How to Pair Your French Holiday with a Wine Tour

France is synonymous with fine wine, exquisite food, and beautiful landscapes — and there’s no better way to experience all three than by combining your French holiday with a wine-tasting tour. Imagine staying in a charming self-catering holiday rental in France, exploring local vineyards by day and enjoying your discoveries on a sunlit terrace by night.

Whether you’re dreaming of luxury self-catering in Provence, a rustic gîte in the Loire Valley, or a French villa to rent in Bordeaux wine country, pairing your stay with a curated wine tour in France creates a unique, immersive experience. Even better — by booking through Rent-in-France.co.uk, you can contact property owners directly and pay zero booking fees, leaving more of your budget for great bottles and gourmet dining.


Self Catering Rentals France | Six Gites in the Heart of the Madiran Wine Growing Region

Choosing the Perfect French Wine Region for Your Trip

France offers a dazzling range of wine regions, each with its own culture, grape varieties, and scenery. The best part of a self-catering holiday in France is the freedom to choose a base that matches your travel style.

Here’s a quick guide to pairing your holiday rental with your wine passion:

• Bordeaux – The capital of French wine. Ideal for Bordeaux wine holidays, grand château tours and structured tastings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Stay in a holiday home near Saint-Émilion or self-catering gîte in the Médoc to be close to the vineyards.

• Burgundy (Bourgogne) – Home to legendary Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A great choice for wine-tasting holidays in France focused on small domaines and charming villages like Beaune or Nuits-Saint-Georges.

• Loire Valley – Perfect for couples or families seeking relaxed wine tours in France. Cycle between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé vineyards, or stay in a self-catering holiday cottage in Saumur for sparkling Crémant tastings.

• Provence – Sunshine, lavender fields and world-class rosé. Opt for Provence villa holidays near Aix-en-Provence or Bandol to enjoy vineyards, beaches and markets all in one trip.

• Alsace – Fairytale villages and crisp aromatic whites. Great for self-catering holiday rentals in Alsace where you can combine wine, food and mountain walks.

The Best Time to Visit France for Wine-Tasting Holidays

Wine regions are beautiful year-round, but timing your visit right adds extra magic.

• Spring (April–June) – Vineyards burst into green, temperatures are mild, and holiday gites in France are often available at lower rates.

• Summer (July–August) – Peak season for French villa rentals, outdoor dining, and vineyard picnics. Ideal if you want sunshine and rosé.

• Autumn (September–October) – The harvest season (les vendanges) brings festivals, tastings, and golden vineyard landscapes — perfect for wine tours in France.

• Winter (November–March) – Peaceful, cosy, and authentic. Choose a self-catering farmhouse in France with a log fire and visit small producers at your leisure.

Finding the Ideal Self-Catering Holiday Rental

Your accommodation shapes the rhythm of your holiday. Whether you prefer luxury self-catering in France or a simple country gîte, look for properties that suit your travel goals:

• Proximity to vineyards or villages

• Outdoor terraces or gardens for evening tastings

• Fully equipped kitchens for pairing local food with wine

• Parking or easy access if you’re touring by car

For flexibility and value, book through Rent-in-France.co.uk, one of the UK’s most trusted portals for holiday homes to rent in France. Unlike many large booking sites, Rent-in-France:

• Allows direct contact with property owners

• Charges zero booking or service fees

• Offers authentic self-catering holiday rentals across France – from Normandy cottages to villas in Provence

• Features everything from luxury châteaux stays to budget-friendly family gîtes

This direct approach gives you more transparency and the opportunity to ask about local wineries, farmers’ markets, and hidden-gem restaurants before you even arrive.

Why Booking Directly Matters for Wine Lovers

Booking direct isn’t just about saving money — it’s about making connections. When you rent directly from an owner, you’re often speaking with locals who live in or near the area. They can tell you:

• Which vineyards welcome visitors without an appointment

• Which wine festivals are happening nearby

• Where to find the best farm shops and local delicacies

• The easiest routes for your wine-tasting holiday in France

Eliminating booking fees can save you hundreds of euros, which you can put toward a private tour, a special meal, or that unforgettable case of Bordeaux. With Rent-in-France.co.uk, the price you agree with the owner is the final price — no commissions, no hidden extras.

