Calling all winos! We all know that France is home to some great wines, but do you know WHERE to go in France for a great tasting experience? Keep reading to find out where to go and what to do if you’re looking for a wine-tasting adventure in the French countryside. Plus, I’ll even throw in the cost, duration, and more details about these wine tours!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS > Click to open
- What’s So Great About Avignon, Anyway?
- Where To Stay in Avignon
- Best Avignon Wine Tours
- Provence Cru Wine Small Group Half-Day Tour From Avignon
- Afternoon Wine Tour to Chateauneuf du Pape from Avignon
- Half-Day Provence Pont du Gard and Wine Tasting Tour from Avignon
- Small-Group Full-Day Private Wine Tour from Avignon
- Half-Day Great Vineyard Tour From Avignon
- Private Oenogourmande Walk in the Luberon With Tastings
- Visit the Cellars of Château Gigognan With Tasting
- Want More Debaucherous Drink Destinations?
What’s So Great About Avignon, Anyway?
Wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs are forever drawn to Avignon, a small town in the heart of the Provence. Among many other reasons to visit Avignon, it is super close to renowned wineries and vineyards. This small commune offers an immersive experience if you want to indulge in the world of fine wines. In addition, Avignon is an ideal gateway to the Southern Rhône Valley.
The city’s strategic location makes it a prime starting point for exploring lush vineyards and centuries-old winemaking traditions that define it. If you’re a red wine lover, the Southern Rhône Valley is where you want to be. The Avignon vineyards give birth to a symphony of flavors dominated by Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The region’s allure lies in the exceptional wines and witnessing the winemaking process firsthand.
If you want an immersive experience, guided Avignon wine tours are readily available. Seasoned oenophiles and novices can participate in curated experiences, gaining insight into the winemaking process and history of the region. These wine tours offer an opportunity to engage with local winemakers and understand the passion that goes into each bottle.
PLANNING A TRIP TO AVIGNON SOON?
Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans!
Popular Tours & Activities in Avignon:
Top Places to Stay in Avignon:
- Luxury: Le Prieure
- Mid-Range: Hotel de l’Horloge
- Budget: La Maison Volver
You Might Also Like These Global Debauchery Posts:
Where To Stay in Avignon
Mercure Pont d’Avignon Centre
Amazingly, Mercure Pont d’Avignon Centre is only a little over a hundred bucks per night. (I know, right?!?) It’s dead center in the middle of everything, super clean and comfy, and has a restaurant on site. A quick fifteen-minute walk from the train station. Why wouldn’t you?
PHOTO CREDITS: MERCURE PONT D’AVIGNON CENTRE VIA HOTELS.COM
Best Avignon Wine Tours
Provence Cru Wine Small Group Half-Day Tour From Avignon
During this Avignon wine tour, you’ll sample the fine wines of Provence and visit three different wineries in Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Also, you’ll learn about French winemaking and wine appellations, and sample an variety of grand or premier cru wines.
- Cost: $88.80 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 5 hours
- What’s included: Bottled water, wine tasting, driver/guide, transport in air conditioned minivan
Afternoon Wine Tour to Chateauneuf du Pape from Avignon
Sign up for this tour if you want to experience Provence’s ancient roots and winemaking traditions. Explore the vineyards of the Rhône Valley to distinguished wine estates to sample fine wines and learn about local varietals. Plus, you’ll explore the ruins of the Pope’s formal summer residence in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Cost: $105.45 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 4 hours
- What’s included: Drive/guide, wine tastings, transport by air-conditioned minivan
Half-Day Provence Pont du Gard and Wine Tasting Tour from Avignon
During this Avignon wine tour, you’ll tour Roman ruins in Provence and sample the region’s renowned wines. You’ll also visit the UNESCO-listed Roman Theater in Orange, then participate in a wine tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery.
- Cost: $83.25 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 5 hours
- What’s included: Wine tasting, driver/guide, bottled water, transport by air-conditioned minivan
Small-Group Full-Day Private Wine Tour from Avignon
Not a fan of group activities with people you don’t know? Then this private Avignon wine tour is the perfect solution. This bus and walking tour covers four of the region’s wineries, and allows the freedom to tailor your route. Plus, you’ll visit wineries in Beaumes-de-Venise, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Rasteau, or Vacqueyras, sample fine wines along the way, and get a personal guide. Note: this tour is for eight people max.
- Cost: $381.35 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 9 hours
- What’s included: Choice of 3-4 wineries between the following: Châteauneuf-du-Pape / Gigondas / Vacqueyras / Beaume de Venise / Tavel / Séguret / Rasteau / Cairanne, wine tasting, sightseeing in the surrounding of two wineries, driver/guide wine specialist, hotel pickup and drop-off, private tour, transport by private air-conditioned minivan
Half-Day Great Vineyard Tour From Avignon
Enjoy a classic wine tasting in one of France’s most famous regions. Sip your way around the Côtes du Rhône and indulge in expert-led tastings as you explore wineries in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, or Séguret. In addition, you’ll sip a selection of Grand Cru wines, learn about the wine production process, the importance of French “terroir,” and how to distinguish between the different crus.
- Cost: $88.80 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 5 hours
- What’s included: Wine tasting, driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan
Private Oenogourmande Walk in the Luberon With Tastings
This private tour is led by a double-certified Professional Wine Taster who will help you discover the Luberon through the following experiences:
- A culinary tasting in an atypical tea room
- An olive oil tasting
- A tasting of three wines
You’ll also learn about wine-tasting techniques and visit the Olive Oil Museum!
- Cost: $88.43 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 3 hours
- What’s included: coffee and/or tea, entrance to the Olive Oil Museum and tasting, alcoholic beverages
Visit the Cellars of Château Gigognan With Tasting
Touring Château Gigognan offers a guided tour of the barrel cellars, teaching the history of the castle and winemaking techniques they use, and ends with tasting their wines. Château Gigognan is surrounded by lavender fields, bee hives, orchards, and olive trees, producing olive oil and honey, as well.
- Cost: $28.74 USD (subject to change)
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- What’s included: alcoholic beverages
Want More Debaucherous Drink Destinations?
Avignon is obviously an ideal place to taste wine, but I’m not one for just sticking to one location… or one type of alcohol. For more to-dos in France, check out these other awesome cities (that aren’t Paris!) or these weekend trip ideas. And if you’re road-tripping it, be sure to read these helpful tips on driving in France. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to get these iconic European summer drinks in between wine tastings!