Itinerary
Friday, 8 September
Your Rugby World Cup 2023 adventure begins here. Fly from Dublin to Bordeaux, one of
France’s most elegant cities and the host city for Ireland’s first match.
Saturday, 9 September
Enjoy the match day atmosphere. Spend the morning discovering Bordeaux and the
medieval streets that bustle with bars, restaurants, and trendy boutiques. Enjoy the
panoramic views of the city from the Pey-Berland bell tower and the Porte Caillhau Gateway
which looks as if it in belongs in a Disney fairy tale.
Switch gears and let your adrenaline soar as you cheer on the Irish rugby team in their first
match of RWC 2023.
Sunday, 10 September
Delve deeper into the city. Visit its golden triangle of boulevards which enclose architectural
marvels such as the Grand Theatre and France’s biggest square. Stroll through the
Chartrons district where the Irish, English, and Dutch of old set up wine houses that came to
dominate the city’s wine trade.
Then make a beeline for the Cité du Vin. This six-storey museum celebrates the history,
culture, and global passion for wine. You’ll definitely be given an opportunity to enjoy a
tipple too.
Monday, 11 September
Today, you leave Bordeaux and travel to the seaside city of La Rochelle.
Get your bearings in the old port. Take in the views of the medieval towers that stand guard
at the entrance to the port and then take a seat under the awnings of a quayside restaurant
for a seafood lunch. Why not visit those iconic towers? They have roof terraces offering
views over the old town and harbour.
Tuesday, 12 September
Start the day in Place du Marché, where a traditional food markets takes place every
morning. As you chomp on your treats, decide on your plan for the rest of the day. Will you
visit the natural history museum with exhibits from the city’s seafaring past? Or the
aquarium that is home to 600 types of sea species? Or spend the day relaxing at the city’s
beaches and parks?
Wednesday, 13 September
L’Ile de Ré is a mere 40 minutes from La Rochelle. You cross a sea bridge into a world of
whitewashed villages, long sandy beaches, vineyards, and sea marshes of oyster beds and
salt pans.
The entire island is covered in bike lanes that meander through vineyards, pine forests, and
nature reserves. So, rent a bike and set off, stopping when the whim takes you to have a
swim or to sit down to a feast of oysters from one of the shacks that line the marshes.
Thursday, 14 September
Today, you leave La Rochelle for Nantes, one of France’s most eccentric cities. Discover why
it’s thought to be so silly with a visit to the Ile de Nantes, where whimsical animatronic
creatures inspired by Jules Verne’s writings have been brought to life by artists. These
extraordinary machines include a 12-metre-high elephant that can carry up to 52
passengers on its back.
Friday, 15 September
Ease yourself into your day with a stroll through the Jardin des Plantes, one of France’s top
botanical gardens. Then visit the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the one-time centre of
royal power in Brittany that is now home to a museum that tells the centuries-old history of
the city.
End your day with a relaxing river cruise, which will bring you past some of the castles and
manor houses that are the pride of Nantes.
Saturday, 16 September
The morning and early afternoon are yours to spend in the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and
Paul, admiring its 16th century marble masterpieces, or marvelling at modern art in the
Musée d’Arts? Or indulging in some shopping in the Passage Pommerave, a light-filled
covered alleyway of elegant sculptures and luxury boutiques.
This evening will be spent in Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire where we will shout our support
for the Irish team as they play their second match at RWC 2023.
Sunday, 17 September
Farewell to France. We depart Nantes for our return flight to Ireland.
Cost, deposit and payment plans.
The price for this ticket-inclusive travel package is €3,890 per person sharing.
The single supplement is €1499
Full payment is now required