Discover French gastronomy in three regions famous the world over for their food and wines. Burgundy and the Loire Valley are actually arguing about where Coq au Vin was first invented. Burgundy is famous for wine sauce and the Loire Valley for river fish, fruits and goat cheese. And of course Paris is heaven to gourmets! You’ll find the best boulangeries in the world in Paris, and the food markets are amazing.
I cannot say enough good things about Emilie and "France Just for You". We spent 15 days in France in June to celebrate our special anniversary and it was more than perfect. I …
I cannot say enough good things about Emilie and "France Just for You". We spent 15 days in France in June to celebrate our special anniversary and it was more than perfect. I found this superlative agency while browsing online, looking for a custom made trip to France that does not involve hopping on a tour bus with a large group of people, being stuck with a rigid itinerary or being pushed into tourist traps. I sent an inquiry to Emilie and she was quick to respond. From the minute we spoke I knew I had made the right choice. After a long conversation, she sent us a suggested itinerary that was 99% perfect from the get-go. We fine-tuned it, leaving room for some surprises. And surprise us she did! Armed with a 400-page custom-made guide book, we visited Paris, the Loire Valley, Burgundy and Provence. Her attention to detail is unmatched, leaving nothing to chance. She took care of everything except the flights. The accommodations included a cute and convenient boutique hotel in Paris, unbelievably charming B&Bs and a beautiful castle. All the important activities were pre-booked. Her advice was invaluable, from how to drive, which roads to avoid, how to speak and behave, where to eat, what to eat, what to visit, what not to visit, where to buy authentic souvenirs... We had fun chatting with our hospitable and generous hosts and enjoyed numerous adventures such as a bike ride, scenic walks, a truffle hunt, a cooking lesson and a surprise wine tasting and picnic, all at our own pace.
Emilie was available for support all the way through our trip and immediately addressed a small misunderstanding with the car rental company at the end.
Doing a trip like this on our own would have been virtually impossible. Only a professional, dedicated and passionate French native like Emilie, who has spent endless time and energy exploring France, could make this happen.
Thank you Emilie for the best trip we have ever had. You have forever earned our gratefulness, loyalty and admiration. We are certain to return to France in the future, hopefully with family and friends and look forward to your excellent services again.
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais districtA unique place, in the very center of Paris
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais districtStay in a cozy room...
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais district...less than 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral
#2 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Stay at a wine maker family
#2 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Relax in a very well equipped room
#2 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Meet with fellow travelers in a convivial atmosphere
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townA beautiful place in a lively town
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townOn a sunny day, enjoy breakfast in the garden
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townThe town is lively, but once you pass the B&B door, it is very quiet
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townMeet with lovely hosts !
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townRelax in the small garden
Step by step
A Few Days in Paris
This itinerary starts in Paris but if you wish, we can easily turn it around. For the first 2 nights of your trip, you will be living the Parisian life. Comfortably accommodated in a charming boutique-hotel in a quiet street of the bustling Marais district, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to get oriented and learn more about the history, art, culture or architecture. We will taylor-make your program based on your wishes.
Ideally based less than 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, you will explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with different and unique itineraries we have prepared for you. We also recommend our favorite restaurants and patisseries in different districts of the city so you’ll know where to take a break.
Burgundy Gastronomy
On the 3rd day, you will pick up your rental car at the closest agency from the hotel and drive 3 hours to Burgundy. We will recommend a gorgeous castle on your way.
In Burgundy, you will reside for 3 nights in a beautiful B&B house owned by a wine maker family and located in one of Burgundy's most famous wine towns. Situated in the heart of Burgundy, near Beaune, this is the perfect place to learn about the local wines. Explore all the major vineyards of the region and have a chance to taste red and white wines among the best in the world, directly at the winery!
To discover the Burgundy vineyard trails, we plan for you to spend an afternoon on a bike to discover Burgundy wines. You will make several stops on the way to taste wine at smaller wineries.
We will provide you with all detailed itineraries to discover the authentic and charming Burgundy. This region is much more than the vineyards: winding roads leading to tiny timeless villages - some of them "Most Beautiful Villages of France" - will give you a real feel for this region. Taste some local cheeses, the "Epoisse" at the cheese factory or stroll around Beaune from the cellars to the ramparts.
