in Loire Valley, Dordogne, Carcassonne & French Riviera
Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Explore French culture and historyin three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.
We would like to add our names to everyone else here who have had a truly excellent experience when using Emilie's, France Just For You company. We drove 2800 km on a recent …
We would like to add our names to everyone else here who have had a truly excellent experience when using Emilie's, France Just For You company. We drove 2800 km on a recent holiday, and it was all arranged by Emilie. Everything she organized was perfect. We stayed in B and Bs and although we know a little French, all of our hosts spoke fluent English. We had private guides for both the WW1 battlegrounds and then for Juno Beach, the Canadian WW2 D-Day landing beach. They showed up right on time and where both just amazing. She organized a wine tour that was fun and a walking food tour in Avignon. If anyone likes doing food tours, this one is a must! Our rental car was waiting when we got to the agency, although there was a very slight misunderstanding at first, but a quick call to Emilie sorted everything out. We had a very nice hybrid, automatic transmission car, with full, walkaway insurance. The personalized guide books she provides are just full of things one would never know without her books. We had a moble phone with unlimited text talk and data to Canada (although in truth I used my iphone as I was so familiar with it and it's apps.)
I could go on and on, but let me say that everything from start to finish was looked after impeccably, and for anyone considering a driving holiday in France, we recommend France Just For You with as high a rating as it is possible to assign. She is great!!!
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyA charming house, nestled in a lovely hamlet
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyRelax in a cozy room, after a day sightseeing.
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyYour lovely hosts will take good care of you...
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire Valley...and will take you to their vaulted cellar for the apéritif.
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneA 19th century farm...
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...with a traditional sheep farming borie outbuilding.
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneStay in a very comfortable room...
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...and enjoy a delicious home-made dinner.
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseStay 3 miles from Carcassonne Medieval Town in a quiet ambiance
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseYour lovely hosts are happy to share many tips or help with restaurants
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseRelax in a welcoming suite-room
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseenjoy a drink or a plancha in the garden
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseor refresh in the pool !
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraEnjoy the comfort of a very spacious suite room...
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the Riviera...in a lovely typical town of the Riviera hinterland
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraYour lovely hosts will share many tips and hints
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraArt is everywhere in the this house...even at the breakfast table.
Step by step
The Loire Valley
Spend the first 5 nights of your trip in the outbuildings of a disappeared monastery dating back to the 14th century. Your charming hosts know this region very well and will be happy to share some tips with you. One night, you will share a delicious home-cooked dinner, prepared by Monsieur. Do not miss the aperitif in the underground vaulted cellar - an out-of-time experience!
Feel the real French "good life" strolling aroundpeaceful villages on market days. 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!
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers. Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some very local specialties.
Dordogne
In Black Perigord, you will stay in anold stone Perigord style house for 5 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers.
Dordogne is famous for its amazing prehistoric caves. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel's reader, visiting one is a must! 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 likeoutdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
We have selected the best section of the Dordogne river for you to canoe down,enjoying the wonderful views of the medieval castles perched high above you.
Carcassonne & the Cathar Country
Carcassonne and the Cathar country are the perfect stop over on the way to Provence. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation.
Stay at a 3 mile drive from Carcassonne Medieval Fortress, in a charming and quiet Boutique-Hotel, owned by a lovely couple. After Carcassonne day crowds, you can relax in the comfortable suite-room, reading in the garden or at the swimming pool.
On the 12th day, you will have the longest drive of the itinerary: 4hr30 drive to reach Nice on the French Riviera.
The French Riviera
In theRiviera hinterland, you will have the opportunity to discover some of the most beautifulhandicrafts in France, particularly ceramics, sculptures and paintings. For art lovers the manyart museumsof Nice and its surroundings will amaze you with masterpieces by Chagall, Matisse and Picasso.
You will end your journey with 4 nights in the heart of a lively hilltop village in the back country, 7 miles – 11kms to the beach. Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere – away from the crowds - having a drink at a table at an outdoor cafe or strolling around a farmers market. Enjoy staying in a luxury B&B house, full of artwork and with lovely hosts - a very unique place.
In one of the most famous perfume houses, be introduced to the perfume making technics and make your own fragrance, which you will keep as a great souvenir!
But the Riviera is even more than all this. The “Cote d’Azur” is a marvel of fabulous 19th century villasand sapphire water coves. From Antibes to Monte Carlo, seaside resorts will satisfy all your shopping desires during the day. At night you can rely on the Riviera bars, seaside restaurants and discos to entertain you.
After this trip, you will definately want to come back . . .
Activities included
A Winery Visit & Tasting in Chinon
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
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.
Cooking Class & Dinner
Spend a late afternoon with your hosts making dinner together like friends would do. Then you'll enjoy a convivial and savory dinner with your hosts & fellow travelers.
Riviera Perfume Workshop
In one of the most famous perfume houses, be introduced to the perfume making technics and make your own fragrance - which you will keep as a great souvenir!
This trip was amazing, and Laura did such a fantastic job at planning it for us, with us. Wow, the detail and care the whole team put into our package was astonishing.
This trip was amazing, and Laura did such a fantastic job at planning it for us, with us. Wow, the detail and care the whole team put into our package was astonishing.
Patricia
This was a perfect holiday put together so personally for us by Emilie of France Just For You. Every B&B was exceptional with charming hosts. Our personalised tour book was excellent and everywhere that was suggested we visit never disappointed. We travelled through Burgundy, Loire Valley and Normandy over 17 days. So many highlights,two in …
This was a perfect holiday put together so personally for us by Emilie of France Just For You. Every B&B was exceptional with charming hosts. Our personalised tour book was excellent and everywhere that was suggested we visit never disappointed. We travelled through Burgundy, Loire Valley and Normandy over 17 days. So many highlights,two in particular were Mont St Michel with our own tour guide and the British landing sights at Normandy again with our own tour guide. We hope to return again and tour other regions and would definitely use France Just For You.
Kristina
I can't say enough good things about Emilie and France Just For You! From start to finish, Emilie was responsive, listened to our requests (and changes) and planned a wonderful trip for our 20th Anniversary. Her attention to detail did not go unnoticed and everything was perfect. We will definitely use them again our our next adventure.
I can't say enough good things about Emilie and France Just For You! From start to finish, Emilie was responsive, listened to our requests (and changes) and planned a wonderful trip for our 20th Anniversary. Her attention to detail did not go unnoticed and everything was perfect. We will definitely use them again our our next adventure.
