Uncover every hideaway and detail of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux UNESCO heritage sites. Taste typical regional food at your hosts’ table and stay at Bed & Breakfasts with unique atmospheres.
We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a …
We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne and finally Provence. Her recommendations and arrangements for accommodation, transportation, dining, wine estates, tours, guides and special out of the way places was perfect. She based our vacation on our desires and specific wishes - and she matched them perfectly.
We can't say enough how her trip planning, itinerary, choice of what to do was exactly what we were looking for. In addition she provided several out of the way spots away from touristy sites that made this special Birthday vacation amazing.
The intriguing part was receiving our custom tailored Guide Books which were indispensable and allowed us to travel worry free. This was a great source of practical, useful information that made our trip even more relaxed.
The diversity of the trip allowed us to experience many aspects of French culture - history, art, wine tasting and appreciation, dining, truffle hunting and running through Lavender fields in bloom. Biking through quaint villages and following in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Hemingway, amoung others. Thanks to her we were able to see several regions of France and we came to understand that we could not do everything she suggested - and that was a good thing.
Throughout it all Emilie communicated on a regular basis and was always available if we had a question.
We would definitely recommend France Just For You to anyone desiring a unique, tailored way of experiencing France.
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyA charming tuffeau stone house in a green valley
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyRest in a quiet room, full of charm
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyor in the garden
#1 - A tuffeau stone house in a green valleyEnjoy a savory home-made cuisine
#2 - An old stone house in a lovely hamlet of the Loire ValleyStay in an 18th century house
#2 - An old stone house in a lovely hamlet of the Loire ValleyEnjoy having an aperitive drink the vaulted cellar before dinner
#2 - An old stone house in a lovely hamlet of the Loire ValleyRelax in a large suite room with a living room area
#2 - An old stone house in a lovely hamlet of the Loire ValleySpend a night around your host table and taste delicious dishes
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtA hidden place, in the very heart of Bordeaux historical district
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtEnjoy a very quiet stay, while being in a very lively city
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtYour lovely hostess knows Bordeaux inside out and is very happy to make recommendations
#3 - A nice B&B in Bordeaux historical districtAfter a delicious breakfast, explore Bordeaux walking
Step by step
The Loire Valley Castles & Gardens
From Paris, drive about 3 hours and spend the first 3 nights in a lovely B&B nestled in a green valley. You are located between Amboise and Chenonceau and will enjoy a warm welcome from your lovely hostess, who is also a great cook. For you to discover the local gastronomy, you will spend a late afternoon cooking with her some typical Loire Valley recipes - then you will enjoy a convivial dinner at your hosts' table.
From here, explore all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, Chaumont or Villandry gardens and the old city of Amboise. 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!
On the 4th day, you will follow the Loire River downstream to your second B&B where you will stay 4 nights in a restored 18th century stonehouse nestled in a lovely hamlet. Your charming host knows 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!
Travel through small villages nestled in rolling hills, stop over for wine tastings or to wander about outdoor markets and savor local specialties.
Bordeaux Wines & History
Your tour continues on to the Bordeaux region for 5 nights inside the gates of Bordeaux UNESCO city, a wonder of the 17th century. Stay in a typical reconverted and charming chai (wine cellar), in the heart of the lively up-and-coming district of Bordeaux Unesco city - walking distance to restaurants and nice quality shops. You will be welcomed by a lovely hostess, in a peaceful atmosphere.
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 the amazing expansion of the Gironde region during the 18th century. You will find everything: from the museums to the bustling night life in Bordeaux. Also, bear in mind that Bordeaux's Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe
From here, you are perfectly located to tour the whole region: Saint Emilion, the Medoc vineyards and the Arcachon basin.
In a famous wine estate, we have planned a special private 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 enjoy a picnic lunch and tasting in a gorgeous setting.
On your last day, you have several options: you can return the rental car in Bordeaux and take a TGV train or a flight to your next destination, or you can also return the car in another location/city if you wish.
This trip promises to be a memorable one!
Activities included
Loire Cooking Workshop
Spend a late afternoon with Valérie who trained in gastronomic restaurants. You will prepare a main course and a dessert, then you'll enjoy a savory dinner with your hosts.
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.
Tour a St Emilion Winery
Visit a wine estate near St Emilion with a private English speaking guide. After the tour, you will enjoy a picnic lunch together with a tasting of different wines from the estate.
Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign …
Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign country, Emilie will do all the work for you and you can just enjoy the experience. I wish I could find a similar website for other countries I wish to visit. The guidebook is invaluable, user-friendly, and thorough. All the "off the beaten path" recommendations are great, and the B & Bs that Emilie works with are truly wonderful - which adds so much to a trip. Do NOT HESITATE to use the services of France Just For You.
Joey
We found France Just For You on Trip Advisor as we were beginning our plans to visit France. All of the TA reviews raved about quality of service and planning by Emilie so we decided to have Emilie plan our 3 week trip to France. Now we know why all the reviews of France Just For You are "excellent". We spent time in Paris, Dijon area, Loire Valley …
We found France Just For You on Trip Advisor as we were beginning our plans to visit France. All of the TA reviews raved about quality of service and planning by Emilie so we decided to have Emilie plan our 3 week trip to France. Now we know why all the reviews of France Just For You are "excellent". We spent time in Paris, Dijon area, Loire Valley and Normandy. From the start, Emilie was extremely helpful in arranging our itinerary so that we got to do/see all that we wanted to. All of the B&Bs, Restaurants, Activities and Tour Guides Emilie recommended were excellent. The Tour Books were customized for our itinerary and were full of very useful information. The pre-trip information Emilie gives you makes sure you arrive in France well prepared to handle all of the unique differences when one visits France. Emilie responded promptly to any of our email enquiries before and during our trip. When we had to change the dates of our entire trip, she handled that quickly with no fuss. The entire trip was fantastic and much of the credit for that must go to Emilie and her careful planning etc.
Ellen & Rob
We have just return from an amazing holiday arranged by France Just for You - visiting Paris, Vimy Ridge, Normandy (D-Day Beaches) and Mont Saint Michel. Emilie listened to what our wishes were and arranged everything in great detail. The accommodations (hotels and bed and breakfasts) all had so much charm and character - the hosts were very …
We have just return from an amazing holiday arranged by France Just for You - visiting Paris, Vimy Ridge, Normandy (D-Day Beaches) and Mont Saint Michel. Emilie listened to what our wishes were and arranged everything in great detail. The accommodations (hotels and bed and breakfasts) all had so much charm and character - the hosts were very welcoming and helpful and treated us like family. We could never have found these ourselves.
The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and pleasure to be around. Emilie made last minute requests with ease and willingness. The guidebook was filled with so much information and a great memory of our holiday. We would definitely use France Just for You again and will recommend to our friends and family .
