France Towns & Villages Self-Drive Tours

We help you discover the real France

Journey into the heart of France, far removed from the bustling tourist hubs and loud city streets, to experience the authentic beauty of our timeless towns and villages. These quaint corners of our beautiful country will immerse you in the essence of French culture and tradition.

Explore Historic Villages & Traditional Towns

Winding through century-old hamlets, you’ll stroll along narrow cobbled streets that tell tales of years gone by. Majestic stone houses dating back generations are a picture of historical elegance and endurance.

As you explore further, you'll likely stumble upon serene squares, ancient fountains and of course, traditional café terraces that are ideal for people-watching and taking in the local chatter. We’ll recommend our favorite cafés and restaurants, so you’ll enjoy the best of French cuisine while soaking in the sights and sounds, and witnessing the authentic French way of life unfolding before your eyes.

When booking your self-drive tour with us, you might tell us you want to explore the rural villages of Provence, surrounded by lavender fields and local markets offering a wide range of artisanal products. 

You might love the idea of wandering the charming streets of rural Normandy and tasting a fresh glass of Calvados brandy or apple cider along the Normandy Cider Route. You might be intrigued by the fusion of French and German heritage of the hamlets and vibrant markets of Alsace or the fascinating cultures, traditions and architecture of regions like Brittany and the Basque Country

Whatever your preferences, we can craft a tour just for you, with suggested daily itineraries that include activities and visits to places of interest we think you’ll love!

Red and white half-timbered house in the village of Beuvron-en-Auge in Normandy
Beuvron-en-Auge, Normandy

(© Cicero - CC BY-SA 3.0)

 

Farmers’ Markets: A Feast for the Senses

One of the things our travelers say they enjoy most about visiting their tours of French villages is going to a traditional local farmers’ market. If you like the idea of exploring lively farmers' markets or antiques markets, we'll be able to craft the ideal France itinerary just for you. In fact, we can recommend a village and a farmers’ market for every day of the week!

Our carefully tailored itineraries ensure that you'll find yourself amidst vibrant market scenes just when they spring to life. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the colors and fragrances of fresh produce; hear the animated exchanges between vendors and locals, and maybe even barter a bit yourself. 

While the luscious fruits and vegetables and handcrafted cheeses tempt your palate, we’ll also tell you where to look out for unique souvenirs. These may be artisanal crafts or vintage trinkets, or the best lavender products, wine, and olive oil. These make ideal and authentic gifts to take home for family and friends, or reminders for you to keep from your unforgettable trip to France.

villages and markets

Stroll around quaint century-old villages, explore some traditional farmers' markets or relax on the outside terrace of a typical café, frequented by locals.

 

Interact with the French Locals

At the heart of every village lies its people. Engaging with locals is not just about passing conversations. It's an opportunity to gain insights, share stories, and perhaps, even create new and lasting friendships. The close-knit nature of these communities offers a genuine window into the French way of life, where traditions are passionately preserved and tales of the past are often generously shared.

This is why we love to have our travelers stay at premium French Bed and Breakfast accommodation with French hosts who speak English. It’s an ideal way to get to know some of the locals and for them to share tips about the best local places to visit!

A tour that takes you to visit the off-the-beaten-track French towns and villages is like discovering the soul of France. It's an experience that takes you beyond sightseeing and the most popular tourist attractions. Because we want you to feel, breathe, and live French culture, giving you the most authentic experience of France.

Travelers Kathy & Steve dining with fellow travelers in their B&B in the Loire Valley
Travelers Kathy & Steve dining with fellow travelers in their B&B in the Loire Valley

We would love to craft an itinerary for you that not only satisfies your wanderlust but enriches your very understanding of what it means to truly know France. 

Take a look at some of our sample itineraries below, or contact us and tell us about your wishes for your dream trip to France!

Wandering in typical villages on farmers' market day will give you a taste of the real France.

Our self guided tours to typical French villages

Duration
1 day
Price
US$ 600
Region
in Dordogne

Discover Dordogne’s must sees and hidden beauties in a day from Sarlat. How To Get There This day tour starts from Sarlat. From Bordeaux, you may take a train or bus to Sarlat (about 1hr30). Dordogne is one of our favorite regions of France and we like to have our travelers see this area through our insiders’ eyes.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3350
Region
in French Riviera & Provence

Provence & the French Riviera are famous the world over, but they still have a lot of secrets, ready to be discovered if you are willing to get away from the beaten paths.

Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4620
Region
in Normandy, Loire Valley & Paris

Follow the waterways in France from the Norman beaches on the Atlantic coasts to the Loire river, its castles and wonderful gardens . . . ending along the Seine river banks in Paris.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3680
Region
in Burgundy & Loire Valley

Explore and fully experience two "very French" regions, both famous for their gastronomy, wines, beautiful landscapes and very rich heritage.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4680
Region
in Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley & Normandy

Exploring by the back roads is the best way to experience France and immerse yourself in the culture. Get a real feel for the authentic France, and enjoy at your own pace.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4600
Region
in Loire Valley, Dordogne, Carcassonne & French Riviera

Explore French culture and history in three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3680
Region
in Loire Valley, Dordogne & Provence

Let yourself be carried away by three of the most iconic regions of France. From the Vallée de la Loire 's "sweet life" to Dordogne's castles and Provence's colorful landscapes, you'll have a most enjoyable and memorable journey!

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3950
Region
in Loire Valley, Bordeaux & Dordogne

Travel through three of the most fascinating regions in France. Let your friendly hosts introduce you to the French "sweet life" in their charming B&Bs.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3520
Region
in Loire Valley & Bordeaux

Uncover every hideaway and detail of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux UNESCO heritage sites. Taste typical regional fo od at your hosts’ table and stay at Bed & Breakfasts with unique atmospheres .

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Carol
We have just returned from a road trip around France and with Emilie's help, we had one of the best trips we've ever had. We travel extensively and I normally do my own research and bookings because we don't like using formal , organised tours and we were looking for advice on self driving holidays in France. Emilie's attention to detail is …
Leslie & Family
Just returned from an amazing trip with our family, including 3 teenage boys. Emilie carefully listened to our request to focus on military history and arranged an itinerary with just the right balance of history, culture, art, and military history. We had incredible guides to Paris, WWI, and WWII sites plus unique B&Bs. So many memories!
William
Laura did such an amazing job tailoring our dream trip through the south of France. Everything was professionally done and the service and communication were perfect. Thanks to their hard work organising all of the minute details we were able to enjoy and relax all of the fun activities that they planned for us. And the guidebook is an absolute …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Dina & Jim
from the US
Who just received their travel pack at home
Carolyn & Harry
From Australia
Cycling in the Loire Valley
Shirley
from Canada
In lavender fields in Provence
Don with his hostess Oriana
From the US
At the hotel in Lyon
Andy
from the US
Enjoying a drink on a brasserie terrace in Paris
Ginette, Craig, Bev & Dan again
from the US
Having breakfast on their private terrace near Aix en Provence
Ruth & Mary-Ann
From the US
In front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Alexis, Stefanie and Paul...with Emilie & Family
from the US
At the B&B in the Loire Valley
Christina & her niece
from Australia
In the Wolves Sanctuary in Guéret
The Khaw Family
From Malaysia
With their guide Raphaelle in Paris with Notre Dame Cathedral in the background.
Leslie & Family
from the US
A la Tour Eiffel, Paris
Ron
From the US
Cycling in the Loire Valley vineyards