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.
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in the little venice in Colmar, AlsaceStay in the heart of Colmar historical district
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in the little venice in Colmar, AlsaceEnjoy the Little Venice ambiance
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in the little venice in Colmar, AlsaceEnjoy a very comfortable room
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in the little venice in Colmar, Alsaceand why not a drink at the bar or dinner in a nearby Winstub !
#2 - A family house right between Dijon and BeauneA beautiful mansion in the Burgundy vineyard
#2 - A family house right between Dijon and BeauneWith spacious and comfortable rooms with a view over the park
#2 - A family house right between Dijon and BeauneEnjoy meeting with your very friendly hosts
#2 - A family house right between Dijon and Beaune...and having breakfast outside on a sunny day
#3 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireStay in a gorgeous privately owned castle in the Loire valley
#3 - A gorgeous private castle in the Loireplay the piano or enjoy a drink in one of the salons
#3 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireEarly birds will have 1620 fescos on their room s walls.
#3 - A gorgeous private castle in the LoireYour lovely hosts will share their passion with you
#4 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#4 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#4 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#4 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#5 - A beautiful countryside house near Bayeuxstay in a very quiet setting between Bayeux and the Landing Beaches
#5 - A beautiful countryside house near Bayeuxenjoy a comfortable room
#5 - A beautiful countryside house near BayeuxShare a delicious table dhôtes dinner with your hosts
#5 - A beautiful countryside house near BayeuxRelax in the guests living room or in the garden
#6 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtThe hotel in on one of Paris most famous squares
#6 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtEnjoy a lavishly decorated room with view...
#6 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin district...over one of Paris nicest square
#6 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtWhat about a drink "at home" to rest a bit ?
#6 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtyou can rely on the lovely reception team to make the most of your stay
Step by step
Alsace's lovely towns & vineyards
This itinerary starts in Strasbourg, where you will pick up your rental car. If you need transportation to Strasbourg, we will be happy to help. Strasbourg is just a 1hr30 train ride from Paris.
Spend 4 nights Stay in a 4* Boutique-Hotel in the very center of Colmar in the little Venice District, walking distance to all bar, shops and restaurants. This hotel is in a 16th century building which was renovated mixing new and old materials - resulting as a charming and cozy ambiance.
Discover the gorgeous town of Colmar, its canal maybe on a barge tour and enjoy a meal in a typical Winstub with a nice beer.
Another day, drive along the Wine Road, stop in some of the most beautiful villages of France with their typical colorful half-timbered houses and the stork nests . . . enjoy the Alsatian wines and the great views over the Vosges foothills.
Alsace has also a very rich history : we include cut-the-line tickets to the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle which dates from the Middle Ages and was rebuilt entirely in the early 20th century. This is a fascinating visit.
Burgundy - La Bourgogne
On Day 5, drive about 2hrs45 from Alsace to Burgundy.
You will reside for 3 nights in a beautiful mansion, surrounded by a vast park in Côtes de Nuits vineyards. One night you will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your lovely hosts.
We will provide you with the detailed itineraries you need to discover the authentic and charming region of Burgundy. This region is much more than its vineyards: winding roads leading to tiny timeless villages - some of them the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" - will give you a real feel for this region.
Dijon has kept a lot of ancient monuments and houses, yet it is a very lively modern city and full of charm. Taste some local cheese, the "Epoisse" at the cheese factory or stroll around Beaune from the cellars to the ramparts.
Sébastien, a real passionate, will take you for half a day on a 4-wheel drive to tour around Burgundy vineyards, following itineraries that no other tour can do. You will taste wines directly at the winery and ride over dirt roads in Nuits Saint Georges and Vosne Romanée. Sebastien is very friendly and you will feel like a relative he wants to show his favorite places.
The Loire Valley in a Castle
As an introduction to the Loire Valley, the castles' country, treat yourself with 2 nights in a luxury privatly owned castle, 5 miles to Chambord Unesco Renaissance castle.
You will stay in a comfortable room which may have original frescos dating back to 1620 on the walls (for the early birds) and also enjoy a vast park, tennis court and a huge swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy a drink in one of the many "salons" where you will always feel welcome.
This is the perfect place to discover Chambord castle: the most magnificent and enjoy Blois lovely town along the Loire river.
The Loire Valley in a lovely historical town
You will spend the following 3 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. At night, one of the best restaurants in the area is less than a 1-minute-walk.
Touraine is famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Amboise and many more – you will visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers. Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some very local specialties.
Normandy
On Day 13, you will drive about 3hrs to Bayeux area in Normandy. If you wish, we can plan for you to explore the famous Mont Saint Michel (town surrounded by waters) on the way.
Reside for 4 nights a peaceful countryside house, located between Bayeux's old town and the Landing Beaches and jump into the local history: from William the Conqueror in the 11th century whose adventures are illustrated in the Bayeux tapestry, to the Battle of Normandy in 1944.
Many remains of the WWII landings are still visible and you can quickly access Omaha, Utah, Gold and Juno landing beaches as well as the artificial port of Arromanches or the Caen Memorial.
To help you better understand the events of the Battle of Normandy and bring them to life, we have planned for a private guided tour with a specialist in WWII history. You will be shown all the main landing sites and learn in detail about what happened here on D-Day.
Ah . . . Paris!
On Day 17, drive 3hr back to Paris area and drop the car rental off to end your French journey living the Parisian life!
Experience the Parisian life comfortably accommodated for 3 nights in a charming 4* boutique-hotel in the Latin Quarter. Nearby you have the Luxembourg Gardens and the Sorbonne University, and you will discover the French capital's must-sees and hidden beauties.
Ideally based a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you will explore Paris on 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 city, so you’ll know where to take a break.
The Very Best of Upper France !
Activities included
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
Enjoy the visit of the Haut-Koenisbourg fortress with cut-the-line tickets to avoid waiting. This is a Middleages marvel rebuilt in the early 20th century.
Burgundy Wine Tasting
Spend a half-day with Seb who will drive you in his 4WD in the back tracks and the dirt roads of Burgundy vineyards. He will take you like a friend would do to several wineries in some of the most famous vineyards in the world.
A Winery Visit & Tasting in Chinon
Visit a Chinon winery run by a charming couple who come from generations of winegrowers.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
Private Guide on the WWII sites
Spend a half day with a private guide who will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests. A must do to better understand what happened on D-Day.
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done …
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done lots of independent travel in the past. We loved the many small towns you recommended. Merci Laura for arranging such a wonderful experience for us.
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.
Bob
France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at …
France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at several locations and the guides were outstanding.
The books were fantastic, coordinates on everything make it easy to find parking in difficult places. Tips on driving, language, places to eat, places to see, Every evening we would use the book to plan our next day a life and time saver. It even had routes to walk through village centers.
First time in France and the trip was very relaxing and enjoyable. Emily attention to the little things was amazing. Emily put together a package that had the museum passes, bike rentals, car rentals, canoe rentals, brochures on each location we visited.
The trip was a very romantic trip for my wife and I. I came back with an appreciation for France, its culture and people. I am a happy customer thanks to France Just For You.
