Woman in the grape fields holding wine glass, and enjoing her FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tour

Bordeaux old town with FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours

BORDEAUX TOUR GUEST TESTIMONIALS

Name: France Off the Beaten Path
Brand: France Off the Beaten Path
Rating: 5.0 (580 reviews)

Best Adventures in Bordeaux Tour

Heartwarming Reviews from our Bordeaux, Provence, Loire Valley, Champagne, and Egypt Tour Guests

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Bordeaux tour guest testimonials

Heart Warming Testimonials from our Tour Guests

These reviews are written by our tour guests on a 3rd party review platform called TrustPilot. Click “France Off the Beaten Path” to read more than 500 reviews on our TrustPilot profile.

Read Tour Reviews from Our Guests – Google Business Profile

These reviews are written by our tour guests on a 3rd party review platform called Google. Click “Off the Beaten Path, LLC” to read more reviews on our Google profile.

       EXCELLENT  
   Based on 90 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Martha Zornes 
 3 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +1
Truly a lovely experience.  Staying at one hotel for the entire tour and taking bus trips to the surrounding countryside was great.  It eliminated changing hotels which can be an issue on other tours.  The guides were ever present and helpful with lots of information and assistance.  My tour was in early July and the temperature was very hot, but the bus was cool and the guides had water available whenever it was needed.  The lavender fields were spectacular and there was plenty of time each day to wander the small towns we visited. The restaurants and experiences selected for the entire group provided great food and lots of fun and laughter.  The small group of travelers quickly became friends.  My only caution would be for travelers who find walking challenging.  In order to fully enjoy the towns, one needs to be comfortable walking a good distance sometimes uphill as the bus cannot always drive into the towns.  Overall, the trip was wonderful and I would happily travel again with this company.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Mary Weigel 
 24 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This small group tour could not have been better. Their attention to detail was remarkable. Their guides were very well informed and were very fun to be with. We took the Best Adventures in Provence trip and it was amazing. All of the tiny towns, winerys, locally owned restaurants and local businesses that they shared with us along the way were perfect. We got to see so much of the area and I only wish I had some extra time to spend in the town of Saint Remy where our hotel was located. Although we spent time in the town, there were so many neat little shops and restaurants right around there and I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed another day or two. If I did it again, I would probably add a day or two on at the beginning or end for just that. You cannot go wrong booking with the store company.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Regina Kitching 
 24 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful tour, every last detail attended to. The itinerary was great and the guides amazing.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Thompson (Hi) 
 3 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was my first group travel experience and Off The Beaten Path gave my daughter and I a truly memorable immersion into Provence life, culture and beauty.   The Hotel Gournod in St. Remy was the perfect base located in the heart of town.  A lovely, authentic property, with an accommodating staff, and daily breakfast.  Coffee was excellent!. The tour staff has so much experience and carefully curated each place and restaurant we visited.  It was hard for me to let go and let  someone else handle all the details of a trip as I have always planned my trips, but I quickly learned how truly relaxing it was to allow Christy and her excellent staff to handle all of the behind the scenes details and just be carefree!  This was a small group tour and I really enjoyed the company of the other members and the kind and patient staff! I’m looking forward to another wonderful venture.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Julie Lecci 
 1 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great tour, very flexible and the team provided us with opportunities we would not have been able to find on our own. Well worth the cost!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Julia Sosa 
