I was very nervous to visit a country that I have never learned the language spoken so that is the reason I wanted someone to help me plan this trip with my children. Emilie was …
I was very nervous to visit a country that I have never learned the language spoken so that is the reason I wanted someone to help me plan this trip with my children. Emilie was wonderful. The B&Bs that she booked were some of the very best places I have ever stayed and I have traveled quite a bit. The cell phone that we were given was priceless for getting around, the language barrier and checking in with others back home. I would recommended using Emilie to everyone. It was fantastic. A trip of a lifetime with my children who are 18 and 25.
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverA gorgeous house nestled between the woods and the Dordogne river
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverRelax in a countryside setting
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverStay in a very large room with unique decoration
#1 - A restored farmhouse nestled between the woods & the Dordogne riverEnjoy the old stone atmosphere
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneenjoy an island of quietness in busy Carcassonne
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts have a very special taste for decoration
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonne...which makes the B&B home very welcoming
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of CarcassonneYour hosts speak perfect English
#2 - A B&B in Bastide Saint Louis lively district of Carcassonneeverything is planned for you to have a very enjoyable stay
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceA restored farmhouse surrounded by horse fields
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of ProvenceRelax in a comfortable room equipped with a kitchenette...
#3 - A restored farmhouse in the heart of Provence...or in the garden
Step by step
Dordogne
In Black Perigord, you will stay in a restored stone house for 4 nights, nestled between the woods and the Dordogne river, perfectly located to explore the area. Your lovely hostess will open her home to you - which is filled with personal touches (artwork, books, photographies).
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.
Canoe down the Dordogne river and enjoy the gorgeous views over the cliff hanging middleages castles along the way. Also, one of the most famous castles of the area is only a 30 minute walk from your B&B. And four of the "most beautiful villages of France" are within a 4 mile drive.
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. You will stay in downtown Carcassonne lively “Bastide St Louis”, a short walk to the UNESCO Medieval city. Your lovely and international hosts have a wonderful taste for welcoming and decoration which makes this place very special.
Spend a morning with fellow travelers, enjoying the local wines and chocolates. A must for gourmet travelers !
After Carcassonne day crowds, relax in the quietness of the walled garden and refresh in the swimming pool. In the evening, you have a vast choice of nearby restaurants a few minutes walk - we will provide recommendations.
In the Cathar country, walkers/hikers will be rewarded with breath taking landscapes and fortresses such as Quéribus or Perpeytuse. History lovers will be intrigued by the Cathar history. Wine lovers may be surprised by the quality of the “Minervois” wines which have improved a lot in the past 10 years. They are now on the wine lists of some of the most famous restaurants in the world.
On the 9th day, you will drive about 2hr30, along the Mediterranean Sea, to get to Provence.
Provence
You will spend the last 5 nights in a typical Provencal stone house, perfectly located to explore Avignon and Isle sur la Sorgue (famous for its antiques). Your hostess and her family will welcome you warmly and give you hints and tips about the surrounding area. You will stay in a very comfortable room equipped with a small kitchenette if you wish to have a light dinner in the rose garden.
So many things to see in less than an hour's drive from your B&B: beautiful Avignon, also referred to as “the City of Popes”, where you can visit the Palace of the Popes, the well-preserved ramparts and the famous “Avignon Bridge”. Enjoy hilltop villages on market day, and walk in the footsteps of famous painters such as Cézanne or Picasso. We will also tell you about some hidden jewels - off the beaten track villages where you will stroll around charming streets or have a drink at a provençal café with locals. We can also recommend a farmer’s market and wine cellar for each day of the week!
Trave Vincent Van Gogh's footsteps with a private guide in Arles. Your guide will also take you to the Roman theater and amphitheater - a great introduction to Provence history & art !
If you are interested in history, don’t miss the Roman ruins at Arles, Orange and the Pont du Gard. We will also take you to smaller sites – less famous and much quieter.
Explore a family owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will be explained the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle.
Discover quaint villages of the Luberon, riding an electric bike. You will have several itinerary options, from easy to more sporty, for you to explore hidden hamlets, chapels in the vineyards, wineries, road-trails in the olive trees and evergreen oaks. A great day, at your own pace.
You may return the car in Marseille, Avignon, Aix or the location which will suit you best.
This is a perfect highlight of Southern France for history and gastronomy lovers.
Activities included
Canoe Down the Dordogne River
Go down the Dordogne river at your own pace in a canoe...we have selected the best section for you to see several castles standing guard high above you!
E-Biking Day in Provence
Spend a day in the Luberon gorgeous landscapes driving an electric bike. Several itinerary options for you to enjoy biking at your own pace.
Spend a morning in Carcassonne bastide enjoying the local wines and chocolates with a guide and fellow travelers. A must for gourmet travelers !
Olive Oil Farm in Luberon
Explore a family owned olive oil mill in the slopes of Luberon, with breathtaking views. In a private tour, you will be explained the whole olive oil farming process from the tree to the bottle.
We were planning a trip to the Ryder Cup and looking for other places to visit while in France. I happened upon the France Just for You website and started some planning with Emilie. She took over and gave us great plans for every day and great accomodations. All of her suggestions were perfect, actually too much for us to do each day. Her travel …
We were planning a trip to the Ryder Cup and looking for other places to visit while in France. I happened upon the France Just for You website and started some planning with Emilie. She took over and gave us great plans for every day and great accomodations. All of her suggestions were perfect, actually too much for us to do each day. Her travel book is sublime and her attention to detail made us feel that we were her only customer. I had concerns about traveling to France, but with Emilie's help we had no issues and found the French people friendly and very helpful. France Just For You, and Emilie made this an outstanding vacation.
Kris & Kristina
Thank you so much Emilie for all your hard work on our anniversary trip to St. Emilion and the Loire Valley! We had such a great time and everything you planned for us was just perfect. Having traveled to Paris and Nice many times, this was our first time exploring the countryside and we had a blast. We cannot thank you enough for everything! Kris …
Thank you so much Emilie for all your hard work on our anniversary trip to St. Emilion and the Loire Valley! We had such a great time and everything you planned for us was just perfect. Having traveled to Paris and Nice many times, this was our first time exploring the countryside and we had a blast. We cannot thank you enough for everything! Kris and Kristina
Elliot
My wife & I completed a 2 week self-driving tour engaging the thorough and knowledgeable services of Emilie A France Just for You. Every detail was flawlessly accounted for, GPS app, wonderful B&B's, and she planned our itinerary according to our desires. The advantage of enlisting her is to get a reality check on time spent in each area as well as …
My wife & I completed a 2 week self-driving tour engaging the thorough and knowledgeable services of Emilie A France Just for You. Every detail was flawlessly accounted for, GPS app, wonderful B&B's, and she planned our itinerary according to our desires. The advantage of enlisting her is to get a reality check on time spent in each area as well as driving distances. We had so much ground to cover that she made this an efficient trip. Too bad LeMans track was not open for viewing(had a truck race that nite, so is closed to visitors). But museum was awesome. All her chosen accommodations were wonderful & it saved me tons of hours of research. She arranged our day to day visits and was extremely flexible & enabled me to drive the 1200 miles in an efficient manner. That was very important to me, as I prefer to travel alone with my wife rather than a group, and our journey was as smoothe as a Swiss timepiece. She chose places to visit that were off the beaten path that we would have missed on our own. Highly recommend Emilie.
