Our Beautiful France Romance

Covering the areas of Nouvelle Aquataine, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and the Grand Est with Bastide Towns, Perched Villages, many of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Châteaus, Spectacular Countryside and Vineyards.

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Our days will be spent traveling through the French countryside visiting Bastide Towns(meaning it was founded by the French in the 13th century, at a time when the English ruled much of this part of France.) Perched Villages, thus named as they are perched on a hillside and several of the villages on the list of 'the most beautiful villages of France'. We will also take in a few castles, a few churches and a few vineyards. Although this is just a small part of France we could only put so much into the itinerary and could not fit in everything that we wanted to see and do. Even so, we think we come up with a wonderful itinerary to give you some of the best of each region. And this is the perfect time to take advantage of all the spring flowers! Come join us on this amazing adventure! As with all of our tours, it is limited to 12-14 people.

Price includes 18 nights accommodation, all dinners, lunches listed in the itinerary and breakfast each morning, all activities, sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in itinerary, all taxes, fees and service charges. Guided minibus travel with luggage handling.

 

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Day 1 - This morning we will meet at our airport accommodation at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, and after a brief orientation, start our adventure. Our first stop of the day is Montbéliard with its period houses and buildings on the registry as a 'City of Art and History', it can boast a beautiful architectural heritage. These boasts include, the very well-preserved covered market hall dating from the 16th century, the pierre à poissons, a stone slab on which fish used to be sold on market days, Saint-Pierre square and its monuments, such as the Saint-Martin temple dating from the beginning of the 17th century (oldest reformed church in France), the town hall, the Forstner House, and the Beurnier-Rossel Mansion and its Art and History museum, and the pedestrian streets lined with colourfully-fronted houses. Our next stop is Pesme, on the banks of the river Ognon it is listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. Walking along its streets and alleys is like taking a trip back in time with its private mansions, royal houses and defence gates. These include the substantial ramparts and the remains of the medieval castle, two of the original stone gateways into the town and grand townhouses such as the Maison Royale, the Maison Grandvelle, Hotel Mairot and the Hotel Chateaurouillaud. We will lunch here before making our way further along to Dijon, the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France, one of the country’s principal wine-making areas. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight Dijon. (B,L,D)

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Day 2 - Today is spent in Dijon, the capital of the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and an ultimate cultural destination. As an officially recognized 'City of Art and History' it boasts a vast protected area that is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. With half-timbered houses, Romanesque and Gothic churches, and 17th- and 18th-century private mansions it majestically highlight the Medieval streets of the former capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. To better appreciate it all we will have a Walking Discover Dijon Food Tour as Dijon is also very well known as a Gourmet destination, and not just for mustard. We will be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of Dijon’s markets and food stalls, meeting passionate producers and sellers. We will indulge in a variety of delectable samples, from traditional cheeses and charcuterie to freshly baked pastries and artisanal chocolates. Then, since we are in the Burgundy Region we will visit La Cave du Palais in the heart of Dijon, to experience the wines of the region as we soak in the atmosphere of the traditional vault. We will get to know Burgundy wine culture like a local as we seize the opportunity to taste 6 different wines from regional to Grand Cru appellations, the highest wine qualification. Then you have some free time this afternoon and this evening to further explore Dijon and find some dinner on your own. Overnight Dijon. (B,L)

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Day 3 - Our first stop this morning is Beaune, a charming city surrounded by vineyards! Over the centuries, Beaune has played the role of the Capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. We will have a Guided Walking Tour of this town that will surprise you with a plethora of architectural jewels. You can admire the Romanesque Cathedral Notre-Dame, dating back to the 12th century. Just a few meters from the cathedral, you will find the famous "Maison du Colombier" (the dove house). This medieval building from the 16th century will impress you with its unusual corner turret. In the heart of Beaune, you will discover the emblematic "Hôtel Dieu," the ancient Hospices de Beaune (hospital) now transformed into a museum.  We will learn about its compelling history from our guide! We then stroll along the ramparts and discover the ancient town of Beaune from a different perspective as we admire the numerous towers, bastions, and gates that enclose the city. You will be able to find some lunch after our tour, and then we continue on to the medieval village of Val D'Oingt. This tiny village is situated high on a hill in the middle of what is called the Pierres Dorées, or Golden Stones. You will immediately fall in love with this charming village with its honey coloured walls and beautifully decorated homes of the locals, craftsmen and artists. Oingt is officially classified one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'  and is an ideal place for wine lovers. Romans introduced the wine culture here and since then it has been a part of local life. There are several wine shops which offer wine tasting. After a lovely afternoon we continue our journey to Clermon-Ferrand to get checked into our accommodation befroe dinner. Dinner and Overnight Clermont-Ferrand. (B,D)

