There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our …
There are not enough superlatives, or kind words, to describe the level of service Emilie, with France Just for You, provided us from the moment we contacted her, throughout our trip, and even her thoughtful emails upon our return. We contacted Emilie with a list of all the places we wished to go, the things we hoped to do, and our budget. We exchanged several emails (Emilie’s response time was always immediate) and, within a couple of days, Emilie created an amazing itinerary for our 2 week stay in France that allowed us to do everything we hoped for and several things we would not have thought about on our own. Emilie is an incredible listener which was very evident when we received our itinerary. She had arranged for everything including a French Smartphone with Google Maps, a rental car, skip-the-line tickets, a stay in a castle, wine tastings, etc. All of our accommodations were superb with hosts that spoke fluent English, were very knowledgeable about their area, and had great suggestions from restaurants to local “must do’s” and everything in-between. When Emilie says she has visited all of the accommodations in person, she means it. Each host talked very highly of Emilie and reminisced about her visits. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Paris, we knew we were in for a great experience. Emilie’s detailed notes (all in a spiral bound, 400+ page book with our itinerary, addresses, suggestions,etc.) on where to pick up our French Smart Phone (an absolute must and one of our best friends during our visit - loaded with our tailored book and several other great programs) and then our rental car, made the start to our journey very easy - relatively important to us since neither one of us spoke more than 10 words of French. We had the privilege of meeting up with Emilie in her hometown and she was just as delightful in person as we experienced with our email exchanges over the last few months. While the trains were sporadically on strike, depending on the day, Emilie was there to follow the schedule and be ready to make an alternative plan for us if needed. When we hit a small snag turning in our rental car, Emilie was right there to figure things out and get us on our way. We’ve traveled quite a bit, yet we both thought this to be our Best Trip Ever. Thank you Emilie and France Just for You!
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverA gorgeous house nestled between the woods and the Dordogne river
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverRelax in a countryside setting
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverStay in a very large room with unique decoration
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverEnjoy the old stone atmosphere
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneenjoy an island of quietness in busy Carcassonne
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts have a very special taste for decoration
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonne...which makes the B&B home very welcoming
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts speak perfect English
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneeverything is planned for you to have a very enjoyable stay
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceA restored farmhouse surrounded by horse fields
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceRelax in a comfortable room equipped with a kitchenette...
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of Provence...or in the garden
Step by step
Dordogne
In Black Perigord, you will stay in a restored stone house for 4 nights, nestled between the woods and the Dordogne river, perfectly located to explore the area. Your lovely hostess will open her home to you - which is filled with personal touches (artwork, books, photographies).
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.
Canoe down the Dordogne river and enjoy the gorgeous views over the cliff hanging middleages castles along the way. Also, one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30 minute walk from your B&B. And four of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4 mile drive.
Carcassonne & the Cathar Country
Carcassonne and the Cathar country are the perfect stop over on the way to Provence. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation. You will stay in downtown Carcassonne lively “Bastide St Louis”, a short walk to the UNESCO Medieval city. Your lovely and international hosts have a wonderful taste for welcoming and decoration which makes this place very special.
Spend a morning with fellow travelers, enjoying the local wines and chocolates. A must for gourmet travelers !
After Carcassonne day crowds, relax in the quietness of the walled garden and refresh in the swimming pool. In the evening, you have a vast choice of nearby restaurants a few minutes walk - we will provide recommendations.
In the Cathar country, walkers/hikers will be rewarded with breath taking landscapes and fortresses such as Quéribus or Perpeytuse. History lovers will be intrigued by the Cathar history. Wine lovers may be surprised by the quality of the “Minervois” wines which have improved a lot in the past 10 years. They are now on the wine lists of some of the most famous restaurants in the world.
On the 9th day, you will drive about 2hr30, along the Mediterranean Sea, to get to Provence.
Provence
You will spend the last 5 nights in a typical Provencal stone house, perfectly located to explore Avignon and Isle sur la Sorgue (famous for its antiques). Your hostess and her family will welcome you warmly and give you hints and tips about the surrounding area. You will stay in a very comfortable room equipped with a small kitchenette if you wish to have a light dinner in the rose garden.
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 can visit the Palace of the Popes, the well-preserved ramparts and the famous “Avignon Bridge”. Enjoy hilltop villages on market day, and walk in the footsteps of famous painters such as Cézanne or Picasso. We will also tell you about some hidden jewels - off the beaten track villages where you will stroll around charming streets or have a drink at a provençal café with locals. We can also recommend a farmer’s market and wine cellar for each day of the week!
