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Paris to Barcelona with a stop in....Bordeaux?

Posted by (Madison, WI, USA) on

I am just starting to sketch out a trip and am wondering if anyone has any experiences/opinions on this plan.

I want to fly into Paris and spend 3 nights. We have been here before and can't wait to go back.

Then I was thinking of spending two nights in the Bordeaux region and doing a wine tour. RS seems to point out St. Emilion and Sarlat as two towns in this area that would be nice - any experiences with either? We have done a few wine tours on other trips and they are always a highlight, but I don't hear about too many people going to this region. (We have been to the Loire Valley on a previous trip)

After that we plan on heading into Spain and meeting some friends for 3 nights in the Rioja region. And lastly ending in Barcelona for 4 nights. I have read a thread on Barcelona vs Madrid and honestly I am still considering a swap - but the idea of ending the trip on a coast with potential sun and fun is appealing. I understand Madrid has more art and culture which is appealing. A bit torn on that yet.

Posted by
9110 posts

St Emillion is one of the premier wine towns. Stores all over the place. Sits on top of a hill surrounded by vinyards.

Sarlat is an RS favorite, but have never understood why. Not too inconvenient for visiting the prehistoric areas. Have never heard Sarlat and wine mentioned in same sentence. Don't recall vinyards nearby either. It's essentially between the Bergerac and Cahors regions.

For what it's worth, Madrid trumps Barcelona.

Posted by
4132 posts

Sarlat is in Perigord, not Bordeaux. Some interesting wine there (google "black wine of Cahors"), but not a patch on Bordeaux, one of the great wine regions of the world.

Posted by
534 posts

I was thinking Sarlat was a lot closer to St. Emilion. Okay, so counting out Sarlat...or mayb not....Any experienced travelers to the Bordeaux region?

Posted by
250 posts

Definitely St. Emilion for the wine. Sarlat is a gorgeous destination for it's own special reasons.

Posted by
2023 posts

Sarlat or towns nearby puts you in a great location for touring the Dordogne area. St Emilion is a nice little town and it is all about the wine. We spent two nights there at a B&B we found in RS guide--Chateau Meylet and it was only around 60 euros and walking distance of the town--no need to drive after wine tasting. There are some amazing wine caves there that are not to be missed. If you are then heading to Paris, it is easy to drop your car rental in Libourne and take the train.

Posted by
799 posts

I'm guessing that you don't hear much about the Bordeaux region is that it's pretty much all about the wine (though I think there are also some beautiful coastal areas).

If you're really into wine, and don't mind the extra travel time, then Bordeaux, staying in the town of St. Emilion, would be a good idea for two nights. As you may have experienced in other places where you've taken wine tours, the wineyards in Bordeaux are generally not open to casual visitors, so to gain access, you'd have to be on some sort of tour. There are several good caves in St. Emilion.

Difficult decision - Madrid or Barcelona. We've only been to Barcelona, which I loved because of the atmosphere, the art (Gaudi, Gaudi, Gaudi, and also Miro and Picasso) and the food. Biggest difference in the food is the availablility of seafood, which is not so much a part of the cuisine in Madrid. And tapas is supposed to be more prominant in other parts of Spain, but there was plenty of tapas in Barcelona!

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