The Loire Valley Castles & Gardens
On the 6th day, you will drive for 4 hours to the Loire Valley where you will spend the last 4 nights of this itinerary. Stay in a charmingly restored townhouse, in the heart of a very lively town in the Loire Valley. From here, you can walk everywhere including to Leonardo Da Vinci's final dwelling.
Discover the marvels of the Loire Valley: we will give you tips for visiting Chambord or Chenonceau castles away from the crowds. We will also recommend smaller castles and hidden places, less famous and with a lot of history and beautiful settings. If you like gardens, don’t miss Chaumont or Villandry.
Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and many more – and we have planned a special wine tasting. You will have the opportunity to taste different wines - in a privately owned 16th century castle - accompanied by some local specialties.
You will also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you.
On your last day, you can drive 3hrs back to downtown Paris or 3hr30 to CDG Paris International Airport.
Strong or lighter wines, cow and goat cheeses, pastries, chocolate, farmers markets . . . this itinerary will delight food lovers!
Activities included
Paris Private Walking Tour
For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to get oriented and learn more about the history, art, culture or architecture. We will taylor make your program based on your wishes.
Burgundy Wine & Bike Tour
Spend an afternoon with a guide who will take you wine tasting in Côte de Beaune famous vineyards...and wineries of course.
A Wine Tasting in a castle in the Loire
Visit a family-owned 16th century castle and winery surrounded by over 100 acres of vineyards and forests.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
We definitely experienced a new way of traveling : out-of-the-way places, local markets and quaint little restaurants. We met a lot of French people and other travelers and always had a great time ! We had already gone to France twice in the past, but thanks to Emily and Guilaume we rediscovered this fabulous country in a whole new way. We are …
We definitely experienced a new way of traveling : out-of-the-way places, local markets and quaint little restaurants. We met a lot of French people and other travelers and always had a great time !
We had already gone to France twice in the past, but thanks to Emily and Guilaume we rediscovered this fabulous country in a whole new way.
We are looking forward to visiting Dordogne very soon…definitely with France Just For You.
Sheldon
We began planning this trip over a year before our departure date. We have done a lot of traveling but this trip was for our 25th wedding anniversary! Once we decided upon France as our destination all that was left was to get all the details taken care of. Based on previous adventures, we knew that we wanted to drive ourselves on a self- directed …
We began planning this trip over a year before our departure date. We have done a lot of traveling but this trip was for our 25th wedding anniversary! Once we decided upon France as our destination all that was left was to get all the details taken care of. Based on previous adventures, we knew that we wanted to drive ourselves on a self- directed adventure. Extensive searching and research led us to France for You. Yes, Emilie and France for You had wonderful reviews but we needed/wanted to speak with her. Emilie is a great listener. My wife and I had each been France on our own, years before we had met and hadn’t been back since. We enjoyed a few conversations and exchanged many emails as the three of us discussed and planned our adventure. We thought we had arranged and thoroughly planned our 15 days. We never could have imagined how AMAZING this trip turned out to be, absolutely a trip of a lifetime!!! Emilie had come to know us well enough to understand exactly how to assist us in planning every detail of the trip. Emilie of France for You obviously does extensive research and stays current with every aspect of anything she suggests. Every aspect of our adventure was far above and beyond our expectations. I couldn’t more STRONGLY recommend working with Emilie and France for You!
Andrea
My husband and I had a full week to spend in southern France before an event we were attending in Cahor. We found France Just for You and got the best care and the best itinerary for those days. We arrived on the day of a strike and Emilie took care of us. She found alternate means of transportation and stayed with us by phone and email throughout …
My husband and I had a full week to spend in southern France before an event we were attending in Cahor. We found France Just for You and got the best care and the best itinerary for those days. We arrived on the day of a strike and Emilie took care of us. She found alternate means of transportation and stayed with us by phone and email throughout our trip. The B&B's she found were exquisite. We had such a wonderful experience. She booked tour guides, drivers, cooking classes, dinners and hikes. It made our trip so very easy and enjoyable. I would not go to France again without contacting her first.