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Day 4 - This morning we visit Château de Val, one of the best preserved and most remarkable historical monuments of Haute-Auvergne.vThis remarkable fortress stands out on its rocky islet with its six towers crowned with pepperpot roofs, its elegant slender silhouette is reflected in the water of the Bort les Orgues Lake. The Château de Val offers an exceptional visit, with its Saint Blaise Chapel, its large rooms with its Gothic-style furniture, its monumental staircase leading to the panoramas of the Chemin de Ronde and into the framework of the towers. This unusual fortress was built in the 15th century, on a 100 foot high rocky spur, overlooking the Haute-Dordogne Valley. Saved during the construction of the Bort les Orgues Dam, then surrounded by the waters of the Dordogne, the Château de Val has become an almost island-like building. Next we visit the pretty village of Turenne, situated just 12 miles north of the Dordogne river and listed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France‘. We will stop for lunch and then do some exploring. Its hilltop position means that we are treated to some of the Dordogne Valley’s most gorgeous panoramas across the lush countryside, forests and hilly backdrop. The village is a crucial stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James. Bearing the name of a powerful viscountcy that ruled over the Dordogne for ten centuries, Turenne has preserved much of its rich medieval past which are still visible today. Then it is just a short way to get checked into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Domme. (B,L,D)

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Day 5 - This morning we visit the important prehistoric site of Peche-Merle situated in Cabrerets in the peaceful Célé valley. This decorated cave was discovered in 1922 and opened to the public in 1926. It contains remarkable cave paintings in numerous concretions. It is in a magnificent place surrounded by stalactites, stalagmites and draperies so mcuh that you will be amazed by all these natural wonders and incredible series of prehistoric artworks, such as drawings, paintings and silhouette engravings of humans, horses, mammoths, bulls and bears. We will find a lovely place to have our Picnic Lunch and then this afternoon we spend at Rocamadour, sacred town and important pilgrimage site. The village of Rocamadour is perched on the side of a limestone cliff and towers majestically over the Alzou canyon, what a wild and unspoiled environment! Famous for its sanctuaries and more especially for its Black Virgin, Rocamadour attracts each year a large number of visitors and pilgrims. Moreover, the village of Rocamadour is the second most visited attraction in France after Mont-Saint-Michel! Having climbed 216 stairs of the main staircase leading to the church square, pilgrims and walkers discover the seven sanctuaries of Rocamadour, among which the Notre-Dame chapel, the Saint-Sauveur basilica and the Saint-Michel chapel. We then make our way to our accommodation to get checked in before dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Domme. (B,L,D)

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Day 6 - This morning we visit Chateau de Beynac, sitting high above the Dordogne river, in the village of Beynac. One of the most impressive castles in the Dordogne region, a simple glance at the clifftop position is sufficient to understand the naturally defensive position occupied by the castle. Although the position was occupied even earlier, the castle we see today dates from the 12th century and is a very good example of medieval military architecture. Naturally defended by the cliffs to the south, the other sides of the castle are defended by double ramparts and a deep moat. In the 12th century, ownership of the castle passed briefly to Richard the Lionheart when the owner died without a natural heir, but the transition was shortlived since Richard the Lionheart also died soon after, as did Mercadier, his companion who was entrusted with the castle and the castle returned to the Beynacs. After a tour of the castle we visit the very attractive village Of Beynac which is spread along the northern bank of the river, and then continues up the hill to the chateau perched above. Beynac is listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. We next Stop for Lunch before another castle visit, Chateau de Castelnaud, a splendid castle at the confluence of the Dordogne river and the Céou river, between Domme and Beynac. The castle has magnificent views across the surrounding countryside, and to Castle Beynac standing across the Dordogne River. Castelnaud castle was built in the 12th century, and has the high drama history that you would expect. It's original owner supported the cathars and got chased away by the Albigensian crusade of Simon de Montfort. Later taking the side of the English during the Hundred Years War, the chateau was a useful base for harassing the neighbourhood and generally making life miserable in the region. At the end of the Hundred Years War the Caumont family repaired and added to the castle, adding large new living quarters but always keeping its defences a key priority. In the end, the owners ended up moving to the much more comfortable Chateau des Milandes just along the valley. After a tour of the castle we return home. Dinner and Overnight near Domme. ​(B,L,D)

