Here are our Top Hotel & Restaurant Recommendations in Dijon, as prepared by intern Mathieu.

Hotels

Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon

The Grand Hôtel La Cloche is a charming, welcoming 5-star 19th century hotel. It's restaurant, Les Jardins by La Cloche, offers a gastronomic menu while their luxurious spa is a city paradise in which to relax. The hotel offers you a vineyard tour to those who wish to know more about the region's wine.

Restaurants

Restaurant Stéphane Derbord

Stéphane Derbord's Michelin star gastronomic restaurant in the city center offers creative Burgundian cuisine. Affordable for a gastronomic restaurant, this is a real opportunity to experience the finest gastronomy in a relaxed atmosphere.

Attractions

Les Halles de Dijon

Come and visit the Halles of Dijon to let you know about Burgundian speciality products, like snail, mustard, gingerbread or truffle. You can spend time meeting local producers every day (exept Sunday and Monday) to learn about the jewel of Burgundian food.

Parcours de la Chouette (The Owls trail)

The Owls trail is a fantastic way to spend time in the city and allows you to discover it step by step. With its 22 stage trail, you will go back in time, learning more about the history. It is possible to complete the trail in an hour, but I suggest that you make a day of it and explore thoroughly the town's terraces, shops and museums.

La Moutarderie

Mustard is centre stage in Dijon's history and is the source of the city’s prosperity. To visit the Moutarderie you go back in time and understand mustard evolution and associated cultural aspects.

Here are our top places to visit with recommendations for Paris.

Hotels

Hotel California

The California Hotel is four stars and it is located at five minutes of the Champs-Elysées street. There is a fantastic bar and a wonderful restaurant but more than anything it's the wonderful service here which has guests returning year after year.

La Maison de Champs Élysées (hotel)

So we all know that Paris is synonymous with Style. It's one of the undisputed centres of the fasion industry, and has a fine art pedigree that can be challenged by very few other cities, with its old world European grandeur, matched only by its stylish urban modernity. The La Maison de Champs Élysées is, as the name suggests, positioned right off the most famous boulevard in the city, not to mention the world. It's part of Paris's 'Golden Triangle' and as such, it fits into the strict and very beautiful 19th century architectural rules set down by Napoleon. Yet, once you step inside, modern Paris hits you right between the eyes. After all, it was recently remodelled by none other than the darling of the Fasion world Martin Margiela (his first interior project). It is playful, whimsical, quirky and sophisticated - deconstructing standard proportions with beautiful lashings of monochrome and design features throughout the property. With just 57 intimate rooms and attentive, polished service it is a fitting tribute to what was once the home of the Duchess of Rivoli

Restaurants

The Pur' - Jean-François Rouqette

The Pur’ – Jean-François Rouqette is a 1 Michelin star restaurant in Paris. Various menus are possible with fish or meat. It is located ten minutes from the Champs-Elysées and, if you stay at my recommended hotel, ten minutes by bicycle. Why not try rent a Velib (free city bike) on the way there to beat the traffic and look like a local!

Attractions

Château de Versailles (Versailles Castle)

It’s the second most visited attraction in France. Located several kilometres from the city centre and accessible by RER train, it was the home of the French King. It's gardens are a must see, but it is the Hall of Mirrors which is my favourite. It was to here that the insurgents marched from the centre of Paris to demand the head of Marie-Antoinette; bring your own cake!

La Tour Eiffel (The Eiffel Tower)

It’s the third most visited attraction in France. It’s a instantly recognisable symbol of France throughout the world. From there you can enjoy “le champ de Mars” garden and if you ascend to the top you can have a fabulous view of Paris - try to get there early to beat the lines!

Le Musée de Picasso (Picasso Museum)

The Picasso Museum was closed for over eight years for significant renovations. It reopened in 2016 and the result of the renovations, despite the politics involved in such a project, have produced phenomenal results. You will walk amongst many of Picasso's most famous signature pieces and periods. Very highly recommended! I suggest advance purchase of tickets because demand is very high.

Le Musée de la Légion d'Honneur et des Ordres de la Chevalerie (The Museum of the Legion of Honor and the Orders of Chivalry)

In front of the Orsay Museum, just behind the RER Station, you can go to the "Musée de la Légion d'Honneur et des Ordres de la Chevalerie". There you'll find a huge collection of medals from many differents countries and a permanent exibition about the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits (also accessible to foreigners). You should check if one of your ancestors were suitably honoured on the register of the museum.   The museum is free off charge.  This is a wonderful, little-visited museum and is a must for anyone interested in WW1 or WW2 history.

Hotels

Hôtel d'Europe

What could be a better way to recuperate after a long biking tour than relax in a 5 star hotel in the centre of Avignon? The Europe Hotel offers comfort, relaxation and pleasure located just inside the city walls on the banks of the river Rhône.

Wine Cellar Chez Marie

Marie’s Place is my favourite Avignon Wine Bar where the lovers of wines can share an amazing moment in an atmosphere of Parisian Cabaret.  On a summers day there os nothing better than a chilled Tavel rose - you'll ride through Tavel on your first day of your bike tour.  Try a cheese like a St Marcellin or a Alpine Reblochon for something a little different.

