Self-Guided Tours in France

I cannot say enough good things about Emilie and "France Just for You". We spent 15 days in France in June to celebrate our special anniversary and it was more than perfect. I found this superlative agency while browsing online, looking for a custom made trip to France that does not involve hopping on a tour bus with a large group of people, being stuck with a rigid itinerary or being pushed into tourist traps. I sent an inquiry to Emilie and she was quick to respond. From the minute we spoke I knew I had made the right choice. After a long conversation, she sent us a suggested itinerary that was 99% perfect from the get-go. We fine-tuned it, leaving room for some surprises. And surprise us she did! Armed with a 400-page custom-made guide book, we visited Paris, the Loire Valley, Burgundy and Provence. Her attention to detail is unmatched, leaving nothing to chance. She took care of everything except the flights. The accommodations included a cute and convenient boutique hotel in Paris, unbelievably charming B&Bs and a beautiful castle. All the important activities were pre-booked. Her advice was invaluable, from how to drive, which roads to avoid, how to speak and behave, where to eat, what to eat, what to visit, what not to visit, where to buy authentic souvenirs... We had fun chatting with our hospitable and generous hosts and enjoyed numerous adventures such as a bike ride, scenic walks, a truffle hunt, a cooking lesson and a surprise wine tasting and picnic, all at our own pace.
Emilie was available for support all the way through our trip and immediately addressed a small misunderstanding with the car rental company at the end.
Doing a trip like this on our own would have been virtually impossible. Only a professional, dedicated and passionate French native like Emilie, who has spent endless time and energy exploring France, could make this happen.
Thank you Emilie for the best trip we have ever had. You have forever earned our gratefulness, loyalty and admiration. We are certain to return to France in the future, hopefully with family and friends and look forward to your excellent services again.

In May we travelled to France for our second trip with Emilie and France Just For You, and it was just as wonderful as our first adventure! Emilie's planning is so thorough and detailed that not a thing is left to chance. The B and B's were lovely and the hosts delightful; the routes were carefully planned to give us a complete taste of Southern France; and the suggestions for restaurants, shopping and cultural activities were perfect. We completely trusted all of Emilie's suggestions and highly recommend her services!

France Just For You planned the trip of a lifetime for my husband and me. We traveled to Normandy, St. Saint Michele, the Loire Valley and Provence. We are typically not road trip travelers, but this adventure brought us closer to the wonderful people of France than any group tour or "drop and plop" vacation could ever do. The bed and breakfasts were charming, and the time we spend talking with our interesting hosts lent so much warmth to the trip. The guides Emilie provided were knowledgeable and personable. One of the best experiences of our lives was hiking in St. Saint Michel Bay at night, in the water, with our guide Roman. Each day was outlined with many suggestions and background information to allow you to make choices based on our interests and energy level. She set up experiences, such a wine tastings or cooking classes based on our feedback to her questions before we went. The book Emilie provided and the maps couldn't have been more detailed or better organized for easy use. I will say that it's important to read EVERYTHING before you go, as there's so much great information that you need time to become familiar with the guide before you go. Also, take Emilie's advice about the gps. She suggested you download maps either on your own device or your phone before you go. We used an internet app on our phone, which worked great, until your internet service dropped. (not often) The gps in the rental car was not in English in one of the cars, but it was in the other. Also, she gives you great tips about how to use the toll road systems, and even how to learn where to stand to get the TGV spot to wait for your car. One more tip: "drop a pin" on the maps app on your phone whenever you leave your car. We "misplaced" our car twice...makes a great story but is not very fun in the moment! We had a simply wonderful trip. Even though we never met Emilie, we felt like she was a friend because of all of the quick and thorough communication. We definitely recommend France Just For You, and we hope to have the opportunity to return to see the rest of France very soon!