From the ancient caverns of the Dordogne to the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux and the classy boulevards of Paris, this new journey through France was developed to engage all the senses. It’s one that celebrates France’s art, history, cuisine, and spirit of joie de vivre while venturing off the beaten path to reveal regions rarely checked out by tourists.
Hi, my name is Tina Hickok and I’ve been working at Tauck for over 10 years. I initially started in our bookings department before transferring to our worldwide operations department where I joined our item advancement group as a Trip Architect. As a Tour Designer, my role is a mix of art and logistics. While we’re charged with selecting the routing, hotels, dining establishments, and adventures, what we’re genuinely crafting is a story. Every detail, from where we start to the rhythm of every day, collaborates to create a journey that feels smooth and deeply meaningful. Our objective is to create experiences that are remarkable and improving, and, of course, include a few delightful surprises along the method.
Influenced by the Spirit of France
I have actually constantly had a passion for travel, particularly throughout Europe. My grandfather was from France, and after studying French in college and costs numerous summers abroad, I established a long-lasting love affair with this country– its landscapes, language, and most importantly, its individuals.
When we started establishing Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux, our goal was to create a journey that felt quintessentially French, yet provided something fresh for guests who may have currently seen Paris. We wanted to go back to the roots of Tauck’s “Yellow Roads of Europe” philosophy, those lesser-traveled courses that expose the heart & soul of a country.
This schedule delves deep into the essence of France. It unites areas rich in history (believe Roman ruins and middle ages towns) and checks out the origins of mankind itself through the impressive ancient art and residences discovered in Dordogne. Each area feels distinct in culture, history, and landscape, yet all are connected by a shared thread of heritage.
From Vision to Truth
< img width ="1024"height= "913" alt=" "data-src="https://blog.tauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/44d58f4d-6373-45bb-bfa9-a9cd0b4ac580-1024x913.jpg"src=" image/gif; base64, R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== "/ > As you might have learned from my colleague Alicia when she took you
behind the scenes of her T he Mekong, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Southeast Asia journey, a Tauck journey takes roughly two years to bring to life, from idea to very first departure, and Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux was no exception. All terrific trips begin with an idea. As soon as we have a basic theme and special tour identity, we produce a basic itinerary, start drawing up the location and start distinguishing in between the”must-sees”and the”nice-to-haves.”And picking the right mix of”must-sees”and
hidden gems is a careful balance. Every hotel must meet the Tauck requirement (centrally situated, group-friendly, and loaded with character) and each experience has to feel authentic and real to the area. Then come the research study journeys and for this particular schedule, there were numerous of them. On-the-ground expedition is definitely vital. You need to feel a place. An image may show you what’s stunning, however strolling its cobblestone lanes, fulfilling its individuals, and tasting its food … that’s what reveals its spirit.
While the preparation was extensive, a few of the best minutes came as surprises. Driving through the Auvergne, I was completely surprised by its tranquil, nearly magical beauty. Crossing the Dordogne Valley at sunset was among those minutes that makes you stop and simply breathe it in.
Also something to keep in mind, wherever possible, we like to weave regional life into our journeys. Whether its conference artisans, vintners, chefs, or historians, it’s the people of the places we visit who truly bring these areas to life.
In locations like the Dordogne, where tourism feels more individual, those local interactions occur naturally. Individuals are as curious about us as we are about them, and it remains in those minutes that genuine connection flourishes.
Those unique minutes
Like many of our journeys, it’s the signature Tauck touches that raise this trip into something really unique. One experience I’m very excited for is an unique after-hours see to Lascaux IV, the extraordinary recreation of the initial prehistoric cave paintings, followed by a private dinner inside the museum itself, providing you with an unusual opportunity to dine surrounded by the echoes of early humanity.
Another thing I’m thrilled for you to experience is hanging out in a charming countryside
inn in the Dordogne– home to a Michelin-starred chef whose culinary creativity is matched just by his notoriety as a” regional celebrity.”Later on, you’ll remain at the legendary Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, when the summer palace of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, set down above the roaring Atlantic. La Belle Vie This is a more active journey than many of our other French schedules. You’ll walk along milky cliffs to ancient troglodyte residences, check out the countryside trails of the Dordogne, stroll through vineyards in Bordeaux and St. Émilion, and even cross the Garonne by boat. These experiences are suggested to be felt and were thoroughly chosen to engage all the senses and bring you closer to the land and its stories.
And speaking of senses, this trip was developed with food and white wine as a major focus. In Bordeaux, you’ll taste a few of the world’s finest vintages, while in the Dordogne, frequently called the “fruit and bread basket” of France, you’ll appreciate truffles, foie gras, walnuts, caviar, and farm-fresh produce, encapsulating the expression, la belle vie, in all aspects of your journey.
A Journey That Stays With You
If there’s one emotion I hope you’ll feel on this tour, it’s awe.
Whether it’s standing before the caverns of Lascaux or strolling through La Madeleine, where prehistoric and middle ages settlers as soon as sculpted their homes into the cliffs, I hope these experiences, make you pause. Due to the fact that these websites stir something primal in all of us and are a tip of how deeply human history runs through France’s soil.
Every information of Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux was developed to engage the mind, body, and soul. With amazing landscapes, first-rate food, and profound cultural encounters, this journey celebrates France in its purest kind … timeless, classy, constantly inspiring and an encapsulation of la belle vie.
Que l’aventure begin!
— Tina
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