France

Spring and fall are best for travels through the ever-popular south, where you can park yourself in a Provençal hill town à la Peter Mayle. Jet into Marseille then head to nearby villages best viewed by bike or on foot. Discover the spectacular countryside surrounding the vineyards in Luberon and the peaceful towns and villages in the Vaucluse areas, stopping for market tastings in Gordes, a Van Gogh walking tour in St. Remy and sunset views in Ménerbes, to name just a few. Favorite luxe lodgings here include Villa Lacoste, for its panoramic views over the Luberon, and the 18^th-century résidence Bastide de Marie, surrounded by 57 acres of vines. From playing a casual game of boules while sipping pastis to hiking to the top of the citadel in Les Baux to conquering Mont Ventoux on two-wheels (a stage of the Tour de France), it’s tough to beat Provence.

Gray & Co’s active experts reveal the treasures of northern France with just as much expertise, helping travelers explore the châteaux-filled Loire Valley, the seaside villages of Brittany and Normandy’s rich World War II history.

In the west, the lesser-known Languedoc-Rousillon area impresses with the tranquil, barge-filled Canal de Midi and majestic walled hilltop city of Carcasonne, not to mention it’s rich full-bodied reds and unoaked zesty whites. Then it’s on to the rolling hills of the Aubrac region and the Lot Valley. Here, you can bike on bespoke routes and the smoothest of roads mapped out by Gray & Co. between such celebrated towns as Figeac and Laguiole, the latter of knife fame. Don’t miss a stay and dinner at Le Suquet, the hotel and restaurant from epicurean master Michel Bras.

Further northwest, Gray & Co. producers love crafting custom active explorations in the bucolic Dordogne river region which feature fortified towns of Domme and Rocamadour; castles from the Hundred Years War, such as Castlenaud; Josephine Baker’s Renaissance-era Les Milandes; and the old town of Sarlat that dates from both Medieval and Renaissance times. In this land of the cave paintings of Lascaux, you’ll find evidence of prehistoric civilization at nearly every pedal stroke or canoe paddle. To stay, the one-of-a-kind Château de la Treyne, elegantly perched over its namesake river, is a Gray favorite.

Even closer to the Atlantic, oenophiles hit the Grand Cru of Saint-Émilion en route to bustling Bordeaux and a spa stay at Eugenie-les-Bains.  Finally, arrive at the flat vineyards of the Médoc, where the best staying and sipping are at the Château Cordeillan-Bages.

Last but by no means least is Burgundy, where Gray & Co.’s experts uncover charming villages, elegant châteaux, bucolic landscapes and perfect cafés. This area, known as the Côte d’Or, is best experienced on two wheels, and, of course, in the local tasting rooms. Some of the best wines in the world are produced here—buttery chardonnays and heady pinot noirs crafted by more than 150 producers. Close to the legendary appellations of Meursault, Volnay and Romanée-Conti, the wine capital of Beaune features the perfectly positioned Hostellerie de Levernois. In addition to its luxurious rooms, woodwork and stunning marble everywhere, it’s home to one of the city’s best bistros, where local delicacies such as escargots, boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin await. Vive la France!