From the landing sites in Normandy to Mont Saint Michel on to Brittany ending in the Loire Valley, this itinerary will have you discover all the history, traditions and gastronomy of the North-West of France.
It's hard to know where to begin. We stumbled across France Just For You by accident when researching ideas for our three week visit to France. We made contact with Emily by email …
It's hard to know where to begin. We stumbled across France Just For You by accident when researching ideas for our three week visit to France. We made contact with Emily by email and began a conversation over the coming weeks as she planned a self-guided holiday for us, designed to fulfil our dream of staying in French b'n'bs in wine-growing regions as well as outdoor/sporting activities, finishing in Paris at the French Open. Her network and knowledge of b'n'bs, restaurants, activities etc is exceptional and her organisational skills are amazing and simply add confidence for the traveller from another part of the world. Emily organised all our accomodation, transport, car hire, entry tickets to Roland Garros, Palace of Versailles, theatre, cooking classes, bike hire and produced a 400 page travel manual tailored individually for us. I'm not sure I could unbundle exactly what we paid for her work but I promise you it was worth every cent. Our travel manual was laid out with a plan and schedule for every day of our trip, with gps coordinates for every location we needed to get to. Even if I were a seasoned traveller to France I would still recommend FJFY as it took all the stress out of planning and executing our trip, as well as taking us to places we would never have imagined. If I could give Emily more than 5 stars I would do so gladly! Thank you Emily for making our trip so memorable.
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideA medieval manor between Bayeux and the landing beaches
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideAfter a day visiting, relax in the Norman countryside
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideEnjoy a very spacious room with all the modern amenities
#1 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countryside...and amazing home-made breakfasts
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelShare breakfasts and a diner with fellow travelers
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelEnjoy a main floor suite room with a kitchenette
#2 - A cozy house along the Bay of Mont Saint MichelYour hosts are from Brittany & very happy to share tips & hints
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenEnjoy Brittany countryside between Perros Guirec & Bréhat island
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenYour host Fred is also an antique dealer
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming garden... lots of unique decoration to the house
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenYour adorable hostess has a wonderful garden
#3 - A typical stone longère in a charming gardenEnjoy a brand new room with a lot of amenities
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan GulfYour host is from the region, and he comes from a family of oyster farmers
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulfenjoy a comfortable modern setting...
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulf...and amazing Gulf views from your bed !
#4 - A modern home, on the coast of the Morbihan Gulfhere, the sea is always near you...
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#5 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireStay in a gorgeous privately owned castle in the Loire valley
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the Loireplay the piano or enjoy a drink in one of the salons
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireEarly birds will have 1620 fescos on their room s walls.
#6 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireYour lovely hosts will share their passion with you
Step by step
We can plan for you to pick up the rental car where it suits you best: Paris, CDG Airport...just let us know
Start your itinerary with 3 nights tasting the Norman quietness in a charming manor from the 11th century. Jump into the Middle-Ages, but enjoying all the modern amenities...and amazing breakfasts cooked by your lovely hostess.
Perfectly located between Bayeux and the WWII beaches, you will get a real feel for the Norman history there from William the Conqueror to the Second World War.
For your to better understand the WWII history, we include a half day with a private guide. We will tailor make your visit based on the sites you are interested in: Juno area for the Canadian army, Gold beach for the British army and Utah / Omaha for the American landing.
Continue your itinerary for 2 nights along the bay of Mont St Michel. Your B&B is located half-way between the famous Mont Saint Michel village and the lovely port of Saint Malo.
Here you will enjoy a village that lives in symbiosis with the bay - oyster farmers at work, nice walks along the dyke of the bay, etc.
Your lovely hosts are proud of their breton heritage and share this via their nice homemade “breton” breakfast. You will also enjoy a delicious fish/seafood evening meal.
We plan for you to explore Mont saint Michel village and Abbey with a private guide to get away from some of the crowds. We’ll also give you some tips to discover the typical villages and ports in eastern Brittany.
Keep driving West to Nothern Brittany where you will spend 3 nights in a charming typical stone “longère”, nestled in a lovingly tended garden between the Pink Granite coast and Bréhat island.
Your adorable hosts will put all their hearts into making sure you have a wonderful stay and enjoy their beloved region.
From here, you are perfectly located to enjoy northern Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast’s dramatic landscapes, explore gorgeous privately-owned gardens, walk along the coastal “customs” trail and taste savory crepes and seafood !
Cross Brittany from North to South and reach the Morbihan Gulf where you will spend the next 2 nights, in a comfortable modern home, in the region of the Carnac megalithic site.
The view is amazing of the Gulf and some of its islands, whether you are in your room, the guest salon, or the vast garden. Your host is from the region, and he comes from a family of oyster farmers.
Visit old towns like Vannes and Pont Aven, walks along the coast directly from the B&B garden, outings on the water or exploring some of the Gulf’s islands.
Explore Carnac megaliths following a local guide, on a segway: a great way to visit the entire site which spreads over 4 hectares.
Discover the Loire Valley region, comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life.
You will spend the following 3 nights of your journey comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life.
Located on the banks of the Vienne River, you will jump back to the Medieval times and learn about Joan of Arc history. At night, one of the best restaurant in the region is less than a 1-minute-walk.
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.
On your way back to Paris, treat yourself with the last 2 nights in a luxury privately owned castle, 5 miles to Chambord Unesco Renaissance castle.
You will stay in a comfortable room which may have original frescos dating back to 1620 on the walls (for the early birds) and also enjoy a vast park, tennis court and a huge swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy a drink in one of the many "salons" where you will always feel welcome.
You can return the car rental where it is the most convenient to you: Paris, CDG Airport, .... just let us know.
Activities included
Private Guide on the WWII sites
Spend a half day with a private guide who will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests. A must do to better understand what happened on D-Day.
Mont Saint Michel Private Tour
Discover this unique village and its Abbey with a local guide who will explain you about its history and traditions. She will take you to many small streets to see places that tourist usually don't see.
Carnac Segway Tour
Get on a guided Segway ride to explore Carnac 6000 years old menhirs.
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.
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our …
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour
We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our accommodation was delightful - all different and all with unique character and a personal touch. All our hosts and guides were fantastic and we so enjoyed our time with them. Everything was so meticulously planned, so well-organised, and presented clearly with a wealth of information and practical tips for suggested activities each day to make to most of our stay in each region. Restaurant recommendations were particularly helpful. The FJFY app is outstanding! We very much hope to travel with FJFY again. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail in making such a wonderful trip for us.
Donna & Jim from Canada
This was our second trip arranged by France Just for You. That says a lot. What says more is we would do another trip with them without any concern. They are pros from the time the trip is planned to the very last minute of the journey. Every detail is provided through the travel book, app and communication, if needed, during the trip. We would …
This was our second trip arranged by France Just for You. That says a lot. What says more is we would do another trip with them without any concern. They are pros from the time the trip is planned to the very last minute of the journey. Every detail is provided through the travel book, app and communication, if needed, during the trip. We would highly recommend France Just For You!! Many thanks.
Patty & Nicole
My daughter and I went to Paris and Provence area for her college graduation. France for You provided a tremendous amount of information, maps, advice etc to book us the perfect trip. The B&Bs were charming and very convenient to beautiful sites and shopping. They are the experts on Traveling through France!! You will not be disappointed if you use …
My daughter and I went to Paris and Provence area for her college graduation. France for You provided a tremendous amount of information, maps, advice etc to book us the perfect trip. The B&Bs were charming and very convenient to beautiful sites and shopping. They are the experts on Traveling through France!! You will not be disappointed if you use their services!!
