In brief. The main reason for a private driver is that nobody in your party has to give up wine. A driver also takes care of roads, parking and navigation, and lets you change plans during the day. Prices start at €420 per day for the car, or €140 per person for three guests. If tastings are not the reason for your trip and you have a non-drinking driver, you can manage without one.
The main reason is wine
Tasting when you have to drive almost always becomes a compromise. The limit is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, and only 0.2 g for novice drivers. After two or three estates, calculating your own level is impossible. Spitting helps only partly, and somebody still ends up merely smelling the glass and driving everyone else.
With a driver, everyone tastes, and a bottle over lunch is no longer a problem.
What else a driver takes off your hands
The road. Wine villages are connected by narrow roads, while signs in Burgundy and Bordeaux point to dozens of similar names. The driver watches the road; you look out of the window.
Parking. In Reims, Beaune or Saint-Émilion in summer, you may have to search for a space and walk in the heat. With a driver, you get out at the entrance.
Time. If a winemaker’s cellar tour runs longer than promised, you do not rush around with your phone looking for the way back. If you like a village, you can stay longer. The itinerary can change during the day within the booked time.
Shopping. Cases stay in the car instead of being carried to lunch and the next cellar.
Appointments. We help arrange tastings beforehand, including at small estates that do not accept visitors without an agreement.
What a driver does not do
A driver does not replace a guide or sommelier. They get you there on time and show you the way, but will not explain the differences between appellations. If you want wine knowledge and estates chosen to suit your tastes, a tour with a sommelier-guide is the right option, from €1,100 per day for a group of up to 8 people.
How much it costs
Prices are per car, not per person, so a party shares the cost.
| Format | Included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| City visits and meetings, 2–4 hours | up to 50 km, waiting | from €240 |
| Full day, 8–10 hours | up to 200 km, tolls | from €420 |
| Multi-day, from 2 days | unlimited mileage, driver’s room | from €420 per day |
A full day in a saloon for three guests works out from €140 per person. Larger vehicles cost more, so we give the exact amount after an enquiry.
The driver takes care of parking; there is no separate charge. An additional hour costs €60. Beyond the 200 km included in a one-day package, the charge is €2 per kilometre. Night hours from 23:00 to 06:00 carry a 30% surcharge, and public holidays a 50% surcharge. On multi-day routes, tolls are charged at actual cost, while the driver’s accommodation and meals are included.
Regions that benefit particularly
| Region | Why a driver makes it easier | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | Médoc and Saint-Émilion are far apart, with scattered châteaux | 4–5 |
| Burgundy | many small domaines on narrow roads, and everyone wants to taste | 3–4 |
| Champagne | convenient for a day from Paris without worrying about the return | 2–3 |
| Loire Valley | long distances between châteaux and wineries | 3–4 |
| Alsace | villages are close together, but there are many tastings | 3 |
| Provence | long drives and summer heat | 3–4 |
We work throughout France. If your region is not in the table, just ask.
When you do not need a driver
A driver is not essential if:
- you stay in one city without leaving it, where the metro and taxis are enough;
- somebody in your party does not drink and enjoys driving;
- you have one short visit planned near your hotel;
- you are driving across the country and wine is not the main purpose.
Other options and their advantages are covered in “How to choose transport for a wine tour”.
How to book
Send your dates, region and number of guests. You do not have to prepare an itinerary beforehand. Within 24 hours, you will receive a proposal with a car, an approximate route and a price. A 30% deposit confirms the booking, with the balance due no later than 24 hours before the start. Cancellation and rescheduling are free at least 48 hours before departure. Most guests book a driver for 3–5 days.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a driver cost for a day?
From €420 per car for 8–10 hours. The price does not depend on passenger numbers, within the vehicle’s capacity.
How many people fit?
Up to 3 in a saloon, 7 in a V-Class or Multivan, 8 in a Vito and 16 in a Sprinter.
Can the driver explain the wines?
They can suggest directions and places, but wine explanations require a sommelier-guide. That is a different service.
How many days should I hire a driver for?
Most guests book 3–5 days. A single day is possible too.
Where does the driver sleep?
In a separate room at your hotel or a nearby hotel. This is already included in the price of a multi-day journey.
Book a driver
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