FRANCE
France is the country that has turned daily life into a kind of discipline. The bread, the wine, the cheese, the two-hour lunch, the market. Most people see Paris, photograph a château, and go home convinced they have done France. They have done a postcard. The real country is regional and proud of it: the oyster farms of Arcachon, the riesling villages of Alsace, the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne, the Provençal hill towns in the long light of September. France is for the traveler who already loves it and wants to know it more specifically — not the country, but the village, the producer, the particular bottle that only exists where you happen to be standing.
A Taste of What's Possible
Sail through oyster farms in Arcachon Bay for fresh shucks & champagne
Attend a fashion show for Paris Fashion Week
Visit a Camembert farm to meet the producer and sample their cheeses
Where You'll Stay
We spend a lot of time obsessing over the perfect accommodations. Our favorites tend to be smaller, boutique properties with a unique sense of style and fantastic service.
Here are just a few of our favorites...
Three of Our Favorite Spots
PROVENCE
01
See the same quality of light that pulled Cézanne and van Gogh out of Paris. Stroll through lavender fields, hilltop villages, and vineyard estates all while feeling the warmth of ancient walls and humble stock.
ALSACE
02
The wine country along the German border is France at its most distinctive — half-timbered villages, gewürztraminer and riseling from steep hillside vineyards, and a culture and cuisine that belong fully to neither country and entirely to themselves.
DORDOGNE
03
The walnut groves, prehistoric cave paintings, and honey-stone villages of southwest France make up one of the country's most quietly rewarding regions, where the food is rich, the history runs back tens of thousands of years, and the pace is set by lunch.
“The vacation gone wrong in Paris is almost always because people try to do too many things. Most of us are lucky to see Paris once in a lifetime. Please, make the most of it by doing as little as possible. Walk a little. Get lost a bit. Eat. Catch a breakfast buzz. Have a nap. Try and have sex if you can, just not with a mime. Eat again. Lounge around drinking coffee. Maybe read a book. Drink some wine. Eat. Repeat. See? It's easy.”
Anthony Bourdain
Sample Itinerary
Paris, the Basque Coast, and Provence: A Late Summer Sojourn in France
Day 1: On arrival in Paris, you’ll be met and transferred to your luxurious accommodation in the city center.
Day 2: Cycle through the heart of the city discovering some of Paris’s more soulful hidden pockets — places few tourists, and even few Parisians, encounter. This evening, head to one of the city’s most legendary jazz clubs in the Latin Quarter.
Day 3: Head to the creative Marais district for a walking tour weaving through lively streets while learning about the neighborhood’s rich past and evolving culture, from the historic Jewish quarter to the contemporary Pompidou Center. Along the way, enjoy insider recommendations on the best boutiques, cafés, and tucked-away gardens.
Day 4: Travel via high-speed train from Paris to Biarritz on the Atlantic Coast. Settle into your lovely seaside accommodations.
Day 5: Embark on a morning hike in the beautiful Pyrenees at La Rhune, the most emblematic natural site in France’s Basque Country. Enjoy the afternoon to stroll around chic Biarritz at your own pace.
Day 6: Cross over the Spanish border to explore charming San Sebastián in Spanish Basque Country. From its vibrant culture to its breathtaking natural beauty, San Sebastián is a city full of life and energy and incredible regional cuisine. After filling up on pintxos, return to France for a final night in Biarritz.
Day 7: Fly east from Biarritz to Provence for a few days in the idyllic French countryside. Settle into your luxurious hilltop accommodations on a private domain among vineyards.
Day 8: A full day to enjoy your picturesque rural surroundings, perhaps exploring the charming villages of the Luberon, or simply relaxing at your peaceful estate. (In mid-summer, hot-air balloon over fragrant lavender fields).
Day 9: Enjoy a morning hike at Montagne Sainte-Victoire, made famous in the paintings of Paul Cézanne. In the afternoon, laze at your accommodations and sip on organic wine produced on your estate.
Day 10: Journey to nearby Aix-en-Provence for a day of culinary delights. Start at a local market to meet friendly producers and choose the best seasonal ingredients. Then head to a quintessential country home for a private cooking workshop, stopping at a lovely vineyard en route for a wine tasting. Learn how to make traditional Provençal dishes and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Day 11: Today you will travel by private vehicle from Provence to the coastal town of Antibes in the beautiful French Riviera. Settle into your magnificent seaside hotel.
Day 12: Venture out to Nice to discover its distinct street food culture as you stroll through the Cours Saleya market and Old Town sampling Italian-influenced local delicacies like pissaladière (caramelized onion tart), socca (chick pea pancake), fougasse (Provençal flatbread) and tourte de blettes (a sweet and savory pie). With happy bellies, head back to Nice for a day to simply soak up the gorgeous coastal atmosphere.
Day 13: Cruise over turquoise Mediterranean waters on a private boat as you explore the stunning Esterel Reserve, including highlights such as Iles de Lérins with its breathtaking setting and heavenly waters, and Cap Roux, an exquisite setting with beautiful coves nestled in the heart of the reserve.
Day 14: Fly back to Paris for a couple more days to soak up the joie de vivre of the capital city.
Day 15: With an expert fashion guide by your side, attend one of Paris Fashion Week's exclusive runway shows today for ultimate Parisian glamour.
Day 16: Private transfer back to the Paris airport for your flight home.
