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.
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 …
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 past visits. This was our friends first trip to France and our third. They were overwhelmed by the attention to detail and the care Emilie took in arranging transportation, accommodations etc. My husband and I enjoyed this trip even though we have visited most of the area previously, but Emilie had arranged some amazing tours that we had not taken. The Beaches of Normandy were highlights for all and the guide Emilie arranged was very knowledgeable and personable. All of the B & B owners shared their positive experience working with France Just for You. Emilie has made excellent relationships with her tour guides and hosts. We would highly recommend France Just for You and hope to return again one day. We will be sure to have Emilie prepare our next adventure.
Scenic Roads & French Cuisine
tour
Published on:
Last modified on:
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 and then choose a place you like in the vineyard to enjoy a nice picnic.
Dordogne
Drive about 2hr30 and continue your 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.
We will get you tickets for you to walk back on the prehistoric men footsteps, in 20,000 year old painted caves - access is limited to 40 person per day...this is a very private site.
You are very close to Sarlat and the prehistoric caves and we will be happy to recommend some more cave visits for you if you wish. 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 will drive back to Bordeaux, return the rental car at the station and get on a high-speed train back to Paris. First class train tickets are included in this trip.
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 & picnic
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. End this special moment picnicking in the estate vineyards.
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.
Prehistoric Caves
Walk back on the prehistoric men footsteps, in 20,000 year old painted caves - access is limited to 40 person per day.
Emilie's services are amazing!! I contacted her after my one year anniversary trip planning fell through with another agency. She quickly picked up the reins from where they left off, listened to our budget requests and organized an absolutely fantastic trip for us! From Paris to Provence to the French Riviera, everywhere we stayed was wonderful …
Emilie's services are amazing!! I contacted her after my one year anniversary trip planning fell through with another agency. She quickly picked up the reins from where they left off, listened to our budget requests and organized an absolutely fantastic trip for us! From Paris to Provence to the French Riviera, everywhere we stayed was wonderful and in the perfect location. The activities were ones we will remember for the rest of our lives and we would have never thought to do them ourselves...learning how to play pentanque was a blast and making our own perfume was really interesting and fun! We told her exactly the type of trip we were looking for and she really delivered - we couldn't have done this without her! Our trip had some structure but we were also free to explore as we wanted. I even got to stay at a horse farm B&B in the french countryside bc I told her I love horses. This is the type of service you will get with Emilie. Also, the personalized guide book she provides is incredible - we used it throughout the duration of our trip and it was super informative beforehand as well. All of our hosts knew Emilie and spoke very highly of her too. We didn't have any issues with all of the reservations she made which was great. You absolutely can't go wrong working with Emilie; each trip is tailored to your individual likings and she knows all of the best spots. Thank you, Emilie, for planning the perfect 1 year wedding anniversary for us!! Highly Recommend France Just For You!
Maureen
If I had to sum up our trip in one word it would just have to be WOW! But of course it is impossible to describe the trip of a lifetime in just one word. The detail and care that Emilie put into planning our trip was AMAZING. Every place we stayed, every outing she planned, every person that she put us in contact was wonderful. My husband and I …
If I had to sum up our trip in one word it would just have to be WOW! But of course it is impossible to describe the trip of a lifetime in just one word. The detail and care that Emilie put into planning our trip was AMAZING. Every place we stayed, every outing she planned, every person that she put us in contact was wonderful. My husband and I wanted so much to visit Fance but we did not want to go on a bus with 20 other people. We dont speak any French, so how would a trip through France be possible? Have France Just for You make all the plans. Along with resevering all the B and B's we stayed in and planning wine tasting and excursions we had so many other recommendations for places to dine, sights to see, hikes through the countryside, no matter what we were in the mood for, there was always a recommendation that we could use. When we were told that we would be getting a personal itinerary we were expecting a 10 or 12 page document. Instead a 200 page personalized BOOK came. We will treasure it forever. I think it was Kismet that we found France Just For You online. Thank you so, so much for the time and care you gave to planning our trip. It was special and we will always think of our trip and you with the fondest of memories.
Annette & Kids
I was very nervous to visit a country that I have never learned the language spoken so that is the reason I wanted someone to help me plan this trip with my children. Emilie was wonderful. The B&Bs that she booked were some of the very best places I have ever stayed and I have traveled quite a bit. The cell phone that we were given was priceless …
I was very nervous to visit a country that I have never learned the language spoken so that is the reason I wanted someone to help me plan this trip with my children. Emilie was wonderful. The B&Bs that she booked were some of the very best places I have ever stayed and I have traveled quite a bit. The cell phone that we were given was priceless for getting around, the language barrier and checking in with others back home. I would recommended using Emilie to everyone. It was fantastic. A trip of a lifetime with my children who are 18 and 25.
