France trip
France | Sep 18 - Sep 29, 2023

K
kris h.
Deer Valley, AZ | Reviewed on Sep 30, 2023

We were very happy overall with trip and all the help Sarah gave us with our planning. She took the information we had given her on things we'd like to see and do and she outlined for us a perfect trip! We picked up a rental car just outside of Paris and with navigation on our phone, had very little trouble driving all through France. We really liked the flexibility driving gave us as we made several side trips to cities and things we wanted to see along the way and we could stay as long as we like, or as little, when we were at our destinations. We were in the regions of Normandy, the Lore Valley and the Dordonge region around Sarlat. All the tickets we needed for various sites were included with good information to go with them. Sarah had also included restaurant suggestions and other various helpful hints to make it easy for us to travel on our own in a foreign country. We did have a tour mishap in Bordeaux , but when we called the emergency number for KimKim, they immediately answered our call and took care of the issue. That was very reassuring! It was great to already have valet service set up to and from the airport and train station to our hotels.

Hotel Reviews
Dormy House
Etretat

We especially liked this hotel! It was a bit hard to figure out how to get up to it, but was so worth it once you are up there overlooking the city. The accommodations were large and it had a nice restaurant, bar and outside sitting area. Very nice!

Authenticity & Character
It wasn't an old city hotel, but it was a very nice hotel in a beach city.
Location
It overlooks the city and beach.
Staff
They were all very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A large, comfortable room! Very well maintained.
Hôtel Joe M
Paris

The hotel was located in a good part of town and it was easy walking to sites. The bathrooms were very small, but the room was fine.

Authenticity & Character
it was more of a boutique hotel. Very small elevator, hallways, and bathroom.
Location
Staff
very, very helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chateau de Bellefontaine 4*
Bayeux

The hotel had lovely grounds, but was so far outside of town, that you had to drive to get to town, which wasn't so convenient. The rooms were nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Les Ambassadeurs
Saint-Malo

The rooms were very tiny, but clean and cute. It was right on the beach and an easy walk to a fun shopping and eating area.

Authenticity & Character
vey cute with leopard print carpeting.
Location
Staff
Very nice and helpful with all questions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
small, but nice
Hotel Pavillon de Lys
Amboise

Our room was very nice, but we had an upgrade room, our friends had another room that wasn't as nice- no real shower, and smaller.

Authenticity & Character
Location
very near the city center so easy walking to shopping and dining.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Villa des Consuls
Sarlat-la-Canéda

We had an apartment here. It was in a great location in the city center. It was very nice, but even our 1st floor room was up many winding stairs.

Authenticity & Character
It fit in with the medieval city. We had a nice, bit room.
Location
Right on one of the main streets of Sarlat.
Staff
Very nice! They were very accommodating and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Maison Bord'eaux
Bordeaux

A bit hard to find as the signage isn't really easy to locate. It was in a good part of town and it was easy walking to get to the sites of the city.

Authenticity & Character
More of a boutique hotel. Very nice, large rooms.
Location
Staff
Very helpful and accomodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel OFF Paris Seine 4*
Paris

This was a fun way to end our trip! We were right on the river and we watched the boat travel the river as we ate dinner. It was a different experience. There was a lot of graffiti and homeless in the area so it didn't make you want to get out and walk around at night.

Authenticity & Character
very unique.
Location
It was fun to be on the river.
Staff
very nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were like on a cruise ship, a bit small in the bathroom area, but the beds were comfortable and nice.
Activity Reviews
Giverny - House of Monet (Timed tickets provided)
Giverny - House of Monet (Timed tickets provided)
France

WE all enjoyed seeing this. Self guided so you could spend as much time as you liked looking around.

Welcome to Bayeux
Welcome to Bayeux
Bayeux

We enjoyed the Normandy region and the WWII sites. Our guide was very informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon with Da Vinci
Afternoon with Da Vinci
Amboise

It was interesting and the grounds with his inventions/bridges was fun to walk trough.

Quality of Experience
Discover the châteaux de Chambord and Chenonceau on your own with tickets provided
Discover the châteaux de Chambord and Chenonceau on your own with tickets provided
France

We really enjoyed touring these 2 chateaus. They were different from each other, but both amazing and the grounds were lovely.

Quality of Experience
Tickets to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV  and Parc du Thot
Tickets to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV and Parc du Thot
Sarlat

This was very interesting to see and different that the other trip/tours we did. We all enjoyed seeing it and hearing about how it came to be discovered.

Quality of Experience
Bordeaux Best Food Tour
Bordeaux Best Food Tour
Bordeaux

There was a mishap with this tour, so we didn't go on it. As it turned out, it's a good thing we didn't as I don't think we would have made our train if we had.

Private transfer in Paris
Private transfer in Paris
Paris

This is the best part of using a tour company to set things up for you. it was so nice to have transportation to and from the airport and train to our hotel. It is a nightmare driving in Paris and it was wonderful not having to worry about that!

Quality of Experience
The company always sent a text the day before to tell us who our diver would be and they were easy to locate in each destinations. It was a godsend to have this service set up for us!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Every driver was very courteous, and professional.
Transport
The Mercedes vans were perfect for the 4 of us and luggage.
Local specialist: Sarah Metrat
Sarah
Sarah Metrat
Local specialist in Lyon | Replied on Oct 04, 2023

Hi Kris!! Thanks so much for this detailed feedback; it really helps us improve our experiences! I'm delighted to read that you had a great time and that my colleagues were able to assist you smoothly in Bordeaux (sorry about that hiccup!). I believe this itinerary provides a comprehensive overview of French history, culture, and the diversity of landscapes and gastronomy we have to offer. You've been a pleasure to work with and I can't thank you enough for your trust!
Sarah and the High Point Holidays Team