Trave Vincent Van Gogh's footsteps with a private guide in Arles. Your guide will also take you to the Roman theater and amphitheater - a great introduction to Provence history & art !
If you are interested in history, don’t miss the Roman ruins at Arles, Orange and the Pont du Gard. We will also take you to smaller sites – less famous and much quieter.
Explore a family owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will be explained the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle.
Discover quaint villages of the Luberon, riding an electric bike. You will have several itinerary options, from easy to more sporty, for you to explore hidden hamlets, chapels in the vineyards, wineries, road-trails in the olive trees and evergreen oaks. A great day, at your own pace.
You may return the car in Marseille, Avignon, Aix or the location which will suit you best.
This is a perfect highlight of Southern France for history and gastronomy lovers.
Activities included
Canoe Down the Dordogne River
Go down the Dordogne river at your own pace in a canoe...we have selected the best section for you to see several castles standing guard high above you!
E-Biking Day in Provence
Spend a day in the Luberon gorgeous landscapes driving an electric bike. Several itinerary options for you to enjoy biking at your own pace.
Spend a morning in Carcassonne bastide enjoying the local wines and chocolates with a guide and fellow travelers. A must for gourmet travelers !
Olive Oil Farm in Luberon
Explore a family owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will be explained the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle.
We had the most amazing trip to France which was so carefully curated by Laura at France Just For You. All of our interests were catered for with a fun and interesting itinerary! Laura took the time to find out where we wanted to travel in France and what we wanted to do there and made sure there were plenty of options. Everything was taken care …
We had the most amazing trip to France which was so carefully curated by Laura at France Just For You. All of our interests were catered for with a fun and interesting itinerary! Laura took the time to find out where we wanted to travel in France and what we wanted to do there and made sure there were plenty of options. Everything was taken care from car hire to accommodation and everything in between. The only thing left for us to do, was to experience France! Even with a few small hiccups along the way, Laura was there to provide solutions. I would not hesitate to recommend France Just for You for anyone who wants to experience a wonderful stress free holiday in France!
Kathy from the US
A Trip "Just for us!' We had an outstanding driving tour through NW France. We got to experience the trip at our own speed focusing on our individual interests. No large groups, tour buses, or strict schedules. It was heavenly! Emilie set us up with four special guides during our trip. Each was passionate about their area of expertise, well spoken …
A Trip "Just for us!'
We had an outstanding driving tour through NW France. We got to experience the trip at our own speed focusing on our individual interests. No large groups, tour buses, or strict schedules. It was heavenly!
Emilie set us up with four special guides during our trip. Each was passionate about their area of expertise, well spoken, polite, and enthusiastic.
Lola
My husband and I have just returned from an amazing 16 day trip in France organized thoughtfully and beautifully by Emilie of France Just for You. As the other reviewers have stated, all interactions with Emilie have been prompt, professional and thorough. Although we have organized European travel on our own in the past, concerned that we might be …
My husband and I have just returned from an amazing 16 day trip in France organized thoughtfully and beautifully by Emilie of France Just for You. As the other reviewers have stated, all interactions with Emilie have been prompt, professional and thorough. Although we have organized European travel on our own in the past, concerned that we might be limited by the language barrier (as we do not speak French), I stumbled across Emilie's website when planning for our France vacation. We couldn't have been more pleased with all aspects of her organization, planning, attention to our personal requests and responsiveness. She created an amazing trip for us. Our itinerary (the 400 page personalized book others have mentioned) was chock full of amazing suggestions for experiences tailored just for us. I especially appreciated that Emilie made many great suggestions organized for each day, but it wasn't too structured so we remained in charge of our own time. Emilie additionally organized several tours (in Normandy, Paris and a vineyard in the Loire Valley), as well as a cooking class and a day of biking. We stayed in a French chateau, a wonderful boutique hotel in Paris and the most amazing b and b's! All of the professionals with whom we interacted in France were welcoming, friendly and kind. Emilie's planning allowed us the opportunity to interact with people in a manner that I do not believe we would have experienced otherwise or if we had tried to plan this vacation on our own. The holiday was more special because of these interactions with b and b owners and the other professionals. In the end, we felt as if we left France enriched by the amazing experiences that were personalized and also having made new friends. This would not have been otherwise possible without Emilie's efforts. She takes great care and it's obvious she pays great detail to each trip. At the end of our vacation, I found myself searching to see the other locations where Emilie plans trips as we will surely use her services again and highly recommend for the most wonderful vacation.
