This itinerary will take you from Paris, the city of lights, to Provence in two different locations, and end in the French Riviera. Perfect to relax & get some sun !
The Perfect Trip Through France With France Just For You Emilie interviewed us and designed a perfect trip from Paris through the Loire Valley and Normandy, back to Paris, to …
The Perfect Trip Through France With France Just For You
Emilie interviewed us and designed a perfect trip from Paris through the Loire Valley and Normandy, back to Paris, to celebrate my husband's 70th birthday. Every detail was perfect and it was easy to get around. The places she selected for us to stay were simply lovely with wonderful hosts and beautiful gardens, and the pace of the trip was just right. We celebrated on a private wooden boat on the Seine with a wine expert, swam in a pool on the lawn of a chateau, walked with peacocks, and enjoyed a breathtaking view of the chalk cliffs in Etretat. Beautiful breakfasts were served each morning on location and we had the opportunity to meet new and interesting people from around the world. We can't imagine ever traveling through France again without France Just for You!
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel 5 min walk to Notre Dame CathedralStay in a very quiet pedestrian street
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel 5 min walk to Notre Dame CathedralEnjoy a personalized welcome
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel 5 min walk to Notre Dame CathedralThis boutique-hotel was entirely renovated & redecorated very recently
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel 5 min walk to Notre Dame CathedralBreakfast in the vaulted cellar is a very Parisian experience
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel 5 min walk to Notre Dame CathedralYou may rest or have a drink in the guests' living room
#2 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceA restored farmhouse surrounded by horse fields
#2 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceRelax in a comfortable room equipped with a kitchenette...
#2 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of Provence...or in the garden
#3 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-ProvenceEnjoy a very large garden with a nice swimming pool
#3 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-ProvenceA comfortable independent cottage...
#3 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-Provence...a lovely hostess happy to share tips with you
#3 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-Provenceand this view !
#4 - A suite-rental in the heart of Nice on the RivieraRelax in a cozy suite-room
#4 - A suite-rental in the heart of Nice on the Riviera ...a romantic place, 300 yards to the sea
#4 - A suite-rental in the heart of Nice on the RivieraEarly birds will enjoy this great terrace - private to their room
Step by step
Paris - The city of lights
Start your French journey living the Parisian life for 4 nights! For a smooth arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.
Comfortably accommodated in a charming 4* boutique-hotel in a pedestrian street in the Latin Quarter, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
Being based less than 5 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with different and unique itineraries we have planned for you. We also recommend our favorite restaurants and boulangeries in different districts of the city so you’ll know where to take a break.
To get oriented in Paris, we plan for you to take a guided tour on a bike, following a Parisian guide. Those who are not interested in biking can also take a walking tour.
Provence, from its heart
On the 5th day, you will take a high speed train for about 2hr30 to Avignon, in the heart of Provence. You will pick up your rental car at the train station and drive 45 minutes to your first B&B. You will spend 4 nights in a typical Provencal stone house, perfectly located to explore Avignon and Isle sur la Sorgue (famous for its antiques). Your hostess and her family will welcome you warmly and give you hints and tips about the surrounding area.
You will stay in a very comfortable room equipped with a small kitchen and you can relax from a long day in a jacuzzi or the lush garden.
So many things to see in less than an hour's drive from your B&B: beautiful Avignon, also referred to as “the City of Popes”, where you can visit the Palace of the Popes, the well-preserved ramparts and the famous “Avignon Bridge”. You will enjoy hilltop villages on market day andwalking in the footsteps of famous painters such as Cézanne or Picasso. We will also tell you about some hidden jewels, off the beaten track villages where you will stroll around charming streets or have a drink of pastis at a provencal café with the locals. We can also recommend a farmer’s market and wine cellar for each day of the week!
If you are interested in history, don’t miss the Roman ruins at Arles, Orange and the Pont du Gard. We will also take you to smaller sites – less famous and much quieter.
Provence, from the Aix en Provence area
On the 9thday, stay for 3 nights half-way between Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon hills, in a very hidden B&B lost in the "garrigue" shrubland and pine forest. From the B&B, you can explore the landscapes which inspired so many painters including Cezanne.
