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 the best trip to France we have ever been on! It was the second trip that Emilie and Laura at France Just for You set up for us. The first was a trip around Provence …
This was the best trip to France we have ever been on! It was the second trip that Emilie and Laura at France Just for You set up for us. The first was a trip around Provence, which we loved so much that we asked them to set up our second trip to the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris. Both trips were tailored to our interests - food, wine, art, history, castles, cathedrals - with many special restaurants and sights that we never would have found in conventional guide books. Every B and B that we stayed in was clean, elegant, and comfortable. All of our hosts were kind and eager to help us find whatever we were looking for. I can't recommend France Just for You highly enough. I don't care where we go next time - as long as Emilie and Laura arrange it for us
#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
#4 - A comfortable B&B in the Kings' countryand meet with a lovely family
#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.
France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then …
France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then on her attention to detail and efficiency were outstanding. She outlined a custom trip for us based on our criteria and then created a detailed plan for us to follow with options for various activities. She took care of every detail, bike rental, car rental, cooking class , museum passes, directions etc etc. Then, about a month before we went , she mailed us a 300+ page book custom created for our trip which gave background information on all the places we were to visit, gps directions, options for different routes, recommendations for restaurants, background on bed and breakfast hosts (whom she personally meets with), comments on French customs, and hundreds of tips and suggestions. Her guide was so complete, we did not need any other books. She created an experience for us we will never forget. When we return to France we will ask her to plan the trip for us.
Jeanne & Michael from Australia
A Great Cultural Experience What we loved most about our wonderful trip was the special activities that FJFY hand picked and tailor made for our interests. We did an awesome cooking experience in Provence, a fun food and wine walking tour with in Nice and a very enjoyable and informative walk in Lagrasse with Carlos. We visited many local markets …
A Great Cultural Experience
What we loved most about our wonderful trip was the special activities that FJFY hand picked and tailor made for our interests.
We did an awesome cooking experience in Provence, a fun food and wine walking tour with in Nice and a very enjoyable and informative walk in Lagrasse with Carlos. We visited many local markets which were fun, learnt so much history and ate some lovely food.
Coming from Australia, it was a challenge to drive on the opposite side of the road but my husband did really well.
The personalised app works a teat, with links that direct you to your accommodation. A well organised trip
Matt from Australia
A "Pinch Me" Tour. Expertly organised. We just spent the most wonderful month in France on our honeymoon curated by Laura and Emilie in such a way that we felt we experienced the very essence of France. From the Loire Valley, through the Biarritz area, the Basque region and finally to Provence. The itinerary gave us so many "pinch me" moments that …
A "Pinch Me" Tour. Expertly organised.
We just spent the most wonderful month in France on our honeymoon curated by Laura and Emilie in such a way that we felt we experienced the very essence of France. From the Loire Valley, through the Biarritz area, the Basque region and finally to Provence. The itinerary gave us so many "pinch me" moments that we lost count.The whole trip was just what we wanted, traveling at our own pace, selecting where we wanted to go and when, expertly guided by the FJFY personalised app which included so many fantastic day trip options from each of our accommodations, all of which have been tried and tested by Laura and Emilie. We can't think of a better way to have traveled and cannot recommend France Just For You more highly.
