Gironde
31 August to 6 September, 2026
Cohosted with Stephanie Eburah of Ebb & Co.
The Département of Gironde is home to some of France’s most diverse and beautiful landscapes. With the wild Atlantic coastline, the largest estuary in western Europe, world renowned vineyards and the UNESCO-listed city of Bordeaux, the region is rich in stunning scenery, architecture, history, culture, delicious food traditions and incredible wine. We will spend 6 days exploring medieval towns in the wine country and visiting vineyards to learn about the nouveau Bordeaux wine movement, and tasting with some of our favorite natural winemakers. We will visit lively markets and explore the natural wonder of the Dune du Pilat. We will gather and learn from local creators and makers who will share with us the exciting art scene of Bordeaux city. Then we will explore the slower paced side of the region, Cap Ferret. This peninsula which lies between the Atlantic and Arcachon Bay is where the landscape shifts from long, dune-backed beaches to pine forests and picturesque oyster villages.
Your Hosts
Taryn is the guiding force behind Quartier Collective, a boutique agency designing travel that is thoughtful and deeply connected. She’s spent most of the last seven years in airplane mode, crisscrossing the globe with her family while producing events in remarkable locations, and designing travel for clients along the way. For Taryn, travel is about finding those creative and inspired people who call a destination home. From artists and chefs to designers, farmers and producers, Taryn’s ability to discern and share in the work of these passionate creators helps open doors that are otherwise closed, and creates the space for experiences that are about friendship, sharing and true connection. Taryn and her family now call Barcelona home, though they are still often on the move.
Stephanie Eburah is the chef and owner of Ebb & Company, a business she started 5 years ago in Seattle, with the goal of bringing people around the table in ways that build community and celebrate the bounty of the local area. Though she has a background in photography, Stephanie has been cooking professionally for the past 25 years and focuses on building relationships with the stewards of the land and sea while highlighting local seasonal ingredients in simple ways, but always with an eye for beauty. She spends her spare time travelling with her family and shares QC’s passion for curiosity, connectedness and slowing down. She also loves a good sea swim.
Day by Day Itinerary
Note: This is a prospective itinerary and is subject to modifications based on the schedules of our local partners and producers, new opportunities, and the desires of the group. Please note that some activities from the posted itinerary may be altered.
Day 1- Thursday
Welcome to The Gironde! We will meet at our home base, La Clochette, a château dating from the 17ᵉ century on the Bordeaux wine route to Saint Emilion, Pomeral & Fronsac, about 45 minutes from the airport. Formerly a stable and grape pickers' dwelling this elevated property is surrounded byvineyards. We’ll pull produce directly from the property’s permaculture garden, swim in the saltwater pool and meet for long table dinners in the beautifully renovated barn. After checking in to our rooms we’ll enjoy an aperitivo in the garden then sit down to a welcome dinner.
Meals included: Dinner & wine
Day 2- Friday
After breakfast we will make our way to Saint Emilion, a stunning medieval town and UNESCO world heritage site. We will explore the cobblestone streets and snack on local foods, like caneles, macaron de saint emilion and truffle salami washed down with Cremant de Bordeaux. We will return to the chateau for some downtime where you can relax in the garden or by the pool. We will then make our way down the road to La Vielle Chapelle for some wine tasting and dinner in their gorgeous garden on the Dordogne River.
Meals included: breakfast, light lunch, wine & dinner
Day 3- Saturday
After breakfast we will spend the morning with a local artist followed by a light lunch. After post-lunch coffees we will head to Chateau Peybonhomme for a tour of their winery, a tasting with their lovely winemaker Rachel Hubert and, finally, dinner in their picturesque garden surrounded by their vineyards.
Meals included: breakfast, light lunch, wine & dinner
Day 4- Sunday
We will wake early to check out of our chateau and head into Bordeaux city for some antique shopping at a market at the foot of the basilica Saint-Michel. We’ll have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Au Bistrot, before making our way to the coast to check into our beach house on the Cap Ferret peninsula. We’ll pass the afternoon with beach strolls and pool time before gathering in the garden for dinner.
Meals included: light breakfast, lunch & dinner with wine
Day 5- Tuesday
Today we will ditch the car for a slower pace and explore Cap Ferret by bike. First stop, the local market where we can pick up pastries and coffee before shopping for all the local wares. We will then wander through the picturesque village of Le Herbe and visit one of the many family owned Oyster Cabanes for a beachside seafood lunch. Guests are free to wander, beachcomb, head to Hotel de la Plage for an aperitivo or just lay in the sun on the sandy beach watching the pinasse boats pass by. We will return to the house for a bit of downtime before heading to the Atlantic side of the peninsula for a sunset picnic dinner at a wild, dune-backed beach.
