Region
in Paris, Loire Valley & Normandy
France Wine Tasting Tours
Heritage & History Tours

This itinerary will take you to three of the culturally richest regions of France, at a relaxed pace and away from the beaten tracks.

We recommend flying into and out of Paris for this itinerary.

Includes

25 nights 5 in a Boutique-Hotel in Paris & 20 nights in premium B&Bs that we all personally selected for you
A rental car with automatic transmission & full insurance coverage, for 21 days
2 «Table d’Hôtes» home-cooked dinners, with your Hosts and other travelers
The assurance that you can contact us at any time, for any reason, while you're in France
A guidebook made for you and all road maps with recommended itineraries, activities & visits
FJFY App all your trip, contacts, GPS destinations, weather… in your smartphone
5.0
Leslie & Family
Just returned from an amazing trip with our family, including 3 teenage boys. Emilie carefully listened to our request to focus on military history and arranged an itinerary with …
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 6 540
Per traveler, including taxes,
based on double occupancy.

Your accommodations

Pictures of the specially selected accommodations

Step by step

Paris Normandy Loire Valley Giverny Mont Saint Michel

Paris: the capital of France & the city of lights

  • Live the Parisian life! Comfortably accommodated for the first 5 nights of your trip in a charming boutique-hotel in a quiet street of the bustling Marais district, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
  • Being based less than 10-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with unique and interesting itineraries we have prepared for you. We also recommend our favorite restaurants and boulangeries in different districts of the city so you’ll know where to take a break.
  • One day, walk on King Louis the 14th's footsetps in Versailles castle and gardens. You will enjoy a 5hr private guided tour to the palace and the garden,  a great way to enjoy this unique and magestic site ! 

 

Paris Normandy Loire Valley Giverny Mont Saint Michel

The Loire Valley, away from the beaten paths

  • On the 6th day, you will pick up your rental car by the ring road in Paris so you don’t drive across the city. The drive to the Loire Valley is about 3hrs long.
  • You will spend the following 4 nights of your journey nicely 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 restaurants in the region is less than a 1-minute-walk.

The Loire Valley: Chambord & Chenonceau area

  • On the 10th day, you will drive towards the area with the most famous of the Loire Valley castles.
  • Spend 3 nights at a welcoming Bed & Breakfast, between Amboise and Chenonceau: Your hostess is an excellent cook and she will show you what she knows during a fun cooking workshop, followed by a nice dinner shared with fellow travelers. We can have you work on the type of dishes/products you prefer, just let us know.
  • On your way to Normandy, treat yourself to 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.
Paris Normandy Loire Valley Giverny Mont Saint Michel

From Saint Malo to the Mont Saint Michel

  • On the 15th day, you will reach Normandy, which is only a 3hr drive and we will suggest a nice stop on the way.
  • Stay in a former presbytery from the 18th century, located half-way between the famous village of Mont Saint Michel and the lovely port of Saint Malo. One night, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your host, who is also a chef.
  • 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,” well worth a visit.
  • We will also take you to very near Eastern Brittany : its lovely ports, granite stone towns and delicious crêpes are a real addition to your immersion into the Northern France culture.
  • In Cancale, experience the Breton sailor's life on board a nice wooden boat. The Captain will tell you many stories and have you discover the finest local products with a gastronomic picnic.

 

Paris Normandy Loire Valley Giverny Mont Saint Michel

Bayeux, Calvados & the Landing Sites area in Normandy

  • Reside for 5 nights in a peaceful countryside house, located between Bayeux's old town and the Landing Beaches. Your hosts travel a lot and will be happy to share many tips with you.
  • Jump into the local history: from William the Conqueror in the 11th century whose adventures are illustrated in the Bayeux tapestry, to the Battle of Normandy in 1944.
  • From your B&B, 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 as well. Honfleur really deserves a visit for its picturesque harbor and art galleries, and Deauville for its famous Grand Casino, horse track and luxury cars. This part of Normandy is also famous for its seafood, especially scallops from Port en Bessin and oysters from Asnelles.
  • The Normandy back country 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 cheese! A trip to Normandy would not be complete without tasting Camembert or Livarot cheeses!

 

Paris Normandy Loire Valley Giverny Mont Saint Michel

Last Step: Giverny & Monet’s house and gardens

  • You will stay for the last 2 nights of your trip in a gorgeous mansion, in the orchards, 2 miles from Giverny town. Val, your lovely hostess, will be available to make the most of your stay.
  • We include here cut-the-line tickets to Monet’s house and gardens. The lovely Seine river valley towns also deserve a visit.
  • On your last day, you are only a 1hr drive to CDG Airport where we suggest you return the rental car.

Activities included

guide to Versailles

Private Guide to Versailles Palace

Walk on King Louis the 14th's footsetps in Versailles castle and gardens. You will enjoy a 5hr private guided tour to the palace and the gardens.

cooking workshop with Valérie

Loire Cooking Workshop

Spend a late afternoon with Valérie who trained in gastronomic restaurants. You will prepare a main course and a dessert, then you'll enjoy a savory dinner with your hosts. 

boat tour in brittany

Old Wooden Boat Tour & Picnic

In Cancale area, experience the Breton sailormen's life on board of a nice wooden boat. The Captain will tell you many stories and have you discover the finest local products with a gastronomic picnic. 

Giverny Monet

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.

Customize this tour

We are glad to customize this itinerary to include additionnal night stays, extra activities or any specific request you have.

YOUR Guide Book

100% customized to your itinerary, it is the perfect tool before, during & after your trip.

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Dan
I am a planner by nature and my wife and I found that Emilie at France Just For You exceeded all of our expectations for our trip to France. The daily itineraries the restaurant recommendations things to see and even things not to see. The B&B's we stayed at were outstanding. She even planned a few surprises for us on some of our activities. Do not …
Kelly
My husband and our friends spent two weeks travelling around Northern France, the Loire Valley and Paris. Emilie provided us with a detailed itinerary that exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were excellent and unique providing us with a variety of B & B's. Her recommendations for tours and sights took into consideration our interests and …
John
My wife and I recently engaged Emilie, of France Just For You, to plan a two week trip to Provence in the first two weeks of May. It was mid-March and we found Emilie during a web search of self-driving tours of France. What a find! Emilie responded within twenty-four hours with very specific questions, wanting to know more about us, our interests …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Bonnie & her 2 daughters
from Canada
In Ménerbes, Provence
Patty & Tim
from the US
In front of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Dan & Kim
From the US
Romantic time in Paris...
Elisabeth & Randy
From Canada
In Vimy Ridge Memorial
Joe & Beth
From the US
Truffle hunting in Provence
Jill, Wayne & Varenne (the dog)
from the US
Enjoying Mont Saint Michel away from the crowds, Normandy
Scott
From Australia
Making "chou" buns in the Loire Valley
Shirley & Bob
from the US
After a concert in Paris
Tonya & Robert
From the US
In Versailles - Hall of Mirrors
Peter
from Canada
Truffle Hunting in Dordogne
Alan & Lucelle
From South Africa
In Mont Saint Michel at the border between Brittany & Normandy
Pam & Mercer
From the US
At the B&B in Giverny