In 13 days, this tour will take you from Paris to the Somme region, and on to Lille at the Belgium border.
You will then drive your way south-east to the Verdun area and the surrounding WWI sites. You will end your journey in Alsace, on the border with Germany.
Emilie, set up an outstanding itinerary that met all our desired needs, created a wonderful schedule with built in flexibility to handle planned and unplanned changes. Her …
Emilie, set up an outstanding itinerary that met all our desired needs, created a wonderful schedule with built in flexibility to handle planned and unplanned changes. Her suggestion for special sites to see and foods to sample were right on and an enhancement from the normal tourist recommendations. The attention to detail was greatly appreciated and affirmed the fact that she had actually visited and tasted the recommendation. If the opportunity is afforded in the future we will again use "France Just For You".
Northern France from Paris to Alsace
tour
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Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - Your 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint-GermainStay in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés district
#1 - Your 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint-GermainRest in a comfortable and quiet room
#1 - Your 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint-GermainStart your day with a nice breakfast
#1 - Your 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint-GermainThe hotel’s small, attentive team will make you feel welcome and ensure you have everything you need throughout your stay
#1 - Your 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint-GermainEnjoy the charm of a historical building
#2 - A premium B&B between Amiens & the Battle sitesDiscover the Somme region with your lovely hosts
#2 - A premium B&B between Amiens & the Battle sitesRelax in a luxury Bed & Breakfast
#2 - A premium B&B between Amiens & the Battle sitesWith classical and comfortable rooms
#3 - A Boutique-Hotel in the old center of LilleA charming 4* Boutique-Hotel
#3 - A Boutique-Hotel in the old center of LilleWith well equipped and nicely decorated rooms
#3 - A Boutique-Hotel in the old center of LilleOpening on to Lille main square
#4 - A comfortable Hotel in the very center of VerdunThis old military mansion was restored a few years ago
#4 - A comfortable Hotel in the very center of Verdun...to become a very modern and comfortable hotel
#4 - A comfortable Hotel in the very center of VerdunThere is also a bar and restaurant or you can walk to any place in Verdun
#5 - Your home in AlsaceIn Alsace, your friendly hosts will make you feel at home
#5 - Your home in AlsaceYour B&B is perfectly located between the Vosges mountains & the Alsace wine route
#5 - Your home in AlsaceRelax in your comfortable room
#5 - Your home in AlsaceEnjoy a heartly made breakfast
#5 - Your home in AlsaceRelax in the garden or jacuzzi
Step by step
Oh...Paris !
For the first 3 nights of your trip, you will be living the Parisian life. For a smooth arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.
Comfortably accommodated in a charming 4* boutique-hotel in theheart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
Being based a 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with unique and different itineraries we have prepared for you.
We plan for you to get oriented with a Parisian guide for a half-day, discover Paris most famous buildings along the Seine river and get to learn a lot about French culture and history while having a lot of fun. One night, you will attend a very fun show (in English) . . . a good opportunity to enjoy Paris nightlife.
On the fourth morning, you will pick up the rental car near your hotel and drive north about 1hr30 to the Somme region.
Amiens & the Somme region
Your premium B&B is the perfect place to spend 2 nights to explore the war sites as well as the old town of Amiens and its amazing Cathedral.
We have included in this trip a day with a private English-speaking guide who will explain military strategy and drive you to the main WWI and WWII sites of the Somme region.
Many different nationalities fought in this part of France and we can definitely craft your day based on your country of origin or any specific interests you may have.
Downtown Lille
On Day 6, drive 1hr30 to Lille, at the northern tip of France. The old center of Lille is very pleasant for spending a night and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
We plan for you to stay in a comfortable 4* Boutique-Hotel which opens on to the famous main square of Lille, with all the typical buildings, cafés and restaurants.
Travelers who may be interested in the World War Flanders region sites (such as Ypres Salient or Poperinghe, Vimy Ridge or Passchendaele), please let us know and we can plan a day there with a private guide or on your own.
Verdun
On Day 7, drive 3hrs to the Verdun region. On the way, you may stop in Reims and enjoy a "coupe de Champagne" at lunch and a nice walk we will recommend to digest before getting back on the road.
Spend the next 2 nights in a newly redesigned 4* Boutique-Hotel in the very heart of Verdun. You can walk everywhere in town from your hotel.
We will craft your days for you to explore the WWI war sites based on your interests, what you already know and what you would like to discover.
In the Verdun region, you will also taste delicious local products, relax in nice bars by the Meuse canal and why not even taste some Côte de Meuse wine.
Gorgeous Alsace
Your last step is in Alsace: spend 4 nights in a welcoming early 20th-century home between the Vosges Mountains and the Alsace Wine Route, where your friendly hosts will make you feel at home and share their favorite local recommendations. Relax in the garden or jacuzzi, then set out to explore Alsace’s colorful villages, vineyard landscapes and distinctive wines.
Discover the gorgeous town of Colmar, its canal maybe on a barge tour and enjoy a meal in a typical Winstub with a nice beer.
Another day, drive along the Alsatian Wine Road, stop in some of the most beautiful villages of France with their typical colorful half-timbered houses and the stork nests. Enjoy the Alsatian wines visiting a family-run winery and tasting 3 of their white wines paired with local products.
You may end the trip in Strasbourg or Colmar and return the car there before getting on a train or flight . . . or drive to your next destination for more adventures !
Activities included
Paris Orientation Tour
Discover Paris most famous buildings along the Seine river and get to learn a lot about French culture and history...having a lot of fun.
Comedy Show in Paris
What about spending a night in a Parisian theater and enjoy a very fun show...in English. You'll have a great time!
Private Guide on the Somme War sites
Discover the War Sites of the Somme around Amiens with a private guide for a full day. We will make recommendations and can customize your day if you wish.
Winery Visit & Tasting in Alsace
Visit a family-run wine estate on the Alsace Wine Trail, run by the 3rd generation.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done …
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done lots of independent travel in the past. We loved the many small towns you recommended. Merci Laura for arranging such a wonderful experience for us.
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!
Natalie & Family
My husband was born in France and moved to Australia in 1970 when he was just 5. He went back for the last time in 1980 and had not returned since. In January 2017 I started to formulate an idea to surprise him with a trip back home. Being Australian, we love road trips but without his French language skills I felt a bit scared to start booking …
My husband was born in France and moved to Australia in 1970 when he was just 5. He went back for the last time in 1980 and had not returned since. In January 2017 I started to formulate an idea to surprise him with a trip back home. Being Australian, we love road trips but without his French language skills I felt a bit scared to start booking hotels etc. Thankfully, a google search came up with Emilie. She helped me surprise my husband and my 16 year old daughter with a trip that will be hard to beat. Ever.
What can I say? The kindness that she showed as she helped me shape a trip of a lifetime is beyond words. She helped me to go back to my ancestral roots (even finding a hotel just 50 metres from where my great-grandfather was born!), and a drive through the village where my husband spent his first 5 years.
Add to this a list of amazing accommodations, unique parking spots, the most incredible guide books you'll ever seen, and more! As so many others here have mentioned, you get so much more than just a simple travel package with vouchers. The maps, the books, the history, the suggestions - things we will continue to read and delight in for years to come.
You know it's been an exceptional holiday when during the loooong journey home (all 30 hours of it!) you can't come up with a single 'best' moment. It was all the best.