Meals included: lunch & dinner
Day 6- Wednesday
Today we will explore Archachon Bay from the water! We will board a traditional Pinasse boat and dive into the heart of the bay, the I’île aux Oiseaux, or Bird Island, a sanctuary of flora and fauna in the middle of the bay. We will pass by the iconic Cabanes Tchanquées, historical wooden cabins built on stilts by the Bay’s oyster farmers so they could keep watch over their oyster beds without being dependent on the tides. Then we will continue on to the breathtaking Dune du Pilat where we will hop off for a wander and a picnic lunch. We will finish off our epic day with a farewell dinner at the iconic Chez Hortense where we will feast on the local catch of the day.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7 -Thursday
After a slow breakfast we will check out of our beach house and return to Bordeaux to say farewell.
Meals included: breakfast
Lodging
A 17th century chateau surrounded by vineyards and a converted former chapel will be our home for the first three nights. With a saltwater pool and beautiful gardens set inside a re-naturing project, this will be a wonderfully calming place to return to each evening.
Moving to the seaside village of Le Canon on the Cap Ferret, we’ll spend three nights in a gorgeous beach house, just steps from the sea and with a generous pool and garden.
We will have a minimum of six guests and a maximum of 10.
Rooms are booked as double occupancy, with single beds that can combine to make one King bed, perfect for couples or singles.
Costs
Double Occupancy
Private Room
$5370
$6200
What’s Included?
Six nights accommodation in a gorgeous villa.
Transportation to and from all group activities.
Food, beverages, workshops and tastings that are listed in our daily itinerary, including visits to wineries, restaurants, etc.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic drinks (unless mentioned in the itinerary)
Activities, food and beverages incurred during scheduled free time (ie. not included in the trip itinerary)
Personal expenses: shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
Some Notes
Food
This trip is best suited for those eager to experience a variety of regional ingredients and flavors. At the villa we are happy to make substitutions or accommodations to the best of our ability for those who have dietary intolerances or specific preferences. However, during our stay we will be dining at multiple restaurants who focus on seasonal, local ingredients from small scale farmers, and who may struggle to accommodate uncommon food sensitivities and preferences. Please contact us in advance of registering if you have any dietary questions.
Accessibility
Please note this tour includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as cobblestones, trails, hills, and stairs. You may be on your feet for several hours at a time and should be comfortable walking up to 5kms.
Who is this Trip for?
If you’re curious about the food and culture of the the Gironde, if you like a good glass of natural wine and enjoy a long evening with good friends, this is for you. ALL are welcome at our gatherings, all orientations, races and configurations. As long as you share our common values of respect for each other, respect for our host community, curiosity and humility, you are part of our family. The value of our gatherings comes in large part from the incredible people who join us. We are constantly inspired by those we are lucky enough to visit these destinations alongside.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts in Lugon et l’île du Carney and finishes in Cap Ferret, France. The Bordeaux Airport, BOD, is located 35 miles away, about a 45 minute drive from each location.
Weather
September is a lovely time of year to visit the Gironde region. Daytime temperatures usually range in the mid to high 70s F with evenings in the high 50s F.
Travel Insurance
We require all guests to purchase at their own expense travel insurance that covers them in case of medical or other emergencies during the trip. Coverage should include medical care, repatriation and evacuation. We also strongly recommend your policy cover personal property, travel disruption and cancellation. We recommend Travelex or World Nomads who both have affordable and comprehensive policies with painless signup processes.
Deposits, Payments and Cancellations
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total trip cost is required for your booking to be confirmed. Your booking is considered confirmed following written confirmation from us. The remaining balance of your payment is required no later than 60 days in advance of your trip’s start date. For bookings made within 60 days of a trip’s start date payment of the entire trip cost is required to confirm the booking, and is non-refundable. For our full payment and cancellation policies, and the answers to more questions, visit our Terms and Conditions page.
Note on sleeping conditions
All rooms are designed to accommodate two people; beds can be arranged either as two singles or one king-size bed. If you are booking a private room the bed will be formed as a king-size bed.
If you have any conditions that may affect the ability of a friend, either old or new, to comfortably share a room with you, please share these with us before booking so we can help find the right solution.
Notes on arriving early
France is far too interesting to be explored in a single five-day trip. For those arriving early or staying longer, we are happy to make some suggestions for things to enjoy here in the Gironde or further afield in France. And if we have time we’ll surely join you!
Booking Assistance
If you need additional support for your trip, whether booking hotels before/after, or finding the best transport options, please reach out to us. Our Trip Design service can reduce the stress of planning and give you access to better rates and perks than you may find on your own.
Other important information
VISA: Please make sure to review visa requirements for France and the Schengen Area with your country’s embassy beforehand. Please contact us if you have any questions or need support
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. This packet will include our exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
MORE QUESTIONS? Visit our Terms and Conditions page HERE.
For queries please email martin@quartiercollective.com.