Restaurants

Restaurant les 5 sens

This is simply the most prestigious restaurant in Avignon, overseen by Chef Thierry Baucher and his wife Christelle, and has been awarded a "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" - one of France's top restaurant accolades.   Located in the City Center, The 5 Senses Restaurant offers delicious tasty menus with a Southern Provençale inspiration. It will be an unforgettable gastronomic moment to enjoy before or after your Fresh Eire Adventures trip.

Attractions

Palais des Papes

The Popes Palace in Avignon is the largest Middle Aged Gothic construction in the world.  This was used as the principal papal residence during the fourteenth century and is the cooperative work of some of the most brilliant arhchitects of the day; Jean de Louvres, Raymond Guitbaud, Pierre Obreri and Pierre Poisson.

Island de la Barthelasse

The Barthelasse Island, a sand spit on the Rhone, is a perfect place to have a short stroll away from the frenetic energy of the city centre yet is only a 3 minute walk across the bridge from Place Crillon.  The island is one of the largest European fluvial islands and the largest in France. It will afford you an amazing panoramic view of the Avignon Bridge, the Doms Roc and the Popes Palace.

Here are our Top Hotel & Restaurant Recommendations in Bordeaux, as prepared by intern Mathieu.

Hotels

Hôtel de Sèze

The Hôtel de Sèze is a delightful, welcoming 4-star 18th century hotel. The hotel is located in the city center near the Place de la Comédie. They offer elegant rooms to create intimate, cosy and chic ambience. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of the spa and their restaurant.

Mama Shelter

Next to Saint-André Cathedral, Mama Shelter is a modern and trendy 2-star hotel. The interior is young even pop. You will enjoy the restaurant and the bar in the same place, with a varied menu and a beautiful wine selection.

La Boutique

La Boutique Hotel is a 4-star establishment near the “Grand theatre” of Bordeaux, Place de la Comédie. Rooms are modern and cosy; you can select rooms with Jacuzzi to enjoy a relaxing night. This hotel is also prestigious because of its wine bar which allows you to discover some wonderful bottles of wine with sommelier’s advice.

Hotel de France

Ideally located in Grands Hommes neighbourhood near the church Notre Dame, the 2-star Hotel de France is an affordable option which ticks all the boxes.

Hotel Gambetta

As the Hotel de France, the 2-star Hotel Gambetta, is also close to the church Notre Dame. However, you will find contemporary rooms in the Gambetta hotel. Affordable, this place is ideally situated to visit all cultural monuments of the city.

Here’s a the review from TripAdvisor of the Gambetta Hotel by Padraic, owner of Fresh Eire Adventures:

"This is a wonderful tourist hotel ideally located close to all the main attractions in the city centre near some fantastic public spaces and buzzing bars, cafes and restaurants. While it is by no means a luxurious proposition, it is clean and well-run and represents very good value for quite an expensive town. Unpretentious and basic. Bed was comfortable and room was larger than expected but it overlooked a derelict building to the rear which attracted a lot of pigeons so I couldn't keep my windows open...no big deal. Bathroom was basic but clean and toiletries reflect the budget price point. I didn't take breakfast so I can't comment on this. Wi-Fi was good enough. Staff were very helpful especially upon departure; they advised me to take the regular bus (1.50 euro and not the 8 euro Airport shuttle bus) from Place Gambetta instead of a taxi (45 euro). The bus runs four times an hour from 5.30am and is very prompt with a journey time of less than 40 minutes. One of the night receptionists, a young enough guy in his 20s, recommended that I visit a local wine bar, L' Autre Petit Bois; this was an unmissable experience (which I would have missed had I not asked for a recommendation!).  I was very pleased with this hotel, a fine stay."

Restaurants

Le Pressoir d’Argent

Le Pressoir d’Argent will be delighted to welcome you to their Michelin 1-star gastronomic restaurant in the Place de la Comédie. Infamous Chef Gordon Ramsay uses mainly regional products. His creative food will surprise and astound you.

L’autre Petit Bois

L’autre Petit bois is a renowned wine bar is located in the Parliament Square. Bordeaux is very well known for it's powerful and amazing wine culture. Decorated with a Baroque style on two floors with doors which open out onto the Square. On a sunny day you can enjoy your wine on the pavement seating area and watch the world go by.

Attractions

The wine city (La Cité du vin)

With its amazing structure near the Garonne, La Cité du Vin museum will astound you with the history of Bordeaux wine. As everybody knows, this city is the wine capital of the world, so it makes for an interesting visit. No doubt, professionals, amateurs and even tee-totalers, will enjoy such a visit.

Water mirror (Le miroir d’eau)

The water mirror is located between  Louis XVIII and Quai de la Douane, in Place de la Bourse. It’s a new attraction for citizens and tourists. The pool combines artificial misting and miror effects. Opened in 2006, many people gather here, from children to parents, to enjoy cool water mists in summer but you'd need to be courageous during the rest of the year.