From Paris to Toulouse, this trip will allow you to explore these unique regions by the backroads. Take the time to visit some of the hidden castles of the Loire Valley, enjoy duck confit in Dordogne, and discover the typical villages of the Basque Country.
We just returned from a 15 day trip to Paris, the Loire Valley and Normandy. Our trip was planned by Emilie with precise attention to detail, giving us our perfect itinerary. We …
We just returned from a 15 day trip to Paris, the Loire Valley and Normandy. Our trip was planned by Emilie with precise attention to detail, giving us our perfect itinerary.
We were independent in our travels but it was evident that Emilie and her staff were available throughout the trip. They appeared to always be mindful of our location and needs, some of which changed unexpectedly. All of our lodgings were comfortable and our tours and activities were perfect. There were even a few nice surprises along the way! There is clearly no one better to plan your trip to France than France Just for You.
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint Germain des PrésIsn't this street "typiquement Parisienne ?"
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint Germain des PrésEnjoy a large room with a nice reading area
#1 - A 4* Boutique-Hotel in Saint Germain des PrésBreakfast is served in the comfortable lobby
#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 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneStay only 15 minutes to Sarlat in the heart of the medieval Dordogne
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneEnjoy a fantastic dinner by the swimming pool or the fire place
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneThis medieval castle is walking distance from your B&B
#3 - A Perigord style house, in central DordogneYour lovely hosts know the region perfectly
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryNestled in a very typical and lovely town of the Basque region
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryEnjoy a room which mixes the charm of the old stones & the comfort of a 4*hotel
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryYour lovely hosts also run the restaurant, on the "place du village"
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque CountryA very charming place
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque Country...to get a real feel for the Basque culture & traditions
#4 - A Charming Boutique-Hotel in the Basque Countryand with great views over the countryside !
#5 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzThe house is nestled in a landscaped garden all made by your host
#5 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzThe rooms are very comfortable and all open on to the garden
#5 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzShare a glass of wine in one of the many terraces
#5 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzRelax at the pool house
#5 - A gorgeous B&B between Biarritz & St Jean de LuzOr stroll around the pound...or to the sea which is 3 miles away
Step by step
Paris, for a great start
For the first 3 nights of your French trip, you will be living the Parisian life. Comfortably accommodated in an intimate 4* boutique-hotel in the lively Saint Germain des Prés, you will discover the French capital city’s must-sees and hidden beauties.
Being based less than a 5-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, you can 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.
To get oriented in Paris, we plan for you to take a guided tour on a bike, following a Parisian guide. Those who are not interested in biking can also take a walking tour.
Youwill pick up your rental car in Paris and drive 3 hours to the gorgeous Loire Valley. The region and its people will welcome you to the renowned "sweet way of life", which includes itsRenaissance castles and gardens and its famous gastronomy and wines.
The Loire Valley: castles, gardens & wine
Spend the following five nights of your journey in the lively town of Chinon by the river, where Joan of Arc once met with her future King of France. The B&B is at the foot of the medieval fortress and you will be within walking distance of the restaurants and wine bars. One night you may also enjoy a romantic picnic on the river banks or at the guinguette restaurant.
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.
Discover the marvels of the Loire Valley. We will make recommendations on how to visit Chambord or Chenonceau castles away from the crowds. We will also recommend a few smaller castles and hidden places in beautiful settings. These places are less well-known but are steeped in history and well worth the escape from the tourist crowds. If you like gardens, don’t miss Chaumont castle or the wonderful Villandry.
On the 9th day, drive south from the Loire to the Dordogne region.
Dordogne : a moving testimony of mankind's first steps
You will continueyour sightseeing expedition in theDordogneregion. In Black Perigord you will stay in a restored stone house for 5 nights and share a mouth-watering dinner cooked by your hosts.
Dordogne is famous for theprehistoric cavesin Lascaux, but we have planned a much more intimate visit to a 20,000-year-old cave for you. If you are interested in history or if you are a Jean M. Auel reader, this is a must! Visit the old city ofSarlatand feel the buzz of activity on market days.
There is a lot to do in Dordogne:medieval castlesto visit, wonderful food to taste - we'll tell you where to find themost typical goat cheeses- and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
On the 14th day, you will drive from Dordogne to the Basque Country, with a nice stop along the way.
