Region
in Carcassonne, Basque Country & Dordogne
Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Countryside

Explore the South West of France: fortresses clinging to the cliffs in the Cathar Country and Dordogne, many “most beautiful villages of France”, and a very rich and unique gastronomy. This is where to experience the authentic France.

 

Includes

12 nights in premium B&Bs that we personally selected for you
A rental car with automatic transmission & full insurance coverage, for 13 days
A «Table d’Hôtes» home-cooked dinner, with your Hosts and other travelers
The assurance that you can contact us at any time, for any reason, while you're in France
A guidebook made for you and all road maps with recommended itineraries, activities & visits
FJFY App all your trip, contacts, GPS destinations, weather… in your smartphone
5.0
Jan & Ray
We were overwhelmed by the wealth of information available when attempting to plan our 6 week self drive holiday in France. Never having been to France before we found the task …
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4 350
Per traveler, including taxes,
based on double occupancy.

Your accommodations

Pictures of the specially selected accommodations

Step by step

Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country

Carcassonne Medieval Heritage

  • Carcassonne and the Cathar country are quite unknown but are very worthy of a visit. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation.
  • You will reside  downtown Carcassonne lively “Bastide St Louis”, a short walk to the UNESCO Medieval city. Your lovely and international hosts have a wonderful taste for welcoming and decoration which makes this place very special.
  • After Carcassonne day crowds, enjoy the quietness of the walled garden and refresh in the swimming pool. In the evening, you have a vast choice of nearby restaurants a few minutes walk - we will provide recommendations. 
  • In the Cathar country, walkers/hikers will be rewarded with breath taking landscapes and fortresses such as Quéribus or Perpeytuse. History lovers will be intrigued by the Cathar history.
  • Wine lovers will spend a morning in Carcassonne bastide enjoying the local wines and chocolates. A must for gourmet travelers !
  • On the 4th day, you will drive about 3hrs along the Pyrenees Mountains to get to the Basque Country.

 

Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country

Le Pays Basque: regional culture between ocean and mountains

  • From the Atlantic coastline, its waves and tanned surfers, to the rugged Pyrenees mountains . . . from the peacefulness of the Basque untouched villages to the lively nightlife in Saint Jean de Luz . . . the Basque Country will not disappoint.
  • Stay 5 nights in a lovely town nestled in the Basque Country. This 4 star family boutique-hotel is a perfect place to enjoy the area from ocean to mountain.
  • We will craft your days so you get a feel of everything the Basque culture has to offer, and there is a lot: taste the local Bayonne ham after strolling a valley  to discover the traditional and still alive mountain pig farming, get acquainted with the Basque weaving tradition, try to make your own Basque cake or stroll one of the many farmers markets.
  • Get introduced to one of the most famous games of the Basque culture: la pelote. Meet a former international player who will explain to you all about the history of this mythical game, the different variants . . . and then get on the ground and play. A very fun & cultural experience!
  • Several “most beautiful villages of France” will be on your scenic drives. Nature and outdoors lovers will enjoy endless walks and hikes in the Pyrenees foothills, occasional walkers will relax on the walks along the beaches and enjoy a coffee on a terrace watching surfers.
  • We will also plan for you to explore the very near Spanish Basque Country and spend some time in San Sebastian.
  • On the 9th day, drive North to Dordogne. We will plan for a nice stop along the way.

 

Paris Dordogne Carcassonne Basque Country

Dordogne: ducks, knights & nuts

  • You will end your sightseeing expedition in the Dordogne region. In Black Perigord, stay in a restored stone house for 4 nights and share a mouth-watering dinner with your hosts. They will happily share with you tips and hints to help you make the most of your journey.
  • Dordogne is famous for the prehistoric caves in Lascaux and we'll recommend to  you a much more intimate visit, in a 20,000 year old cave. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, this is a must! Visit the old city of Sarlat and feel the buzz of activity on market days.
  • There is a lot to do in this region: medieval castles to visit, wonderful food to taste - we'll tell you where to find the most typical goat cheeses - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
  • You may return the rental car in Toulouse or Bordeaux airports or train stations – less than 3 hrs drive from your last B&B.

 

A great trip to get off the beaten path and explore these culturally rich regions!

Activities included

pelote basque game with a player

Pelote Game with a Player

Get introduced to one of the most famous game of the Basque culture: la pelote. Meet with a former international player you will explain you about this mythical game history, the different variants…and then get on the ground and play: A very fun & cultural experience!

chocolate & wine tasting

Wine & Chocolate

Spend a morning in Carcassonne bastide enjoying the local wines and chocolates with a guide and fellow travelers. A must for gourmet travelers !

Prehistoric Caves

Walk back on the prehistoric men footsteps, in 20,000 year old painted caves - access is limited to 40 person per day. 

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Explore the French regions

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Alsace

North

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Somme

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Verdun

Normandy

Provence

Dordogne

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Paris

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Our Travelers’ Reviews

Dan
An experience OF France, not just a trip TO France. For over 30 years my wife has dreamed of visiting the Loire region of France. Emilie and Laura not only made this a reality, they made it truly a dream trip. The multi-hundred page guidebook not only guided our daily itinerary, it prepared us for what we needed to know for a successful self-guided …
Becky & John
Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign …
Jennifer & Keith
Exceptional Trip to France We are posting this review with huge thanks to Laura and her colleagues. They planned a trip for us in June 2023 and created a perfect itinerary for our first time to France. We visited Paris, Burgundy, Provence and the Riviera. All accommodations were beautiful and their booking and recommendations for tours were …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Lucelle & Alan
From South Africa
Meeting their host - Mr le Prince - in a Castle in the Loire Valley
Elizabeth
From Canada
At her B&B in Normandy
Athena, Joanne, Don & Paul
from the US
Spending a day biking in the Loire Valley
Beth, Moira & Ron from USA
Enjoying a Wine Tasting in Burgundy
John & David
David & John from Canada
Chocolate & Wine tasting in Carcassonne
Shelley, Andy, Dianne & Bob
from the US
On the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Heather
From Australia
At her ancestor's gravestone on Northern France
Sonia & Peter
from Canada
in Carcassonne Medieval City
George
Enjoying a wine of glass in the B&B garden near Mont Saint Michel
Cathy & Rich
from the US
Walking Mont Saint Michel Bay
Kathy & Bill
From the US
Biking in Burgundy for a day - near Chateau de la Rochepot
Sue, Steve, Janet & Denis
From the US
Enjoying a relaxing lunch