 28 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Can all of the positive reviews be true? Yes, even the one that states that too many photos were taken (more on this below). The hotel is lovely, spacious room, comfy bed & bedding, the itinerary is as stated, the meals were delicious, the workshops were fun, the van transportation was comfortable, and the members of FOTBP team are gems. You’ll soon feel like you are traveling with long-time friends. The itinerary options and free time are great perks. It’s like having a tour personalized just to your liking and capability. I never felt rushed and had ample time to absorb what was around me and to take MANY photographs. Communication with the team members before, during & after was excellent. Members of the team were always by our side and within eyesight. Didn’t hear or understand what was said? Forgot something? Wondering if you’ll get to see something not on the itinerary? Want another bottle of water? Just ask and the matter is addressed immediately as if you were the only one on the tour and without disruption to the rest of the group’s experience. This team is AMAZING!! They enjoy every step of the way with you as if they were doing it for the first time. The success of the tour is due to the impeccable teamwork of Philippe (1) the head guide, the tour assistants Summer, Isabelle and Chloe, as well as Philippe (2) the driver. Christy has handpicked outstanding individuals to form this team. Don’t doubt the MANY in-depth positive reviews, including the one that comments that the FOTBP team takes too many photos. You don’t have to participate in the group photos, and you can simply ask that photos not be taken of you. However, I welcomed this perk. Photos of me, of and with my bestie were taken without having to ask anyone to take a pic for us. It’s like having a personal photographer with you. SUGGESTIONS The Hotel Gounod features serene outdoor areas and a pool. Consider booking an extra night or two to allow you more time for lounging in these areas. This hotel has 2 rooms with bathtubs. If you need a bathtub, or rather not have to climb into one, make sure to communicate this ahead of time. At Arles, ask a team member to book a tuk tuk for you. It is the best way to get around Arles and see the maximum number of sites. The price is reasonable, the seating was comfortable, the driver spoke English, he was punctual, informative and friendly, took us to the various Roman ruins, as well as other sites, waited for us as we explored and stopped whenever we saw a photo-op. Italian restaurant Da Peppe - On one of the dinner on your own evenings, I enjoyed a delicious & hearty Burger Da Рeppe with & fries. It’s located across the street of the hotel on Avenue Fauconnet, Indoor, outdoor & 2nd floor seating as well as takeout. Do I recommend FOTB’s Provence tour? YES!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   JOYCE BRISLAWN 
 25 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +6
I had a fantastic time in Provence with its Lavender, wine blending class, beautiful shore lines of the Mediterranean Sea and shopping the markets.Fantastic hotel, Christy and her staff were knowledgeable, kind, caring. I can’t wait for the next trip💕
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Laura Liebler 
 23 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +6
This tour of Provence was fantastic. From booking, to planning, through execution my expectations were exceeded. Our three guides, Philippe, Isabelle, and Chloe were professional, interesting, and knowledgeable. They made each day fun, and I felt they truly cared about all of the guests having a great experience. I highly recommend this tour!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   William Fuller 
 19 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a solo traveller I was one of seven participants in an  outstanding Loire Valley Tour designed and conducted this last May by Christy Destremau. For all of our five days in the Loire region we were based in the town of Amboise and stayed in a charming four star boutique hotel, Le Close d'Amboise.  We visited four of the greatest chateaux of the Loire: Chenonceaux, Chambord, Amboise and Blois, buildings renowned both for their architectural  beauty and their historical importance in the French  Renaissance and the sixteenth century French Wars of Religion. What made Christy's tour truly unique, however, was the balance it achieved between conventional sightseeing and one-of--a-kind experiences. While half of each day was devoted to a chateau, the other half featured a different, and more exclusive activity, typically centered around food or wine. These included several hours  at an excellent restaurant gastronomique in Blois, where the chef/owner gave us a cooking lesson as well as a magnificent tasting of many of the best French cheeses; a morning at a small domaine where we learned about traditional winemaking, sampled vintages and were served lunch; and an evening with a chef who had won the prestigious title of "Best artisan of France" (Meillieur Ouvrier de France) for culinary distinction and who cooked us an exquisite three course dinner in his own home.  Christy is able to incorporate such events as these into the trip itinerary because of all of the friendships she has made in decades of living and working in France. I should add that her company, Off the Beaten Path, offers similar tours of Burgundy, Provence, and Normandy.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Betty 
 26 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was my 3rd trip with Off the Beaten Path and I would go again in a minute!! The staff are exceptional -- kind, helpful, so knowledgeable and FUN.  You will love it!
  
 
 
  
 
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MORE REVIEWS AVAILABLE HERE…

Would you recommend this trip to a friend?

It’s a question we frequently ask all of our tour guests, and here on our Bordeaux Tour Guest Testimonials page, you can read what our guests tell us about their Bordeaux experience with us. We strive to exceed guest expectations every trip!

