Travel through three of the most fascinating regions in France. Let your friendly hosts introduce you to the French "sweet life" in their charming B&Bs.
Emilie deserves every 5 (actually I give her 10!) star review since we never dreamed our 2 week trip through the Loire, Normandy and Paris could be so perfect. One of the many …
Emilie deserves every 5 (actually I give her 10!) star review since we never dreamed our 2 week trip through the Loire, Normandy and Paris could be so perfect. One of the many steps above and beyond was arranging a full-day private tour in Normandy since my husband's uncle (who is still alive) was there on D-Day. Our guide, Noémie, knew in advance about Uncle Gerald and geared our visit accordingly with her depth of knowledge.
Emilie arranged ways to beat the crowds at the touristy sites, but more importantly arrange charming B&Bs and recommend enchanting itineraries. The gourmet host dinners with other travelers at the B&Bs were a highlight. And the hosts were so welcoming and helpful during our stay.
The smartphone, the book with suggested restaurants and must-see places, and the envelope full of city maps and brochures make France Just for You a unique and top-notch choice for planning a vacation in France. We will use Emilie and Laura for a future trip to Burgundy? Dordogne? Provence? Who knows? They will help us figure it out.
Scenic Roads & French Cuisine
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Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityA Bordeaux classical architecture
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityMixed with modern touches - which makes the place very special
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityThe rooms are much larger than usual, being downtown a major city
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityYour lovely hosts are multilinguals. Your host comes from a winemaker family
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityEnjoy the views of Bordeaux roofs !
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneA 19th century farm...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...with a traditional sheep farming borie outbuilding.
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneStay in a very comfortable room...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...and enjoy a delicious home-made dinner.
Step by step
The Loire Valley
If you start from Paris, drive 3 hours to the Loire Valley where you will spend the first 4 nights of your journey in a lively historical town. Your B&B is right at the foot of the medieval fortress where Joan of Arc met her future King of France. From this B&B, you will enjoy walking to the restaurants and wine bars or having a romantic picnic on the river banks.
You will visit some of the LoireValley's famous castles such as Chambord or Chenonceau but we will also take you to hidden beauties you would not find on your own. You will wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you.
Discoverthe vineyards of the Loire Valleywith Vincent, a real passionate who will take you, like a friend would, to several wineries and have you love the Touraine terroirs and its winemakers. Taste very different wines: red, whites, still or sparkling . . . No worries, Vincent will safely drive you back to your B&B.
Bordeaux region
Carry on your tour in Bordeaux city for 3 nights and enjoy discovering this lively city and within walking distance from the historical district.
Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to Bordeaux. The rise of colonial trade together with the growth of the wine industry contributed to Gironde’s amazing expansion during the 18th century. You will find everything: from villages nestled in the Medoc or St Emilion vineyards, to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe!
At a famous wine estate, we have planned a special tour for you: after visiting the estate from the vineyards to the cellars, learning about the different grape varieties and wine-making process, you will play the sorcerer's apprentice and make your own Bordeaux wine (your own blend). You'll see that it's not that easy! You'll also enjoy pairing 3 wines with 3 different chocolates.
Dordogne
Drive about 2hr30 and continueyour sightseeing expedition in the Dordogne. In Black Perigord, you will stay in an old stone Perigord style house for 5 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a nice cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers. You are very close to Sarlat and the prehistoric caves and we will be happy to recommend some intimate visits for you, in 20,000 year old caves. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, these are a must!
Visit the old city of Sarlat and feel the buzz of activity on market days. We'll also tell you where to find the most typical goat cheeses - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
You will jump into the Middle Ages with fortresses hanging on cliffs all along the Dordogne river - one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30 minute walk from your B&B. Also, 4 of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4 mile drive.
On your last day, you can return the car in Brive airport, Bordeaux train station or airport . . . or drive to your next destination.
Here life is truly "sweet".
Activities included
Wine Tasting Tour
Spend a half-day wine tasting with a professional. He will take you to several cellars so you can enjoy the diversity of the Loire Valley wines.
Bordeaux Wine tasting & blending
Visit a Medoc wine estate with an English speaking guide: from the vineyards to the wine storehouses. After the tour, you'll make your own blend with different varieties and pair wines with 3 chocolates.
Cooking Class & Dinner
Spend a late afternoon with your hosts making dinner together like friends would do. Then you'll enjoy a convivial and savory dinner with your hosts & fellow travelers.
Emilie & Guillaume did an amazing job organizing and helping us on our trip to France this month. I cannot speak highly enough! Everything was planned to perfection and things went smoothly. We did a few days in Paris, Normandy and Provence, and in each one what they planned was spectacular. We especially enjoyed the wine tasting and picnic in …
Emilie & Guillaume did an amazing job organizing and helping us on our trip to France this month. I cannot speak highly enough! Everything was planned to perfection and things went smoothly. We did a few days in Paris, Normandy and Provence, and in each one what they planned was spectacular. We especially enjoyed the wine tasting and picnic in Provence, and the all day personal guide to D-Day in Normandy. We would never have been able to make those arrangements on our own, and having them made the trip a truly unique experience. We went to some of the restaurants Emilie recommended, and loved them. The book with information about EVERYTHING was the best - could not have lived without the GPS coordinates, or we would still be driving around Rouen! Thanks to them for all of their planning and help!
Chuck
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this is the best company for you to use to have a superb vacation and I would use them again anytime. They give you options so you can do what you like, but help with the …
Emilie was a great help in planning our trip and the accommodations and recommendations were excellent and well thought out. Unless you speak French and know the countryside, this is the best company for you to use to have a superb vacation and I would use them again anytime. They give you options so you can do what you like, but help with the logistics which would be the most frustrating if you had to make arrangements yourself.
Shelley & Andy
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and …
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and breakfasts throughout the rest of our trip. Appreciated the tips for seeing non touristy villages. Loved all of our guides and special activities, especially the cooking lesson in Avignon. It was great knowing Emilie or Guillaume were just a phone call away if we needed them during the trip.
