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 !
We began planning this trip over a year before our departure date. We have done a lot of traveling but this trip was for our 25th wedding anniversary! Once we decided upon France …
We began planning this trip over a year before our departure date. We have done a lot of traveling but this trip was for our 25th wedding anniversary! Once we decided upon France as our destination all that was left was to get all the details taken care of. Based on previous adventures, we knew that we wanted to drive ourselves on a self- directed adventure. Extensive searching and research led us to France for You. Yes, Emilie and France for You had wonderful reviews but we needed/wanted to speak with her. Emilie is a great listener. My wife and I had each been France on our own, years before we had met and hadn’t been back since. We enjoyed a few conversations and exchanged many emails as the three of us discussed and planned our adventure. We thought we had arranged and thoroughly planned our 15 days. We never could have imagined how AMAZING this trip turned out to be, absolutely a trip of a lifetime!!! Emilie had come to know us well enough to understand exactly how to assist us in planning every detail of the trip. Emilie of France for You obviously does extensive research and stays current with every aspect of anything she suggests. Every aspect of our adventure was far above and beyond our expectations. I couldn’t more STRONGLY recommend working with Emilie and France 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.
We have just returned from a road trip around France and with Emilie's help, we had one of the best trips we've ever had. We travel extensively and I normally do my own research and bookings because we don't like using formal , organised tours but we were looking for advice on self driving holidays in France. Emilie's attention to detail is …
We have just returned from a road trip around France and with Emilie's help, we had one of the best trips we've ever had. We travel extensively and I normally do my own research and bookings because we don't like using formal , organised tours but we were looking for advice on self driving holidays in France. Emilie's attention to detail is outstanding. She listened to our likes and dislikes and put together the most amazing itinerary, with a personalised guide book, maps, iPhone, booked our car rental , booked B&Bs , advised on restaurants and suggested daily itineraries. We had all the information and yet all the freedom , which is what we wanted. I would definitely use her services again and would highly recommend her to anyone thinking of doing a trip around France
Laura & Greg
Just finished an amazing trip to Normandy and was delighted by all the accommodations, private tours and cooking class with Brigitte. All the details they put together allowed us to relax and enjoy. I highly recommend them.
Just finished an amazing trip to Normandy and was delighted by all the accommodations, private tours and cooking class with Brigitte. All the details they put together allowed us to relax and enjoy. I highly recommend them.
Don
We heard about Emilie from a friend who used her travel services twice. They spoke so highly of her we figured we had to visit France just to meet her. We traveled to the Loire Valley with another couple and she interviewed us separately to understand what we wanted to see and do and what we didn’t want to do. As a result, she designed a perfect …
We heard about Emilie from a friend who used her travel services twice. They spoke so highly of her we figured we had to visit France just to meet her. We traveled to the Loire Valley with another couple and she interviewed us separately to understand what we wanted to see and do and what we didn’t want to do. As a result, she designed a perfect trip with lodging and an itinerary that we all liked. We have been fortunate to have traveled to Europe several times and each time we laboriously researched activities and numerous B&Bs through many websites. Emilie did all that for us and supplied us with a book that detailed everything - we started to call it the bible. She set us up at B&B’s, chateaus and castles – complete with a Count and a Prince. All accommodations were very comfortable, accommodating and friendly. Emilie had clearly vetted and stayed at these places since the owners knew her. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. I don't know how she does it but we realized it wasn't any more expensive than when we did all the work ourselves. Thank you, Emilie.
