Normandy & the Loire Valley are 2 regions of France you should not miss: the climate is mild, the people are very welcoming and history is around every corner.
France Just For You planned the trip of a lifetime for my husband and me. We traveled to Normandy, St. Saint Michele, the Loire Valley and Provence. We are typically not road trip …
France Just For You planned the trip of a lifetime for my husband and me. We traveled to Normandy, St. Saint Michele, the Loire Valley and Provence. We are typically not road trip travelers, but this adventure brought us closer to the wonderful people of France than any group tour or "drop and plop" vacation could ever do. The bed and breakfasts were charming, and the time we spend talking with our interesting hosts lent so much warmth to the trip. The guides Emilie provided were knowledgeable and personable. One of the best experiences of our lives was hiking in St. Saint Michel Bay at night, in the water, with our guide Roman. Each day was outlined with many suggestions and background information to allow you to make choices based on our interests and energy level. She set up experiences, such a wine tastings or cooking classes based on our feedback to her questions before we went. The book Emilie provided and the maps couldn't have been more detailed or better organized for easy use. I will say that it's important to read EVERYTHING before you go, as there's so much great information that you need time to become familiar with the guide before you go. Also, take Emilie's advice about the gps. She suggested you download maps either on your own device or your phone before you go. We used an internet app on our phone, which worked great, until your internet service dropped. (not often) The gps in the rental car was not in English in one of the cars, but it was in the other. Also, she gives you great tips about how to use the toll road systems, and even how to learn where to stand to get the TGV spot to wait for your car. One more tip: "drop a pin" on the maps app on your phone whenever you leave your car. We "misplaced" our car twice...makes a great story but is not very fun in the moment! We had a simply wonderful trip. Even though we never met Emilie, we felt like she was a friend because of all of the quick and thorough communication. We definitely recommend France Just For You, and we hope to have the opportunity to return to see the rest of France very soon!
Normandy & the Loire Valley Loop
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#1 - A Gorgeous Mansion few minute walk to Monet's house & gardensStay downtown Giverny, in a beautiful BandB house
#1 - A Gorgeous Mansion few minute walk to Monet's house & gardensrelax in a cozy room
#1 - A Gorgeous Mansion few minute walk to Monet's house & gardensor in the guests living room
#2 - A beautiful countryside house near Bayeuxstay in a very quiet setting between Bayeux and the Landing Beaches
#2 - A beautiful countryside house near Bayeuxenjoy a comfortable room
#2 - A beautiful countryside house near BayeuxShare a delicious table dhôtes dinner with your hosts
#2 - A beautiful countryside house near BayeuxRelax in the guests living room or in the garden
#3 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint MichelA unique B&B...
#3 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint Michel...with a very delicate 18th century decoration...
#3 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint Michel...and spacious bedrooms
#3 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint MichelAfter an amazing breakfast...
#3 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint MichelA walk in the park?
#4 - A privately owned family chateau in the LoireExperience Touraine sweet life
#4 - A privately owned family chateau in the Loirein a privately owned family château
#4 - A privately owned family chateau in the Loiresurrounded by 17 hectares of peaceful parkland
#4 - A privately owned family chateau in the Loireexchange stories about life at the château
#4 - A privately owned family chateau in the Loireunwind in a comfortable room
#5 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valleyone of the Loire Valley’s finest Renaissance castles is a 1-minute walk
#5 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire ValleyBreakfasts are made of locally sourced produces
#5 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire ValleyAfter a day exploring, you can rest in your very comfortable room
#5 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valley...or in the guests' living room...
#5 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valleyor unwind in the hotel's peaceful patio
Step by step
Giverny, Home of the Impressionnists
Your journey starts in Giverny. This tiny unchanged village takes you back to the 19th century when the great painter Claude Monet created a new art movement: impressionism.
Monet's gardens are beautifully maintained, exactly as they were when Monet painted them. We include in this itinerary cut-the-line tickets that enable you to avoid waiting at Monet’s house and gardens.
In Giverny, we have planned a 2-night-stay in a historical domain from the 13th century, which has been beautifully restored, only few minutes’ walk to Monet’s house & gardens. This will give you enough time to recover from jetlag and discover the Seine river valley.
Normandy: the Bayeux area
The second leg of your journey takes you to a peaceful countryside house, locatedbetween Bayeux's old town and the Landing Beaches. Your hosts travel a lot and will be happy to share stories with you around breakfast.
Spend 3 nights near Bayeux and jump into the local history: from William the Conqueror in the 11th century whose adventures are illustrated in the Bayeux tapestry, to the Battle of Normandy in 1944.
Many remains of the WWII landings are still visible and you can quickly access Gold and Juno landing beaches as well as the artificial port of Arromanches or the Caen Memorial.
To help you better understand the events of the Battle of Normandy and bring them to life, we have planned for a private guided tour with a specialist in WWII history. You will be shown all the main landing sites and learn in detail about what happened here on D-Day.
