Tastings · WINE TASTING TOURS IN FRANCE
The good ones fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 15 wine tasting tours in France to book early, what each includes and how they differ once you are through the door.
Visit Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin at your own pace with a digital guide in eight languages. Explore 18 interactive displays about wine, test your senses, learn how wine is made, then enjoy one glass from a choice of about 15 wines on the 8th-floor belvedere.
“This is definitely a must see and do. Really enjoyed my visit at the museum”
This three-hour Montmartre walk combines eight food stops with local history, art, wine, and hilltop views. English-speaking guides such as Julie, Marie, Oscar, and Pierre-Edouard lead small groups of up to 15 from Moulin Rouge to Sacré-Cœur. Expect macarons, chocolates, cheese, cured meats, wine, and plenty of stairs.
“This was a very fun afternoon filled with food and tidbits of info about the locally-owned businesses in Montmartre. Julie led a fascinating tour up the hill, winding through the neighborhood to visit shops for bites of traditional French cuisine. She easily accommodated dietary restrictions in our group, and every stop was expertly curated and ready to serve the tour. We met other travelers from the US in our group, and tried food items we would not have sought out on our own. We are still talking about the macrons!”
Travel by comfortable coach from Paris to Chambord and Chenonceau, with self-guided castle visits, a wine tasting, and two hours in Blois for lunch. English-speaking guides such as Dee, Jasmina, John, and Thelma add lively stories during the long drives. Expect a full 13-hour day, plenty of walking, and little time to linger.
“We had an amazing Loire Valley day trip! Dee was an outstanding guide — knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history of the castles and the region. She made everything easy to understand and really brought the stories to life. Pierrick was an excellent driver — professional, safe, and very kind. The whole journey was smooth and comfortable. The wine tasting was a great bonus, and the entire day was perfectly organized. Highly recommend this tour — especially with Dee and Pierrick.”
Travel from Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion in an air-conditioned minivan with up to eight people. Walk the medieval village, visit a Grand Cru Classé château, taste three to four wines, and share cheese, cured meat, bread, and dark chocolate. Guides such as Dorian, Nina, Vicky, and Theo are praised for clear wine lessons and warm storytelling.
“Really pleased with the Tour and the group I was with. It was extremely informative and enjoyable and our tour guide Nina was great.”
Choose Médoc for château-hopping along the Castle Road, with up to five wines and a French snack platter, or Saint-Émilion for one Grand Cru Classé château, three to four tastings, and a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed village. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving in a small minivan.
“Gabrielle was a great guide and a great driver! He shared a lot of local history and knowledge and welcomes all questions. The wineries were so pretty and the wine was excellent. The snack we received at the second winery complimented the wine perfectly. Thanks a for a fun afternoon!”
Spend eight hours in Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion and Pomerol wine country with an English-speaking guide. Visit chateaux, taste three sets of wines, tour cellars and vat rooms, and walk through the UNESCO-listed village. The small group has a maximum of eight people, with free time for lunch and shopping in Saint-Émilion.
“Easy to locate pick up site. Small group of 8 in Mercedes travel van. Very clean. Lea was our guide and had great personality.”
Travel from Bordeaux in an eight-seat minivan to Saint-Émilion, where you’ll tour a grand cru château, taste red wines, and walk through the UNESCO-listed village. Guides such as Guy, Luigi, Mathis, Dulce, and Rodolphe bring strong wine and regional knowledge. Plan on two hours of driving, a short village visit, and some walking on steep cobbles.
“This was such a great tour. Luigi our guide was so u knowledgeable about the wines and area. Enjoyed it a lot!! Chateau Bellevue was lovely too!”
At Les Caves du Louvre, an English-speaking guide leads you through 18th-century cellars near the Louvre. Interactive rooms explain grapes, terroir, fermentation, and French wine regions through aromas, visuals, games, and an app. Finish with three French wine tastings and sommelier guidance. The tour lasts about an hour and small groups may be available.
“Beautiful caves with a lot of information around the fermentation processes, different yeasts, the regions of wine and of course terroir (different characteristics that influence taste). Our guide was fantastic - very enthusiastic, interactive and friendly, plus extremely knowledgeable around the different regions and grapes. The premium tasting was wonderful and included three very different wines, all with their unique traits. Overall the experience was wonderful and we would come back in a heartbeat. Highly recommended!”
Travel from central Bordeaux in a small van to Saint-Émilion, where an English-speaking guide leads a village walk before taking you to a historic château. Taste three local wines with charcuterie and cheese, learn about Bordeaux grape varieties and winemaking, then return to Bordeaux in time for lunch.
“Xavier was friendly and informative. He knew the best vistas in Saint Emilion.”
Spend 8 to 9 hours with Rustic Vines exploring Saint-Émilion by e-bike, visiting two wine estates, and sharing a French picnic lunch. Guides such as Pauline, Maude, Vincent, and Taylor combine wine know-how with local stories. Expect quiet vineyard roads, village walking time, and a final tasting in town.
“We can't imagine there is any better way to experience a full day in the Saint Emilion Appellation than an e bike tour with wine tasting and a fabulous picnic. From start to finish Madeleine created a wonderful and truly memorable experience for us. The group of 8 was fun and entertaining with some members of the group proving just how worthwhile this experience is, having returned for a 2nd visit. We will definitely do this tour again when we return next year. Thank you.”
Ride from Beaune through Burgundy’s vineyard villages with guides such as Eric, Valentine, Theo, and Paul. You’ll pass Chateau de La Rochepot, visit historic cellars, taste three wines, enjoy a local lunch, and finish with another winery visit near Pommard, Volnay, or Meursault. Regular bikes are included, while e-bikes cost extra.
“Paul was great. Very knowledgeable in explaining all aspects of growing grapes, regions, as well as the wine making process. The e-bikes were a welcome travel mode and a must. We enjoyed a nice wine and cheese break and later stopped for a delicious lunch at a restaurant. All in all a wonderful day.”
Visit Bordeaux’s Wine and Trade Museum in the former cellar of royal broker Louis XV. Follow a self-guided route through vaulted cellars, old tools, documents, videos, and displays about Bordeaux wine merchants. Finish with two tastings, usually Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus clear advice on merchant and château wines.
“Was good experience. Interesting museum with some useful information about wine history and technology. Also wine testing was good but don’t expect it is going to last very long. Complimentary bottles of wine in the end was very nice surprise. Very reasonable price”
Spend one relaxed hour at Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie, a five-generation family vineyard on Pavie Hill. Your English or French-speaking guide, often Valentin, Chloe, or Matthieu, explains the soil, grapes, cellar, and aging process before serving three red wines. The château is walkable from Saint-Émilion and its train station.
“Excellent and informative tour, really enjoyed and super easy to get to on foot from the main road between the station and St Emilion.”
Meet your local guide at Place Massena for a three-hour walk through Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya, and Castel Hill. Expect 20 food tastings, Provençal wine, olive oil, socca, pissaladière, petits farcis, calisson, and a Niçoise salad lesson. Guides may include Lara, Laura, Marion, Gabby, or Sasha.
“Laura was an excellent guide. The food and drink along the tour were very good. In spite of the heat it was a worthwhile experience.”
Meet your English-speaking sommelier at a 17th-century cellar near the Louvre for six French pours: one Champagne and five regional wines. You’ll learn tasting technique, labels, terroir, appellations, and pairings. Guides such as Laury, Felicity, Paul, and Clement have led engaging sessions. Add cheese or charcuterie for €15.
“Everything was great. The sommelier was incredibly knowledgeable and funny”
The lists most people start from.
