We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a …
We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne and finally Provence. Her recommendations and arrangements for accommodation, transportation, dining, wine estates, tours, guides and special out of the way places was perfect. She based our vacation on our desires and specific wishes - and she matched them perfectly.
We can't say enough how her trip planning, itinerary, choice of what to do was exactly what we were looking for. In addition she provided several out of the way spots away from touristy sites that made this special Birthday vacation amazing.
The intriguing part was receiving our custom tailored Guide Books which were indispensable and allowed us to travel worry free. This was a great source of practical, useful information that made our trip even more relaxed.
The diversity of the trip allowed us to experience many aspects of French culture - history, art, wine tasting and appreciation, dining, truffle hunting and running through Lavender fields in bloom. Biking through quaint villages and following in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Hemingway, amoung others. Thanks to her we were able to see several regions of France and we came to understand that we could not do everything she suggested - and that was a good thing.
Throughout it all Emilie communicated on a regular basis and was always available if we had a question.
We would definitely recommend France Just For You to anyone desiring a unique, tailored way of experiencing France.
#1 - A typical house nestled in a lively Provençal townFrom the street you will never believe what's behind the door
#1 - A typical house nestled in a lively Provençal townenjoy a comfortable room opening on to the garden
#1 - A typical house nestled in a lively Provençal townShare a glass of wine...
#1 - A typical house nestled in a lively Provençal town...with your lovely hosts
#1 - A typical house nestled in a lively Provençal townEnjoy very typical views from the terraces garden
#2 - A Typical Mas House, in a hidden valley in ProvenceStay in wilder Provence, at the foot of Mont Ventoux
#2 - A Typical Mas House, in a hidden valley in ProvenceEnjoy a comfortable room
#2 - A Typical Mas House, in a hidden valley in Provence...and many spots in the garden, or by the swimming pool.
Step by step
Southern Provence: Between Luberon & Aix-en-Provence
This itinerary starts with 3 nights in a nice village, located in the heights of Aix en Provence. There, you will be cordially received by your delightful hosts who speak English well. You will stay in a comfortable room, opening to your private terrace with access to the terrace garden "restanques". After a day visiting relax by the swimming pool with a glass of rosé wine, enjoying the view over the typical tiles roofs.
From there, discover the beauty of Southern Provence as you visit picturesque little villages in Luberon or bigger cities such as Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. Tour the salt marshes of the Camargue, take an easy hike in the calanques near Cassis or visit the Alpilles region, where you will find beautiful Saint Remy de Provence and Van Gogh favorite landscapes…we will tell you where to buy the best olive oil or lavender products!
If you are interested in history, don’t miss the Roman ruins at Arles, Nîmes or Pont du Gard. We will also take you to smaller sites – less famous and much quieter.
One day, enjoy a fun Petanque class in one of the loveliest towns in Provence, with Jean Marc, who was born and raised there. A very Provençal experience!
Northern Provence in the vineyards
Spend the next 4 nights in a 'mas house' – a maison de Provencenear Mount Ventoux. Your lovely hosts will welcome you in the house they entirely remodeled. At night, refresh in the garden with swimming pool or cook your dinner in the guests' kitchen.
Mont Ventoux remains the most authentic part of Provence, with little villages such as Vaison la Romaine or Bedoin and dramatic landscapes like “les Dentelles de Montmirail”.
So many things to see in less than an hour's drive from your B&B: beautiful Avignon, also referred to as “the City of Popes”, where you will visit the palace of the Popes & the old city with a private guide.
Strolling hilltop villages on market day, walking on the footsteps of famous painters such as Cézanne or Picasso. We will also tell you about some hidden jewels - villages, off the beaten track – not too crowded…where you will stroll around charming streets or have a drink at a provencal café with locals. We can also recommend a farmer’s market and wine cellar for each day of the week!
If you like gastronomy, we also plan for you to meet with a local Chef at his house: cook for about 3 hours in the vineyards and then enjoy a very convivial dinner in his home. Ca, c'est la France !
A week in Provence is always full of surprises!
Activities included
Pétanque Class in Provence
Enjoy a fun Petanque class in one of the loveliest towns in Provence, with Jean Marc - who was born and raised there.
Provence Cooking Class
Spend about 3hrs cooking with Ben who has been a Chef for over 20 years and if weather allows have you cooked in the vineyards by his house. Then, you will enjoy a great dinner in his family home. A very nice experience !
Private Guided Tour to Avignon
Enjoy a half-day with a local guide to discover Avignon town and stroll the Palace of the Popes. A perfect way to be introduced to Provence history & culture.
An amazing trip through Southern France! This is the second trip we have booked with Émilie and her talented team at France Just for You and we couldn’t be happier. Based on our inputs, they designed an excellent trip for my husband, myself, my sister and sister-in-law using the Southern France from West to East as a template. We added several days …
An amazing trip through Southern France!
This is the second trip we have booked with Émilie and her talented team at France Just for You and we couldn’t be happier. Based on our inputs, they designed an excellent trip for my husband, myself, my sister and sister-in-law using the Southern France from West to East as a template. We added several days to the itinerary to explore more of Provence and I am so happy we did. We stayed in an hotel that had been in the same family for several generations, B&Bs and a traditional Provençal mas all hosted by warm, delightful, helpful and friendly hosts. We enjoyed several pre-booked activities such as city tours, a private winery tour with picnic and bottles of wine on the lovely grounds of the estate, a private day tour with a local guide in Carcassonne to ancient fortresses, a truffle hunting adventure, a day riding an e-bike (including a picnic lunch and wine) through several villages in the Luberon in Provence. They also provide a personalized travel packet with maps and a spiral bound travel guide. We have taken several other self driving tours in Europe and none compare to France Just for You.
Merci Émilie, Laura and Clelia for an amazing trip through a beautiful part of France,
Robert
My wife and I completed a 3 week driving trip out of Bordeaux which was organized by France Just for You. The Bed and Breakfast accommodations were superb, the personalized guidebook comprehensive and well-organized, and the booked activities were high quality. Having the rental car booked for us was a major advantage (Don’t drive in France without …
My wife and I completed a 3 week driving trip out of Bordeaux which was organized by France Just for You. The Bed and Breakfast accommodations were superb, the personalized guidebook comprehensive and well-organized, and the booked activities were high quality. Having the rental car booked for us was a major advantage (Don’t drive in France without GPS). France Just for You gets my highest recommendation.
Cynthia
On my second trip with France Just For You (FJFY) this October I drove through Normandy and Brittaney. It was a wonderful trip and FJFY is an amazing travel agency. Their customized and detailed guidebook covers everything you need to know about visiting France from practical information about traffic signs to insights about the French people and …
On my second trip with France Just For You (FJFY) this October I drove through Normandy and Brittaney. It was a wonderful trip and FJFY is an amazing travel agency. Their customized and detailed guidebook covers everything you need to know about visiting France from practical information about traffic signs to insights about the French people and their customs.
FJFY gives you structure but you have flexibility and can arrange your time as you please, no hurry up for the tour bus. I cannot recommend France Just For You and touring France highly enough!
