We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a …
We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne and finally Provence. Her recommendations and arrangements for accommodation, transportation, dining, wine estates, tours, guides and special out of the way places was perfect. She based our vacation on our desires and specific wishes - and she matched them perfectly.
We can't say enough how her trip planning, itinerary, choice of what to do was exactly what we were looking for. In addition she provided several out of the way spots away from touristy sites that made this special Birthday vacation amazing.
The intriguing part was receiving our custom tailored Guide Books which were indispensable and allowed us to travel worry free. This was a great source of practical, useful information that made our trip even more relaxed.
The diversity of the trip allowed us to experience many aspects of French culture - history, art, wine tasting and appreciation, dining, truffle hunting and running through Lavender fields in bloom. Biking through quaint villages and following in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Hemingway, amoung others. Thanks to her we were able to see several regions of France and we came to understand that we could not do everything she suggested - and that was a good thing.
Throughout it all Emilie communicated on a regular basis and was always available if we had a question.
We would definitely recommend France Just For You to anyone desiring a unique, tailored way of experiencing France.
Bordeaux & Dordogne's Heritage
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Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - A former wine estateStay right in the Medoc vineyards
#1 - A former wine estateRelax by the vineyards or at the pool or spa
#1 - A former wine estateMeet with your lovely hosts who used to live Sth America
#1 - A former wine estateYou room has a very relaxing decoration
#2 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in Arcachon BassinSlow down and embrace the relaxed coastal lifestyle
#2 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in Arcachon BassinEnjoy some good nights of rest
#2 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in Arcachon Bassin...and a good breakfast before discovering the Dune du Pilat
#2 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in Arcachon BassinYou can read a book by the swimming pool or in the welcoming guests area
#2 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in Arcachon Bassin...and enjoy the typical Arcachon architecture
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneA 19th century farm...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...with a traditional sheep farming borie outbuilding.
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneStay in a very comfortable room...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...and enjoy a delicious home-made dinner.
Step by step
The Bordeaux area
Start your journey in the Bordeaux area for 3 nights, in the Médoc wine region - in a house surrounded by the vineyards. Your lovely hosts are passionate about wine and will invite you to a delicious dinner . . . with some local wines of course !
Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to the city of Bordeaux. The rise of colonial trade together with the growth of the wine industry contributed to the amazing expansion of the Gironde region during the 18th century.
We plan for you to explore Bordeaux's old town following a local food guide who will take you to many different food & wine places - delicious !
Very near Saint Emilion, we have planned a private tour of a famous wine estate: after visiting the estate from the vineyards to the cellars, learning about the different grape varieties and wine-making process, you will enjoy a lunch together with a tasting of 3 different wines.
Arcachon Bassin
Continue towards the ocean and spend the next 2 nights in a historic 4-star boutique hotel in one of the Bassin d’Arcachon’s most inviting seaside towns, just a five-minute walk from the beach.
Slow down and embrace the relaxed coastal lifestyle, from walks by the ocean and views from the Dune du Pilat to freshly shucked oysters paired with a glass of local white Bordeaux.
Dordogne
Continue your sightseeing expedition to the Dordogne. In Black Perigord,you will stay in a restored stone house for 4 nights, nestled between the woods and the Dordogne river, perfectly located to explore the area.
One afternoon, you will enjoy a nice cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with fellow travelers.
Dordogne is famous for prehistoric caves like Lascaux, but we have booked for you a much more intimate visit, to a 20,000 old cave. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, this is a must! Visit the old city of Sarlat and feel the buzz of activity on market days.
We'll tell you where to find the most typical goat cheese ever - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
We also plan for you to spend a memorable time looking for truffles with a passionate professional and his truffle hound.
This is a trip you will remember forever!
Activities included
Tour a St Emilion Winery
Visit a wine estate near St Emilion with a private English speaking guide. After the tour, you will enjoy a picnic lunch together with a tasting of different wines from the estate.
Bordeaux Food Tour
Stroll Bordeaux old town, stopping at many different food and wine shops to get a nice overview of the Bordeaux region gastronomy. A very pleasant walking tour !
Truffle Hunt
In Dordogne, spend a memorable time looking for truffles with a passionate professional and his truffle hound.
Cannot speak highly enough of our experience with Emilie and France Just for You. They attended to every detail and request. The B&Bs were welcoming and attractive - quaint and with modern conveniences. The table-d'hotes were very special and a chance to taste authentic, regional cuisine and wines. We were very thankful to discover this wonderful …
Cannot speak highly enough of our experience with Emilie and France Just for You. They attended to every detail and request. The B&Bs were welcoming and attractive - quaint and with modern conveniences. The table-d'hotes were very special and a chance to taste authentic, regional cuisine and wines. We were very thankful to discover this wonderful service. My husband has mobility issues and everyone was very accommodating. Also, felt it was good value. Bon voyage.
Leslie
There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train …
There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train tickets, and rental cars was priceless. I was happy to begin with, but when we received our tour book, I was amazed. It is a bound, personalized several hundred page book of everything from French customs and phrases to personalized walking tour suggestions, to GPS coordinates for points of interest. Pictures of our hotels and hosts, small maps in the book, large maps for each day we ventured out. Even Paris metro tickets to get us started. We were a group of 8, ages 12 to 75 and it could not have been more seamless. For all of this personalized service, her fees were very reasonable. Next time we travel to France, we will surely use France Just For You again. Merci beaucoup!
Mary & Dan
Emilie, Our trip has been fantastic! We appreciate all that you did to make it so wonderful. Many, many thanks! The itineraries, special experiences--- like the 4x4 wine tour, wine picnic, and cooking with Catherine---and the unique accommodations made our vacation very very special. We start toward home tomorrow, leaving your beautiful country but …
Emilie,
Our trip has been fantastic! We appreciate all that you did to make it so wonderful. Many, many thanks! The itineraries, special experiences--- like the 4x4 wine tour, wine picnic, and cooking with Catherine---and the unique accommodations made our vacation very very special.
We start toward home tomorrow, leaving your beautiful country but feeling satisfied that we've seen the very best of Burgundy and Provence. Again, many thanks.
P.S. We've already recommended you to several people we've met on our trip, and will continue to do so to friends and family.
