A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque …
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour
We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our accommodation was delightful - all different and all with unique character and a personal touch. All our hosts and guides were fantastic and we so enjoyed our time with them. Everything was so meticulously planned, so well-organised, and presented clearly with a wealth of information and practical tips for suggested activities each day to make to most of our stay in each region. Restaurant recommendations were particularly helpful. The FJFY app is outstanding! We very much hope to travel with FJFY again. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail in making such a wonderful trip for us.
The Loire Valley & Bordeaux UNESCO sites
tour
Published on:
Last modified on:
Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyA charming tuffeau stone house in a green valley
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyRest in a quiet room, full of charm
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyor in the garden
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyEnjoy a savory home-made cuisine
#2 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valleyone of the Loire Valley’s finest Renaissance castles is a 1-minute walk
#2 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire ValleyBreakfasts are made of locally sourced produces
#2 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire ValleyAfter a day exploring, you can rest in your very comfortable room
#2 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valley...or in the guests' living room...
#2 - An intimate Boutique Hotel in the Loire Valleyor unwind in the hotel's peaceful patio
#3 - An elegant 18th-century home in Saint-Emilion vineyardsRelax in the vineyards of St Emilion, by your B&B pool...
#3 - An elegant 18th-century home in Saint-Emilion vineyards...or in your very comfortable and well equipped room
#3 - An elegant 18th-century home in Saint-Emilion vineyardsyou may walk to Saint Emilion lively town
#3 - An elegant 18th-century home in Saint-Emilion vineyardsand then rest in the guests' living room
#4 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtA hidden place, in the very heart of Bordeaux historical district
#4 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtEnjoy a very quiet stay, while being in a very lively city
#4 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtYour lovely hostess knows Bordeaux inside out and is very happy to make recommendations
#4 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtAfter a delicious breakfast, explore Bordeaux walking
Step by step
The Loire Valley Castles & Gardens
From Paris, drive about 3 hours and spend the first 4 nights in a lovely B&B nestled in a green valley. You are located between Amboise and Chenonceau and will enjoy a warm welcome from your lovely hostess, who is also a great cook. For you to discover the local gastronomy, you will spend a late afternoon cooking with her some typical Loire Valley recipes - then you will enjoy a convivial dinner at your hosts' table.
From here, explore all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, Chaumont or Villandry gardens and the old city of Amboise. Included in this itinerary is an Electric Bike rental for a day. You will explore, at your own pace, the nature, villages and castles along the river. No worries, the path along the Loire river is totally flat!
On the 5th day, you will follow the Loire River downstream to your second B&B where you will stay 3 nights 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.
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.
Travel through small villages nestled in rolling hills, stop over for wine tastings or to wander about outdoor markets and savor local specialties.
Bordeaux Wines & History
Your tour continues on to the Bordeaux region for 2 nights in an elegant 18th-century home surrounded by vineyards, just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Saint-Émilion, with a peaceful garden and pool to unwind after a day of exploring.
In a famous wine estate very near your B&B, we have planned a special private tour for you: after visiting the estate from the vineyards to the cellars, learning about the different grape varieties and wine-making process, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and tasting in a gorgeous setting.
End your trip with 3 nights inside the gates of Bordeaux UNESCO city, a wonder of the 17th century. You will return the rental car upon arrival to the city as you will no longer need it.
Then, stay in a typical reconverted and charming chai (wine cellar), in the heart of the lively up-and-coming district of Bordeaux Unesco city - walking distance to restaurants and nice quality shops. You will be welcomed by a lovely hostess, in a peaceful atmosphere.
Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to 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. You will find everything: from the museums to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe
On your last day, we plan for you to get on a high-speed TGV train back to Paris. First class tickets are included in this trip.
This trip promises to be a memorable one!
Activities included
Loire Cooking Workshop
Spend a late afternoon with Valérie who trained in gastronomic restaurants. You will prepare a main course and a dessert, then you'll enjoy a savory dinner with your hosts.
Biking day in the castle's country
Spend a day on an Electric Bike at your own pace and discover many castles nestled in the nature. Enjoy a nice picnic with wine. We have tested several itineraries so you can chose depending on your mood and what you would like to see.
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.
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.
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.
Beth & Jim
We are a couple that contacted Emilie at France Just For You and her responsiveness and services were excellent. She and her husband listened very carefully to our stated interests and followed up with us in a very personal way. As independent travelers who work, we did not have time to fully plan a trip to the Dordogne region of France which was …
We are a couple that contacted Emilie at France Just For You and her responsiveness and services were excellent. She and her husband listened very carefully to our stated interests and followed up with us in a very personal way. As independent travelers who work, we did not have time to fully plan a trip to the Dordogne region of France which was not familiar to us and Emilie made the planning process very efficient! We would recommend the services of this company to anyone!
Cynthia
On my second trip with France Just For You (FJFY) this October I drove through Normandy and Brittaney. It was a wonderful trip and FJFY is an amazing travel agency. Their customized and detailed guidebook covers everything you need to know about visiting France from practical information about traffic signs to insights about the French people and …
On my second trip with France Just For You (FJFY) this October I drove through Normandy and Brittaney. It was a wonderful trip and FJFY is an amazing travel agency. Their customized and detailed guidebook covers everything you need to know about visiting France from practical information about traffic signs to insights about the French people and their customs.
FJFY gives you structure but you have flexibility and can arrange your time as you please, no hurry up for the tour bus. I cannot recommend France Just For You and touring France highly enough!
