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THE BEST WINE REGIONS IN FRANCE
The best wine tours in France will take you to the best wine regions in France and in fact some of the best wine regions in the world. This is not really a surprise given France is where winemaking and viticulture was first refined. The wine regions of France now produce between 7 and 8 billion bottles of wine per year!
No doubt if you are visiting France you will want to visit at least a few of the world-famous French wine regions. If you are not sure which wine areas of France you should visit or which of wine tours of France you should book, then this guide is for you.
In this French Wine Regions guide, you will learn about the wine regions France is most famous for and what type of wine each region produces so you can choose a region that suits your wine preferences. So you can make the most of your time in each wine region of France, the guide also looks at the best wine tour in each location. If you are spending a little longer in the region or want a few wine tours of France to consider, this guide will also provide some additional options.
READ MORE – Want to ensure your wine makes it home? Click here for our guide to the best wine tote bags and wine suitcases specially designed for travel.
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A nice introduction to French Wine
LIST OF WINE REGIONS IN FRANCE & WINE MAP FRANCE
There is a commercial production of wine in every region of France except those along the north coast. While the French Wine Regions of Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux, enjoy worldwide recognition there are other important Wine Regions in France that you should explore. Here’s our favorite French Wine Regions List:
- Bordeaux
- Burgundy
- Provence
- Loire Valley
- Champagne
- Alsace
- Côtes du Rhône
- Languedoc – Roussillon
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THE BEST WINE TOURS IN FRANCE
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| TOUR NAME | WINE REGION | DURATION | STARTING POINT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cru Wine Tasting | Best of All Regions | 2 hrs | Paris | View |
| Itinerant Wine Tasting Tour | All Regions | 4 hrs | Paris | View |
| Saint Emilion Wine Tour and Tastings | Bordeaux | 4 hrs | Bordeaux | View |
| North Burgundy and Chablis Wine Tour | Burgundy | 11 hrs | Paris | View |
| Cotes de Provence Wine Tour | Côtes de Provence | 8 hrs | Nice | View |
| Loire Valley Wine Tour | Loire Valley | 4 hrs | Tours | View |
| Champagne Tour with Private Estate Visit | Champagne | 10 hrs | Paris | View |
| Alsace Wine Tasting Tour | Alsace | 8 hrs | Strasbourg | View |
| Northern Cotes du Rhone Discovery | Côtes du Rhône | 8 hrs | Lyon | View |
| Pic Saint Loup Wine Tour | Languedoc-Roussillon | 3.5 hrs | Montpellier | View |
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WINE IN BORDEAUX
The Bordeaux wine region of France is located in the south of France along the southern Atlantic coast and is one of largest wine producing regions in France. The wine regions in Bordeaux, are often split into the Left Bank and the Right bank, being divided by the Gironde River. Places worth the exploration for its beauty and wines include Saint Emilion and Médoc.
The wine in Bordeaux includes a wide range including some of the world’s most expensive wines. The best wine in Bordeaux is its reds which are a blend of Cabernet, Sauvignon, and Merlot.
White wine from Bordeaux include Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blends whereas it’s sweet whites range from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes.
The Best Bordeaux Wine Tour: Bordeaux Wine Tasting in Saint Emilion
The Saint-Emilion Wine Tour and Tastings is one of the best wine tours in Bordeaux. This half-day wine tasting in Bordeaux France tour departs from central Bordeaux and you will not only get to taste wine from Bordeaux but also wander the streets of a Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval village producing worldwide famous wines. In this half-day wine tasting Bordeaux tour you will learn about the winemaking process as well as taste up to 5 to 6 wines that are unique to Saint-Emilion.
If you are looking for the best Bordeaux wine tours, this tour is highly recommended. The tour price includes transport, wine tasting in Bordeaux region and water. Food is not included.
BOOK: Half-day Saint Emilion Wine Tour and Tastings
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More Wine Tours in Bordeaux
- Super Saver French Wine Tasting in Bordeaux City + Lunch and Bordeaux Wine Tasting in Saint Emilion. Two Wine of Bordeaux tasting tours combined in a full day tour, departure from Bordeaux.
- Private Wine Tour of Médoc and Workshop. Half day tour, departure from Bordeaux.
- Castles and Medoc 1855 Classification Premium Wine Tasting. Full day tour, departure from Bordeaux.
- Scenic Drives and Medoc Wine Tasting. Full day tour, departure from Bordeaux.
- Vineyards and Best Bordeaux Wine Tasting. Half day tour, departure from Bordeaux
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WINE OF BURGUNDY
The wine region of Burgundy is located a few hours drive southeast of Paris. Within the area, there are in fact several wine regions of Burgundy including Chablis, Beaujolais, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise and Maconnais.
Wine from Burgundy includes several famous French wines, with the region best known for its Chardonnay (white Burgundy), Beaujolais Nouveau and Pinot Noir (red Burgundy). Other types of Burgundy wine include a small number of roses and sparkling wines.
