Explore North-Eastern France and jump into French wines & history!
Starting in Reims, capital of the Champagne region, you will learn many stories starring Joan of Arc, Marie-Antoinette and a famous widow . . . Clicquot.
A private guide will make World War I history come alive, allowing you to get a comprehensive overview of the Verdun battlefields. You will bike and taste wines in Burgundy and finish your journey with flourish in Paris.
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque …
A fantastic well-planned self-drive tour
We had the most amazing time on our 6 week self-drive tour designed by Laura, travelling through Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Medoc, Basque France, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, Alsace and Champagne. This was a big trip for us and it was everything I’d hoped and dreamed and even more besides. All our accommodation was delightful - all different and all with unique character and a personal touch. All our hosts and guides were fantastic and we so enjoyed our time with them. Everything was so meticulously planned, so well-organised, and presented clearly with a wealth of information and practical tips for suggested activities each day to make to most of our stay in each region. Restaurant recommendations were particularly helpful. The FJFY app is outstanding! We very much hope to travel with FJFY again. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail in making such a wonderful trip for us.
#1 - A town house, 300 yards to the magnificent Cathedral of ReimsA nice B&B with some Art Nouveau nice touches
#1 - A town house, 300 yards to the magnificent Cathedral of ReimsThis B&B is a classical building in the center of Reims...
#1 - A town house, 300 yards to the magnificent Cathedral of Reims...which your host decorated in a successfully eclectic way
#1 - A town house, 300 yards to the magnificent Cathedral of ReimsFeel at home...in Champagne
#2 - A comfortable B&B, in the WWI battlefields of ArgonneStay in a comfortable B&B, in Argonne battlefields area
#2 - A comfortable B&B, in the WWI battlefields of ArgonneRelax in a well equipped room
#2 - A comfortable B&B, in the WWI battlefields of ArgonneEnjoy the quietness of a vast garden with an orchards and the forest at the end
#2 - A comfortable B&B, in the WWI battlefields of ArgonneOne night, taste some local products prepared by your lovely hosts
#2 - A comfortable B&B, in the WWI battlefields of ArgonneThe B&B is nestled in a lovely "very French" hamlet
#3 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Stay at a wine maker family
#3 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Relax in a very well equipped room
#3 - In one of Burgundy famous "village"Meet with fellow travelers in a convivial atmosphere
#4 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtA family owned Boutique-Hotel in the Latin Quarter
#4 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtStay in a comfortable room...
#4 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin district...with a balcony and nice view over one of Paris most famous landmarks
#4 - A 3* Boutique-Hotel in Quartier Latin districtSavor breakfast in the historical vaulted cellars
Step by step
The Champagne region, from Reims
This itinerary starts at Paris CDG airport where you will pick up your rental car and drive 1hr30 to the Champagne region, your first stop for 3 nights.
In Reims, you will stay in a town house perfectly located in the old city, only 300 yards from the famous Cathedral. From here, explore the Champagne region from Reims to Epernay, which is only a 35 minute drive.
Spend an afternoon with an English-speaking guide touring the Champagne vineyards around Reims. You will visit some local producers . . . so you can decide the Champagnes you like best!
We will also recommend Champagne wineries you can visit on your own, as well as some local attractions including fossils, belle epoque architecture, a lively food market and many restaurants from simple fare to 3 stars with the Michelin guide.
Verdun & Argonne World War I Sites
After about a 1hr30 drive from Reims, you will arrive in the Verdun region.
Stay in a charming B&B, right in the Argonne battlefield area, between the Romagne Sous Montfaucon US Cemetery and the Verdun war sites. One night, your hosts will cook a great dinner which you will share with other fellow travelers.
You will spend a day with a passionate private guide who will take you to the main war sites around Verdun. The program will be tailor-made to your wishes. This is the best way to get a better understanding about this time in history.
In the Verdun region, you will also taste delicious local products, relax in nice bars by the Meuse canal and why not even taste some Côte de Meuse wine?
