Follow the waterways in France from the Norman beaches on the Atlantic coasts to the Loire river, its castles and wonderful gardens . . . ending along the Seine river banks in Paris.
My sister and I wanted to plan a vacation together with our husbands to Normandy and the Loire Valley so I started online only to find it was a difficult process. We found "France …
My sister and I wanted to plan a vacation together with our husbands to Normandy and the Loire Valley so I started online only to find it was a difficult process. We found "France Just for You" and our problems were solved, Emilie planned every detail!
Our hosts in all accommodations spoke English and made us feel most welcome, our stay in each place allowing us a French experience which we all truly enjoyed.
Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and their English fluency excellent, Chris, our guide for the Normandy Beaches was exceptional, he spent 10 hours with us and still hadn't parted with all that he knew!
We all strongly recommend you use Emilie and her company.
#1 - A lovely house in NormandyStay downtown Bayeux, 1 minute walk to the Cathedral
#1 - A lovely house in Normandy...in a beautifully renovated house...
#1 - A lovely house in Normandy...with a a spacious room and lovely hosts
#2 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint MichelA unique B&B...
#2 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint Michel...with a very delicate 18th century decoration...
#2 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint Michel...and spacious bedrooms
#2 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint MichelAfter an amazing breakfast...
#2 - A gorgeous castle near Mont Saint Michel..what about a stroll in the gorgeous park?
#3 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#3 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#3 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#3 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#4 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtThe hotel in on one of Paris most famous squares
#4 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtEnjoy a lavishly decorated room with view...
#4 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin district...over one of Paris nicest square
#4 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtWhat about a drink "at home" to rest a bit ?
#4 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtyou can rely on the lovely reception team to make the most of your stay
Step by step
Normandy : Jump into the Real France
Your itinerary starts in Paris where we recommend you pick up the rental car at the airport. From here, drive about 3 hours and you’ll be quickly immersed in Norman history.
Your first B&B is a lovely house, located in downtown Bayeux, a few minutes walk to the Cathedral, the tapestry, the restaurants and shops. From here, you are within reach of all the D-Day sites and museums: from Sainte Mère Eglise to Ouistreham, Isigny, Pointe du Hoc, the artificial port of Arromanches or the Caen Memorial.
Deauville and Honfleur are within driving distance and the Normandy countryside might be less famous but is certainly worth a detour: the typical half-timbered villages, the Cider road, the beautiful English style gardens, the apple brandy traditional manufacturers . . . and of course the cheeses. A trip to Normandy would not be complete without tasting Camembert or Livarot cheese! To get familiar with Norman gastronomy, we have planned for you a cooking class with Brigitte. She will welcome you in her home where you’ll prepare a 3 course meal that you will savor for lunch. A fun experience!
Mont Saint Michel
A place you won't want to miss is the Mont Saint Michel: this sumptuous abbey stands on a tiny island in the middle of a bay and is truly the “8th Wonder of the Western world." It is well worth a visit. You'll spend 2 nights in a gorgeous castle surrounded by a magnificent park, 30 minute drive and across the bay from the famous village. This is a unique occasion to really feel what the "vie de château" trully is !
Discover the famous Mont Saint Michel with a local guide on a barefoot walk in the bay, around the site. A original and great way to experience this very touristy site.
We’ll also recommend some typical Britain towns in the area, for you to get a feel for the French Brittany.
The Loire Valley: Strolls & Discoveries
On your way from the Mont Saint Michel to the Loire Valley, we’ll provide you with all details to visit the old city of Le Mans, where French history is at every corner.
TheLoire Valley will welcome you with its renowned "sweet life", its Renaissance castles and gardens, and its famous gastronomy.You will stay for 4 nights in a lively town where Joan of Arc met her future King of France. Your cozy B&B is right at the foot of the medieval fortress and at night you can walk to all the restaurants and wine bars or have your own romantic picnic on the river banks.
You can also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you. Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and many more – and we have planned for you to discover some local wines with a wine maker. She will take you to her vineyards and explain about vine growing, then you will go to her cellar so you can taste some wines (sparkling and still), together with some local food products.
Ah . . . Paris!
End your French journey living the Parisian life! For 3 nights, you will be comfortably accommodated in avery cosy 4* boutique-hotel in one of Paris most famous squares, 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral.
You will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties. One day, you’ll explore the city with a local Parisian guide, biking around its most famous buildings.
We have also prepared for you different itineraries to explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation.
A great overview of Northern France !
Activities included
Norman cooking Class
Spend a morning with Brigitte who will teach you how to make a real norman meal. Then you'll enjoy the lunch in her welcoming dining room or in the terrace.
A Guided Walk in Mont St Michel Bay
Let a local guide take you on a walk barefoot around Mount Saint Michel Bay to understand better the nature around this unique site. This is an opportunity to discover the bay as very few can see it.
Wine estate visit & tasting
Visit a wine estate with its owner in the Loire Valley. She will take you to the vineyards to explain about terroir, soils and vine. Then you will enjoy a wine tasting together with some local food products.
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.
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little reluctant to take a trip this long and do this much driving but Emilie's planning and suggestions were so great that we never had any problems. And she arranged the best bed and breakfasts possible. All of the hosts were wonderful and we had some very good dinners around a table with many people from other countries, which was one of the reasons why we wanted to stay at bed and breakfasts. Our tour guides were amazing and at two different places Emilie had left personal notes and gifts. That is just the type of person she is. We asked Emilie if we could meet her and we were fortunate enough to be able to do that in her hometown of Langeais. She is just was delightful as you would expect her to be and she spent over an hour with us. It was one of the highlights of our trips. Every day we had to pinch ourselves that we were doing all of these fabulous things from Paris, to Normandy, to Brittany, to the Loire Valley, to Burgundy, to Provence and to the French Riviera. As you can see, we covered a lot of territory because of Emilie's willingness to customize our trip so that we could see a lot of France. We agree with the suggestion to go with your own GPS. It certainly helps to know how to use it before you arrive. We also suggest that you book your trip well in advance so that Emilie has time to arrange the best bed and breakfasts and the best tour guides. We certainly felt like we had that and we booked our trip seven months ahead. And read your tour book(s) before you go. You will still refer to them each and every day but there is so much general information in the books that we found very helpful. We have NEVER had a better trip and it's because of Emilie. Thank you, Emilie, for truly giving us the trip of a lifetime. We have memories that will last forever because of you.
Lisa & Don from the US
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 …
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!
Leo
My wife and I traveled in Provence and Dordogne in early April 2018. Whie the weather was mostly on the rainy/windy side, the trip was so well planned and organized, with so much to see, that we did not pay much attention to the weather. All B&Bs were excellent in terms of accommodation, food (sic!) and very welcoming. All hosts were bi-lingual and …
My wife and I traveled in Provence and Dordogne in early April 2018. Whie the weather was mostly on the rainy/windy side, the trip was so well planned and organized, with so much to see, that we did not pay much attention to the weather.
All B&Bs were excellent in terms of accommodation, food (sic!) and very welcoming.
All hosts were bi-lingual and provided lots of advice about the area.
Car rental was a breeze, both pick-up and return.
And we would not miss any of the pre-booked tours, like private tour in Aix en Provence, Gourmet tour in Avignon or a fun truffle hunt.
We met so many good people on this trip. Thank you Emilie!
