Your French journey starts in Normandy where you will share your time between Honfleur lovely port and Bayeux historical area. Then, enjoy Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select …
We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select locations. This was our first visit to France. So to be on our own with the guidance and extremely comprehensive written support of France Just For You was just remarkable and very reassuring. We felt completely confident during our 26 day tour from Nice to Paris, and we were astounded by the range of experiences offered to us. The accommodation choices were lovely, and all of our hosts were extremely gracious. Do keep in mind that we are a long married couple, and a self-driving tour of this magnitude and length could be trying at times. But we are here to tell the tale. Highly recommended, and many accolades to France Just For You.
With thanks,
Paris City & the Norman Countryside
tour
Published on:
Last modified on:
Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - A comfortable B&B downtown HonfleurYou can relax on the terrace on a sunny day
#1 - A comfortable B&B downtown HonfleurRest in a large and comfortable room
#1 - A comfortable B&B downtown HonfleurEnjoy a Norman decoration
#1 - A comfortable B&B downtown HonfleurStart the day with a delicious and bio homemade breakfast
#2 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideA medieval manor between Bayeux and the landing beaches
#2 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideAfter a day visiting, relax in the Norman countryside
#2 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countrysideEnjoy a very spacious room with all the modern amenities
#2 - An Medieval Manor in the Norman countryside...and amazing home-made breakfasts
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtThe hotel in on one of Paris most famous squares
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtEnjoy a lavishly decorated room with view...
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin district...over one of Paris nicest square
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtWhat about a drink "at home" to rest a bit ?
#3 - 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
Giverny & Honfleur
We plan for you to arrive in CDG airport and pick up the rental car there.
You will drive for about 1 hour to get to Monet's house and garden in Giverny. You will explore the site with cut-the-line tickets.
In the afternoon, drive a 1hr30 more and reach the seaside. Honfleur is a very typical half-timbered port where you will recover from jetlag for 2 nights and enjoy the Norman countryside.
From Rouen cathedral to Etretat Cliffs, from the Pays d'Auge cheeses to its apple ciders : you'll get a great introduction to eastern Normandy.
Bayeux area
On the 3rd day, drive about 1hr30 to reach Bayeux area.
For 2 nights you will experience the Norman tranquility in an 11th-century manor. Immerse yourself in a medieval environment while enjoying all the modern amenities, as well as amazing breakfasts cooked by your lovely hostess.
Perfectly located between Bayeux and the WWII beaches, you will get a real feel for Norman history, from William the Conqueror to the Second World War.
We also plan for you to spend a morning with a private guide who will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests as you visit the WWII beaches and memorial sites.
Ah...Paris
For the last 3 nights of your trip, you will be living the Parisian life. Comfortably accommodated in a charming 4* boutique-hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter, in the Sorbonne area, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
Being based a 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with unique and different itineraries we have prepared for you. One night, you will attend a very fun show (in English) . . . a good opportunity to enjoy Paris nightlife.
We plan for you to spend a very fun moment with a French Chef making your own Croissants & Baguette. So French !
On your last day, a private driver will take you to the airport.
Activities included
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.
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.
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.
Jim
If you want to experience France, but are hesitant because you don’t speak the language, this company is for you. Emilie will prepare an itinerary that is so detailed that even the most inexperienced, non-French speaking traveler will be able to navigate France. Her attention to detail is so incredible that almost everything sitiuation you …
If you want to experience France, but are hesitant because you don’t speak the language, this company is for you. Emilie will prepare an itinerary that is so detailed that even the most inexperienced, non-French speaking traveler will be able to navigate France. Her attention to detail is so incredible that almost everything sitiuation you encounter can be assisted with a page in your “book.” You let her know what you’re interested in experiencing and she will make it happen.
I would highly recommend everything that she planned for us. Raphaelle’s walking tour of Paris, Christophe’s D-Day tour, Brigitte’s cooking class, a bike tour through the Loire Valley, and Amelie’s tour of Mont Saint Michel were incredibly enjoyable. There was plenty of flexibility in our itinerary to make other plans as well.
All of our accommodations were beyond wonderful and the restaurant suggestions were all perfect! Although we didn’t have the time to experience everything suggested, we definitely wish we did!
We are already planning our next trip!
Lawrence
Staying in B&B’s is a great way to see the country and meet the people who live there in their normal environment. And, “France Just for You” provides an excellent way to have this experience. Emilie’s knowledge and detailed planning made the trip exciting and enjoyable! We will definitely seek her out for our next trip to France.
Staying in B&B’s is a great way to see the country and meet the people who live there in their normal environment. And, “France Just for You” provides an excellent way to have this experience. Emilie’s knowledge and detailed planning made the trip exciting and enjoyable! We will definitely seek her out for our next trip to France.
