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.
When planning my 60th birthday celebration, my sister and I stumbled upon France Just For You, which saved us from the potential nightmare of traveling with 40 strangers on a bus …
When planning my 60th birthday celebration, my sister and I stumbled upon France Just For You, which saved us from the potential nightmare of traveling with 40 strangers on a bus. As a result, my sister and I, along with our husbands, experienced a trip of a lifetime! From the beginning, Emilie was extraordinarily responsive, informative, and more than accommodating to our wishes, both before and during the trip. For example, my sister and her husband experienced travel delays, and Emilie immediately offered to arrange alternative travel from Paris to our first destination in the Loire Valley. Before our travels began, Emilie sent us keepsake book, detailing our daily itineraries, replete with scheduled activities, restaurant suggestions, and optional excursions.Traveling through the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris for 12 days, each day was more spectacular than the previous one. The B&B near Chenonceau was a fantastic introduction to quintessentially French hospitality, charm, food, wine, and culture. From there we experienced true luxury in a serene setting in a chateau, where unexpectedly dinner was served (complete with vegetables from the castle's organic gardens). The B&B in Normandy was most memorable for the genteel hospitality of our host, Comte, who shared tales of his family through the centuries, including the arrest of his father in the foyer of the chateau due to his resistance activities against the Gestapo during WWII. The Count's son and his girlfriend served us a lovely meal around a stone fireplace in their charming apartment on the gorgeous chateau grounds. Thinking we had already experienced the best that France had to offer, we were blown away when we arrived at the B&B near Bayeux, warmly and creatively appointed. Finally, while less extravagant, the Hotel in Paris was equally as charming as our previous accommodations, located in a neighborhood teaming with cafes and shops in close proximity to all of the amazing sites that Paris has to offer! All of our hosts were extraordinarily gracious, serving us homemade French delicacies each morning and offering us helpful suggestions for making the most of each day. All in all, due to Emilie's fastidious planning, the trip was beyond perfect and exceeded our wildest dreams of a French vacation.
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley Tour
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Your accommodations
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#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.
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened upon the website of France Just For You and was intrigued by the idea of having a custom-designed French experience. One or two emails later we discovered just how great our experience was going to be. Emilie Thyebaut takes your wishes and likes and turns them into realities. Her extensive planning made our two week trip a memory of a life time. Nothing was omitted--dining recommendations, excellent B&B reservations, rental car reservation, pre-booked guides for such locations as Mont-Saint-Michel--nothing was left to chance.
Loke at the France Just For You website and you should be able to make your vacation dreams come true.
Jeanne & Michael from Australia
A Great Cultural Experience What we loved most about our wonderful trip was the special activities that FJFY hand picked and tailor made for our interests. We did an awesome cooking experience in Provence, a fun food and wine walking tour with in Nice and a very enjoyable and informative walk in Lagrasse with Carlos. We visited many local markets …
A Great Cultural Experience
What we loved most about our wonderful trip was the special activities that FJFY hand picked and tailor made for our interests.
We did an awesome cooking experience in Provence, a fun food and wine walking tour with in Nice and a very enjoyable and informative walk in Lagrasse with Carlos. We visited many local markets which were fun, learnt so much history and ate some lovely food.
Coming from Australia, it was a challenge to drive on the opposite side of the road but my husband did really well.
The personalised app works a teat, with links that direct you to your accommodation. A well organised trip
Mervyn
My wife and I and two friends decided we would like to visit France and by chance I found Emilie's website and initiated an online conversation with her over a year ago. We really did not know what we wanted to do, nor where we wanted to go and so our planning became a moving feast, most ably supported by Emilie. How she ever put up with our …
My wife and I and two friends decided we would like to visit France and by chance I found Emilie's website and initiated an online conversation with her over a year ago. We really did not know what we wanted to do, nor where we wanted to go and so our planning became a moving feast, most ably supported by Emilie. How she ever put up with our changing demands remains beyond me. The speed with which she responded to our requests was nothing short of amazing, she must never sleep !! We together finally put together a truly wonderful programme that met our every expectation. We saw provincial France over 17 days, starting in the Cote D'Azur and culminating in Paris, visiting Provence, Burgundy and the Loire. The accommodation arranged by Emilie was delightful, her suggestions on activities, routes, restaurants, sights to see and visit were outstanding.
Travelling from Australia to France is not for the fainthearted at any time, let alone making an unescorted self drive tour such as we have done over the past month. I doubt we could have done it without Emilie's very professional support.
We would recommend her services to anyone. Thank you Emilie
