Traveling this August...will wine tasting be a problem particulary in Chateauneuf Du Pape areas or Bordeaux? Are most wineries closed in August?
I%26#39;ve chosen August because I want to celebrate my birthday there...is this a bad idea (month) due to summer crowds and wineries shutting down?
Also, I%26#39;d like some help choosing right area - these are my interests:
Pretty, quaint %26amp; CHARMING -- AKA ROMANCE!! I%26#39;m looking for quaint, beautiful scenery, romantic passages and cute little roads with a real authentic town.
Interests: Wine (Chateuaneuf du Pape (N.Rhone or S. Rhone) and Bordeaux)
Markets to pick up delicious food and bring back to B%26amp;B
Great restaurants -- FOOD
Romantic drives through the valley
We%26#39;ll have a car.
It was recommended we stay in Loire Valley...but I think this is too far out, yes? I%26#39;ve heard Dordogne Valley is very beautiful, is this a more convenient base? Or Aix? Or ??
Thanks all!
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Given your wine interests, you probably don%26#39;t want to stay in either the Loire Valley or the Dordogne--neither area is noted for its wines. The Rhône Valley, of course, is, and both there and in Provence you will find any number of pretty little wine villages to explore, such as Gigondas and Beaumes de Venise. Provence also has many markets, including the famous one at Isle sur la Sorgue, an attractive town known also for its water mills.
I%26#39;m not sure what you mean about the Loire Valley%26#39;s being %26quot;too far out;%26quot; too far out of what?
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Suggestions:
1. PROVENCE: stay in or near Avignon - drive to Chateauneauf de Pape for wine tasting. Very pretty area. All open in August. Most do not require appointments, but close from 12-2. Eat lunch at Le Verger des Papes. Ask for a table with a view of the Rhone and Avignon. Visit Orange, Vaison la Romaine, Les Baux de Provence, Luberon hill top villages.
2. AQUITAINE: real charm: stay in the village of Saint Emilion. Surrounded by vineyards. Visit vineyards of St. Emilion, Pommerol, Medoc. Excellent restaurants with regional food: Duck, Foie Gras, etc.. Can drive to the Dordogne for the day or 2 : Sarlat, Chateau de Beynac, Domme. Visit market day in Castillon la Bataille.
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Excellent...thanks so much! I assume you chose St. Emilion not only for it%26#39;s incredible wine but also for it%26#39;s charm as a village to stay? I%26#39;m thinking I could spend a few days in St. Emilion (Bordeaux) first on the way to Provence OR on the way back to Paris - either or.
I plan to take a train out of Paris to either Bordeaux or Avignon or I can see Bordeaux by driving on the way back to Paris and then leave the car in Bordeaux to catch the train back...not sure which is best...
As for my comment about Loire Valley being out of the way - I mean out of the way for wine tasting and being close as a good base for either Bordeaux or Rhone area...
I%26#39;m so relieved to hear the wineries are open in August! Phew...
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Got it. The Loire Valley would definitely not be convenient for wine tasting, although you could go through to Burgundy on your way to Provence. Burgundian wines are some of the very best, and the country is green and beautiful. There are nice little villages along the major wine routes of the Côte d%26#39;Or and the Côte One of our favorites is Savigny-lès-Beaune, which has a good château to visit.
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