Sip your way through charming villages and scenic French vineyards when you visit the country’s most famous wine regions.
When you imagine the perfect French vacation, the scene is probably filled with fairy-tale castles, charming streets lined with picturesque boulangeries and brasseries, and lots of delicious food and wine. Whether you plan to spend your days sunning in Saint-Tropez, skiing in Chamonix, or touring the City of Lights, any trip to France should include the country’s famed culinary delights and plenty of local wine. Moreover, visitors with a penchant for viticulture will know that there are countless esteemed French vineyards located throughout the country, enabling you to fit a vineyard or two into your vacation itinerary.
Some areas are easily accessible from major cities— in fact, the Champagne region is an easy day trip from Paris— providing options for DIY tours by train or car or joining a guided group trip for a more streamlined experience. Either way, you’re bound to taste some fantastic wines and walk away with a few souvenir bottles. To help you start planning your dream trip to France, here are 10 popular French wine regions (and a few famous vineyards and wineries).
Alsace
Near the border of Germany and Switzerland, this region is home to the Alsace Wine Route, a 170-kilometer stretch that takes travelers past fairy-tale villages, castles, churches, and, of course, many vineyards. Nearby Strasbourg, which has distinct German and French influences, serves as the perfect home base if you want to explore this area.
Champagne
You might not know how to distinguish a Languedoc wine from one from Alsace, but everyone knows Champagne. Visit the world’s most famous Champagne houses in Reims and Épernay (think Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, and Mumm, just to name a few), or explore the vineyards along the Champagne Tourist Route.
Beaujolais
Alsace isn’t the only wine region with a specified route—several areas offer curated journeys featuring picturesque vineyards and more, including Beaujolais’s 140-kilometer circuit. The area is perhaps best known for Beaujolais nouveau, released every November, but you can travel the route at any time to see the scenic vineyards and taste the region’s wines.
Bordeaux
One of the world’s most famous wine regions, Bordeaux is home to a number of esteemed vineyards and truly beautiful chateaux—enabling you to spend the night in a castle-like residence on a historic wine estate. Wine lovers will also want to visit the Cité du Vin, enabling them to learn all about wine history, culture, and creation while enjoying a glass from the top floor featuring 360-degree views.
Bourgogne (Burgundy)
“Les climats du vignoble de Bourgogne“—the Burgundy vineyard areas known for their unique terroir—are identified as UNESCO World Heritage sites and boast some incredible wines. Explore the vineyards by foot, bike (on the Véloroute), car, or even hot-air balloon, and plan your trip to overlap with one of the 100-plus festivals and events held during typical years.
Loire Valley
Stunning chateaux, beautiful landscapes, France’s longest wine route, and over 1,000 vineyards open to the public—these highlights of the Loire Valley are irresistible. Avid bikers will want to ride along the hundreds of miles of paths lining the Loire River, and you’ll definitely want to visit one (or a few) of the palatial homes that date back hundreds of years, like the Château de Chambord.
Cognac
Cognac is home to the largest white grape vineyard in all of Europe, although the region is most recognized for its famous brandy. When you’re not exploring the area’s vineyards and historic sites, tour the esteemed Cognac maisons—Rémy Martin, Martell & Co., and Hennessy are a few of the famous producers you’ll find in this region.
Provence
With charming villages, delicious food, lavender fields, and plenty of rosé, Provence is a must-visit French region whether you love wine or not. There are over 400 vineyards and wine cellars to explore, making it a delightful discover for wine connoisseurs.
Languedoc
Located along the Mediterranean, this region features some of the oldest and largest vineyards in France. Now part of the larger Occitanie administrative region, the Languedoc is home to a number of wineries, as is its neighbor Roussillon, which is famous for vins doux naturels (sweet fortified wines).
Rhône Valley
You can explore the second-largest wine-growing region in the country when you visit the Rhône Valley. This area offers 14 wine routes, allowing you to taste a variety of delicious wines, while key locations such as Lyon, Avignon, and Nîmes make great home bases for your wine-inspired travels.
