Our family of 5 adults spent 17 days touring France on a trip built around the Women's World Cup Semi-finals and Final in Lyon. France Just For You did a marvelous job setting up …
Our family of 5 adults spent 17 days touring France on a trip built around the Women's World Cup Semi-finals and Final in Lyon. France Just For You did a marvelous job setting up beautiful, well managed B&B's in 5 different regions as we explored both the history and gastronomy of France. Guided tours from personable and informative guides during the first day in each region set a base of historical and geographic knowledge that allowed for quality, individual exploration the remaining time in the region. As diverse as our family members' interests are, all 5 of us got to experience a piece of France and its culture that was special to us. Emilie and Laura did a wonderful job from initial planning to shepherding us through the trip. Merci!
#1 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzThe house is nestled in a landscaped garden all made by your host
#1 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzThe rooms are very comfortable and all open on to the garden
#1 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzShare a glass of wine in one of the many terraces
#1 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzRelax at the pool house
#1 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzOr stroll around the pound...or to the sea which is 3 miles away
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneenjoy an island of quietness in busy Carcassonne
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts have a very special taste for decoration
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonne...which makes the B&B home very welcoming
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneeverything is planned for you to have a very enjoyable stay
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hostess speaks perfect English
#3 - A Peaceful mansion on the island of AvignonEnjoy a peaceful park away from the crowds
#3 - A Peaceful mansion on the island of AvignonRest in a very spacious suite-room
#3 - A Peaceful mansion on the island of AvignonMeet with fellow travelers in cozy communal areas
#3 - A Peaceful mansion on the island of AvignonYour lovely hosts will be happy to help
#4 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-ProvenceEnjoy a very large garden with a nice swimming pool
#4 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-ProvenceA comfortable independent cottage...
#4 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-Provence...a lovely hostess happy to share tips with you
#4 - A very hidden B&B on the hills above Aix-en-Provenceand this view !
Step by step
In the heart of the Basque Country
Start your trip with 5 nights in a gorgeous Basque Country villa. The B&B is located 3 miles from the beach but in a very quiet landscaped garden.
From here, you will discover the seaside from Saint Jean de Luz to Biarritz and also go to the Spanish Basque area, which is about a 1hr drive.
As an introduction to the region, you will enjoy following a local guide in Biarritz. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture, so you will understand more about the Basque language and the traditions and festivals such as Pelote or Basque Force. This tour ends at the covered market, where you will taste some Basque specialties: cheese, ham, wines, jams and much more.
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 and discovering 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.
Several “most beautiful villages of France” will be on your scenic drives – and you may see some locals playing the Basque Pelote game at the town’s fronton. 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.
The Cathar country
Carcassonne and the Cathar country are the perfect stop on the way to Provence. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation.
Stay for 3 nights downtown Carcassonne lively “Bastide St Louis”, a short walk to the UNESCO Medieval city. Your lovely and international hosts are happy to share many stories and tips with their guests.
In the Cathar country, walkers/hikers will be rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and fortresses such as Quéribus or Perpeytuse. History lovers will be intrigued by the Cathar history. Wine lovers may be surprised by the quality of the “Minervois” wines which have improved a lot in the past 10 years. They are now on the wine lists of some of the most famous restaurants in the world.
On the 9th day, you will drive about 2hr30 along the Mediterranean Sea to get to Provence.
Magnificent Provence
You will reside in a comfortable and quiet B&B for 5 nights on Avignon's island. This place is nestled in a nice garden where you will enjoy relaxing by the pool, and it is only a 15 minute walk to the heart of Avignon's old city. Your hosts know the region very well and they will be happy to give you some advice if you'd like.
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”.
Enjoy hilltop villages on market day, walking 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 at a provençal café with locals. We can also recommend a farmer’s market and wine cellar for each day of the week!
One day, we will take you to a place you could not find on your own, lost in Provence mountains, to a very private wine estate. Here, you will take a tour of the winery, then enjoy a wine tasting followed by a nice picnic in the vineyards. A very romantic time.
Southern Provence
End your trip with 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 explore the landscapes which inspired so many painters including Cezanne.
Spend about 2hrs looking for truffles in the Luberon hills with a lovely couple, then taste several appetizers made of truffles with a glass of Champagne (or more, whose counting?).
The perfect trip to enjoy the sweet life in Southern France!
Activities included
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.
Wine Tasting & Picnic in a very private Estate
Explore a very private wine estate, lost in the hills of Provence. You will enjoy a tour of the estate followed by a wine tasting, then have a picnic lunch in the vineyards. A very special place you would not find on your own.
Truffle Hunt & Tasting
Spend about 2hrs looking for truffles in the Luberon hills with a lovely couple, then taste several appetizers made of truffle with a glass of Champagne.
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 …
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!!!
Elizabeth
My husband and I just returned from two magnificent weeks in France that included four nights in Paris, four nights in the Loire Valley, two nights near Mont Saint Michel, three nights in Bayeux, near the WWII Landing Beaches and one night at a CDG airport hôtel. We stayed in charming B&Bs with equally charming hosts who recommended great places to …
My husband and I just returned from two magnificent weeks in France that included four nights in Paris, four nights in the Loire Valley, two nights near Mont Saint Michel, three nights in Bayeux, near the WWII Landing Beaches and one night at a CDG airport hôtel. We stayed in charming B&Bs with equally charming hosts who recommended great places to eat and were very knowledgeable about the local area. Emilie provides exceptional services that includes a guidebook, complete with GPS coordinates for all accommodations, activities, restaurants and even parking! We could not have had a more perfect experience and heartily recommend Emilie's services at France Just For You!
Carol & Bruce from the US
A perfect 2 weeks in Provence in the spring! My husband and I were delighted with the itinerary ‘FJFY’ put together for our 2-week self-drive road trip in Provence. During the planning stages Emilie and Laura asked insightful questions about our lifestyle and desires relating to travel. Communications were outstanding throughout the planning stage …
A perfect 2 weeks in Provence in the spring!
My husband and I were delighted with the itinerary ‘FJFY’ put together for our 2-week self-drive road trip in Provence.
During the planning stages Emilie and Laura asked insightful questions about our lifestyle and desires relating to travel. Communications were outstanding throughout the planning stage. As a result of their in-depth inquiries, they had a keen sense for the types of accommodations and daily activities we would enjoy.
In addition to booked activities, they provided several suggested options of activities each day. The same information is provided in the excellent FJFY app, which worked flawlessly the entire trip.
The resulting trip was exactly what we needed: a fun, relaxed and enriching experience of Provence.
Our accommodations and hosts were lovely the entire trip. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking for a personal approach to travel in France!
