My wife and I had our travel plans created by Emilie at "France Just For You," a personal travel planner, Our trip was seamless as everything was prepared by FJFY: car rental …
My wife and I had our travel plans created by Emilie at "France Just For You," a personal travel planner, Our trip was seamless as everything was prepared by FJFY: car rental pickup, B&B #1, detailed maps and activities, B&B 2, train to Paris, hotel, tours . . . . it was simply amazing!
FJFY creates a customized tour book for your entire trip, it comes with maps, activity suggestions, restaurants. Our B&B's were beautiful and the hosts were kind and helpful. It was fun to meet others at the B&B's, people who have come back to the same place year after year because of the hospitality.
Paris accommodations were located in a nice area and within walking distance of many locales and train stops. We had a guided tour of the city and tickets to the Louvre all taken care of by FJFY.
The only bad part about FJFY is the challenge of deciding on the many itineraries, all are enticing so I MUST go back to France. When we return I will be seeking Emilie's expert advice once again.
Normandy & the Loire Valley: French Must-Sees
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#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 - 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 lovely house in NormandyStay downtown Bayeux, 1 minute walk to the Cathedral
#3 - A lovely house in Normandy...in a beautifully renovated house...
#3 - A lovely house in Normandy...with a a spacious room and lovely hosts
#4 - A Gorgeous Mansion on the hill above Giverny townStay away from the crowds only 2 miles to Monet's house and gardens
#4 - A Gorgeous Mansion on the hill above Giverny townRest in a spacious room, lavishly decorated...
#4 - A Gorgeous Mansion on the hill above Giverny town...or in the welcoming living room
Step by step
The Loire Valley
From Paris or CDG airport you will get the rental car and drive about 3hrs to the Loire region. We will plan for a nice stop on the way.
The Loire Valley will welcome you with its renowned "sweet life", its Renaissance castles and gardens, and its famous gastronomy.
You will stay for 3 nights in theoutbuildings of a disappeared monastery dating back to the 14th century. Your charming Hosts know very well this region 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 aperitive in the underground vaulted cellar - an out-of-time experience!
Discover Chinon medieval town with Anne, a private guide, who will have you walk on Joan or Arc's footsteps.
You can also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages stretched along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you.
Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Amboise and many more – and we have planned a special wine tasting in a wine estate near your B&B.
Normandy : Mont Saint Michel
On your from the Loire Valley, stop over for a night near Mont Saint Michel: this ancient beautiful abbey sitting on top of a tidal island in the middle of Mont Saint Michel Bay. A true wonder!
Stay in a gorgeous castle from the 18th century 20 minute drive to the famous village. Your welcoming Hosts own the place for several generations and you'll really feel what the "vie de château" looks like.
Normandy : D Day Landing area
Spend the following 2 nights in a lovely house, located in downtown Bayeux, a few minutes walk to the Cathedral, the tapestry, the restaurants and shops. Jump into the local history.
Many remains of the WWII landings are still visible everywhere and you can quickly access Omaha and Juno landing beaches as well as the artificial port of Arromanches.
You will spend a full day with a private guide on the landing sites. He will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests. A must do to better understand what happened on D-Day.
Giverny : Monet's town
Your journey ends in Giverny, for an overnight stay in a gorgeous mansion, 2 miles from Monet house, in the orchards. This tiny unchanged village takes you back to the 19th century when the great painter Claude Monet created a new art movement: impressionism.
Monet's gardens are beautifully maintained, exactly as they were when Monet painted them. We include in this itinerary a cut-the-line ticket that enables you to avoid the wait at Monet’s house and gardens.
You are only a 1hr drive to Paris car return or to CDG Airport, very convienient to end your trip or for a next step.
History, culture, gastronomy, "the sweet life", this is France!
Activities included
Guided Tour of Chinon
Explore Chinon medieval town with a private guide who will take you on Joan of Arc footsteps.
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.
Private Guide on the WWII sites
Spend a full 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.
Monet's House & Garden
Avoid wasting time standing in line, use the by-pass line to visit the house of Monet and its famous gardens. Follow in the footsteps of this painter and the American Impressionists in the small town of Giverny.
Emilie and Guillaume planned a wonderful trip for us. The B&Bs we stayed in were outstanding. Every recommendation -from restaurants to walks to things to do and see -was wonderful. They were very responsive to all our questions and concerns. I recommend them VERY highly and without reservation.
Emilie and Guillaume planned a wonderful trip for us. The B&Bs we stayed in were outstanding. Every recommendation -from restaurants to walks to things to do and see -was wonderful. They were very responsive to all our questions and concerns. I recommend them VERY highly and without reservation.
Jena
Our trip was exactly as expected, planned perfectly with so many amazing tips on where and how to get around like a local. 25 days, with lots of driving and so much to see. Paris, Versailles, Normandy, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Dordogne and Bordeaux. We were warmly welcomed at all B&Bs and felt that we really got a local feel everywhere we went. All …
Our trip was exactly as expected, planned perfectly with so many amazing tips on where and how to get around like a local. 25 days, with lots of driving and so much to see. Paris, Versailles, Normandy, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Dordogne and Bordeaux. We were warmly welcomed at all B&Bs and felt that we really got a local feel everywhere we went. All recommendations by FJFY were spot on. I can’t say enough about how impressed we are by France Just For You. We will come back for more!!!
DeLana
Emilie put together the best "bucket list" trip for my mother and myself. She listened to all of our requests and tailor made a vacation that was perfect. The attention to detail she paid our trip was mind blowing. She even had a full book made for us to guide us through our journey along with maps, tickets, etc. that were all date stamped …
Emilie put together the best "bucket list" trip for my mother and myself. She listened to all of our requests and tailor made a vacation that was perfect. The attention to detail she paid our trip was mind blowing. She even had a full book made for us to guide us through our journey along with maps, tickets, etc. that were all date stamped, highlighted and detailed. My mom and I have memories to last a lifetime! We had a birthday lunch at the Eiffel Tower, dune buggy rides through wineries, a trip to the top of Mount Blanc, and a full day with a French chef. And Jacques, our french chef instructor, was a hoot! Thank you so much for putting the perfect trip together and all of your work to make it exceptional.
