From the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne to the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux and the elegant boulevards of Paris, this new journey through France was designed 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 explored by travelers.
Hi, my name is Tina Hickok and I’ve been working at Tauck for over 10 years. I originally started in our reservations department before transferring to our global operations department where I joined our product development team as a Tour Architect.
As a Tour Architect, my role is a blend of art and logistics. While we’re tasked with choosing the routing, hotels, restaurants, and excursions, what we’re truly crafting is a story. Every detail, from where we begin to the rhythm of each day, works together to create a journey that feels seamless and deeply meaningful. Our mission is to design experiences that are memorable and enriching, and, of course, include a few delightful surprises along the way.
Inspired by the Spirit of France
I’ve always had a passion for travel, especially throughout Europe. My grandfather was from France, and after studying French in college and spending many summers abroad, I developed a lifelong love affair with this country – its landscapes, language, and most importantly, its people.
When we began developing Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux, our goal was to create a journey that felt quintessentially French, yet offered something fresh for guests who may have already seen Paris. We wanted to return to the roots of Tauck’s “Yellow Roads of Europe” philosophy, those lesser-traveled paths that reveal the heart & soul of a country.
This itinerary delves deep into the essence of France. It brings together regions rich in history (think Roman ruins and medieval villages) and explores the origins of humanity itself through the remarkable prehistoric art and dwellings found in Dordogne. Each region feels distinct in culture, history, and landscape, yet all are connected by a shared thread of heritage.
From Vision to Reality
As you may have learned from my colleague Alicia when she took you behind the scenes of her The Mekong, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Southeast Asia journey, a Tauck journey takes roughly two years to bring to life, from concept to first departure, and Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux was no exception. All great tours begin with an idea. Once we have a general theme and unique tour identity, we create a general itinerary, start mapping out the geography and begin differentiating between the “must-sees” and the “nice-to-haves.”
And selecting the right mix of “must-sees” and hidden gems is a careful balance. Every hotel must meet the Tauck standard (centrally located, group-friendly, and full of character) and each experience has to feel authentic and true to the region.
Then come the research trips and for this particular itinerary, there were several of them. On-the-ground exploration is absolutely essential. You have to feel a place. A photo might show you what’s beautiful, but walking its cobblestone lanes, meeting its people, and tasting its cuisine… that’s what reveals its spirit.
While the planning was extensive, some of the best moments came as surprises. Driving through the Auvergne, I was completely taken aback by its peaceful, almost mystical beauty. Crossing the Dordogne Valley at sunset was one of those moments that makes you stop and simply breathe it in.
Also something to note, wherever possible, we like to weave local life into our journeys. Whether its meeting artisans, vintners, chefs, or historians, it’s the people of the places we visit who truly bring these regions to life.
In places like the Dordogne, where tourism feels more personal, those local interactions happen naturally. The people are as curious about us as we are about them, and it’s in those moments that genuine connection flourishes.
Those special moments
Like many of our journeys, it’s the signature Tauck touches that elevate this tour into something truly special. One experience I’m super excited for is an exclusive after-hours visit to Lascaux IV, the extraordinary recreation of the original prehistoric cave paintings, followed by a private dinner inside the museum itself, presenting you with a rare opportunity to dine surrounded by the echoes of early humanity.
Another thing I’m excited for you to experience is spending time in a charming countryside inn in the Dordogne—home to a Michelin-starred chef whose culinary creativity is matched only by his notoriety as a “local celebrity.” Later, you’ll stay at the legendary Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, once the summer palace of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, perched above the roaring Atlantic.
La Belle Vie
This is a more active journey than many of our other French itineraries. You’ll walk along chalky cliffs to ancient troglodyte dwellings, explore the countryside trails of the Dordogne, stroll through vineyards in Bordeaux and St. Émilion, and even cross the Garonne by boat. These experiences are meant to be felt and were carefully chosen to engage all the senses and bring you closer to the land and its stories.
And speaking of senses, this tour was designed with food and wine as a major focus. In Bordeaux, you’ll taste some of the world’s finest vintages, while in the Dordogne, often called the “fruit and bread basket” of France, you’ll savor truffles, foie gras, walnuts, caviar, and farm-fresh produce, encapsulating the phrase, 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 caves of Lascaux or walking through La Madeleine, where prehistoric and medieval settlers once carved their homes into the cliffs, I hope these experiences, make you pause. Because these sites stir something primal in all of us and are a reminder of how deeply human history runs through France’s soil.
Every detail of Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux was designed to engage the mind, body, and soul. With spectacular landscapes, world-class cuisine, and profound cultural encounters, this journey celebrates France in its purest form… timeless, elegant, endlessly inspiring and an encapsulation of la belle vie.
Que l’aventure commence!
– Tina
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