjures the sound of clinking glasses and images of vertiginous vines parading up hillsides. Home to the world’s most famous sparkling wine, produced exclusively in the eponymous region in northeastern France, Champagne also boasts one of the most intricate and tightly regulated production systems in the world. Spanning 4 distinct wine-growing regions spread across more than 120 miles apart, the region is further divided into an astonishing 280,000 vineyards, each no larger than a tennis court and tended by more than 16,000 growers. This makes it hard to know where to start when you visit. The Royal Champagne Hotel is a favourite among our Europe team. An elegant former coaching inn perched above the rolling vineyards of Champillon, its infinity pool and sleek, seductive spa are enough to keep you put. But step outside, and you’ll find yourself whisked off on private tours of bespoke cellars and small-scale producers, soaring above the estates in hot air balloons and zipping through the countryside on e-bikes.
If you haven’t come from Paris, you’ll want to. A quick 40-minute ride on the country’s high-speed TGV train will whisk you straight into the heart of the capital. Use the Seine as your compass to guide you from icon to icon, starting at the Eiffel Tower, through the Clamps Elysees and Tuileries Gardens to the Arc de Triomphe and Louvre. Bed down at opulent Le Bristol, where decadent 18th-century furnishings and a sprinkling of Michelin stars awaits.
Come for its limited edition Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, stay for its UNESCO-recognised history, rich traditions and patchwork of vineyards so intricate even your camera will struggle to capture their full beauty.
So special UNESCO consecrated it a World Heritage site in 2015, Burgundy is considered one of France’s most unique wine regions. It’s defined by a complex patchwork of vineyards, split between 5 distinct regions—Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais—stretching along the heart of central-eastern France. While each area has its own unique climate and terroir (which the region is known for), they all produce Burgundy’s signature grapes, the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You don’t even need a few days to explore it either. Charter a helicopter from Paris, landing in Chablis’ historic town centre (where the first vines were planted in 1AD) and spend a day exploring wineries such as Château Long-Depaquit, which come with their own fragrant rose garden, ancient trees and expansive vineyards producing elegant, barrel-aged wines. If you have time to spare, push the boat out (literally) onboard Belmond’s Amaryllis. Cruise through Burgundy’s tranquil canals on a curated tour. Pass by the region’s medieval sights and ancient wineries and end each day with a private wine tasting and food pairing in quaint.
Pair your Burgundy wine tastings with a deep dive into Lyon’s legendary culinary scene. Just an hour and a half by train to the south lies this gastronomic capital, where the Rhône and Saône rivers converge and a lively al fresco dining culture spills out across sun-drenched squares and riverside terraces.
Capable of producing both full-bodied reds and classic sweet whites, Bordeaux is a true jack of all trades. It offers something to suit every palate—including Cognac for those who prefer their drink bold and refined. Its eponymous city is equally alluring, brimming with elegant architecture and 18th-century savoir-faire.
The first thing you need to know about Bordeaux is that it’s big—the largest and one of the oldest fine wine regions in the world in fact. It covers 112,000 hectares, encompasses 65 appellations (supporting around 7,000 winemakers, 300 wine merchants and 100 brokers) and produces an average of 5 million hectolitres of wine annually. Like every other French wine region, Bordeaux can be grouped into distinct sub-regions: the Left Bank, known for its powerful reds, the Right Bank (home to areas like Saint-Émilion), specialising in Merlot-driven reds, Entre-Deux-Mers (sandwiched between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers) for reds and whites and, lastly, the Graves and Sauternes areas, which are known for their outstanding dry whites and sweet wines.
Of course, you’ll want to sample it all. And we can think of no better place to do it than at Les Sources de Caudalie. Located in the Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyards where wine seemingly seeps into every corner, you’ll want to make a bee-line for its Vinothérapie Spa where grape-based treatments, made from byproducts of the wine-making process, await. From there, you’ll find its 2-Michelin-star-spangled restaurant, gardens, bikes and tennis courts the perfect complement to your wine tastings.
Come for the wine and stay for the city. As the world’s largest urban World Heritage site and France’s sixth-largest city, Bordeaux is certainly not to be sniffed at (unless you’re at one of its myriad wine tastings). Enjoy an afternoon stroll through its tranquil public gardens, taking in their graceful 18th-century mansions and grand stone-carved palaces and make room for fresh Arcachon oysters at the Marché des Capucins.
Perfect for rosé lovers, sunseekers and romantics drawn to scenic vineyards, charming villages and Mediterranean flair, Provence is ideal for leisurely sips and long lunches under the sun.
Dating back over 2,600 years when the Phocaeans first brought vines to Marseille, Provence has long been hailed as the birthplace of French wine. Its location, tucked between the Alps and the Mediterranean, and sunny terroir make it the perfect setting for rosé wine production, for which it is most noted. The primary grape varieties grown in Provence include Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, Tibouren, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon, which represent almost 90% of national rosé production.
Base yourself in the heart of Luberon, at Coquillade. Part vineyard, part resort, it is a plush cocoon of elegance and refinement. Alternate between cellar tours with wine tastings and scenic road bike rides through the valley; a region beloved by its late owner, Andy Rihs, a passionate cyclist and former owner of a professional racing team. If it’s slower-paced, sun-drenched days you’re after, you’ll find them at La Réserve Ramatuelle. A few minutes from the fabled village of Saint-Tropez, its heady blend of sea views and serene luxury is enough to lull anyone into a blissful haze. But rouse yourself long enough for a VIP visit to Château La Mascaronne, the esteemed organic estate set between Provençal hills, and you’ll be in for a treat. But beyond that, this is a place made for stillness.
Provence has so much to offer, we recommend sticking around for a few days. Make a beeline for the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, where you can people-watch along Nice’s nearly mile-long Promenade du Paillon and spend sunset weaving between isolated islets on a private charter. Or stay inland—more specifically, at Hôtel Crillon le Brave. Virtually occupying an entire 17th-century village in the foothills of Mont Ventoux, its spa, airy suites, and astonishing views make it the perfect spot to let time stretch.
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