The Best Wine Tour Burgundy: North Burgundy and Chablis Wine Tasting from Paris
If you are looking for wine tours in Burgundy, look no further than this full day North Burgundy and Chablis Wine Tasting Tour. This wine tasting in Burgundy France tour departs from Paris where you will then be driven approximately 2 hours to Burgundy. You will have multiple wine tasting opportunities in Chablis as well as 2 other Burgundy villages. As well as wine tasting you will see how grapes are grown and wine is produced as well as enjoy a delicious lunch and various cheeses.
If you are looking for one of the full day tours of Burgundy France than this tour is for you. The tour price includes transportation, wine tasting, cheese, lunch and English speaking guide. This is definitely one of the best Burgundy Wine Tours from Paris.
BOOK: full day North Burgundy and Chablis Wine Tasting Tour.
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More Wine Tours in Burgundy
- Wine Tasting Burgundy Tour. Half day tour, departure from Dijon
- The Best of Burgundy, including 6 Grands Crus. Full day Private Burgundy Wine Tours from Beaune
- Burgundy History and Grand Cru in the world famous wine village of Gevrey Chambertin. Half day tour, departure from Gevrey Chambertin (Dijon province)
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WINE OF PROVENCE
Provence is one of the wine districts of France located near the Mediterranean coast. This is one of the warmest regions of France, located a few hours’ drive northwest of Nice.
Wine of Provence is mainly whites and rosés and due to its close proximity to the southern region of Rhone, the wine in Provence is very similar to the wine produced in Rhone. Grape varieties here include Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cinsault. We like rosé wine from Provence a lot!
The Best Wine Tour Provence: Côtes de Provence from Nice
If you are looking for wine tours in Provence you will love this full-day wine tasting in Provence tour. This is one of the Provence tours from Nice, where you will learn about the winemaking process in the region of Cotes de Provence whilst visiting various family-owned wineries. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to taste delicious Roses, Reds, and Whites at three different wineries. You will also have plenty of free time to have lunch in a quiet village.
If you are looking for tours of Provence from Nice, this tour is well recommended. Tour price includes transportation, wine tastings, and tour guide. Lunch is not included.
BOOK: Côtes de Provence Full-Day Wine Tour from Nice
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More Wine Tours in Provence
- Wine Tasting Provence Tour with Lunch. Full day tour, departure from Nice.
- Wine Tour in Provence (Marseille Shore Excursion). Full day tours of Provence from Marseille Cruise Pier.
- Sainte Victoire Wine in Provence and Cézanne. Haf day tour, departure from Aix-en-Provence.
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WINE FROM LOIRE VALLEY
Southwest of Paris is Loire Valley, one of the largest wine-producing regions in France. The vineyards in the Loire Valley are known for producing some of France’s highest quality white wines. Because of its relatively short distance from the capital, wine tours from Paris to Loire Valley are often on many “Paris Bucket Lists”.
The Loire Valley is made up of four distinct wine areas: The Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and the Central Vineyards.
The wines of the Loire Valley include light reds and sparkling wines and in fact, after Champagne, Loire Valley is France’s second largest producers of sparkling wine.
Other wine from Loire Valley include fruity light white wines, slightly sweet roses, smooth light reds, crisp dry sparkling wine and sweet white wines.
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The Best Wine Tour in Loire Valley: Wines of Loire Valley from the Town of Tours
There are various wine tours in Loire Valley and on this Loire Valley afternoon wine tour, you will visit two of the best wineries in Loire Valley of the Vouvray Appellation. Not only will you enjoy wine tasting in the Loire Valley but you will also get to talk with a French winemaker who will share his tips on wine making and wine tasting. At the end of the tour enjoy delicious local produce such as cheese, rillettes and fresh bread with a glass of Loire Valley wine whilst admiring the Loire River.
This tour departs from the beautiful town of Tours and the tour price includes transportation, wine tasting in Loire Valley, guide, walking tour and snacks.
BOOK: Wines of the Loire Valley Half-Day Tour from the Town of Tours
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More Wine Tours in Loire Valley
- Cheese and Wines from the Loire Valley Tour. Full day tour, departure from Paris
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WINE OF CHAMPAGNE REGION FRANCE
The region of Champagne is France’s coldest winemaking region and is located in the east close to Belgium and Luxembourg. Champagne is also one of the most famous wine regions of France. Because of its short distance from the capital, there are many tours of Champagne from Paris.
As most of us know, Champagne is famous for Champagne. Whilst many of us may call sparkling wine Champagne, the fact is sparkling wine from this region is the only sparkling wine that can be technically called Champagne.
Other than Champagne, the cooler climate of this wine country of France lends itself to be perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Champagne’s whites tend to be lighter, crisper and less fruity than other wine areas in France.