The Basque Country: quaint villages & strong culture
From the Atlantic coastline to the rugged Pyrenees Mountains, from the peacefulness of the untouched Basque villages to the lively nightlife in Saint Jean de Luz, the Le Pays Basque will not disappoint.
Spend 3 nights in a lovely town nestled in the hills. This 4-star family boutique-hotel is a perfect place to be introduced to the Pays Basque and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
We will craft your days so you get a feel of everything the Basque culture has to offer, and there is a lot. You can taste the local Bayonne ham after strolling through a valley and learning about the traditional mountain pig farming, a practice which still thrives today. Get acquainted with the Basque weaving tradition, try to make your own Basque cake, or take a stroll though one of the many farmers markets.
End your trip with 3 nights in a gorgeous Basque Country villa. The B&B is located 3 miles from the beach but in a very quiet landscaped garden.
Follow a local guide in Biarritz by the ocean. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture. You will learn about the Basque language as well as the traditions and festivals, such as the Basque Force. You will end this tour at the covered market tasting some Basque specialties.
Some of the most beautiful villages in France will be on your scenic drives. Here, you may see locals playing the Basque game of pelote at the town’s fronton (the pelote court). Lovers of nature and the great outdoors will enjoy long walks and hikes in the Pyrenees mountains. For occasional walkers, we will recommend a relaxing walk along the beach, followed by a coffee on a terrace watching the local surfers.
On this trip you’ll experience the generosity of Western France and its inhabitants: gastronomy, architecture, wines, heritage . . .
Activities included
Paris Bike Tour
Spend about 4hrs with a Parisian who will have you discover his city on a bike, with a group of max.10 travelers. For those who don't like biking, you can also take a walking tour.
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.
Prehistoric Caves
Walk back on the prehistoric men footsteps, in 20,000 year old painted caves - access is limited to 40 person per day.
A Private Guide to introduce you to the Basque culture
Follow a local guide in Biarritz, by the Ocean. He will give you the keys to his city and to the Basque culture. You will end this tour at the covered market, tasting some Basque produces: cheese, hams and wines.
A Fabulous Honeymoon ! We found France Just For You (FJFY) while doing a google search of places to honeymoon. After reaching out to Laura and Emilie we were immediately met with professionalism and enthusiasm. This trip was flawless in every way possible, any question we had about traveling to a foreign country had been thought of and answered by …
A Fabulous Honeymoon !
We found France Just For You (FJFY) while doing a google search of places to honeymoon. After reaching out to Laura and Emilie we were immediately met with professionalism and enthusiasm.
This trip was flawless in every way possible, any question we had about traveling to a foreign country had been thought of and answered by the FJFY team. We could not have asked for a better team to plan our honeymoon and hope to use them again soon!!
Sue
This was our first trip to Europe with just the two of us doing all the planning. I was looking for someone to help with the details of lodging and transportation and found Emilie through this site. She planned an incredible trip for us to Normandy/Brittany, Loire Valley and Paris. She is easy to work with, responsive and organized. I told her what …
This was our first trip to Europe with just the two of us doing all the planning. I was looking for someone to help with the details of lodging and transportation and found Emilie through this site. She planned an incredible trip for us to Normandy/Brittany, Loire Valley and Paris. She is easy to work with, responsive and organized. I told her what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go and she pretty much planned the entire trip. If you aren't sure what you want to do she will make suggestions. A couple of months before the trip she sent a very complete guidebook, maps, tickets, etc. all organized by date. The planned activities kept us busy, but there was flexibility in the schedule if desired. This was our first time traveling on our own with a rental car and we felt very comfortable given Emilie's tips and directions. The lodging in B&Bs was enjoyable with wonderful hosts and guest dinners. Compared to our previous trips to Europe we found Emilie's service to be of comparable value with a more unique travel experience. We would definitely use her service again. Thanks Emilie!
Steve
Emilie, set up an outstanding itinerary that met all our desired needs, created a wonderful schedule with built in flexibility to handle planned and unplanned changes. Her suggestion for special sites to see and foods to sample were right on and an enhancement from the normal tourist recommendations. The attention to detail was greatly appreciated …
Emilie, set up an outstanding itinerary that met all our desired needs, created a wonderful schedule with built in flexibility to handle planned and unplanned changes. Her suggestion for special sites to see and foods to sample were right on and an enhancement from the normal tourist recommendations. The attention to detail was greatly appreciated and affirmed the fact that she had actually visited and tasted the recommendation. If the opportunity is afforded in the future we will again use "France Just For You".
