Uncover every hideaway and detail of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux UNESCO heritage sites. Taste typical regional food at your hosts’ table and stay at Bed & Breakfasts with unique atmospheres.
Our family of 5 adults spent 17 days touring France on a trip built around the Women's World Cup Semi-finals and Final in Lyon. France Just For You did a marvelous job setting up …
Our family of 5 adults spent 17 days touring France on a trip built around the Women's World Cup Semi-finals and Final in Lyon. France Just For You did a marvelous job setting up beautiful, well managed B&B's in 5 different regions as we explored both the history and gastronomy of France. Guided tours from personable and informative guides during the first day in each region set a base of historical and geographic knowledge that allowed for quality, individual exploration the remaining time in the region. As diverse as our family members' interests are, all 5 of us got to experience a piece of France and its culture that was special to us. Emilie and Laura did a wonderful job from initial planning to shepherding us through the trip. Merci!
#2 - A cozy house by a castle in the Loire ValleyStart your day with a delicious home made breakfast.
#2 - A cozy house by a castle in the Loire ValleyEarly Birds will have the windows opening onto the castle
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtA hidden place, in the very heart of Bordeaux historical district
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtEnjoy a very quiet stay, while being in a very lively city
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtYour lovely hostess knows Bordeaux inside out and is very happy to make recommendations
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtAfter a delicious breakfast, explore Bordeaux walking
Step by step
The Loire Valley Castles & Gardens
From Paris, drive about 3 hours and spend the first 3 nights in a lovely B&B nestled in a green valley. You are located between Amboise and Chenonceau and will enjoy a warm welcome from your lovely hostess, who is also a great cook. For you to discover the local gastronomy, you will spend a late afternoon cooking with her some typical Loire Valley recipes - then you will enjoy a convivial dinner at your hosts' table.
From here, explore all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, Chaumont or Villandry gardens and the old city of Amboise. Included in this itinerary is an Electric Bike rental for a day. You will explore, at your own pace, the nature, villages and castles along the river. No worries, the path along the Loire river is totally flat!
On the 4th day, you will follow the Loire River downstream to your second B&B where you will stay 4 nights. You will enjoy its location in a lively town between Saumur and Tours, across the street from a gorgeous middle ages castle. At night, you can walk to one of the best restaurants in the whole area, relax in the house's charming courtyard or at a bistro terrace. Your hosts have restored the house very tastefully and will make you feel at home.
Travel through small villages nestled in rolling hills, stop over for wine tastingsor to wander aboutoutdoor markets and savorlocal specialties.
Bordeaux Wines & History
Your tour continues on to the Bordeaux region for 5 nights inside the gates of Bordeaux UNESCO city, a wonder of the 17th century. Stay in a typical reconverted and charming chai (wine cellar), in the heart of the lively up-and-coming district of Bordeaux Unesco city - walking distance to restaurants and nice quality shops. You will be welcomed by a lovely hostess, in a peaceful atmosphere.
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 the amazing expansion of the Gironde region during the 18th century. You will find everything: from the museums to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe
From here, you are perfectly located to tour the whole region: Saint Emilion, the Medoc vineyards and the Arcachon basin.
In a famous wine estate, we have planned a special private 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 enjoy a picnic lunch and tasting in a gorgeous setting.
On your last day, you have several options: you can return the rental car in Bordeaux and take a TGV train or a flight to your next destination, or you can also return the car in another location/city if you wish.
This trip promises to be a memorable one!
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.
Biking day in the castle's country
Spend a day on an Electric Bike at your own pace and discover many castles nestled in the nature. Enjoy a nice picnic with wine. We have tested several itineraries so you can chose depending on your mood and what you would like to see.
Tour a St Emilion Winery
Visit a wine estate near St Emilion with a private English speaking guide. After the tour, you will enjoy a picnic lunch together with a tasting of different wines from the estate.
My friend and I decided to do a trip to Paris and then drive down to Nice. I was initially going to plan it however I got busy with work and did not have the time. This is when I found, France Just for You, and read the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor and decided to book. Emilie was great! She was thoughtful and paid great attention to detail. We …
My friend and I decided to do a trip to Paris and then drive down to Nice. I was initially going to plan it however I got busy with work and did not have the time. This is when I found, France Just for You, and read the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor and decided to book.
Emilie was great! She was thoughtful and paid great attention to detail. We thought everything was well organized, and easy to follow. This was from making the initial payment, to working together to make our itinerary and budget work. The guidebook was great for a little history lesson, and great attractions.
Overall the trip was well planned and all we literally had to do was pack our bags and follow our guidebook. Emilie had our tour maps dated and it was beyond easy to follow. We also knew that Emilie was available had we any questions. There was a personal touch to every place we visited. Emilie's warm and friendly personality seemed to be felt even in the hotels/BnB's we stayed at.
There was a lot of thought, consideration and attentiveness that was put into the planning that made the trip extremely special. We truly enjoyed our time in France, and we want to thank you again for such a great trip!
Andre & Family from South Africa
"France Just For You" is the BEST way to visit France If you want to go on a tailor made self drive holiday to France, there is no better way, but to ask Emilie and Laura from France Just For You, to arrange it for you. We have traveled overseas a couple of times already, but then you have to do a lot of homework before hand, and you never know …
"France Just For You" is the BEST way to visit France
If you want to go on a tailor made self drive holiday to France, there is no better way, but to ask Emilie and Laura from France Just For You, to arrange it for you.
We have traveled overseas a couple of times already, but then you have to do a lot of homework before hand, and you never know whether or not you are doing the right thing, because you have never been to the area which you want to visit.
After giving Laura an idea of what we wanted, she planned an itinerary to the finest detail, delivering over and above what we expected or could have imagined.
We realised this when we received our travel pack with a 450 page, personalized guide book, detailing each day what we should do. Prepaid access tickets and vouches, eliminating long waiting times in queues, and an App, which puts the guide book on your mobile phone, where you just click on the GPS link to where you need to drive to. Why could anyone not think of this before? You just click on the link and there you go. They even sent as an USB flash drive with French Music to listen to when we drive, to experience the French atmosphere.
Laura and Emilie's attention to detail made our holiday, stress- and hassle free, which made it possible for our family just to relax, and enjoy the ride.
Thank you for going the extra mile, you guys are the greatest. We will and have been recommending you to anyone who wants to visit France.
Like we say in South Africa "Viva, France Just For You, Viva!!!"
Wendy & Ron
We could not be happier. When we first received the guide book and brochures, we thought we would not need them, but they were invaluable! Our first stay with Florence and Phil was especially memorable but really we cannot think of a highlight because it was all wonderful. We will certainly recommend your company to anyone we know travelling to …
We could not be happier. When we first received the guide book and brochures, we thought we would not need them, but they were invaluable!
Our first stay with Florence and Phil was especially memorable but really we cannot think of a highlight because it was all wonderful. We will certainly recommend your company to anyone we know travelling to France.
We will send you nice photos when we get back home.
