in Loire Valley, Dordogne, Carcassonne & French Riviera
Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Explore French culture and historyin three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.
Dealing with Emilie is like having a personal concierge. The 10 day trip was perfect. She allowed time to relax and we were able to experience France like locals. This is our 8 th …
Dealing with Emilie is like having a personal concierge. The 10 day trip was perfect. She allowed time to relax and we were able to experience France like locals. This is our 8 th trip to France but after this tour, it will not be our last.
Thank you Emilie!
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyA charming house, nestled in a lovely hamlet
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyRelax in a cozy room, after a day sightseeing.
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire ValleyYour lovely hosts will take good care of you...
#1 - A 14th century house in the Loire Valley...and will take you to their vaulted cellar for the apéritif.
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneA 19th century farm...
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...with a traditional sheep farming borie outbuilding.
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneStay in a very comfortable room...
#2 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...and enjoy a delicious home-made dinner.
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseStay 3 miles from Carcassonne Medieval Town in a quiet ambiance
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseYour lovely hosts are happy to share many tips or help with restaurants
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseRelax in a welcoming suite-room
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseenjoy a drink or a plancha in the garden
#3 - A charming Boutique-Hotel in a 17th c. Bastide houseor refresh in the pool !
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraEnjoy the comfort of a very spacious suite room...
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the Riviera...in a lovely typical town of the Riviera hinterland
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraYour lovely hosts will share many tips and hints
#4 - A mansion, full of artwork on the RivieraArt is everywhere in the this house...even at the breakfast table.
Step by step
The Loire Valley
Spend the first 5 nights of your trip in the outbuildings of a disappeared monastery dating back to the 14th century. Your charming hosts know this region very well and will be happy to share some tips with you. One night, you will share a delicious home-cooked dinner, prepared by Monsieur. Do not miss the aperitif in the underground vaulted cellar - an out-of-time experience!
Feel the real French "good life" strolling aroundpeaceful villages on market days. Included in this itinerary is an electric bike rental for a day. You will explore, at your own pace, the nature, villages and castles along the river. No worries, the path along the Loire river is totally flat!
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.
Dordogne
In Black Perigord, you will stay in anold stone Perigord style house for 5 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers.
Dordogne is famous for its amazing prehistoric caves. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel's reader, visiting one is a must! There is a lot to do in this region:medieval castlesto visit, wonderful food to taste - we'll tell you where to find themost typical goat cheeses- and if you likeoutdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
We have selected the best section of the Dordogne river for you to canoe down,enjoying the wonderful views of the medieval castles perched high above you.
Carcassonne & the Cathar Country
Carcassonne and the Cathar country are the perfect stop over on the way to Provence. Carcassonne's medieval “Cité” will amaze you by its size and conservation.
Stay at a 3 mile drive from Carcassonne Medieval Fortress, in a charming and quiet Boutique-Hotel, owned by a lovely couple. After Carcassonne day crowds, you can relax in the comfortable suite-room, reading in the garden or at the swimming pool.
On the 12th day, you will have the longest drive of the itinerary: 4hr30 drive to reach Nice on the French Riviera.
The French Riviera
In theRiviera hinterland, you will have the opportunity to discover some of the most beautifulhandicrafts in France, particularly ceramics, sculptures and paintings. For art lovers the manyart museumsof Nice and its surroundings will amaze you with masterpieces by Chagall, Matisse and Picasso.
You will end your journey with 4 nights in the heart of a lively hilltop village in the back country, 7 miles – 11kms to the beach. Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere – away from the crowds - having a drink at a table at an outdoor cafe or strolling around a farmers market. Enjoy staying in a luxury B&B house, full of artwork and with lovely hosts - a very unique place.
In one of the most famous perfume houses, be introduced to the perfume making technics and make your own fragrance, which you will keep as a great souvenir!
But the Riviera is even more than all this. The “Cote d’Azur” is a marvel of fabulous 19th century villasand sapphire water coves. From Antibes to Monte Carlo, seaside resorts will satisfy all your shopping desires during the day. At night you can rely on the Riviera bars, seaside restaurants and discos to entertain you.
After this trip, you will definately want to come back . . .
Activities included
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.
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.
Cooking Class & Dinner
Spend a late afternoon with your hosts making dinner together like friends would do. Then you'll enjoy a convivial and savory dinner with your hosts & fellow travelers.
Riviera Perfume Workshop
In one of the most famous perfume houses, be introduced to the perfume making technics and make your own fragrance - which you will keep as a great souvenir!
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened upon the website of France Just For You and was intrigued by the idea of having a custom-designed French experience. One or two emails later we discovered just how great our experience was going to be. Emilie Thyebaut takes your wishes and likes and turns them into realities. Her extensive planning made our two week trip a memory of a life time. Nothing was omitted--dining recommendations, excellent B&B reservations, rental car reservation, pre-booked guides for such locations as Mont-Saint-Michel--nothing was left to chance.
Loke at the France Just For You website and you should be able to make your vacation dreams come true.
Cat & Family
One would think driving in a different country where cars are on the wrong side of the road and you don’t speak the language for 11 day trip would not be a smart decision. France Just for You is definitely the travel consultant you go to. Emilie’s very quick replies to queries, personal knowledge of having been to places recommended and …
One would think driving in a different country where cars are on the wrong side of the road and you don’t speak the language for 11 day trip would not be a smart decision. France Just for You is definitely the travel consultant you go to. Emilie’s very quick replies to queries, personal knowledge of having been to places recommended and organisation skills for minute details, makes them truly reliable.
From getting us a French smartphone complete with the necessary apps to help us navigate and keep us connected , and also providing us with a personalised guidebook that dictates step-by step advice on what to look out for, GPS guide on where to go , where to park, how to use the parking machines/toll machines/even pumping gas (complete with images of where to slot in your cards) , made our travelling around and navigation practically stress-free!
Emilie crafted itineraries which allows my family of four , each with different interests ( from WWII millitary historical sites to a whole new world of Chateaus ,medieval villages ,flower gardens , immersive artworks, sunset and fantastic night sky , to cooking French cuisines) experiences to treasure and remember.
We had a half day guide in Paris, Raphaelle, who is truly knowledgeable about art , history and architecture. We visited Picasso Museum and because the artwork there were not laid out chronologically, Raphaelle made it easily understandable by showing us through her own folder of personal compilations of the Master’s progress of life encounters and artworks (which should be made into a book) that ties in to the art pieces on display, it provided us with so many aha moments.
Merci beaucoup France Just For You!
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