Bordeaux Tour Guest Testimonials

“Yes, I would recommend an Off the Beaten Path trip without hesitation. This was my 2nd trip with the company — Last year (2013) we participated in the Best Adventures in Provence Tour — and my expectations for the Bordeaux Tour were high. I really enjoyed the quantity and location of the walks and the towns we visited. I thought our two winery lunches were outstanding experiences with exceptional food and wine, and each in a magical setting! I also felt that our accommodations were also reflective in the price of the trip — I loved our rooms and the spa experience and the central location to our activities. As for the winery tours — I was unprepared for the fact that Chateau Haut Brion was so prestigious. I loved and very much enjoyed the Sauternes and Saint Emilion winery tours. I learned a lot about wine and wine making. I loved the free day in Bordeaux and the walking tour. And what another great experience and special treat and relaxing, enjoyable evening we had cooking at Antoine’s home. Thank you for everything!” —Ann Yurek, and family Dave & Kim Yurek, Toronto, Canada (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours – 2013 Best Adventures in Provence Tour –stayed at Hotel Gounod, 2014 Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“We will definitely recommend this trip to friends and family! We loved staying in the beautiful hotel. Everyone we met was friendly and inviting. Everything was “top notch”. Thank you for a wonderful trip through Bordeaux. We hope to travel with you next time on the Loire Valley Tour!” — Bill & Susan Hamilton, Houston, Texas (2014 Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“Everything really was excellent. The most important factor to me was how comfortable you made the trip for all. It’s obviously very important to you that your guests are happy and it shows. This is an incredibly well thought out and planned trip! The variety of activities and winery tours, the different vinification processes and how each is so unique is very well done. There is no repetition and the week just flies by. Not only was it an awesome vacation but I also made new friends, and am very glad we did this trip. Merci!” —Dwayne Jarrell, Mike Mitterman, Chicago, IL (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“Thanks for taking care of us in Bordeaux. We loved participating in all of the activities on the tour. We could have never organized them ourselves. It was a fantastic trip with fun filled days, a truly remarkable experience. We’re hoping to hook up on another one of your tours. Always stick with the best! We will highly recommend this trip to our friends and family.” –Terje and Belinda Gudmestad, Los Angeles, CA (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours – Best Adventures in Provence Tour and Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“The whole trip was outstanding! We absolutely loved that this tour was very organized and orchestrated yet relaxed at the same time. Our guide did a great job in all respects, she was very knowledgeable, thoughtful and a pleasure to spend the trip with. Also the wineries we visited were excellent. Thanks again for a great time! We look forward to coming back for your Loire Valley Tour!” —Dr. Marc and Brabsie Randall, Lexington, KY

“We thoroughly enjoyed our Bordeaux experience with you. Everything was so personalized and the group size was perfect. The variety of activities was very well balanced and our guide was fabulous!” —Dr. Martin and Patricia Silbiger, Atlanta, Georgia (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours – Loire Valley Castles & Gourmet Foodie Tour, Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“We really enjoyed all of the walks, wineries and tastings, and especially loved the cooking class with Antoine! OUR GROUP AND GUIDE WERE OUTSTANDING AND LOTS OF FUN! All of the meals and food were excellent! Thanks for a great time! We’re looking forward to returning for your Provence walking tour.” —Paul and Cyndy Kozik, Baltimore, Maryland (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“We loved Remi!! He was so fun!! Our favorite wineries were the ones in Saint Emilion and Graves. Antoine’s cooking class was fun and the food amazing! Our lead guide was so fabulous, charming and knowledgeable. This was such a pleasant experience and wonderful way to discover Bordeaux wine country and all of these excellent wines! Loved having Chateau Haut Brion with our picnic lunch!! You guys do a great job and it shows in the way you treat your guests and how well everything is organized. Hope to be back sooner than later on another of your tours.” —Paul and Karen Galindo, Austin, TX (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“We enjoyed the good mix of activities and the fact that the trip wasn’t just wine tasting. We had a great group of traveling companions and it was fun getting to know them, as well as meeting the Chefs at cooking class. Seeing the harvest in action was the best! Thank you for taking such good care of us!!” —Pam Miller and Jim Rasmussen, Boston, Massachusetts (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“Thank you for a wonderful time!! I loved all of the winery tours, wine tastings and fabulous food. Cooking with Antoine was so very special and being welcomed to cook and dine in his home was a very memorable experience. Loved it all!!” —Terry Berk, Solana Beach, CA (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“Greatly enjoyed our Guides and the other guests in the group. My favorite activities were the Saint Emilion Walk and cooking classes. I also enjoyed learning some less romanticized tid-bits about life in France from the citizens. Looking forward to coming back for your Provence tour!” —Jacob Wahlenmaier, Columbus, OH (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“We had a spectacular time! We saw France as insiders and felt like we spent the week with friends and family! Thank you for a wonderful vacation! We look forward to another Off the Beaten Path tour!” — John & Barbara Lawless, Hendersonville, NC (Bordeaux Grand Cru Wine Tasting & Walking Harvest Tour)

