Georgia (69,700 km², 3.7 million inhabitants) is a small Caucasian country of spectacular landscapes, long occupied by the Russians and independent since 1991. It is one of the world's oldest Christian nations, converted by Saint Nino in 326. Its heritage spans four UNESCO sites: Mtskheta, cradle of Georgian Christianity, the Bagrati and Gelati monasteries, and Upper Svaneti with its 200 medieval stone towers. Tbilisi, founded in 458 over its sulfurous thermal springs, keeps one of the Caucasus's most authentic old towns. To the north, Mount Kazbek and Gergeti Monastery, perched at 2,170 m, form the country's emblematic image. Kakheti, where wine jars dating back to 6000 BC were found, makes Georgia the oldest known wine-producing country, with 525 autochthonous grape varieties.
Duration : 8 days
Route : Paris-Tbilisi flight → Tbilisi (3 nights, Stamba Hotel + sulfur baths + UNESCO Mtskheta + Narikala) → Kazbek-Stepantsminda (2 nights, Rooms Hotel Kazbegi + 2,170 m Gergeti monastery + 5,047 m Mount Kazbek) → Kakheti (2 nights, Schuchmann Wines guesthouse + Sighnaghi lovers' city + supra with tamada) → return Tbilisi (1 night) → return flight
Duration : 11 days
Route : Paris-Tbilisi flight → Tbilisi (3 nights) → Kazbek (2 nights) → Vanilla Sky 45-min flight → Mestia Svaneti (3 nights, UNESCO 1996 200 medieval towers + Ushguli Europe's highest inhabited village 2,200 m + Chalaadi glacier) → Tbilisi return flight → Kakheti (2 nights) → return Tbilisi (1 night) → return flight
Duration : 14 days
Route : Paris-Tbilisi flight → Tbilisi (3 nights) → Kazbek (2 nights) → Kakheti (2 nights) → Sadakhlo border → Yerevan Armenia (2 nights, world's 1st Christian nation 301 monasteries) → Lake Sevan + Khor Virap (1 night) → Geghard border → Baku Azerbaijan (3 nights, futuristic oil capital Flame Towers + UNESCO 2000 old town) → Baku return flight
Georgia is ideally visited from May to October. May-June (15-25 °C, flowers, fewer crowds) and September-October (15-22 °C, September-October Kakheti harvests, autumn colors) are perfect. July-August (25-32 °C, sometimes heatwaves) are the warmest months, Tbilisi can be touristy but Mestia and Kazbek ideal for mountains. November-March: Caucasus closed (Mestia inaccessible, Kazbek road difficult, Gudauri skiing possible). Festivals: Tbilisoba (October, Tbilisi national feast), Georgian New Year (January 1 but also January 14 Orthodox Old New Year), Chveneburebi folk festivals (summer), Rtveli Kakheti harvests (September-October, signature experience with grape harvesting + supra with tamada).
Georgia is very safe for tourists, ranking in the top 50 of the Global Peace Index. No visa is required for French citizens for stays up to one year, one of the world's most generous regimes. No vaccine is mandatory. Tap water is drinkable in Tbilisi and major cities, bottled water recommended in rural and mountain areas. Bank cards are widely accepted in cities, while cash remains necessary in Mestia and rural areas. Customary tip: 10% at restaurants. Covering attire, shoulders and knees, is required in Orthodox monasteries like Mtskheta or Gergeti. Two areas should be avoided: Abkhazia and South Ossetia, separatist territories occupied by Russia since 2008, whose border remains closed on the Georgian side. No risk elsewhere in the country.
Essential Georgia (Tbilisi + Mtskheta + Kazbek + Kakheti): 8 nights. With Mestia Svaneti: 11 nights. 3-Caucasus-country combo (Georgia + Armenia + Azerbaijan): 14 nights.
Yes, proven by 2017 archaeological discovery (Patrick McGovern University Pennsylvania), qvevri jars dated 6000 BC with attested wine chemical residues. World's oldest wines, preserved technique. UNESCO 2013.
Comfort: €2,590-€3,200/person. Premium (Stamba 5★+ + Rooms Kazbegi 4★+ + Schuchmann supra): €3,800-€4,800. Excellence (Stamba suite + Kazbek ascent + professional tamada): €5,800+. Paris-Tbilisi flights: €250-€700.
No for French/Europeans (≤ 1 year, one of world's most generous after Albania). 6-month valid biometric passport.
Vanilla Sky Cessna 45-min flight from Tbilisi (€80-150/person, weather-dependent, flights often cancelled in bad mountain weather, plan 1-2 day flexibility). 4×4 car alternative 9 h difficult. June-September season only (road closed October-May by snow).
Yes, it's the traditional minimum duration. Tamada toastmaster pronounces 12-25 toasts in 5 h (to homeland + parents + children + friends + peace + tribute to dead...) with a drink for each, 30 traditional dishes simultaneously on the table, UNESCO 2008 Georgian polyphony. Recognized Georgian social profession.
Very safe (top 50 Global Peace Index). Avoid Abkhazia + South Ossetia (separatist territories occupied by Russia since 2008, closed border on Georgian side). No risk in rest of country.
No mandatory vaccines. Up-to-date DTP recommended. Tap water drinkable Tbilisi + main cities.
Private 4×4 + French-speaking driver-guide car recommended for Kazbek + Mestia + Kakheti (winding mountain roads). Vanilla Sky Mestia 45-min flight. Tbilisi-Telavi train 4 h (slow). Bolt in Tbilisi (very cheap).
Yes, classic: Georgia + Armenia (Tbilisi-Yerevan 6 h car via Sadakhlo border, world's 1st Christian nation 301 monasteries), + Azerbaijan (Baku 8 h, futuristic oil capital UNESCO 2000), + eastern Turkey (Trabzon 6 h car, Sumela monastery). 3-Caucasus-country 14-night combo ideal.