Saint Emilion in SW France

The SW of France is one of the most culturally rich areas of France with centuries of turbulent history to its name. The influence of Spain and North Africa are very much in evidence too.

South West France has an enormously varied climate thanks to the influence of both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The west of the area sees a far higher average rainfall due to the Atlantic weather systems that predominate, whilst the east is more affected by the drier Mediterranean climate.

The landscape of South West France is as varied as the climate and has something for everybody. Discover the unspoilt and beautiful mountains and foothills of the Pyrenees as well as the beaches of the west and south coasts. Explore the lush, picturesque countryside of the Dordogne or the drier ‘garrigue’ of the Languedoc to the south.

Active

Active holidays in France

France has so much to offer the outdoors and adventure lover. From hiking in the undiscovered Pyrenees mountains, river rafting and kayaking in the Ardèche and cycling picturesque country lanes in the Loire Valley, the options are endless.

Horse enthusiasts may opt for a multi day trek or if you’re a keen hiker then a multi day hiking circuit will tick all your boxes.

Whatever your ideal active holiday, Your Personal France is delighted to work with a fantastic network of carefully curated guides and activity providers who will ensure your active holiday in France is the most amazing fun.

Hiking on an active break in the Pyrenees
This is a single centre, fully flexible itinerary based in the lovely old spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon in the heart of the Pyrenees. These are...
Available through out the year:
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Yoga outside in the fresh air
This wellbeing trip to the French Pyrenees includes a great combination of yoga, spa visits and hiking. The number of yoga sessions and spa visits...
Available through out the year:
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Tour bikes in the Saint Emilion vineyards
A varied and interesting 7 day itinerary to discover the fine wine and rich gastronomy of the Bordeaux area with cycling, hiking and even an...
Available through out the year:
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Cruise boat leaving Bordeaux with bikes on board
This river cruise is a great choice for those who enjoy staying active on vacation whilst still enjoying the finer things in life such as...
Available through out the year:
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Gastronomy

Macarons are a classic sweet in France

In 2010, French gastronomy was declared a UNESCO ‘world intangible heritage’.

As you will discover on your custom trip to France, French gastronomy is about so much more than simply food. It’s a whole culture, a ritual that brings people together to enjoy the art of eating good food and drinking fabulous wine.

On all of our personalised itineraries, we propose carefully selected restaurants at which only the freshest, locally grown fruit and vegetables are used. In the vineyard areas, your meal is sure to be accompanied by the most delicious locally produced wines. ‘Local’ is a key element in all of the itineraries that we create.

Visit oyster beds and then eat at one of our selected restaurants on the quay. Or why not enjoy a unique experience on board a traditional Breton sail boat with your own personal chef who will create an amazing lunch for you using produce freshly-caught from the bay that morning.

If you’re a lover of good food, contact us and we’ll craft an unforgettable gastronomic experience in France especially for you.

Saint Emilion amongst the vineyards
This fully flexible three centre independent tour is the basis from which your own personal itinerary will be created. We suggest you fly into Bordeaux...
Available through out the year:
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Duck cooked in Languedoc cookery class
This single centre, fully flexible itinerary is based near Carcassonne and will form the basis from which your own personal itinerary will be created. We...
Available through out the year:
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Gastronomic specialities of Sète
This single centre, fully flexible itinerary is based in the Montpellier area and will form the basis from which Your Personal France will create your...
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Basque gastronomy
This single centre, fully flexible itinerary is based in the Bayonne area of SW France and will form the basis from which Your Personal France...
Available through out the year:
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Learn to make traditional macarons in a Bordeaux patisserie class
This outline itinerary is for all lovers of classic French food and history who are seeking an exceptional luxury experience in one of the richest...
Available through out the year:
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Historic France

Avignon and bridge in historic France

The history of France is rich and complex making the country a fascinating and thought-provoking destination for anybody with even a passing interest in days gone by.

The presence of Prehistoric man in France is well-documented. The south west of the country has the highest concentration of prehistoric caves, many of which are open to the public.

The Romans occupied France for almost 500 years with the south of France being where the greatest evidence of their settlement is found. Nimes boasts half a dozen well preserved Roman sites and the nearby Pont du Gard aqueduct is a sight to behold. Arles, Orange and even Lyon are also historically significant sights.

But Medieval France, particularly the 12th and 13th centuries, was an especially turbulent time in French history.

The Cathars, the Knights Templar, the Albigensian crusade, Dominican monks, they all figure heavily in French history, again especially in the south of France.

