Discover French gastronomy in three regions famous the world over for their food and wines. Burgundy and the Loire Valley are actually arguing about where Coq au Vin was first invented. Burgundy is famous for wine sauce and the Loire Valley for river fish, fruits and goat cheese. And of course Paris is heaven to gourmets! You’ll find the best boulangeries in the world in Paris, and the food markets are amazing.
My wife and I and two friends decided we would like to visit France and by chance I found Emilie's website and initiated an online conversation with her over a year ago. We really …
My wife and I and two friends decided we would like to visit France and by chance I found Emilie's website and initiated an online conversation with her over a year ago. We really did not know what we wanted to do, nor where we wanted to go and so our planning became a moving feast, most ably supported by Emilie. How she ever put up with our changing demands remains beyond me. The speed with which she responded to our requests was nothing short of amazing, she must never sleep !! We together finally put together a truly wonderful programme that met our every expectation. We saw provincial France over 17 days, starting in the Cote D'Azur and culminating in Paris, visiting Provence, Burgundy and the Loire. The accommodation arranged by Emilie was delightful, her suggestions on activities, routes, restaurants, sights to see and visit were outstanding.
Travelling from Australia to France is not for the fainthearted at any time, let alone making an unescorted self drive tour such as we have done over the past month. I doubt we could have done it without Emilie's very professional support.
We would recommend her services to anyone. Thank you Emilie
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais districtA unique place, in the very center of Paris
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais districtStay in a cozy room...
#1 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in the heart of Le Marais district...less than 10 minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near BeauneStay in a gorgeous valley, in the Burgundy countryside
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near BeauneIn a very typical town
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near BeauneYour charming hosts will turn breakfasts into a very special moment of your trip
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near Beaune..let's not forget about this host as well !
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near BeauneSpend very quiet nights, in a relaxing room
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near BeauneEnjoy a delicious dinner cooked by your host who used to be a Chef
#2 - A beautiful house nestled in a lovely town near Beaune...in a very nicely decorated room
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townA beautiful place in a lively town
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townOn a sunny day, enjoy breakfast in the garden
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townThe town is lively, but once you pass the B&B door, it is very quiet
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townMeet with lovely hosts !
#3 - A charming townhouse in a lively townRelax in the small garden
Step by step
A Few Days in Paris
Start your French journey living the Parisian life for 2 nights! For a smooth arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.
This itinerary starts in Paris but if you wish, we can easily turn it around. Comfortably accommodated in a charming boutique-hotel in a quiet street of the bustling Marais district, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to get oriented and learn more about the history, art, culture or architecture. We will taylor-make your program based on your wishes.
Ideally based less than 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, you will explore Paris by foot, by boat or using public transportation with different and unique itineraries we have prepared for you. We also recommend our favorite restaurants and patisseries in different districts of the city so you’ll know where to take a break.
Burgundy Gastronomy
On the 3rd day, you will pick up your rental car at the closest agency from the hotel and drive 3 hours to Burgundy. We will recommend a gorgeous castle on your way.
In Burgundy, you will reside for 3 nights in in a beautiful house, nestled in a lovely village of the Burgundy countryside. Situated in the heart of Burgundy, between Dijon and Beaune, you will be perfectly located to tour the region and taste its wines. One night, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your host who used to be a Chef !
Explore all the major vineyards of the region and have a chance to taste red and white wines among the best in the world, directly at the winery!
On day, Alex will take you on a private walking tour of Beaune starting by the famous Hospices...and the exploring the historical rampart town, enjoying local gourmet products : cheese & wine tasting, gougères, pain d'épices....the local gastronomy & history won't have any secret for you !
We will provide you with all detailed itineraries to discover the authentic and charming Burgundy. This region is much more than the vineyards: winding roads leading to tiny timeless villages - some of them "Most Beautiful Villages of France" - will give you a real feel for this region. Taste some local cheeses, the "Epoisse" at the cheese factory or stroll around Beaune from the cellars to the ramparts.
The Loire Valley Castles & Gardens
On the 6th day, you will drive for 4 hours to the Loire Valley where you will spend the last 4 nights of this itinerary. Stay in a charmingly restored townhouse, in the heart of a very lively town in the Loire Valley. From here, you can walk everywhere including to Leonardo Da Vinci's final dwelling.