You will explore a family-owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will learn the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle, and you will be surprised by the different tastes in the various oils.
You will be introduced to the local game, la Pétanque, with Jean-Marc who was born and raised here. You will play in a lovely town and enjoy some rosé wine: a tradition.
The Riviera, from Nice, by the sea
On the 12th day, take a 3 hr drive and you will be on the French Riviera. Your last stop will be in Nice, in a gorgeous suite-roomlocated 300 yards from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. Wander about the narrow alleyways of the old city and visit the many famous art museums. You can also go shopping and enjoy views of the Mediterranean in seaside restaurants from Monte Carlo to Antibes.
In Nice, a lovely guide will take you to her best addresses in the old city to discover the Niçoise food & wine specialities, as well as the history of this dynamic town.
Nature is always within reach, with many hiking trails, biking tours or natural rock climbing opportunities, in spectacular sceneries. And since you know how to play Pétanque now, don't hesitate to jump into a game with the locals - they play everywhere in the Riviera!
To save time and energy, we recommend to our travelers to fly out of Nice or Marseille International Airports. If you wish, you can also start the trip in Southern France and end in Paris.
This is a perfect trip to discover Paris, Provence and the Riviera!
Activities included
Paris Bike Tour
Spend about 4hrs with a Parisian who will have you discover his city on a bike, with a group of max.10 travelers. For those who don't like biking, you can also take a walking tour.
Olive Oil Farm in Luberon
Explore a family owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will be explained the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle.
Pétanque Class in Provence
Enjoy a fun Petanque class in one of the loveliest towns in Provence, with Jean Marc - who was born and raised there.
Riviera Food & Wine Tour
Let your lovely hostess take you to her best addresses in the old city to discover the Niçoise food & wine specialities.
Emilie did a fantastic job of planning our 13 day trip from Avignon to Bordeaux, with time spent in Provence, Cathar Country, Basque Country, and Bordeaux. Emilie is an excellent & responsive communicator. Emilie tailored our trip from reserving the rental car and the bed & breakfasts (wonderful places with wonderful hosts), setting up private …
Emilie did a fantastic job of planning our 13 day trip from Avignon to Bordeaux, with time spent in Provence, Cathar Country, Basque Country, and Bordeaux. Emilie is an excellent & responsive communicator. Emilie tailored our trip from reserving the rental car and the bed & breakfasts (wonderful places with wonderful hosts), setting up private tours (all excellent), and giving us many options\recommendations of things to do each day of our trip (from towns to visit, sights to see, & restaurants to try). The personalized and *very* detailed guide book was an irreplaceable resource during our trip (we called it our bible!), and it is now an amazing memento of the trip, as well. I could go on and on, but I will summarize by saying that our trip was amazing, and I give Emilie & France Just For You my highest recommendation!
Paul
My wife and I had our travel plans created by Emilie at "France Just For You," a personal travel planner, Our trip was seamless as everything was prepared by FJFY: car rental pickup, B&B #1, detailed maps and activities, B&B 2, train to Paris, hotel, tours . . . . it was simply amazing! FJFY creates a customized tour book for your entire trip, it …
My wife and I had our travel plans created by Emilie at "France Just For You," a personal travel planner, Our trip was seamless as everything was prepared by FJFY: car rental pickup, B&B #1, detailed maps and activities, B&B 2, train to Paris, hotel, tours . . . . it was simply amazing!
FJFY creates a customized tour book for your entire trip, it comes with maps, activity suggestions, restaurants. Our B&B's were beautiful and the hosts were kind and helpful. It was fun to meet others at the B&B's, people who have come back to the same place year after year because of the hospitality.
Paris accommodations were located in a nice area and within walking distance of many locales and train stops. We had a guided tour of the city and tickets to the Louvre all taken care of by FJFY.
The only bad part about FJFY is the challenge of deciding on the many itineraries, all are enticing so I MUST go back to France. When we return I will be seeking Emilie's expert advice once again.
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.