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Day 7 - This morning we visit Domme, our favourite place in the Dordogne. The village is on the Dordogne river just a few miles south of Sarlat, and listed as one of several 'most beautiful villages of France' in the Dordogne department. It is a very attractive bastide town, founded in 1283 and situated in an exceptional hilltop location. The town is entered by a large fortified gate at the bottom of the main street: it is unusual for a bastide town to retain its fortifications as Domme has done. The huge towers either side of the entrance called La Porte des Tours once served as prisons and you can still see the religious symbols scratched like graffiti on the walls by the Templar prisoners during the 14th century. The position of Domme at the top of a fairly steep hill is a large part of why the village is so special. There are 180 degree views across the Dordogne river and surrounding countryside from the terraced belvedere area at the top of the village, from where you can also see other picturesque villages including Beynac and La Roque Gageac. Next we visit Marqueyssac Gardens for a tour of the gardens followed by lunch in the tearoom. Listed as a National Historical Monument, the romantic and picturesque Marqueyssac Gardens offer a 19th century stone-tiled castle and over 4 miles of shaded pathways lined with 150,000 hand-pruned boxwood, punctuated with belvederes, rockeries, waterfalls and greenery. After lunch we visit La Roque-Gageac, one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', is also just a few miles south of Sarlat and on the banks of the Dordogne River. La Roque-Gageac is the third most important site of France after Mont Saint-Michele and Rocamadour! Although only a small village, little more than a row of riverside houses squeezed between the Dordogne river to the front and sheltered below the overhanging cliffs behind, it is very picturesque and set in a magnificant location! Almost all the houses in the village are built in the traditional yellow stone of the Dordogne area and with stone roofs. The most imposing building here is the Chateau de la Malartrie, at the western end of La Roque-Gageac. Surprisingly it is also one of the most recent, having been built in the 19th century. Although most houses in La Roque-Gageac are along the river, in other places the medieval houses have found the space to spread up the hill a little, towards the troglodyte caves set in the cliffs above. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free in Domme. Overnight near Domme. (B,L)

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Day 8 - This morning we make our way to the pretty village of Limeuil, officially classified as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France' at the confluence of the two most important rivers in the region, the Dordogne and the Vézère. We will stroll along the river front, cross the road and pass through the old stone gateway into the historical old town. The village is still partly surrounded by its original fortified walls, and is a very lovely Dordogne village, with cobbled streets winding up the hill between honey-coloured houses with pretty little gardens. Our next stop is Monpanzier, listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'. The origins of Monpazier date from the end of the 13th century when it was founded as a bastide town in 1284 by King Edward I of England. It is considered to be the most intact bastide town remaining in France today. Around the paved central square, with the original market hall on one side, Monpazier retains many ancient buildings and the original arcades around the edge of the square.The houses and arcades around the edge of the square (the sheltered pathways under the arches) are the highlight. More than 30 of the buildings in Monpazier are classified as 'national monuments', and there is little to spoil the impression that all is much as it has been for the last 700 years! We then male our way to Monflanquin, listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'. It is a French bastide town, founded by the French in the 13th century, at a time when the English ruled much of this part of France. The central square in Monflanquin, the Place des Arcadeshas beautifully preserved arcades around the edges and many other impressive buildings. Dinner and Overnight near Bergerac. (B,D)​