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The Best Champagne Tour: Champagne Region with Private Estate Visit
If you are looking for wine tours in Champagne France, in particular tours to Champagne from Paris, you will love this 10-hour tour of the world’s famous sparkling wine region. During the day trip, you will make several stops where you will learn about the history and traditions of the Champagne region. Stops include Epernay (the world’s most expensive avenue), Mercier Champagne’s underground cellars housing a multitude of Champagne and the village of Hautvillers famous for being the birthplace of Champagne. To top your day trip off you will taste three different Champagnes.
Tour price includes transportation, guide, tastings and entrance fees. Lunch is not included.
BOOK: Champagne Region Day Trip with Private Estate Visit
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More Wine Tours in Champagne
- Moët et Chandon and Taittinger Wine Tour Champagne. Full day tour, departure from Reims.
- Paris Champagne Tasting: Discover the Champagne Terroirs. 2-hour tour in Paris.
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WINE FROM ALSACE
In eastern France, close to the border of Germany, Alsace is one of the cooler wine growing regions in France, with wines of Alsace mostly being sparkling sweet wines, dry whites and rose whites.
The region of Alsace has historically had close ties with Germany and German culture which is evident in the wine from Alsace. Due to its German influence, the wines from Alsace include some of the best Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer wines.
Whilst the region of Alsace is predominantly known for its white wines it does also produce some red and rose wines.
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The Best Wine Tour: Alsace Wine Tasting Tour from Strasbourg
If you would like to visit the best wineries in Alsace on one of the wine tours in Alsace, then this full-day wine tour departing from central Strasbourg is for you. During this wine tasting in Alsace tour you will visit the gorgeous towns of Mittelbergheim, Dambach-la-Ville, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr and visit 3 different wineries where you will sample the best wine of the region including Riesling and gewürztraminer varietals. Along the route, you can admire the stunning green foothills of the Vosges mountains and the various Alsace vineyards.
This tour includes transportation, guide, and wine tastings. Lunch is not included.
BOOK: Alsace Wine Tasting Tour from Strasbourg
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More Wine Tours in Alsace
- Wine Route Alsace Tasting Tour. Half day tour, departure from Strasbourg.
- Wines of Alsace Tour. Half day tour, departure from Colmar.
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WINES FROM RHONE VALLEY (COTES DU RHONE)
Located in Southeastern France along the Rhone River, the region of Cotes du Rhone is best known for its reds and is, in fact, one of France’s major producer and exporter of red wine.
This wine country in France is split into two sections: Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone. Northern Rhone Valley vineyards make some of the most expensive wines in the region. In Southern Rhone, you will find more white wines with blends of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. We always make sure to have a good stock of Rhône Valley Wines: red wines of Rhone and red wine from Bordeaux are our favorite ones.
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The Best Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour: Northern Cotes du Rhone Discovery
Departing from Lyon, on this full-day tour to Northern Rhone you will visit 3 wineries and have the opportunity to sample various Cotes du Rhone wine including Condrieu, St Joseph or/and Cote Rotieappellations. During your visit to the Rhone Valley vineyards, you will have a guided tour of the barrel room and learn a few things about the art of aging wine. You will also be taken on a guided tour of Vienne City as well as see the vertigo-inducing terraced slopes of Cote Brune and Cote Blonde.
Tour price includes transportation, English speaking guide and wine tasting Rhone Valley. Lunch is not included.
BOOK: Northern Cotes du Rhone Discovery
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More Wine Tours in Cotes du Rhone
- Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour with Tastings. Full day tour, departure from Avignon
- The Original Syrah Vineyards Tour and Tastings. Half day tour, departure from Lyon
- The Roots of Wine History and Wine Tastings Tour. Full day tour, departure from Lyon
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LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON WINES
The Languedoc – Roussillon wine region (often nicknamed Wine Lake) is in France’s southwest and is the largest wine region in France in terms of vineyard surface and production and is great for buying good quality cheap French wine.
Due to the region’s climate, which is warm with little rainfall, this region is one of the most productive wine regions in the world being the best Languedoc wines very appreciated.
Wines from Languedoc – Roussillon are diverse including reds (Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah), whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Grenache and Muscat Blanc grape varieties), Vins Doux Naturels (naturally sweet wines) and Cremant de Limoux.
The Best Wine Tasting Languedoc Tour: Pic Saint Loup Wine Tour
If you would like to enjoy some of the wine tasting, Languedoc – Roussillon offers, then join this 3.5-hour wine tour which departs from Montpellier. This tour takes you to the picturesque region of Pic Saint-Loup where you will visit two wineries and have the option to not only sample the wines of Languedoc – Roussillon but learn about the working of the vines to winemaking and the aging process.
Tour price includes transportation, guide and tasting the Languedoc – Roussillon wine.
BOOK: Pic Saint Loup Wine Tour. Half day tour, departure from Montpellier
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More Languedoc – Roussillon Wine Tours
- Languedoc Wine Tour with Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Visit. Full day tour, starting from Montpellier
- Pic Saint Loup Wine and Olive Tour. Full day tour, starting from Montpellier
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