La Bourgogne - Burgundy
In Burgundy, you will reside for 3 nights in a beautiful B&B house owned by a wine maker family and located in one of Burgundy's most famous wine towns.
Situated in the heart of Burgundy, near Beaune, this is the perfect place to learn about the local wines. 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!
To discover Burgundy vineyard trails, we plan for you to spend an afternoon on a bike to discover Burgundy wines. You will make several stops on the way to taste wine. Santé!
We will provide you with 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". You will get 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.
End in Paris
On the 10th day, drive back to Paris (3hrs) and return the rental car.
End your trip living the Parisian life for 3 nights. Comfortably accommodated in a charming boutique-hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter, you will discover the French capital city’s must sees and hidden beauties.
Being based 10 minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, you can 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 boulangeries in different districts of the city so you’ll know where to take a break.
One night, you will enjoy a high quality and quite private classical music concert in a very little church - away from the crowds. A unique night in Paris that only the locals know about, and which we hope will become a great memory of your trip.
On your last day a private driver will take you to the airport.
Activities included
Champagne Tasting Tour
Spend an afternoon with an English-speaking guide touring the Champagne vineyards around Reims. You will visit some local producers…so you can decide the Champagnes you like best!
Private Guide on the WWI Sites near Verdun
Spend a day with a private guide specialized in World War I history in Argonne & Verdun area. We will be happy to tailor make your program if you wish.
Burgundy Wine & Bike Tour
Spend an afternoon with a guide who will take you wine tasting in Côte de Beaune famous vineyards...and wineries of course.
Classical Music Concert in Paris
Enjoy listening to a classical music concert in one of the oldest Churches in Paris. It will be a great evening!
We are experienced travelers and spent about three weeks traveling the french countryside via Emilie’s arrangements. Her personalized guidebook provided everything we could have asked for and, when some unexpected issues came up, Emilie promptly responded with kind, thoughtful assistance. We spent days with detailed driving tours, truffle hunting …
We are experienced travelers and spent about three weeks traveling the french countryside via Emilie’s arrangements. Her personalized guidebook provided everything we could have asked for and, when some unexpected issues came up, Emilie promptly responded with kind, thoughtful assistance. We spent days with detailed driving tours, truffle hunting and dining with the most amazing family and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of some terrifically interesting B&B hosts. Our only regret was that Emilie’s service is currently limited to France!
Harry
We are independent travelers, and usually I do extensive research on Tripadvisor and other websites, and plan our own itinerary. I started doing this for our France section of our trip, and came across Emilie's France Just for You website. End of research ! After an initial inquiry, Emilie totally customised our Normandy and the Loire Valley trip …
We are independent travelers, and usually I do extensive research on Tripadvisor and other websites, and plan our own itinerary. I started doing this for our France section of our trip, and came across Emilie's France Just for You website. End of research !
After an initial inquiry, Emilie totally customised our Normandy and the Loire Valley trip, based totally on our requirements regarding the things we like to do. For seven days we held tightly onto our own little travel book, as we read every page and experienced in person everything on our itinerary. What a unforgetable experience !
Emilie is the most professional travel consultant that I have ever dealt with. Her wealth of knowledge of France is exemplary. I have no hesitation, after visiting Europe on three separate occasions, of giving France for you the highest recommendation possible.
Jill & Jerry from the US
The team at FJFY arranged everything for our 3 week trip to southern France. From car rental, train tickets, activities and wonderful accommodations they arranged it all. Stress free traveling! The spiral bound guide book and FJFY app gave us so much information on each area including activities and restaurant recommendations. The B & Bs were all …
The team at FJFY arranged everything for our 3 week trip to southern France. From car rental, train tickets, activities and wonderful accommodations they arranged it all. Stress free traveling! The spiral bound guide book and FJFY app gave us so much information on each area including activities and restaurant recommendations. The B & Bs were all lovely and run by friendly & helpful hosts. So many wonderful memories! This was our second trip using FJFY and if we are lucky enough to return to France we will definitely use them. Highly recommend!