The Mont Saint Michel & Eastern Brittany
On your way to the Loire Valley, stop over for 2 nights near the Mont Saint Michel: this ancient beautiful abbey sits on top of a tidal island in the middle of Mont Saint Michel Bay. A wonder!
Stay in a gorgeous castle a30 minute drive across the bay from the famous village. This is a unique occasion to really feel what the "vie de château" truly is like!
Discover Mont Saint Michel unique village and its Abbey with a local guide who will explain you about its history and traditions. She will take you to many small streets to see places that tourist usually don't see.
The Loire Valley from a family Castle
The Loire Valley will welcome you with its renowned "sweet life", its Renaissance castles and gardens, and its famous gastronomy and wines.
Stay for 3 nights in a privately owned family château, surrounded by 17 hectares of peaceful parkland and magnificent century-old cedar trees. Share breakfast around the family table with your welcoming hosts, exchange stories about life at the château, then wander through the grounds or hop on a bike to explore one of the Loire Valley’s finest castles nearby.
You are also perfectly located to discover all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord, Chenonceau and Azay-le-Rideau, the old towns of Saumur, Chinon and Amboise. Meet Chris who will take you to the vineyards and explain the vine work, stroll through the estate’s lovely park, then taste four local wines paired with the family’s own charcuterie, cheeses and biscuits.
Spend the last 2 nights of your trip in an intimate boutique hotel in the same street as one of the Loire Valley’s finest Renaissance castles, with restaurants and cafés just a short stroll away.
Cruise along the Loire river as a passenger aboard a vintage sidecar : explore the little villages and enjoy the landscapes.
We also plan for you to enjoy a delicious cheese and wine apéritif right at a family-run goat farm, for an authentic taste of local life and Loire Valley flavors.
History, culture, gastronomy, "the sweet life": this is France!
Activities included
Monet's House & Garden
Avoid wasting time standing in line, use the by-pass line to visit the house of Monet and its famous gardens. Follow in the footsteps of this painter and the American Impressionists in the small town of Giverny.
Private Guide on the WWII sites
Spend a half day with a private guide who will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests. A must do to better understand what happened on D-Day.
Mont Saint Michel Private Tour
Discover this unique village and its Abbey with a local guide who will explain you about its history and traditions. She will take you to many small streets to see places that tourist usually don't see.
Vintage Sidecar Tour
Cruise along the Loire river as a passenger aboard a vintage sidecar : explore the little towns and enjoy the landscapes
Meet Chris who will take you to the vineyards and explain the vine work, stroll through the estate’s lovely park, then taste four local wines paired with the family’s own charcuterie, cheeses and biscuits.
We also plan for you to enjoy a delicious cheese and wine apéritif right at a family-run goat farm, for an authentic taste of local life and Loire Valley flavors.
Emilie is amazing. Going to Normandy has always been a dream of my husbands and luckily for us we found Emilie to plan our trip. Our hotel in Paris for the start of our trip was located perfectly. Within walking distance of so much for our first two days before we picked up the rental car she had arranged for us. Then onto Normandy and the Loire …
Emilie is amazing. Going to Normandy has always been a dream of my husbands and luckily for us we found Emilie to plan our trip. Our hotel in Paris for the start of our trip was located perfectly. Within walking distance of so much for our first two days before we picked up the rental car she had arranged for us. Then onto Normandy and the Loire Valley where the B&B's she arranged for us were awesome and the hosts shared a lot of history with us and made us feel very welcome. Our own specialized guide book not only proved to be invaluable while we were there, but a very special momento of our trip. And I can't say enough about the guide she arranged for us for our tour of the beaches, he has to be one of the most knowledgeable (and interesting) D-Day guides ever!! I highly recommend Emilie and France Just For You. She takes into consideration your wants and needs and personalizes your trip perfectly. We wouldn't have been able to have our "trip of a lifetime" without her!
Steve
We normally craft our own trips or join a small group tour. This time, we decided to try Emilie and Guillaume's tailored holiday service to enjoy southern France in a way we wouldn't have otherwise done. It was an excellent experience in every way and we recommend them highly. The BnB's chosen , the sightseeing and dining suggestions made as well …
We normally craft our own trips or join a small group tour. This time, we decided to try Emilie and Guillaume's tailored holiday service to enjoy southern France in a way we wouldn't have otherwise done.
It was an excellent experience in every way and we recommend them highly. The BnB's chosen , the sightseeing and dining suggestions made as well as the rental car arrange all were a pleasure.
Chuck
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this is the best company for you to use to have a superb vacation and I would use them again anytime. They give you options so you can do what you like, but help with the …
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this is the best company for you to use to have a superb vacation and I would use them again anytime. They give you options so you can do what you like, but help with the logistics which would be the most frustrating if you had to make arrangements yourself.
