From the landing sites in Normandy to Mont Saint Michel on to Brittany ending in the Loire Valley, this itinerary will have you discover all the history, traditions and gastronomy of the North-West of France.
There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our …
There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our trip, and even her thoughtful emails upon our return. We contacted Emilie with a list of all the places we wished to go, the things we hoped to do, and our budget. We exchanged several emails (Emilie’s response time was always immediate) and, within a couple of days, Emilie created an amazing itinerary for our 2 week stay in France that allowed us to do everything we hoped for and several things we would not have thought about on our own. Emilie is an incredible listener which was very evident when we received our itinerary. She had arranged for everything including a French Smartphone with Google Maps, a rental car, skip-the-line tickets, a stay in a castle, wine tastings, etc. All of our accommodations were superb with hosts that spoke fluent English, were very knowledgeable about their area, and had great suggestions from restaurants to local “must do’s” and everything in-between. When Emilie says she has visited all of the accommodations in person, she means it. Each host talked very highly of Emilie and reminisced about her visits. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Paris, we knew we were in for a great experience. Emilie’s detailed notes (all in a spiral bound, 400+ page book with our itinerary, addresses, suggestions,etc.) on where to pick up our French Smart Phone (an absolute must and one of our best friends during our visit - loaded with our tailored book and several other great programs) and then our rental car, made the start to our journey very easy - relatively important to us since neither one of us spoke more than 10 words of French. We had the privilege of meeting up with Emilie in her hometown and she was just as delightful in person as we experienced with our email exchanges over the last few months. While the trains were sporadically on strike, depending on the day, Emilie was there to follow the schedule and be ready to make an alternative plan for us if needed. When we hit a small snag turning in our rental car, Emilie was right there to figure things out and get us on our way. We’ve traveled quite a bit, yet we both thought this to be our Best Trip Ever. Thank you Emilie and France Just for You!
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley Tour
tour
Published on:
Last modified on:
Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideA medieval manor between Bayeux and the landing beaches
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideAfter a day visiting, relax in the Norman countryside
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideEnjoy a very spacious room with all the modern amenities
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countryside...and amazing home-made breakfasts
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelShare breakfasts and a diner with fellow travelers
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelEnjoy a main floor suite room with a kitchenette
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelYour hosts are from Brittany & very happy to share tips & hints
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenEnjoy Brittany countryside between Perros Guirec & Bréhat island
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenYour host Fred is also an antique dealer
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming garden... lots of unique decoration to the house
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenYour adorable hostess has a wonderful garden
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenEnjoy a brand new room with a lot of amenities
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan GulfYour host is from the region, and he comes from a family of oyster farmers
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulfenjoy a comfortable modern setting...
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulf...and amazing Gulf views from your bed !
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulfhere, the sea is always near you...
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireStay in a gorgeous privately owned castle in the Loire valley
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the Loireplay the piano or enjoy a drink in one of the salons
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireEarly birds will have 1620 fescos on their room s walls.
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireYour lovely hosts will share their passion with you
Step by step
We can plan for you to pick up the rental car where it suits you best: Paris, CDG Airport...just let us know
Start your itinerary with 3 nights tasting the Norman quietness in a charming manor from the 11th century. Jump into the Middle-Ages, but enjoying all the modern amenities...and amazing breakfasts cooked by your lovely hostess.
Perfectly located between Bayeux and the WWII beaches, you will get a real feel for the Norman history there from William the Conqueror to the Second World War.
For your to better understand the WWII history, we include a half day with a private guide. We will tailor make your visit based on the sites you are interested in: Juno area for the Canadian army, Gold beach for the British army and Utah / Omaha for the American landing.
Continue your itinerary for 2 nights along the bay of Mont St Michel. Your B&B is located half-way between the famous Mont Saint Michel village and the lovely port of Saint Malo.
Here you will enjoy a village that lives in symbiosis with the bay - oyster farmers at work, nice walks along the dyke of the bay, etc.
Your lovely hosts are proud of their breton heritage and share this via their nice homemade “breton” breakfast. You will also enjoy a delicious fish/seafood evening meal.
We plan for you to explore Mont saint Michel village and Abbey with a private guide to get away from some of the crowds. We’ll also give you some tips to discover the typical villages and ports in eastern Brittany.
Keep driving West to Nothern Brittany where you will spend 3 nights in a charming typical stone “longère”, nestled in a lovingly tended garden between the Pink Granite coast and Bréhat island.
Your adorable hosts will put all their hearts into making sure you have a wonderful stay and enjoy their beloved region.
From here, you are perfectly located to enjoy northern Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast’s dramatic landscapes, explore gorgeous privately-owned gardens, walk along the coastal “customs” trail and taste savory crepes and seafood !
Cross Brittany from North to South and reach the Morbihan Gulf where you will spend the next 2 nights, in a comfortable modern home, in the region of the Carnac megalithic site.
The view is amazing of the Gulf and some of its islands, whether you are in your room, the guest salon, or the vast garden. Your host is from the region, and he comes from a family of oyster farmers.
Visit old towns like Vannes and Pont Aven, walks along the coast directly from the B&B garden, outings on the water or exploring some of the Gulf’s islands.
Explore Carnac megaliths following a local guide, on a segway: a great way to visit the entire site which spreads over 4 hectares.
Discover the Loire Valley region, comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life.
You will spend the following 3 nights of your journey comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life.
Located on the banks of the Vienne River, you will jump back to the Medieval times and learn about Joan of Arc history. At night, one of the best restaurant in the region is less than a 1-minute-walk.
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers. Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
On your way back to Paris, treat yourself with the last 2 nights in a luxury privately owned castle, 5 miles to Chambord Unesco Renaissance castle.
You will stay in a comfortable room which may have original frescos dating back to 1620 on the walls (for the early birds) and also enjoy a vast park, tennis court and a huge swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy a drink in one of the many "salons" where you will always feel welcome.
You can return the car rental where it is the most convenient to you: Paris, CDG Airport, .... just let us know.
Activities included
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.
Carnac Segway Tour
Get on a guided Segway ride to explore Carnac 6000 years old menhirs.
A Winery Visit & Tasting in Chinon
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
Emilie and Guillaume planned a wonderful trip for us. The B&Bs we stayed in were outstanding. Every recommendation -from restaurants to walks to things to do and see -was wonderful. They were very responsive to all our questions and concerns. I recommend them VERY highly and without reservation.
Emilie and Guillaume planned a wonderful trip for us. The B&Bs we stayed in were outstanding. Every recommendation -from restaurants to walks to things to do and see -was wonderful. They were very responsive to all our questions and concerns. I recommend them VERY highly and without reservation.
Bryan & Family
France Just for You has my highest recommendation. I will never forget our trip to France. Laura was amazing. Perfect itinerary. They did the little things right. Were available throughout the trip. We forgot my 4 year old's blanket at the first hotel. I contacted Laura and she had it waiting for us when we arrived at the hotel airport to leave. I …
France Just for You has my highest recommendation. I will never forget our trip to France. Laura was amazing. Perfect itinerary. They did the little things right. Were available throughout the trip. We forgot my 4 year old's blanket at the first hotel. I contacted Laura and she had it waiting for us when we arrived at the hotel airport to leave. I could go on forever. Allow them to help you with your trip and you will not regret it.
Judy
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.
