In a week, discover the most beautiful heritage in France: from the castles ‘country to Paris monuments…from the "Coq au Vin" to the "Soupe à l’oignon"!
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.
The Garden of France & Paris hidden beauties
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Your accommodations
Pictures of the specially selected accommodations
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyA charming tuffeau stone house in a green valley
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyRest in a quiet room, full of charm
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyor in the garden
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyEnjoy a savory home-made cuisine
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern LoireStay in the former royal stables...
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern Loire...of a magnificent medieval castle
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern LoireFeel like Queen & King
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern Loireunwind in the garden
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern LoireWhat a view!
#2 - A Very Unique Site in Southern Loirestroll the grounds...which are just for you once the day visitors have left
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtA family owned Boutique-Hotel in the Latin Quarter
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtStay in a comfortable room...
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin district...with a balcony and nice view over one of Paris most famous landmarks
#3 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtSavor breakfast in the historical vaulted cellars
Step by step
The Loire Valley
As you will probably arrive at CDG International airport, we plan for you to pick up the rental car there and drive 3hr30 to the Loire Valley. For you to rest and enjoy your first day in France, we will recommend a great stop-over for lunch.
For the first 3 nights, you will stay in a welcoming Bed & Breakfasts, between Amboise and Chenonceau, in the heart of the Loire Valley. Your hostess is an excellent cook. At night relax in the lovely garden and one night, enjoy a table d’hôtes dinner prepared by your lovely hostess.
Located on the south banks of the Loire River, this charming B&B is within short driving distance of Chenonceau castle and Amboise or Tours beautiful historic cities. You will also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages stretched along the Cher and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you.
Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Amboise and many more – and also its gastronomy. For this reason, we plan for you to spend a late afternoon cooking with your hostess a main dish and a local dessert. Then you will savor a full meal based on your work - with your hosts and fellow travelers. A “very French” experience.
Another day you will also explore Clos Lucé in Amboise which is Leonardo Da Vinci's final dwelling...then your private wine guide will take you to secret underground passages which is closed to the public, to enjoy an old vintages tasting. This is the Loire Valley !
End you Loire Valley exploration staying for a night in the former royal stables of a magnificent medieval castle, now an intimate 4-star boutique hotel where historic interiors, contemporary art and views over the grounds create a truly distinctive setting. Once the daytime visitors have left, step into the gardens for a peaceful evening stroll and you can feel like a Queen & a King!
Back to Paris
On the 5th day, you will drive back to Paris (about 3hrs) and drop off the rental car at the closest agency from your hotel – as you won’t need a car in Paris. End your French journey living the Parisian life!
For 3 nights, you will be comfortably accommodated in avery cozy 4* boutique-hotel, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Your room enjoys a unique view over one of Paris most famous landmarks and you can walk everywhere.
Being based less than 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, you can explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with different and unique itineraries we have prepared for you. We also recommend our favorite restaurants and boulangeries in different districts of the capital city so you’ll know where to take a break.
To get oriented in Paris, we plan for you to follow a private Parisian guide for a half-day. We will craft your itinerary with Raf based on what you already know and want to discover. It may also include museums if you wish.
On your last day, a private driver will meet you at the hotel and drive you to the airport.
Beautiful landscapes, delicious local gastronomy... this itinerary is for hedonist travelers!
Activities included
Loire Cooking Workshop
Spend a late afternoon with Valérie who trained in gastronomic restaurants. You will prepare a main course and a dessert, then you'll enjoy a savory dinner with your hosts.
Old Vintages in Leonardo's home
Explore Clos Lucé in Amboise which is Leonardo Da Vinci's final dwelling...then your private wine guide will take you to secret underground passages which is closed to the public, to enjoy an old vintages tasting. This is the Loire Valley!
Paris Private Walking Tour
For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to get oriented and learn more about the history, art, culture or architecture. We will taylor make your program based on your wishes.
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,
Howard & Darlene
What a wonderful trip with personal guides Emilie planned for us! I would recommend her without reservation on your trip through Normandy, Mt St. Michel and the Loire Valley. The guidebook, which was chock full of important information (be sure to read it all!) was invaluable to us and became our bible.
What a wonderful trip with personal guides Emilie planned for us! I would recommend her without reservation on your trip through Normandy, Mt St. Michel and the Loire Valley. The guidebook, which was chock full of important information (be sure to read it all!) was invaluable to us and became our bible.
Roger
The planning and coordination of our holiday was quite awesome and far exceeded all of our expectations and indeed our imagination. The 300 odd page personalised guide book with maps, times and distances, restaurants on route and at our destinations, recommended places to visit on route and the accomodation itself and hosts at each location were …
The planning and coordination of our holiday was quite awesome and far exceeded all of our expectations and indeed our imagination. The 300 odd page personalised guide book with maps, times and distances, restaurants on route and at our destinations, recommended places to visit on route and the accomodation itself and hosts at each location were also superb. The guided wine tasting and sight seeing tours at each location were of the highest quality. The entire trip was a delight.
