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"!
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque …
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour
We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our accommodation was delightful - all different and all with unique character and a personal touch. All our hosts and guides were fantastic and we so enjoyed our time with them. Everything was so meticulously planned, so well-organised, and presented clearly with a wealth of information and practical tips for suggested activities each day to make to most of our stay in each region. Restaurant recommendations were particularly helpful. The FJFY app is outstanding! We very much hope to travel with FJFY again. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail in making such a wonderful trip for us.
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.
One would think driving in a different country where cars are on the wrong side of the road and you don’t speak the language for 11 day trip would not be a smart decision. France Just for You is definitely the travel consultant you go to. Emilie’s very quick replies to queries, personal knowledge of having been to places recommended and …
One would think driving in a different country where cars are on the wrong side of the road and you don’t speak the language for 11 day trip would not be a smart decision. France Just for You is definitely the travel consultant you go to. Emilie’s very quick replies to queries, personal knowledge of having been to places recommended and organisation skills for minute details, makes them truly reliable.
From getting us a French smartphone complete with the necessary apps to help us navigate and keep us connected , and also providing us with a personalised guidebook that dictates step-by step advice on what to look out for, GPS guide on where to go , where to park, how to use the parking machines/toll machines/even pumping gas (complete with images of where to slot in your cards) , made our travelling around and navigation practically stress-free!
Emilie crafted itineraries which allows my family of four , each with different interests ( from WWII millitary historical sites to a whole new world of Chateaus ,medieval villages ,flower gardens , immersive artworks, sunset and fantastic night sky , to cooking French cuisines) experiences to treasure and remember.
We had a half day guide in Paris, Raphaelle, who is truly knowledgeable about art , history and architecture. We visited Picasso Museum and because the artwork there were not laid out chronologically, Raphaelle made it easily understandable by showing us through her own folder of personal compilations of the Master’s progress of life encounters and artworks (which should be made into a book) that ties in to the art pieces on display, it provided us with so many aha moments.
Merci beaucoup France Just For You!
Judy
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little reluctant to take a trip this long and do this much driving but Emilie's planning and suggestions were so great that we never had any problems. And she arranged the best bed and breakfasts possible. All of the hosts were wonderful and we had some very good dinners around a table with many people from other countries, which was one of the reasons why we wanted to stay at bed and breakfasts. Our tour guides were amazing and at two different places Emilie had left personal notes and gifts. That is just the type of person she is. We asked Emilie if we could meet her and we were fortunate enough to be able to do that in her hometown of Langeais. She is just was delightful as you would expect her to be and she spent over an hour with us. It was one of the highlights of our trips. Every day we had to pinch ourselves that we were doing all of these fabulous things from Paris, to Normandy, to Brittany, to the Loire Valley, to Burgundy, to Provence and to the French Riviera. As you can see, we covered a lot of territory because of Emilie's willingness to customize our trip so that we could see a lot of France. We agree with the suggestion to go with your own GPS. It certainly helps to know how to use it before you arrive. We also suggest that you book your trip well in advance so that Emilie has time to arrange the best bed and breakfasts and the best tour guides. We certainly felt like we had that and we booked our trip seven months ahead. And read your tour book(s) before you go. You will still refer to them each and every day but there is so much general information in the books that we found very helpful. We have NEVER had a better trip and it's because of Emilie. Thank you, Emilie, for truly giving us the trip of a lifetime. We have memories that will last forever because of you.
Sharon & Bob
We couldn't recommend France Just For You highly enough. After visiting various parts of Europe on our own we were delighted to have someone else attend to all the details. Emilie was a joy to work with and couldn't have chosen better B&B's, tours and day trips to meet our needs. I can't wait to call upon her services again!
We couldn't recommend France Just For You highly enough. After visiting various parts of Europe on our own we were delighted to have someone else attend to all the details. Emilie was a joy to work with and couldn't have chosen better B&B's, tours and day trips to meet our needs. I can't wait to call upon her services again!
