Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

When Luxury Travel Magazine asked me to cover a few destinations in France as part of a new series, it was right in tune with my own travel desires. I began my Grand Tour of France in Paris. I left grey Dublin where it still felt like winter for a blossoming Paris, where we were lucky enough to arrive during the first few days of spring sunshine. There was a contagious attitude in the air for being outside. People lingered longer at their cafe tables. Dinners lasted even further into the night. Long after it was time for sleep, couples were strolling along the Seine enjoying the brisk night air. Read about my experience of Paris is Springtime and the lovely Hotel Relais Christine by clicking here.

As usual, the days passed too quickly and it was time to depart. The high-speed train brought us South, into an unexplored region of France, Bordeaux. I wanted to stay awake on the train and watch the countryside roll by, but the high speed lulled me to sleep. Arriving in Bordeaux-St. Jean, we quickly stored our bags in the train station locker and took the tram into the city. For a Tuesday evening, we were surprised to find a crowded bar, with tables outside looking onto a well-maintained square. As night fell, we strolled the streets, passing restaurants with laughing patrons and locals taking their dogs for an evening walk. After just a taste of the city, we took a cab to Chateau Coulon Laurensac, the home of the Bordeaux Wine Experience. Read about my day touring the wineries of Bordeaux by clicking here.

St Emilion, Bordeaux

Just when I thought I couldn’t be any more impressed by wineries, we left Bordeaux for Provence. 40 minutes north of Avignon, we were staying in a remote vineyard property called La Verriere. With an on-site winery, we learned from the friendly staff about their adventure to begin producing a label of wine. It was the accompaniment to a lovely dinner, al fresco lunch, and family reunion over the course of a weekend. Mornings spent in the kitchen chatting with the chef, Olivier, as he prepared the evening meal not only made me a better cook, but gave the property a real at-home feel. Read about my unforgettable experience in Provence by clicking here.

Sadly, after Provence, my Grand Tour of France was complete. A quick drive through Nice left us wanting more sunshine, more long lunches, more of French quality of life.