Discover the marvels of the Loire Valley: we will give you tips for visiting Chambord or Chenonceau castles away from the crowds. We will also recommend smaller castles and hidden places, less famous and with a lot of history and beautiful settings. If you like gardens, don’t miss Chaumont or Villandry.
Touraine is also famous for its vineyards – Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and many more – and we have planned a special wine tasting. You will have the opportunity to taste different wines - in a privately owned 16th century castle - accompanied by some local specialties.
You will also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets we have tested for you.
On your last day, you can drive 3hrs back to downtown Paris or 3hr30 to CDG Paris International Airport.
Strong or lighter wines, cow and goat cheeses, pastries, chocolate, farmers markets . . . this itinerary will delight food lovers!
Activities included
Paris Private Walking Tour
For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to get oriented and learn more about the history, art, culture or architecture. We will taylor make your program based on your wishes.
Beaune with a Private Guide
Alex will take you on a walking tour of Beaune starting by the famous Hospices...and the exploring the historical rampart town, enjoying local gourmet products : cheese & wine tasting, gougères, pain d'épices....the local gastronomy & history won't have any secret for you !
A Wine Tasting in a castle in the Loire
Visit a family-owned 16th century castle and winery surrounded by over 100 acres of vineyards and forests.
Enjoy a commented tasting of the wines with some local-product snacks.
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and …
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and breakfasts throughout the rest of our trip. Appreciated the tips for seeing non touristy villages. Loved all of our guides and special activities, especially the cooking lesson in Avignon. It was great knowing Emilie or Guillaume were just a phone call away if we needed them during the trip.
Daisy
We had an amazing experience visiting Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne in June 2018. We were a group of eight wine freaks and Emile & Laura organized an amazing itinerary with awesome attention to details. We definitely recommend FJFY!!
We had an amazing experience visiting Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne in June 2018. We were a group of eight wine freaks and Emile & Laura organized an amazing itinerary with awesome attention to details. We definitely recommend FJFY!!
Jenifer
When planning my 60th birthday celebration, my sister and I stumbled upon France Just For You, which saved us from the potential nightmare of traveling with 40 strangers on a bus. As a result, my sister and I, along with our husbands, experienced a trip of a lifetime! From the beginning, Emilie was extraordinarily responsive, informative, and more …
When planning my 60th birthday celebration, my sister and I stumbled upon France Just For You, which saved us from the potential nightmare of traveling with 40 strangers on a bus. As a result, my sister and I, along with our husbands, experienced a trip of a lifetime! From the beginning, Emilie was extraordinarily responsive, informative, and more than accommodating to our wishes, both before and during the trip. For example, my sister and her husband experienced travel delays, and Emilie immediately offered to arrange alternative travel from Paris to our first destination in the Loire Valley. Before our travels began, Emilie sent us keepsake book, detailing our daily itineraries, replete with scheduled activities, restaurant suggestions, and optional excursions.Traveling through the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris for 12 days, each day was more spectacular than the previous one. The B&B near Chenonceau was a fantastic introduction to quintessentially French hospitality, charm, food, wine, and culture. From there we experienced true luxury in a serene setting in a chateau, where unexpectedly dinner was served (complete with vegetables from the castle's organic gardens). The B&B in Normandy was most memorable for the genteel hospitality of our host, Comte, who shared tales of his family through the centuries, including the arrest of his father in the foyer of the chateau due to his resistance activities against the Gestapo during WWII. The Count's son and his girlfriend served us a lovely meal around a stone fireplace in their charming apartment on the gorgeous chateau grounds. Thinking we had already experienced the best that France had to offer, we were blown away when we arrived at the B&B near Bayeux, warmly and creatively appointed. Finally, while less extravagant, the Hotel in Paris was equally as charming as our previous accommodations, located in a neighborhood teaming with cafes and shops in close proximity to all of the amazing sites that Paris has to offer! All of our hosts were extraordinarily gracious, serving us homemade French delicacies each morning and offering us helpful suggestions for making the most of each day. All in all, due to Emilie's fastidious planning, the trip was beyond perfect and exceeded our wildest dreams of a French vacation.