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Day 9 - We next make our way to Château Feely near Saussignac, a village located in the east side of Bordeaux. Our experience includes a one-hour guided tour of the vineyard to understand in detail the organic and biodynamic viticulture and the local terroir. Afterwards, we will be introduced to 4 of their wines with food and wine pairings around a plate of organic and local cheeses, accompanied by a selection of organic and local breads, seasonal fruits and vegetables and organic chocolate, all in the form of a picnic. On the way home we stop in Eymet, founded 1270 by Alphonse of Poitiers, like many of the French bastide towns, as part of a defensive strategy against the English. Eymet is a very attractive and unspoiled town with a thriving central square, and a pretty location on the banks of the Dropt R6iver. As a transport link along the Dropt this enabled Eymet to flourish. We make one more stop at the wee village of Lauzun, one of several towns spread along the Dropt Valley. We then make our way back home before a dinner outing. Pretty houses, nicely paved streets edged with lots of plants and flowers and lots of interesting architectural details to see as you wander round the village make a visit to Lauzun a pleasant experience. Although very small and not on any beautiful lists, it is a favourite place of ours. Dinner and Overnight near Bergerac. (B,L,D)

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Day 10 - Our first stop today is Angoulême, located on a limestone plateau overlooking the Charente River. Thanks to its perched position, the city is nicknamed the 'Balcony of the Southwest'. When you stand at its edge looking over the surrounding countryside, the name will become very apparent. The upper town of Angouleme is a great place to wander, with plenty to see and do. It’s quite different from the lower part and has more to offer as there are elegant squares, tinkling fountains and grand buildings. Styles range from medieval to Renaissance and it’s got a bit of a Parisian look in some parts with a neo-classical style. The view from the city walls over the surrounding countryside really brings it home to you that this is very much a city within the countryside. Each year the Comic Museum of Angoulême holds a comic festival that attracts more than 200,000 visitors. The town is also the street art capital of France and you can hardly turn a corner without spotting a wall mural, speech-bubble street name or statue honouring a comic artist. Our next stop is Chatellerault, an important stop on the way to Santiago de Compostela. The town is situated on the edge of the River Vienne and has an interesting heritage to explore, from Henri IV Bridge and Descartes House to Saint-Jacques Church and Sully Mansion, home to the municipal museum. Descarts House is where the French philosopher René Descartes spent his childhood and houses a museum devoted to him. There is also an automobile museum, and cutlery was first manufactured at Châtellerault in the 14th century. After some exploration we make our way to tours to get checked in before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Tours. (B,D)

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Day 11 - This morning we make our way to Reims with a stop on the way at Orléans, known for Joan of Arc and Siege of Orléans. To learn more. we will have a Joan of Arc Orléans Walking Tour. Joan of Arc is a French heroine, an icon for nearly six centuries. Her epic is strongly linked with the Loire Valley, with Tours, Blois, or Chinon, but Orléans is a part of the list; it is the place of Joan of Arc’s first and chief victory, the turning point of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. With our guide we will follow the footsteps of this young woman called Jeanne, who changed the course of French and English history in a few days in the spring of 1429. Following her intervention, the English army left the siege of Orléans on May 8, 1429. Often called the Maid of Orléans, Joan of Arc is present everywhere in the streets (dedicated iconography, squares, streets, and monuments). Our next stop is in the Loire Valley at the charming village of Yèvre-le-Chatel, listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France' and is revered for its simplicity and authenticity.The village is small, but a walk through its alleyways lined by crumbling walls covered with multicoloured flowers will delight you, as will the pretty limestone houses. A walk through the town is made even more interesting by the small river, the bridge and the impressive number of plants and flowers to be enjoyed throughout the village. The village is dominated by the substantial ruins of its medieval castle, which retains a substantial part of its external defensive walls, the four round corner towers, and additional towers either side of the entrance, and contains an upper and a lower courtyard. The castle is open to the public and has good views from the walk around the walls, and there is also a medieval garden with a wide range of traditional plants and herbs. We then contineu on to Troyes to get checked into our accommodation. Dinner and Overnight Troyes. (B,D)