How to Plan Your French Wine Tour Itinerary

Here’s a sample structure for combining exploration with relaxation during your self-catering holiday in France:

Day 1: Arrive, settle in, visit the local market and chat with your host about nearby vineyards.
Day 2: Take a guided wine tour in Bordeaux or Loire Valley to learn the basics of French appellations.
Day 3: Explore smaller, family-run estates — often the most welcoming and affordable.
Day 4: Enjoy a day trip to a nearby historic town or château, stopping for tastings along the route.
Day 5: Host your own tasting night at your holiday home in France, pairing wines with local cheese and bread.

Because self-catering villas in France offer kitchens and outdoor spaces, you can recreate your favourite pairings at home, turning your accommodation into a private tasting room.

Practical Tips for Wine-Tasting Holidays in France

• Book ahead: Many châteaux require reservations, especially in Bordeaux and Burgundy.

• Ask about language options: Smaller producers may not speak English, but they always appreciate visitors who try a few French words.

• Travel safely: Never drink and drive. Hire a local driver, join a small-group tour, or use regional transport for tasting days.

• Ship wine home: Most vineyards can arrange delivery to the UK or EU.

For a seamless trip, choose a holiday rental in France that’s centrally located for day trips between wine appellations — another reason to contact owners directly before booking.

Combine Wine with Local Experiences

Part of the charm of self-catering holidays in France is living like a local. Visit farmers’ markets, cook with regional ingredients, and enjoy your wine discoveries with homemade meals.

Each region has its specialties:

• Loire Valley: goat’s cheese, river fish, tarte tatin

• Bordeaux: entrecôte à la Bordelaise, oysters, cannelés

• Provence: olive tapenade, ratatouille, lavender honey

• Alsace: tarte flambée, choucroute, Munster cheese

Because you have your own kitchen, you can shop daily, prepare meals that match your wines, and dine on your terrace as the sun sets over the vines.

Eco-Friendly and Slow Travel Options

For travellers seeking sustainability, many French gîtes and villas now promote eco-conscious stays — solar panels, organic gardens, local sourcing, and even electric-vehicle charging points. Combine this with a wine tour by bicycle or walking vineyard trails for a slower, greener way to explore France’s wine heartlands.

Rent-in-France.co.uk features a wide range of eco self-catering holiday rentals that align with this style of travel.


Les Villas du Domaine La Yole, a peaceful retreat on the Mediterranean coast near Béziers

Bringing Wine Home

If you fall in love with a bottle (or several):

• Ask the producer about export or shipping options.

• Keep receipts — you may qualify for tax-free export at the airport.

• If driving, pack bottles in wine sleeves or a padded carrier.

• Or simply plan your next wine-tasting holiday in France to restock!

The Perfect Match: Self-Catering Holidays and Wine Tours

When you book a self-catering holiday rental in France, you gain flexibility, authenticity, and space — the perfect ingredients for a wine-themed getaway. Pairing that with direct booking through Rent-in-France.co.uk means you enjoy transparent prices, friendly communication, and no commission fees.

Whether you’re exploring Bordeaux vineyards, cycling through the Loire Valley, or sipping rosé in Provence, the combination of a comfortable French holiday home and a well-planned wine tour offers the ultimate experience in culture, taste, and relaxation.

In Summary

A French wine holiday is much more than a trip — it’s an invitation to slow down, savour the landscape, and live like a local. By staying in self-catering holiday rentals in France, you can immerse yourself fully in regional life, shop at local markets, and bring back memories as rich as the wines themselves.

Book your next getaway through Rent-in-France.co.uk to discover authentic French villas, cottages and gîtes, deal directly with owners, and pay no booking fees. That means more of your budget stays where it belongs — in your glass, your plate, and your adventure.

Santé — and bon voyage!