Be seduced by France Just For You's very special way of discovering the Loire Valley, its must sees and hidden beauties.
In this itinerary, you will experience the "sweet life" in Touraine, stopping over in little villages to savor local goat cheese or taste amazing wines. Take the time to relax in rose gardens, or to enjoy the traditional cuisine in many small restaurants frequented by the locals.
This was our first visit to France to celebrate my 40th birthday. We started in Reims/Champagne region, Burgundy, Loire Valley Normandy and finished in Paris. Our 21 day trip was …
This was our first visit to France to celebrate my 40th birthday. We started in Reims/Champagne region, Burgundy, Loire Valley Normandy and finished in Paris. Our 21 day trip was exceptional in every way! Emilie and her team thought of everything and their service from fist email to our return home could not be faulted.
The only way I can describe our experience with France Just for You is it's like having your own private tour guide guiding you every step of the way. I can't wait to book our next trip to France with Emilie!!
#1 - A gorgeous private castle near Le MansEnjoy a luxury stay in a gorgeous mansion near Le Mans
#1 - A gorgeous private castle near Le MansRelax in a family-owned boutique-hotel
#1 - A gorgeous private castle near Le MansExperience "la vie de chateaux" !
#1 - A gorgeous private castle near Le MansHave you already tried a candle-light dinner in France ?
#1 - A gorgeous private castle near Le MansYour hosts and their staff will take a great care of you
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#2 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#3 - An antique townhouse in Eastern Loire ValleyThe B&B house is built against Loches' medieval walls...
#3 - An antique townhouse in Eastern Loire Valleywith welcoming rooms...
#3 - An antique townhouse in Eastern Loire Valley... decorated with antiques
#4 - A comfortable B&B in the Kings' countryYour BB in the Loire Valley
#4 - A comfortable B&B in the Kings' countryEnjoy a very cozy room, with a nice view over the park
#4 - A comfortable B&B in the Kings' countryRelax at the swimming pool, playing billiards or in a nice living room
#5 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in the center of OrléansEnjoy walking everywhere from this very central accommodation
#5 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in the center of OrléansThe place is owned by a family which has kept the unique ambiance
#5 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in the center of Orléans...toile de Jouy on the walls
#5 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in the center of Orléans...and great breakfasts
Step by step
Overnight in Le Perche near Le Mans
Pick up the rental car in Paris downtown or at CDG airport (or another location) and drive about 2hr30 to 3 hours to the Perche region, which is just North of the Loire Valley.
Recover from jetlag in a luxury family-owned Boutique-Hotel...and enjoy a fantastic candle-light dinner "at home". La vraie vie de château !
From this area of France, a lot of people emigrated in the 17th century to the New World. Maybe you have some roots there?
Western Loire Valley
You will spend the following 4 nights of your journey comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life.
Located on the banks of the Vienne River, you will jump back to the Medieval times and learn about Joan of Arc history with a private guide. At night, one of the best restaurants in the area is less than a 1-minute-walk.
You will also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you. Stroll Langeais medieval town or Villandry gardens enjoying the quietness of the wilder Loire.
Eastern Loire Valley
Your next stop will be in the heart of the medieval city of Loches. Spend 2 nights in a very comfortable house - built against the old city walls - that used to be a post house. From here, explore Montrésor, one of the "most beautiful villages of France" and many other places away from the crowds.
One day, cruise along the Loire river as a passenger aboard a vintage sidecar : explore the little towns and enjoy the landscapes.
Northern Loire Valley
You will then stay for 4 nights in a very pleasant family house which is located half-way between Blois and Amboise, in the heart of the "castle country." Also, a Michelin-star restaurant is only 1.5 miles away . . . a great opportunity to plan for an extraordinary dinner !
From here, explore all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord, Chenonceau or Chaumont-sur-Loire gardens.
Discover the vineyards of the Loire Valley with Vincent who has worked in wine-making for the past 10 years and will take you to his favorite wineries in the area. You will have the opportunity to taste very different wines: red, whites, still or sparkling. You will be able to taste to your heart's delight - Vincent will drive you back to your B&B safely.
Included in this itinerary is an Electric Bike rental for a day. You will explore, at your own pace, several villages and castles. No worries, the road along the Loire river is totally flat!
Overnight in Orléans
On your way back to Paris or CDG Airport, you will spend a night in a family-owned Boutique-Hotel, in Orléans historical city. A great occasion to walk again on Joan or Arc's footsteps and discover this lively, student city.
The next morning you are only a 1hr30 drive to Paris and 2hr to CDG Airport.
We hope you are ready for this great immersion into French culture!
Activities included
Vintage Sidecar Tour
Cruise along the Loire river as a passenger aboard a vintage sidecar : explore the little towns and enjoy the landscapes
Wine Tasting Tour
Spend a half-day wine tasting with a professional. He will take you to several cellars so you can enjoy the diversity of the Loire Valley wines.
Guided Tour of Chinon
Explore Chinon medieval town with a private guide who will take you on Joan of Arc footsteps.
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.
The organisation and friendliness of the places we stayed was outstanding. We travel a lot and this was a delightful experience that we can't wait to do again. I could not recommend more highly the professionalism in the booklets which are a long term reminder of a most memorable time. We travelled from NZ a long way for just two weeks but it was …
The organisation and friendliness of the places we stayed was outstanding. We travel a lot and this was a delightful experience that we can't wait to do again. I could not recommend more highly the professionalism in the booklets which are a long term reminder of a most memorable time. We travelled from NZ a long way for just two weeks but it was worth it every step of the way
Peter
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 …
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.
Carol & Bruce from the US
A perfect 2 weeks in Provence in the spring! My husband and I were delighted with the itinerary ‘FJFY’ put together for our 2-week self-drive road trip in Provence. During the planning stages Emilie and Laura asked insightful questions about our lifestyle and desires relating to travel. Communications were outstanding throughout the planning stage …
A perfect 2 weeks in Provence in the spring!
My husband and I were delighted with the itinerary ‘FJFY’ put together for our 2-week self-drive road trip in Provence.
During the planning stages Emilie and Laura asked insightful questions about our lifestyle and desires relating to travel. Communications were outstanding throughout the planning stage. As a result of their in-depth inquiries, they had a keen sense for the types of accommodations and daily activities we would enjoy.
In addition to booked activities, they provided several suggested options of activities each day. The same information is provided in the excellent FJFY app, which worked flawlessly the entire trip.
The resulting trip was exactly what we needed: a fun, relaxed and enriching experience of Provence.
Our accommodations and hosts were lovely the entire trip. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking for a personal approach to travel in France!