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Day 12 - This morning we make our way to Metz, a charming provincial city in the Lorraine region located on the east side of the Moselle River, between Nancy and Luxembourg. We will stop in Reims along the way. Reims is a city that has so much to offer, including culture, architecture, and exceptional wine. Affectionately known as ‘The City of Champagne’, Reims has an impressive history that goes back to before the Romans occupied the region and is the former Capitol of France. Its impressive gothic cathedral was once the location used to crown French monarchs, and was greatly revered by the people of France, inspiring many to come and pay homage. The Cathedral of Notre Dame, as it is also known, is famous for having a story written about it by Victor Hugo. He attended the Coronation of Charles X in the Cathedral and then based the character of Quasimodo in on a bell ringer at the cathedral, and Esmerelda is based on a woman he saw on the Rue Folle Peine in 1825. Dom Perignon, who is heralded as the ‘Father of Champagne’, had links to Reims and was based at a Benedictine monastery outside the city. In the seventeenth century, Dom Perignon is credited as having improved the blend of grapes used to make the eponymous sparkling wine that we all know and love as champagne, and the techniques used by winemakers in the Champagne Region. Our next stop is Chalons-en-Champagne, the capitol for both the Marne department and the Champagne-Ardenne region and another City of Art and History. It has been an active regional trading centre since Roman times, 2000 years ago, due to its position on a major trade route. This role continued and flourished during the Middle Ages when it became an important centre for the wool trade. Criss-crossed by rivers and canals, it has earned the nickname "Little Venice" and the essence of its past can be seen in both its rich civil and religious heritage: half-timbered houses, beautiful civic buildings, abbeys and convents, churches and an internationally renowned cathedral. After we get our fill of this lovely wee town we are off to Metz where we get checked into our accommodation before gathering for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Metz. (B,L,D)

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Day 13 - Today will be spent entirely at your leisure in Metz is in the Moselle Département of the Grand Est Région, situated at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers, northwest of Strasbourg and south of the Luxembourg. It is one of our favorite places in France and we know you will love it as much as we do. Metz derives its name from the Mediomatrici, a Gallic Tribe who made it their capital. It was fortified by the Romans, evangelized in the 3rd century it was evangelized, and it became a bishopric in the 4th century. After being plundered by the Huns in the 5th century, the city passed under Frankish domination. In 843, at the partition of the Carolingian Empire, Metz became the Capital of Lorraine. During the Middle Ages it became a free city within the Holy Roman Empire and grew prosperous. Metz has pleasant promenades along the banks of the Moselle River, which divides into several arms as it flows through the city. The Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Étienne was originally formed when two 12th-century churches were joined into a single edifice. The cathedral has remarkable 13th- and 14th-century stained-glass windows, as well as contemporary ones by the painters Marc Chagall and Jacques Villon. The old city gate, the Porte des Allemands (Gate of the Germans), built in the 13th and 15th centuries has imposing crenellated towers. The museum has a collection of Gallo-Roman antiquities, which are exhibited in the vestiges of Roman baths discovered in 1935. It is a lovely city that you will enjoy exploring. (B)

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Day 14 - This morning on our way to Colmar we will stop in Saverne, an important gateway for trade, dating back as far as Roman times, due to its position at the end of a pass through the Vosges mountains. The importance of the town was further reinforced when the Bishops from Strasbourg established their homes here. A walk through this lovely town will reveal  pretty streets lined with medieval steep-rooved houses and half timbered buildings in the historical centre. In the centre of Saverne is the Place de la Licorne (Place of the Unicorn). The association between unicorns and Saverne dates back more than a thousand years and relates to a legend that a unicorn dipped its horn in the waters here and thus conferred them with therapeutic powers. We then make our way to Obernai, in the heart of Alsace, on the Wine Route, at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile, on the doorstep of the farms and cabbage fields of the Alsatian plain. Like most other towns in the region, it retains much of its distinctive medieval atmosphere. With its various towers, gated walls, narrow streets, and burghers' houses, Obernai offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into life during the medieval period. Obernai is both one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France' and has been given 'Flowering City' status because of the outstanding floral displays that decorate the balconies and porches of homes and buildings during the summer months. Also worth seeing are the place du Marché or Market Square, which is especially notable for the Corn Market that has been in the area since the 15th century, and the magnificent fountain, which dates back to the Renaissance period. Then on to Colmar to get checked into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Colmar. (B,L,D)

