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.
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 …
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".
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townA historic home, in the center of a lively wine town
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townrelax in a large room
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively town...in the courtyard or the guests living room
#1 - A restored historic home in the center of a lively townShare breakfasts with other fellow travelers
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityA Bordeaux classical architecture
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityMixed with modern touches - which makes the place very special
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityThe rooms are much larger than usual, being downtown a major city
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityYour lovely hosts are multilinguals. Your host comes from a winemaker family
#2 - A typical Bordeaux house, in the heart of the cityEnjoy the views of Bordeaux roofs !
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneA 19th century farm...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...with a traditional sheep farming borie outbuilding.
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in DordogneStay in a very comfortable room...
#3 - An elegantly restored perigourdin farm in Dordogne...and enjoy a delicious home-made dinner.
Step by step
The Loire Valley
If you start from Paris, drive 3 hours to the Loire Valley where you will spend the first 4 nights of your journey in a lively historical town. Your B&B is right at the foot of the medieval fortress where Joan of Arc met her future King of France. From this B&B, you will enjoy walking to the restaurants and wine bars or having a romantic picnic on the river banks.
You will visit some of the LoireValley's famous castles such as Chambord or Chenonceau but we will also take you to hidden beauties you would not find on your own. You will wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you.
Discoverthe vineyards of the Loire Valleywith Vincent, a real passionate who will take you, like a friend would, to several wineries and have you love the Touraine terroirs and its winemakers. Taste very different wines: red, whites, still or sparkling . . . No worries, Vincent will safely drive you back to your B&B.
Bordeaux region
Carry on your tour in Bordeaux city for 3 nights and enjoy discovering this lively city and within walking distance from the historical district.
Built along the banks of the Garonne river, the opulent merchants' homes are very specific to Bordeaux. The rise of colonial trade together with the growth of the wine industry contributed to Gironde’s amazing expansion during the 18th century. You will find everything: from villages nestled in the Medoc or St Emilion vineyards, to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe!
At a famous wine estate, we have planned a special tour for you: after visiting the estate from the vineyards to the cellars, learning about the different grape varieties and wine-making process, you will play the sorcerer's apprentice and make your own Bordeaux wine (your own blend). You'll see that it's not that easy! You'll also enjoy pairing 3 wines with 3 different chocolates.
Dordogne
Drive about 2hr30 and continueyour sightseeing expedition in the Dordogne. In Black Perigord, you will stay in an old stone Perigord style house for 5 nights. One afternoon, you will enjoy a nice cooking workshop with your hosts - followed by a mouth-watering dinner shared with Nat & her husband and fellow travelers. You are very close to Sarlat and the prehistoric caves and we will be happy to recommend some intimate visits for you, in 20,000 year old caves. If you are interested in history or if you are a JM Auel reader, these are a must!
Visit the old city of Sarlat and feel the buzz of activity on market days. We'll also tell you where to find the most typical goat cheeses - and if you like outdoor activities, you'll be in paradise.
You will jump into the Middle Ages with fortresses hanging on cliffs all along the Dordogne river - one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30 minute walk from your B&B. Also, 4 of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4 mile drive.
On your last day, you can return the car in Brive airport, Bordeaux train station or airport . . . or drive to your next destination.
Here life is truly "sweet".
Activities included
Wine Tasting Tour
Spend a half-day wine tasting with a professional. He will take you to several cellars so you can enjoy the diversity of the Loire Valley wines.
Bordeaux Wine tasting & blending
Visit a Medoc wine estate with an English speaking guide: from the vineyards to the wine storehouses. After the tour, you'll make your own blend with different varieties and pair wines with 3 chocolates.
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.
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 …
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.
Robert
From Bordeaux, Medoc wineries, Basque country of France and Spain, Carcassone, Dordogne, pre-historic caves, beautiful medieval towns and villages, switch-back mountain roads, sunshine, truffles, food & wine and gracious b&b hosts to final flight home, this was the trip of a lifetime! We drove over 3,200 kms with the help of our included gps and …
From Bordeaux, Medoc wineries, Basque country of France and Spain, Carcassone, Dordogne, pre-historic caves, beautiful medieval towns and villages, switch-back mountain roads, sunshine, truffles, food & wine and gracious b&b hosts to final flight home, this was the trip of a lifetime!
We drove over 3,200 kms with the help of our included gps and cell phone package. Emilie provided all of the details, maps, recommendations that you could ever want and never hope to experience all of them -- but, what excellent choices!
We have travelled in France on our own before and on tours. This was number One! We are in our mid 70's and were able to mange this trip with ease. Thanks for everything, Emilie!
Tracey & Sandra
Without a doubt one of the best vacations my friend and I have ever taken! We keep raving to all about how authentic the trip was. Not only was every aspect of this trip gorgeous from the grape vineyards to the lavender fields to the mountainous towns and cathedrals, but the details were second to none. Emilie and Laura provided my friend and I …
Without a doubt one of the best vacations my friend and I have ever taken! We keep raving to all about how authentic the trip was. Not only was every aspect of this trip gorgeous from the grape vineyards to the lavender fields to the mountainous towns and cathedrals, but the details were second to none. Emilie and Laura provided my friend and I with the perfect girls getaway. When we first planned this trip, we had no idea what an amazing trip would lie ahead.
The B&Bs were absolute perfection, and their owners were lovely and catered to all of our needs. The pools on the grounds of the B&Bs were just beautiful. We loved the delightfully French cuisine laid out on the breakfast tables and the opportunity to meet other travelers. The ten wine tasting with Francois in his range rover and the cooking class with Jacques were highlights for sure! Every day held beautiful travel memories.
The guide book is AMAZING!!! Its easily the best replica we will now have long after the trip was over. Awesome to read long after the trip concludes. The details, the care, and the time put into the plans of our trip were unbelievable. Pictures even how to insert money into the tolls on the highways!! Every question was answered. Note to all: beware the speed check zones!! There are no police on the highways, only boxes with cameras checking speeds randomly and you will get a ticket later on if you exceeded the speed! : ( But that was the only surprise..France was so driveable, packed with roundabouts and gorgeous scenery to see every day!
We cannot thank Emilie and Laura enough for the time and attention they paid to our trip. We were truly blown away by the details in our itinerary, and the beautiful sights we experienced on our travels in France. Thank you again!!!
