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.
Such a professional company and their attention to every detail was amazing. Car hire , French phone, tours and suggested stops were all fantastic. And the B& B’s in the country …
Such a professional company and their attention to every detail was amazing.
Car hire , French phone, tours and suggested stops were all fantastic. And the B& B’s in the country and wine districts were fabulous. The owners all very friendly and helpful as well as the accommodation being clean and beautiful.
We cannot give enough praise for Emilie and Laura and their organisation.
The books we were given had every bit of information and history that you needed and more.
So much more I could say about our trip around France but would be too much to read.
A wonderful company and do not hesitate for a second if you are thinking of using them.
We will certainly be using them again.
20stars from Australia
#1 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneenjoy an island of quietness in busy Carcassonne
#1 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts have a very special taste for decoration
#1 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonne...which makes the B&B home very welcoming
#1 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts speak perfect English
#1 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneeverything is planned for you to have a very enjoyable stay
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryNestled in a very typical and lovely town of the Basque region
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryEnjoy a room which mixes the charm of the old stones & the comfort of a 4*hotel
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryYour lovely hosts also run the restaurant, on the "place du village"
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryA very charming place
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque Country...to get a real feel for the Basque culture & traditions
#2 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque Countryand with great views over the countryside !
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneStay only 15 minutes to Sarlat in the heart of the medieval Dordogne
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneEnjoy a fantastic dinner by the swimming pool or the fire place
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneThis medieval castle is walking distance from your B&B
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneYour lovely hosts know the region perfectly
Step by step
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.
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.
Dordogne: ducks, knights & nuts
You will endyour sightseeing expedition in theDordogneregion. InBlack 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 theprehistoric cavesin 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 ofSarlatand feel the buzz of activity on market days.
There is a lot to do in this region:medieval castlesto visit, wonderful food to taste - we'll tell you where to find themost 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 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!
One of the best planned and personalised travel experiences that my family and I have ever had. From information on how to go about navigating the toll machines on the highways; a range of brilliant restaurant recommendations in every town and village that we visited; interesting daily itineraries and extremely hospitable and generous hosts at all …
One of the best planned and personalised travel experiences that my family and I have ever had.
From information on how to go about navigating the toll machines on the highways; a range of brilliant restaurant recommendations in every town and village that we visited; interesting daily itineraries and extremely hospitable and generous hosts at all our B&Bs - Emilie had it all covered.
We've come back with a lot of nice experiences and memories. Thanks Emilie
Peter
France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then …
France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then on her attention to detail and efficiency were outstanding. She outlined a custom trip for us based on our criteria and then created a detailed plan for us to follow with options for various activities. She took care of every detail, bike rental, car rental, cooking class , museum passes, directions etc etc. Then, about a month before we went , she mailed us a 300+ page book custom created for our trip which gave background information on all the places we were to visit, gps directions, options for different routes, recommendations for restaurants, background on bed and breakfast hosts (whom she personally meets with), comments on French customs, and hundreds of tips and suggestions. Her guide was so complete, we did not need any other books. She created an experience for us we will never forget. When we return to France we will ask her to plan the trip for us.
Carolyn
We had a truly remarkable adventure across France. France Just For You created an amazing itinerary that captured the essence of France. Their planning and support made the trip effortless and enjoyable. Each B&B offered a home like atmosphere and allowed us to meet people across the many different regions of France. We were able to experience so …
We had a truly remarkable adventure across France. France Just For You created an amazing itinerary that captured the essence of France. Their planning and support made the trip effortless and enjoyable. Each B&B offered a home like atmosphere and allowed us to meet people across the many different regions of France. We were able to experience so many different regions and taste the wines and foods of each.
The Women's World Cup was our motivation for going, but it was so much more thanks to Laura and Emelie. There were so many personal touches that made us feel like we were part of a large family.
If you want to truly experience France with ease, I highly recommend France Just for You!