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Day 15 - This morning we visit Turckheim, a magic village built by elves on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. The little town of Turckheim lies on the eastern slopes of the Vosges and was a wealthy Free town during the Middle Ages, Turckheim has become a reputed stop along the Alsace Wine Route due to its fairytale appearance. This stunning settlement is characterised by its timber-framed houses, historic town gate, and unique Christmas market which takes place in December of each year. Much of the village architecture dates back centuries, with houses, a hospital, and three town gates all dating back to the 16th and 17th-centuries. Most of the settlement is concentrated around the lower part of town, but you won’t regret venturing a little further off the beaten path to discover the other hidden gems and secret corners that Turckheim has to offer. We will have a Picninc Lunch before visiting another fairytale village. The pretty imperial town of Kaysersberg is alson on the Alsace Wine Route, and you will be charmed by its authentic heritage! Kaysersberg surprises by the charm of the medieval sites around the Ste Croix church (Romanesque portal, a carved altarpiece: a masterpiece rarely equalled) and the fortified bridge dominated by the castle (remains of the former free city of the Décapole). Its strategic position reawakens the memory of the old Roman road which linked the Alsace to the Lorraine. Kaysersberg is considered one of the most charming cities in Alsace, with its paved streets and half-timbered houses. This afternoon we will visit the Choco Story in Colmar. We will first take a tour of the museum and learn the history of chocolate followed by a demonstration and chocolate tasting including their famous hot chocolate with 6 different choices. Finally we will get creative and join a Christmas Workshop where we get to make a Chocolate Santa, Chocolate Lollipops and other treats to eat and take with us. This is a chocolate lovers dream! We then make our way back home before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Colmar. (B,D)

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Day 16 - After you find some lunch we will visit Riquewihr, situated between the peaks of the Vosges mountains and the Plain of Alsace. This medieval town right in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards is classified among the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. For centuries this magnificent town has managed to combine the quality of its architecture with the quality of its world-famous wines, from where it gets its nickname 'The Gem of the Alsace Vineyards'. It has managed to preserve its authentic character behind its city walls, which are now besieged only by the vines. Then we visit another lovely village located on the Alsace Wine Route, between the vineyards and mountains, Ribeauvillé is an attractive town which has combined its historical heritage with modernity. The town and neighbouring hills are dominated by the majestic ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. The Grand-Rue (main street) and its picturesque neighbouring streets, lined with 15th- to 18th-century buildings, are scattered with Renaissance fountain-decorated squares. Many buildings are worth a visit, including the Town Hall with its prestigious collection of silver drinking-cups, the Butchers' Tower (13th century), the former Corn Exchange and the House of the Fiddlers. Ribeauvillé has a busy shopping street with cosy restaurants, hotels and wine shops. To take it all in properly, we will have a Guided Walking Tour. We then return home to Colmar where you can find some dinner on your own. Overnight Colmar. (B,L)

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Day 17 - This morning we will be treated to a lovely epicurean moment with a complete presentation of the Cattin Family, Alsatian winegrowers for 300 years. This is followed by a private, guided tour of their cellars in order to better discover the secrets of the development of their Grands Crémants and Vins d'Alsace. Through this guided tour, we will visit the cellars as well as the modern vat room. Our guide will be at our service to answer all of our questions. Upon our return from the tour, we will have a delicious experience in their Belvedere, first enjoying a breathtaking view of the plain and the vineyards of Alsace. Finally, it is time to taste a panel of their best bottles and a delicious selection of artisanal products from Alsatian gastronomy. We then visit the Pearl of the vineyard, the wine-growing city of Dambach-la-Ville. It is as attractive for its picturesque and medieval charm as for the fame of the wines of its terroir, including the famous granite wines. It is said that the bear fountain, an emblematic animal of the city, evokes the history of the city and viticulture. In the past, driven by famine, a child ventures deep into the forest. There he discovers a bear feasting on large juicy berries. Conquered by the sweetness of the fruit, men hunt the animal and since then cultivate the vine of this beautiful sunny region. Its walled enclosure and three imposing door trimmers, its numerous wine-growers and half-timbered houses, its synagogue transformed into a cultural space, its grand Frankstein cru, its famous Labonal sock factory and the proximity of Bernstein Castle make it well worth visiting. Overnight Colmar. (B,L,D)

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Day 18 - We return to the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg for the journey home.

 

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