“The tour far exceeded our expectations! Our guides were very knowledgeable, skilled and organized. Well done and many thanks! I would not change a thing.” — Patrick & Rosemary Tuohey, Victoria, Australia (Bordeaux Tour)

The greatest reward working in this industry is receiving wonderful messages and feedback from happy tour guests!!

Thanks to each and every one of our Bordeaux Tour guests for joining us!!

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A WORD FROM Our Guests:

Exceeded Our Expectations!

“This trip to the Loire Valley exceeded our expectations! Christy planned unique and interesting excursions and activities that highlighted the beauty of the area and provided in-depth background knowledge about the various chateaux we visited. The cooking classes with renowned chefs, held in their restaurants and homes, were never-to-be forgotten experiences, and the visit to the winery was a highlight. The hotel was delightful and charming, and staying in one location for the entire time was a treat. Every meal or cocktail hour was planned to highlight the delicious specialties of the region. Christy is extremely knowledgeable about the various places we visited and imparted that knowledge in an interesting and entertaining manner. She and Remi took great care to ensure that we were always comfortable and well-looked after. We could not have asked for a better trip!” — Ron Rose & Sharon Matsumoto (Have done Provence tour and Loire Valley tour)

This was my third trip in the same number of years

“This was my third trip in the same number of years with Christy and Off the Beaten Path. While on her trips you can tell how much effort there is on the off season to make every single week perfect. From the pick up at the train station to the teary goodbye at the airport, everything is perfectly planned and executed. The hotel in St. Remy is magical, and the tour guides Philippe and David are exceptional. If you are considering a trip with OTBP, go for it and come home with new friends, a love of Provence and a longing to return as soon as you can!” — Beth Bower (Has done Provence tour twice and Loire Valley tour)

The Best Tour Company!

“I have done two tours – Provence and Loire Valley – and I am already looking forward to booking another. The tours are all perfectly curated and Christy is a wealth of knowledge. She is so kind and takes all of your needs and wants into consideration. I cannot recommend Off the Beaten Path enough!” — Madison Carl (Has done Provence and Loire Valley tours)

“We did the Provence tour. 8/2019. I had taken the tour 2017 & this time my husband came with me. It was just as fabulous this time as it was in 2017. Restaurants, picnic, sights, wine, all of it just delightful, but the frosting on the cake is a the knowledge, insight, humor, & attention to detail from David & Philippe. To us, they make a great trip soooo much fun. (also, 3 of our neighbors joined us this tour). Don’t hesitate, take this tour & enjoy!!!!!” — Jim & Carol Dean (Carol has done Provence tour twice)

Returning to Provence with France Off the Beaten Path

“I wanted to return to Provence as soon as it was open. I had toured with Christy in Loire Valley in 2019 and knew I wanted to travel with her again. For the second time, everything was well organized, personal and definitely off the beaten path. Christy and Phillippe have a wealth of knowledge and are eager to share. The hotel was perfectly located in St Remy, the tours to the lavender and sunflower fields are my favorite memory. The lunches and dinners were like visiting friends. The boat tour in Cassis was another highlight. Even though I had visited Provence, this trip with France Off the Beaten Path brought a new appreciation for the area.” — Susan Gage (Has done Loire Valley tour, Provence tour, Champagne tour)

“We had an excellent tour with Christie and her crew in the Loire valley. We did things that only a true insider would have access to-dinner at a Michelin chefs house, helping/learning to cook at a highly rated restaurant in their kitchen. This was in addition to seeing the sights and touring the castles. A truly unique experience that is off the beaten path. We will use her again when going back to France.” — Karen Berner (Has done Loire Valley tour)