Region
in Paris, Loire Valley, Dordogne & Basque Country
Villages & Markets Tours
Countryside Tours

From Paris to Toulouse, this trip will allow you to explore these unique regions by the backroads. Take the time to visit some of the hidden castles of the Loire Valley, enjoy duck confit in Dordogne, and discover the typical villages of the Basque Country.  

 

Includes

19 nights 16 in premium B&Bs and 3 nights in a Boutique-Hotel, that we personally selected for you
A rental car with automatic transmission & full insurance coverage, for 17 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
Leslie & Family
Just returned from an amazing trip with our family, including 3 teenage boys. Emilie carefully listened to our request to focus on military history and arranged an itinerary with …
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5 560
Per traveler, including taxes,
based on double occupancy.

Your accommodations

Pictures of the specially selected accommodations

Step by step

Paris Dordogne Loire Valley Basque Country

Paris, for a great start

  • For the first 3 nights of your French trip, you will be living the Parisian life. Comfortably accommodated in an intimate 4* boutique-hotel in the lively Saint Germain des Prés, you will discover the French capital city’s must-sees and hidden beauties.
  • Being based less than a 5-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris on foot, by boat, or using public transportation with different and unique itineraries we have prepared 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. 
  • You will pick up your rental car in Paris and drive 3 hours to the gorgeous Loire Valley. The region and its people will welcome you to the renowned "sweet way of life", which includes its Renaissance castles and gardens and its famous gastronomy and wines.
 

 

Paris Dordogne Loire Valley Basque Country

The Loire Valley: castles, gardens & wine

  • Spend the following five nights of your journey in the lively town of Chinon by the river, where Joan of Arc once met with her future King of France. The B&B is at the foot of the medieval fortress and you will be within walking distance of the restaurants and wine bars. One night you may also enjoy a romantic picnic on the river banks or at the guinguette restaurant. 
  •  Touraine is famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Amboise and many more –  you will 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. 
  • Discover the marvels of the Loire Valley. We will make recommendations on how to visit Chambord or Chenonceau castles away from the crowds. We will also recommend a few smaller castles and hidden places in beautiful settings. These places are less well-known but are steeped in history and well worth the escape from the tourist crowds. If you like gardens, don’t miss Chaumont castle or the wonderful Villandry.
  • On the 9th day, drive south from the Loire to the Dordogne region.

 

Paris Dordogne Loire Valley Basque Country

Dordogne : a moving testimony of mankind's first steps

  • You will continue your sightseeing expedition in the Dordogne region. In Black Perigord you will stay in a restored stone house for 5 nights and share a mouth-watering dinner cooked by your hosts. 
  • Dordogne is famous for the prehistoric caves in Lascaux, but we have planned a much more intimate visit to a 20,000-year-old cave for you. If you are interested in history or if you are a Jean M. 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 Dordogne: 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.
  • On the 14th day, you will drive from Dordogne to the Basque Country, with a nice stop along the way.

 

Paris Dordogne Loire Valley Basque Country

The Basque Country: quaint villages & strong culture

  • From the Atlantic coastline to the rugged Pyrenees Mountains, from the peacefulness of the untouched Basque villages to the lively nightlife in Saint Jean de Luz, the Le Pays Basque will not disappoint.
  • Spend 3 nights in a lovely town nestled in the hills. This 4-star family boutique-hotel is a perfect place to be introduced to the Pays Basque and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
  • We will craft your days so you get a feel of everything the Basque culture has to offer, and there is a lot. You can taste the local Bayonne ham after strolling through a valley and learning about the traditional mountain pig farming, a practice which still thrives today. Get acquainted with the Basque weaving tradition, try to make your own Basque cake, or take a stroll though one of the many farmers markets.
  • End your trip with 3 nights in a gorgeous Basque Country villaThe B&B is located 3 miles from the beach but in a very quiet landscaped garden.
  • Follow a local guide in Biarritz by the ocean. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture. You will learn about the Basque language as well as the traditions and festivals, such as the Basque Force. You will end this tour at the covered market tasting some Basque specialties.
  • Some of the most beautiful villages in France will be on your scenic drives. Here, you may see locals playing the Basque game of pelote at the town’s fronton (the pelote court). Lovers of nature and the great outdoors will enjoy long walks and hikes in the Pyrenees mountains. For occasional walkers, we will recommend a relaxing walk along the beach, followed by a coffee on a terrace watching the local surfers.

  

On this trip you’ll experience the generosity of Western France and its inhabitants: gastronomy, architecture, wines, heritage . . .

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. 

winery visit & tasting in Chinon

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.

Prehistoric Caves

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

A Private Guide to Biarritz

A Private Guide to introduce you to the Basque culture

Follow a local guide in Biarritz, by the Ocean. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture. You will end this tour at the covered market, tasting some Basque produces: cheese, hams and wines. 

Customize this tour

We are glad to customize this itinerary to include additionnal night stays, extra activities or any specific request you have.

YOUR Guide Book

100% customized to your itinerary, it is the perfect tool before, during & after your trip.

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Ricki & Craig
There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our trip, and even her thoughtful emails upon our return. We contacted Emilie with a list of all the places we wished to go, the things we hoped to do, and our budget. We …
Naomi
My boyfriend and I spent a week in Paris last month and we decided that we would do a couple of day-tours outside of the city during our trip. We really wanted to avoid the typical tour-bus day-tour and the crowds that come along with these kinds of tours – we wanted something more personalized that would allow us to go at our own pace. I found the …
Sheena
My friend and I decided to do a trip to Paris and then drive down to Nice. I was initially going to plan it however I got busy with work and did not have the time. This is when I found, France Just for You, and read the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor and decided to book. Emilie was great! She was thoughtful and paid great attention to detail. We …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Ann & Jim
From the US
In Amboise castle by the Loire river
Bob & Naomi
From the US
In Monet's gardens in Giverny, Normandy
Beverley & John
from Canada
In front of the Louvre pyramid in Paris
Susan & Gary
From the US
At the summit of the famous Mont Ventoux in Provence (famous as a mythical step of the Tour de France)
Bridget & Tyler
from the US
In Monet's house kitchen in Giverny
Ginger & Tom
from the US
At their B&B in the Loire Valley
Ginger & Tom
from the US
On the Eiffel Tower
Nancy, Don, Jane & Ron
from Canada
In Honfleur, Normandy
Myrna & Duncan
from Canada
In Eze gardens on the Riviera
Jan & Ray
From Australia
In Mont Saint Michel
Nancy & Paul
from Canada
On the French Riviera
Yvette & David
from the US
on the French Riviera, near Nice