The Atlantic Coast : from Bilbao to Mont-St-Michel

DAY 1: Bilbao the creative

With the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is the gateway to the Basque cultural world.
Possibility to sleep over in Biarritz.

DAY 2 : Biarritz Basque Country (Pau-Lourdes option)

• Morning: Stroll in Biarritz along the waterfront, then lunch in the market hall with products of Basque gastronomy (see itinerary "Starting from Biarritz" for more details) .
• Afternoon: Guided tour of Pau, the castle of Henri IV, promenade on the Boulevard des Pyrénées with a view of the mountains for a coffee... Or the sportier visitor can play golf on the oldest golf course in continental Europe, or go kayaking in the whitewater stadium.
• Dinner and night in a guest house in the vineyards of Jurançon.

Possible Option: Excursion to Lourdes (50 mn from Pau).

DAY 3 : Bordeaux, historic regional capital and gateway to the vineyards

Discover the UNESCO-listed city to admire its historical heritage with an excursion in the vineyards (see itinerary "Starting from Bordeaux" for more details ).

DAY 4 : Cognac

• Morning: Discovery of the Cognac city centre, where King Francis I was born.
• Afternoon: Visit and tasting of Cognac in one of the grand houses of Cognac (Hennessy, Courvoisier, Rémy-Martin, Meukow), then embark onboard a gabarre on the Charente river. OR ride a bike along the river by following the itinerary “Flow Vélo” OR discovering the vineyards while driving a classic car.
• Late afternoon: Return to Cognac to start your own Cognac collection.
• Evening: Go to the Martell rooftop bar for a drink and to admire the old town.

DAY 5 : La Rochelle-Ile de Ré-Marais Poitevin

• Morning: Discover La Rochelle, the old Port and its three towers by foot or bicycle, then visit the aquarium, one of Europe’s largest. Lunchtime tasting of oysters and a seafood platter.
• Afternoon: Discovery of the Île de Ré by bicycle OR boat trip in the Marais Poitevin, the “Green Venice”, to study the fauna and flora.
• End of the day: After a busy day, relax in one of the Thalasso / Spa centres.

DAY 6 : Poitiers Futuroscope

• Morning: Guided tour of Poitiers’ historic city, the city of 100 steeples, classified City of Art and History.
• Afternoon: Head for Futuroscope to enjoy France’s second-largest amusement park… OR family visit to the Vallée des Singes OR visit of Rochefort, the Hermione and the Corderie Royale.
• Evening: Nearby Poitiers Futuroscope, night in unusual accommodation at DéfiPlanet’ OR in the heart of nature in the Center Parc le Bois aux Daims.

OPTION 1 (3 days)

Travel to Mont-St-Michel, high place of pilgrimage.

OPTION 2 (3 days)

Visit of the castles of the Loire, treasures of French history.

DAY 10: Paris, an eternal and surprising city...

...magical, sometimes secret! It is also the capital of gastronomy, fashion and shopping.