In the north of the country, it’s the legacy of the two World Wars that has left the deepest mark. An itinerary incorporating thought-provoking visits to the sites of the WW1 battlegrounds and cemeteries is sure to leave a deep impression on you. Whilst further west, take a guided tour with a local expert to learn of the events surrounding the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Our custom Historic France itineraries will be tailored around the French history that fascinates you. Whichever era you wish to explore, our local expert guides will ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

Chateau de Foix in Ariege
This single centre, fully flexible itinerary is based in Carcassonne and is the basis from which your own personal itinerary will be created. We suggest...
Available through out the year:
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Learn to make traditional macarons in a Bordeaux patisserie class
This outline itinerary is for all lovers of classic French food and history who are seeking an exceptional luxury experience in one of the richest...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
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River cruise

River and canal cruising in France

A river cruise in France is nothing short of an exceptional experience. There is something so timeless, so captivating about cruising along a French waterway, whether that waterway is the magnificent Canal du Midi that runs from Bordeaux to the Mediterranean or one of the splendid rivers such as the Saone through Burgundy or the mighty Loire further to the west.

We want your river cruise in France to be an unforgettable experience that will exceed your expectations. For this reason, we have chosen to partner with some of the best owner-operated small luxury barge hotels in France.

These are people who have a genuine passion for welcoming people to their floating pride and joy. Not only that, but they also share our passion for France and French life, a passion which is truly infectious! They will take you on day excursions off the barge to experience such delights as wine tastings and historic visits along the way.

Exclusive charters mean you will have the barge hotel to yourself. Numbers are kept small with a maximum of 8 guests so that service is never compromised.

Luxury hotel barge cruise Canal du Midi
You can expect to be thoroughly pampered on this luxury river cruise on the Canal du Midi in SW France. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and...
Available through out the year:
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The sun deck on board luxury french barge hotel
This 6 night luxury river cruise on the waterways of Gascony in SW France is a fabulous experience for lovers of French gastronomy, wine, history...
Available through out the year:
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Cruise boat leaving Bordeaux with bikes on board
This river cruise is a great choice for those who enjoy staying active on vacation whilst still enjoying the finer things in life such as...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
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Wellbeing

A yoga experience at sunset

When you lead a busy and stressful life it’s too easy to neglect your health and wellbeing. A common excuse is that you simply don’t have the time. The solution? Build some wellbeing experiences into your next trip to France.

France is a country that benefits from an enormous amount of geo-thermal activity in areas such as the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Auvergne. Indeed, see ‘les Bains’ or ‘Bagneres’ in a town name and you can be assure of some kind of spa activity there!

The facilities range from the only natural hammam in Europe, the Vaporarium in Bagneres-de-Luchon in the central Pyrenees to spa resorts like Vichy in the centre of the country.

Your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical and what better than yoga classes or meditation sessions to set you on the right path.

In the Pyrenees, yoga classes up in the mountains are possible which will invigorate your soul and leave you feeling refreshed and energised.

Combine yoga classes and spa visits with guided hiking and visits to historic and cultural sights to create an unforgettable wellbeing break in France.

Yoga outside in the fresh air
This wellbeing trip to the French Pyrenees includes a great combination of yoga, spa visits and hiking. The number of yoga sessions and spa visits...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
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Wine and Vineyards

Wine tasting in France
Photo thanks David Remazeilles Gironde Tourisme

France is renowned for its wine. The vineyards are spread throughout the country and range from huge corporate-owned estates to smaller family-run concerns.

Our itineraries will take you to carefully selected domaines where you’ll meet passionate people whose vineyards have been in the family for generations. From them, you’ll learn about the full wine-making process from grape to bottle and of course have the opportunity to taste and purchase the end result.

Ride through the vineyards on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage, maybe in a 2CV or a tuk-tuk and then enjoy a picnic of local produce in the grounds of a charming chateau on a wine-producing estate.

Saint Emilion amongst the vineyards
This fully flexible three centre independent tour is the basis from which your own personal itinerary will be created. We suggest you fly into Bordeaux...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
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Wine and vineyard tour Languedoc France
This single centre, fully flexible itinerary is based near Carcassonne and will form the basis from which your own personal French itinerary will be created....
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
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Tour bikes in the Saint Emilion vineyards
A varied and interesting 7 day itinerary to discover the fine wine and rich gastronomy of the Bordeaux area with cycling, hiking and even an...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec