Kimkim Trip Reviews for France

We had a truly incredible trip to France! It was my children's first trip abroad (7yrs and 4 yrs) and my first time taking them on such a big adventure as a parent. Lucie made sure the trip was a perfectly tailored balance of things the kids would enjoy, parents would enjoy, and inclusive of enough downtime to make sure we all weren't overtired. We made several hotel changes and location changes and always had fantastic, kind, drivers to bring us from place to place with all of our luggage. Our hotels were wonderful spaces for us to enjoy as a family, and the neighborhoods she found for us to stay in were walkable and right on the Metro lines. We loved Paris - we had a wonderful, kid friendly tour of the Louvre. We saw the Eiffel Tower (my 7 year old's big dream for the trip), explored Montmartre, took the Metro all over. We travelled my train to the charming town of Nantes and saw the old town and the Machines de l'Ile, rented a car to go to Puy du Fou, and then spent 3 perfect lazy days in Ile de Re. It was a magical trip - Lucie handled EVERYTHING. When our flights got severely delayed (to the next day) she rearranged our cars, informed the hotel, and moved around our Louvre tour to accommodate our new schedule. The next time my family goes to France we will absolutely reach out to Lucie.

Hotel Reviews

Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Paris

We had a very short and very enjoyable stay at this hotel. It's right near the Seine and the Pont Neuf. Large space for a family to enjoy. Kind staff. Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Baronnie Hôtel & Spa

Saint-Martin-de-Re

This is the best hotel I have ever stayed in. The staff were so kind, so helpful, and so friendly. The room was stunning. My kids loved getting to have their own bedroom and loved the bunk bed. When we forgot our newly purchased stuffed animal on checkout, they called us and arranged to fly him home. We also got a cute little picture of him working at the front desk which charmed my children and me. I would love to come stay here again - it was magical.

Authenticity & Character

The most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in.

Location

Ile de Re is amazing and this hotel is right near the spot you want to explore. It's stunning.

Staff

The staff is so friendly, helpful, and kind. They clearly really want you to enjoy your time at the hotel and on the island. They knew our names and we walked in and out of the building and would have bent over backwards for us to make sure the trip was perfect.

Cleanliness & Comfort

A truly wonderful family room.

Domaine Mélusine

Les Epesses

Wonderful breakfast. Perfect spot for visiting Puy du Fou.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel 29 Lepic

Paris

Perfect space for a family in a wonderful, charming, part of town. Would love to come back and stay a day!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Perfect street in Montmarte.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discovery of the Machines de l'île

Nantes

Unfortunately the elephant ride was out of commission, which was disappointing, but we really enjoyed the machines.

Quality of Experience

Self-Guided Visit of the Eiffel Tower with Access to the Summit (Entrance Tickets included)

Paris

Quality of Experience

Louvre Treasure Hunt

Paris

This was the perfect way to introduce a child to this massive Louvre. We saw 10 preselected pieces, discussed them, and left. It was the best way to get my child into the Louvre without overwhelming her. Our guide was wonderful and so engaging. My daughter adored her.

Quality of Experience

Our tour guide was fantastic!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide was fantastic!

Transport

We took the Metro.

Yesterday, still jetlagged, I began to write a very detailed review of this trip, but got sicktracked. When I went back this morning to complete it, I found it was not saved! So now you're getting the abbreviated version!

1. Flight over, and car pickup went smoothly. Got to Giverny, where you had no connections, but I think it's too bad you
didn't suggest I make reservations for Monet's house and gardens. Luckily, that occurred to me on my own , or we
would have been very disappointed to get there to find the size of the crowds. Likewise, you had no relationships
with hotels in that area, but I was able to find a very nice hotel in nearby Vernon and it worked out well.
2. Caroline had suggested driving directly to Bayeux but I chose, instead, to take a stop-off in Honfleur, which I had read
was one of the most beautiful little towns in France. If there hadn't been a circus and market day in town that day it
would have worked out better, but we at least had a brief opportunity to drive through the town, even if we couldn't
find a place to park and explore.
3. Upon reaching Bayeux, we parked and went to our hotel. Le Castel was a very nice place, but more of a guest house
than a hotel! We arrived on Saturday in time for 3:00 check-in only to find a sign on the door saying check-in was at
5:00! The place was locked up tight! We managed to spend a couple of hours finding lunch and wandering through
the cathedral but it was a surprise and disappointment to not have a place to cool off and relax. Bayeux is a terrific
town, and on day 3 we had a great guided tour of the town, but unfortunately I don't remember the name of the
wonderful woman in the green hat and scarf! She was very knowledgeable and we learned many new
things, and got a healthy dose of humor from her! By now the heatwave was fully upon us, so it was not much of a
relief to go back to our room! We understood that France does not offer much air conditioning but the temperatures
were WAY beyond anything we expected. The really fun thing about Sunday evening was that it was Fete de la
Musique! That was quite the unexpected bonus, and we enjoyed it very much.
4, Monday was our D-Day experience and it was everything, and more, than we expected. Our tour guide Lucas, and
driver Estephe were very professional and Lucas's presentations, with photos to support what he was telling us,
were top-notch! The group was a good size, about 12, and it made asking questions, and keeping up very manageable.
A huge bonus was at the American Cemetery, where, after Lucas' explanation and instructions of when and where to
meet, we walked the cemetery on our own. Suddenly we heard the national anthem, followed by taps. That was
extremely moving and Lucas told us later that that is an infrequent occurrence, when family of someone buried
there visits. My only criticism of the day was that where Lucas told us to meet ("back at the van") was pretty vague
and it made it hard to figure out which van was ours. It would have better had he had us meet back where we started
IN the cemetery, so no one was wandering the parking lot!
5. Tuesday was our full day trip to le Mont St-Michel. Our driver/guide Lu/Lou was just fantastic! She had a great
personality and was very outgoing. It was a long drive, but there were only 7 of us, plus Lou, and so conversation
flowed, and we really enjoyed our time together. Lou was very mindful of our age, and was very conscientious about
stopping for short breaks as we made our way up all those steps to the Abbey itself. Her tour was excellent and she
was very clear about using our free time for lunch and shopping and what time to be making our way back to the
welcome center for the trip back. Perhaps it was because we had more time with her, but I felt that Lou was the
outstanding guide of all!
6. Wednesday was the day I was most worried about, as Caroline's estimation of how long it would take to drive from
Bayeux to Versailles was different from what Google maps estimated. It turned out that Caroline's time frame was
better, as we opted not to take any Autoroutes, sticking instead to secondary highways. We were worried about
parking at Versailles, expecting be forced to park far away, but we were pleasantly surprised to find parking was easy
and very close to the gates. We did have some trouble figuring out where to meet our group but we managed in
plenty of time. Again, I don't know our guide's name - even with headsets it was hard to hear everything she said with
the crowds. The crowds and the heat really made the day less than it could have been but overall it was good to
finally see a place I have so longed to visit. The temperatures of 100+ made us reconsider the gardens, but
otherwise it was good. The car return and train into Paris were fine, and the cab ride to our hotel was short and
painless.
7. Thank God for cell phones! Diliana texted and called about the change of meeting time for the tour of Notre Dame,
and offered us options if we wanted, of either the Latin Quarter, or the Musee d'Orsay. We had not seen Notre Dame
for 28 years so we were anxious to see how it looked after the fire. We were worried about exactly where and how
we would meet up with Sylvanie but she found us, and she did a wonderful job of showing us both outside and in. It
was a terrific tour, and she, too, was very knowledgeable.
8. Le Jardin de Brea was just great - AC was SOOOO welcome by then, and the staff in the lobby was fantastic, friendly,
and ready with recommendations for nearby restaurants! I know it was not your original recommendation, but it
was perfect! The half hour walk to Notre Dame from the hotel, through Luxembourg Gardens would normally be
easy, were if not for the 104 temps!
9. Our driver to CDG on Friday morning was excellent, and he had bottles of water waiting for us in the back seat. He
got us there in 50 minutes, which should have been plenty, and it was, except that due to the heat passport control
was down, and the lines were exceptional as each passenger had to be processed manually, rather than electronically.
That was the most stressful part of the week, except that we were all in the same boat, and the plane was delayed.

Final thoughts: I think there were a couple of things that could be tightened up, with regard to suggestions, meeting places, etc, but overall it was a wonderful trip and Kimkim took good care of us. Diliana did say that due to our not being able to see Sainte Chappelle we would receive a cost adjustment so I will look forward to more information from you on that. Overall the trip was a very successful one and were we to need travel services again Kimkim would be our choice.

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes

Paris

This hotel was closed for renovations so this does not apply.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

AC was wonderful, breakfast was wonderful! This is a great hotel I would recommend you add to your list of recommendations

Hôtel Jardin le Bréa

Paris

Great hotel, excellent staff, clean, good location

Authenticity & Character

Charming

Location

A half hour walk to Notre Dame through Luxembourg Gardens. Lots of restaurants nearby!

Staff

The desk staff were very friendly, and had good recommendations for restaurants nearby

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lovely room, clean, great AC.

Le Castel & Au Loup

Bayeux

The hotel was very nice, the breakfast was good, the cleaning of the room from day to day was minimal, but Fred, our host was wonderful!

Authenticity & Character

A beautiful building!

Location

Within walking distance of everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Changed the towels but that was all

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Exploration of Bayeux

Bayeux

The cathedral was gorgeous and we enjoyed visiting it. The high point there was going down into the crypt and encountering a quartet of what we can only assume were music students singing a cappella. That was exquisite!

Quality of Experience

Monet's Giverny House & Gardens self-guided day Trip (Tickets are not included)

France

I felt that Kimkim gave us nothing on this! We figured out that we needed reservations, we needed to find our own hotel.

Quality of Experience

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit with Priority Access

Paris

I only give this 4 stars because we were not able to visit Sainte Chappelle

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sylvanie rushed to get back from another toup to give us a private tour!

Self-Guided Day in Le Marais: Cheese Shop, Museums, & Market

Paris

Did not do this due to weather

Quality of Experience

Palace of Versailles Day Trip with Priority Access – Half-Day Tour

Paris

It was simply too hot and to crowded to fully appreciate!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mont Saint Michel & The Abbey : The Enchanted Island

Bayeux

In spite of the heat, and all the steps, this is an amazing place!

Quality of Experience

Our guide was fantastic!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Omaha Beach & American Cemetery War History Day Trip

Bayeux

Even better than I could imagine it to be!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Bayeux

Bayeux

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sebastian’s help in creating a perfect honeymoon itinerary was amazing! The travel book was clear and easy to use. We had a great time in France!

Thank you Liz for listening to my requests which was to have a dynamic central locating experience. We always stayed in the heart of locations that we wanted to be in. Our transfers and majority of our guides were exceptional. It’s hard to keep track of all our guides. Dina, who toured us in the D’orsay museum was exceptional. Communicated very well and was able to adapt to our needs. We had a person in a wheelchair, which was a challenge throughout. Sara was exceptional, giving us information about the louve. I enjoyed Adam who gave us a tour at the Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle. Additionally, the gentleman who gave us a tour to Saint Remi in Avignon was exceptional. My recommendation, however, is to space out the tours a little bit more or create a situation where maybe people back off or give them the disclaimer that they might not be able to spend as much time as they would like to in one area.

Hotel Reviews

Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel

Nice

I shared a deluxe sweet with my parents. I wish there was more privacy. I could hear too much.

Authenticity & Character

Very clean

Location

Five minute walk to the beach one minute walk to town

Staff

Friendly helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Garlande Hotel Avignon Centre

Avignon

Great location, kind owners

Authenticity & Character

Old yet charming

Location

You are in the heart of the town

Staff

I adore the owners

Cleanliness & Comfort

I slept well

Hôtel De Brunville & Spa

Bayeux

Great area. Small. Amazing staff. Gets the job done.

Authenticity & Character

It needs a major upgrade.

Location

The best

Staff

Totally accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Some towels were stained.

Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Paris

This hotel was our first stop. Our Paris trip went so fast. It’s hard to remember everything, but I do recall that we were located very centrally.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to all major - sights for first timers. Safe.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Avignon Stroll: Popes’ Palace & Rhône Wine

Avignon

Quality of Experience

I found it hard to understand the guide. But she was really great and had a lot of passion.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self Guided Visit: Picasso Museum (Tickets to be Purchased Upon Entry)

France

Quality of Experience

Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets

Paris

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Evening at the Moulin Rouge with Private Transfers

Paris

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Saint-Rémy, Les Baux & Pont du Gard Experience

Avignon

He was incredible. Absolutely loved this tour guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Louvre Museum Visit

Paris

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farmer Market Day in Avignon

Avignon

Quality of Experience

Private Giverny & Palace of Versailles: Art, Royalty & Gardens

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lavender Luberon Morning Discovery

Avignon

This was my dream experience. I really wanted to see the lavender field and I did!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Morning in the Pearl of France : Menton

Nice

I absolutely loved exploring Menton. I wish I could’ve spent more time there. I would’ve liked to have gone swimming there.

Quality of Experience

Mentone is such a neat place

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sebastian spoke very good Eng and did his best and was able to accommodate the different needs of our group

Transport

Self-Guided Beach Day

Nice

Quality of Experience

Sea Life Secrets: Snorkel the French Riviera

Nice

A great time to feel the sea. It was supervised and safe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was close to our hotel so we could Uber or walk

Private Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze Afternoon Excursion

Nice

This day was overwhelming, partly because it was hot, which was out of anyone’s control. I felt like this whole experience was very rushed and I almost would’ve rather just gone swimming at a beach. He did his best to be accommodating, but he knew the type of group that we were and if he felt like Jim was such an impediment, he should’ve added a guide or suggested that Jim stay home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He is very energetic- I would place him with more capable walkers. The challenge was we had a gap in activity level between our group and that was a challenge for this activity.

Transport

Mont Saint Michel & The Abbey : The Enchanted Island

Bayeux

This location is just exceptional. We had a great guide. There was some confusion about where to be picked up. She was accommodating. I would have advised the team better that Jim probably should not have come to this activity or maybe it was stated.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Excellent transport and guide. Wish we had more time to eat lunch there.

Private WWII Jeep Experience

Bayeux

Great experience. I think I would preferred taking a tour via the van over the Jeep. For comforting reasons.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit with Priority Access

Paris

Excellent guides. However, time was too short.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our hotel was nearby

Private Exploration of Orsay Museum

Paris

Diana was very knowledgeable and helpful and accommodating. I wish the tour was longer. We did not have enough time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were located close to the hotel. We were able to get preferred accommodations because Jim was in a wheelchair.

My input to the planning and booking was minimal for our group of six, but the few questions I had were answered promptly by Liz. In our situation we needed a personalized and professionally organized trip to be able to travel throughout several cities and visit the many historical sites.

My first trip to France and I cannot understand or read French. We covered a lot of ground in 16 days. Transportation between cities and tours worked out extremely well. We had six people with luggage & a walker that fit neatly into a passenger van. We also walked and used Uber to get around.

We chose to stay in the "old town" areas close to historical sites. This meant narrow, cobble stone streets, not friendly to the walker. Most of the historical monuments require a lot of walking, standing and stairs. Tours of historical monuments are physically demanding. It would be helpful for the tours to better describe accessibility.

Tour guides tend to overload you with a lot of information in a short period of time. They want to give you your money's worth and impress you with their knowledge, but sometimes it is difficult to absorb if your feet are tired and it is hot. Some tour guides wired us up with headphones and this was helpful when there were other competing tours. They have a challenging job because they do not know what you already know or your interests, and this varies by each individual.

Unless you are a history buff it is difficult to prepare for the tours. In the United States we think of history in a few hundred years and in Europe you are talking about a couple of thousand years. Our live is complex compared to the old days, but they had to be concerned about conquerors and therefore build fortifications on hills, high ground is key terrain.

I gained a greater appreciation of the ancient history and in 5,000 years of civilization, human nature has not changed. One would think that by now we have had enough experience to know the principles and values that work. Apparently, the schools in France teach a lot of history, something we need to improve on in our educational system in the United States. The titans of religion, royalty, arts, and music tell us so much about human nature, politics, and daily life, but it is hard to find time and difficult to comprehend, especially in our crazed social media society and our 24-hour news cycle. Visiting these historical sites helps one to better understand our history and heritage.

Being from the San Francisco Bay Area we have all these schemes to make housing, transportation, and quality of life better. They want to recreate the "European Model" of good public transportation, sidewalk cafes and quaint shops. I agree they are fun. In theory they are great, but not practical in most United States cities. Unfortunately, are schemes are not working. For example, public transportation has nothing to do about moving people, it is about jobs, contracts, and buying votes. Surprising to me was the amount of graffiti in France, even in the smaller towns. Homelessness was minimal and we always felt safe.

Not sure what people do for a living in France, but they spend a lot of time in sidewalk cafes. The French people seem to be in better shape than Americans. The youth were impressive. Thirty (30) years ago Americans found the French difficult. Many people in France now speak some English they are delightful and helpful.

This was my first time using KimKim. I've visited about 50% of countries in the world so I've used hundreds of travel agencies. KimKim is the perfect way to organize a trip. I knew exactly which cities I wanted to visit in France and worked with Sophie who was based in Lyon. She organized hotels, car transportation, trains and tours that she recommended. We worked together providing each other feedback until we came up with a final plan. I was a solo traveler for this trip, so knowing I could rely on Sophie for advice was very reassuring. Sophie stayed on top of any changes that were outside of our control and was quick to problem-solve when any snags were encountered. KimKim had a very user friendly app that made everything so clear and accessible. I would highly recommend KimKim and Sophie for your next travel plan.

We had a great time in France. Amandine was great to work with. It felt like 2 trips: first Paris and Normandy, and then Provence and Nice in the South. Luckily we just missed the extreme heat wave.
The following guides really made the experience exceptional:
Juliette - guide for Mont Saint-Michel was fantastic
Stefan - guide for Normandy beaches was fantastic
Tomas - guide for Avignon and Les Baux was fantastic
Jesse - guide for Luberon villages was fantastic, and was substituted at last minute as someone was sick
Nora - guide for Monaco and Monte Carlo was fantastic.

Hotel Reviews

Aparthotel Adagio Nice Promenade des Anglais

Nice

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right next to the beach.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Saint Christophe

Aix-en-Provence

Authenticity & Character

Location

close to the Aix tour center

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Bayeux

Bayeux

Should not offer 3 people in single room. Not enough room

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Don't put 3 people in a room

Citadines Bastille Marais Paris

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Louvre Skip-the-line tour: greatest masterpieces small group guided tour (Max. 6 persons)

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Grasse to Paris, Fragonard Perfume Workshop & Museum

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nora was fantastic. The tour guide at Fragonard was great.

Transport

Full-day excursion to Monaco, Monte-Carlo & Eze

France

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nora was fantastic. Learned a lot with her commentary during the drive.

Transport

Private transfer - Excursion from Aix-en-Provence to Nice

France

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alicia was prompt and took us to some great vantage points for photos.

Transport

Luberon Markets and Villages small-group guided tour

Aix-en-Provence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jesse was outstanding.

Transport

Full-day from Aix to Les Baux, Avignon, The Pont du Gard & Chateauneuf du Pape

Aix-en-Provence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tomas was outstanding

Transport

From Aix - Full-day catamaran tour in the Calanques National Park

France

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Know the location of the dropoff

Full-day Tour of D-Day Sites

Bayeux

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tomas was excellent

Transport

Full-day guided tour from Bayeux to the Mont-Saint-Michel

France

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chauffeured Tour of Paris in a Vintage Car

Paris

Stoyan did a great job with his 1970 Mercedes trip through the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We wanted a once-in-a-lifetime trip to
France to focus on history, culture, wine and food, and Liz and Diliana at kimkim delivered!
In Paris, we particularly enjoyed the fabulous lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant on the Eiffel Tower, viewing a beautiful sunset from the Arc de Triomphe, touring the magnificent Paris Opera, and the incredible show at the Moulin Rouge.
Diliana helped us plan to avoid the crowds of soccer fans taking over the Champs Elysees and other areas of the city during the Champions League final between Paris St. Germain and Arsenal and victory celebrations the next day.
The Hotel College de France was a boutique hotel in the Latin Quarter with a very nice staff and easy access to shops, restaurants, Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens.
Guide Sylvanie did a lovely job explaining Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame’s religious history, architecture and art, along with modern changes at the cathedral since the 2019 fire.
Transfers to and from the airport, train stations and accommodations went smoothly and were one of the reasons we used kimkim in the first place. We wanted a curated trip that wasn’t a large group tour and didn’t involve renting a car, and this worked very well.

Our next move was to the Hotel Central in Avignon, which, true to its name, was very centrally located on the main shopping and dining street. No laundry service despite it being advertised, but the night staff arranged to have some of our clothes washed with hotel laundry. Came back damp and wrinkled, but clean. Not ideal, but kind of them and inexpensive.

Les Palais du Papes was within walking distance and so was the carousel. We also enjoyed a day trip to two wineries in Chateau-neuf-du-Pape with guide Adam and visited the photogenic ruins of an early castle of the Avignon popes. Well-preserved Roman amphitheaters, a temple, an arena and the magnificent Pont du Gard aqueduct/bridge were highlights of day trip with knowledgeable guide Florian. Guide Matilde took us to St. Remy and Arles for Van Gogh memories, to the walled medieval city of Augues-Morte, and to the Parc Ornithologique to see flamingos and other protected birds in the Camargue, a large, protected wetlands area with its own culture. Matilde went above and beyond to accommodate our needs. Then an interesting trip in a 4x4 with guide Joe to see the Carmague’s special white horses and bulls and its pink salt marshes.

Nice was our next stop, where we stayed at the Best Western Lakmi, the hotel we liked best. The staff was super helpful and friendly. However, laundry service was available only through an outside company which was insanely expensive, so we spent three hours in a laundromat.
From Nice, we explored Antibes, Cap d’Antibes and the hill with commanding views of the bay and city, where once stood a castle called La Colline du Chateau. Guide Pierre was terrific about finding great photo spots; he also took us to Eze and Monaco the next day for a fun look at Monte Carlo’s casino and opera house, giant yachts, royal gardens and the changing of the palace guard.
For our trip to Mentón from Nice, guide Cyril was incredible about helping us get to the station and find seats on a very crowded train. A highlight was artist Marc Chagall’s
Wedding room in City Hall, followed by a lot of lemoncello tastings in the home of exceptionally sweet lemons.
Marseille’s highlights were mostly outside town, in beautiful lavender fields, the charming city of Aix and the high limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of the Calanques. Guide Tomas found the right fields for perfect lavender photos early in the season.
We ended our trip with a relaxing, special night at the Chateau de la Tour in Chantilly, about 40 minutes from the airport in Paris. Great food and wine, a pool and lovely grounds were an inspired way to end our trip and rest up for the flight home.
Merci, Liz, Diliana, and kimkim!

We loved traveling to all the diff. regions in France from Paris to Normandy to Aix Provence to Nice. The tours were amazing and we learned so much history. Amandine was awesome and very receptive to anything we needed.

We were disappointed with the hotel in Bayeux. It was extremely small, outdated and didn't appear very clean. We couldn't hardly maneuver our luggage let alone unpack so I would not recommend having clients stay at that particular hotel. Everything else was very nice.

Thank you for organizing this memorable trip for the Fortino Family!! We loved France

Best Regards,
Tony, Marianne and Katie Fortino

What a memorable trip to France made special by the team at KimKim! We are so thankful for their expertise in the planning, budgeting and implementing of a such a wonderful trip. This was our 3rd trip for my wife and I using KimKim and again what an amazing experience.

Hotel Reviews

Les Roches Blanches

Cassis

I wish there were more stars I could give. I was not paid for this review and when you go there and leave you will be able to say the same thing. Unbelievable hotel!! Every member of their staff was top notch. We have stayed in a lot of nice places all over the world and you will not find a nicer hotel or more attentive staff than what you will find at Les Rochas Blanches! Absolute best. We arrived before check in and were invited to have lunch at their Michelin star restaurant for lunch. Best decision ever. Julian our waiter was awesome. He recommended a Cassis Rose’ wine with our pesto pasta dish that ended up being one of our favorite dishes on our trip. They were able to get us into our ocean view with a balcony room before check in which was a pleasant surprise. The room, I mean THE ROOM!!! Being able to order a pillow to match your sleeping style was unexpected. I ordered the buckwheat filled pillow and slept like a baby every night were there. I even ordered one like it when we got home because I liked it so much. lol. The two infinite pools we swam in were amazing. They were heated to a perfect temperature and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Lounging by the pool with a glass of wine snacking on delicious snacks was like a dream. You will love the little round disk with the button in the middle. One push and the very attentive staff show up to help you with your food or drink order. They were the best. The front desk and concierge are phenomenal. They provided us with a shuttle into Cassis on several occasions and arranged transportation into La Ciotat for an excursion we had. When we were ready to be picked up in Cassis they were there in very short order to take us back to the hotel. That was a helpful perk. Before we, sadly, had to leave, my wife and I were already discussing how and when we could go back to Les Rochas Blanches! By far the best hotel experience we have had! Thank you for ending our vacation in such a relaxing and pleasant way!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The videos are amazing and it’s a short walk or drive into Cassis.

Staff

This is what makes a great hotel and they have it.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Slept like a baby with the buckwheat filled pillow.

Chateau de Bellefontaine

Bayeux

This is authentic French experience. Very nonchalant and pleasant service provided by the hotel staff. The ladies working the front desk are the restaurant server and all around everything else when it comes to service. No complaints because they did a great job taking care of us. Our room was clean and well appointed. There was no A/C in the room we stayed in however it did not matter. We left the two windows open at night and the provided fan and were never uncomfortable. Plus you get to hear nature while you sleep! It is about a 15 minute walk into Bayeux which we never did as we hired a cab each time. We did eat a dinner in the restaurant and it was delicious. I’m not sure if the front desk attendant was the cook too but it was very good. We would stay at this hotel again.

Authenticity & Character

This hotel has a lot of character.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Royal Garden Champs Elysées Paris

Paris

We were only able to stay here a couple of nights. We arrived to the hotel prior to check in time as our flight was an early morning flight. The hotel staff were so helpful in providing us water and a place to rest for a little while they prepared our room. We did sleep on the comfortable lobby couch and after what seemed like only a few minutes they had our room ready, before check in time! Such a wonderful surprise. The room was clean and comfortable and gave a a chance to rest a little more before heading off to the short distance to Notre Dame. Champs de Elyse and the Arch de Triumph are only a short walk from the hotel. The breakfast in the hotel was excellent along with the nice waitresses that served. Overall we would stay at this hotel again. Perfect for our short stay in Paris.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Omaha Beach & Band of Brothers: Full-Day Experience

Bayeux

Our guide Remy was amazing! He was such a wealth of knowledge. He did not just spew information but actually told the history of the places we stopped like you were back in 1944 landing in Normandy yourself. The places themselves are sobering places of history. We absolutely recommend this tour especially if you have Remy as your guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Remy was the best.

Transport

Mont Saint Michel & The Abbey : The Enchanted Island

Bayeux

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Calanques Morning Escape (transfer not included)

France

Very relaxing experience. The boat size was perfect for the 8 people and 2 crew. The tour was as expected and the skippers were very informative about the Calanques.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Caroline did an outstanding job planning our trip to France. The entire planning experience was excellent from start to finish. She selected great activities, provided all the information we needed, and helped make our vacation truly memorable.

The vouchers and travel documents she provided made every experience seamless and stress-free. Everything was well organized, and we always knew exactly where to be and what to expect.

Thanks to Caroline’s expertise and attention to detail, we had a wonderful trip and were able to focus on enjoying France rather than worrying about logistics. I would highly recommend Caroline to anyone planning a trip to France. Her knowledge, organization, and service made all the difference.

Hotel Reviews

Warwick Hotel Reine Astrid

Lyon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Best Western Plus Carlton 4*

Annecy

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Commented cruise on Annecy Lake

Annecy

We missed the first boat because it was not in the location stated on our voucher. We had to catch a later boat and be refunded by kimkim. Our specialist from kimkim was very flexible and helpful and arranged the refund, but leave extra time to find the correct boat. It was not.

Quality of Experience

Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Lyon

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lyon: 2-Hour Pedicab Tour

Lyon

Here’s a polished review you can use: Our pedicab tour was one of the most enjoyable experiences of our trip. What stood out most was the exceptional knowledge of our driver. Early in the tour, he took the time to learn about our interests and quickly adapted the experience to focus on the things we wanted to see and learn about most. His flexibility and willingness to personalize the tour made all the difference. Rather than following a rigid script, he tailored the route and commentary to our interests while still providing a comprehensive overview of the city. We learned so much about the city’s history, culture, and landmarks, and his depth of knowledge was truly impressive. The tour was both educational and entertaining. Riding behind the bike was a fun and unique way to experience the city, allowing us to cover a lot of ground while enjoying the sights. If you’re looking for a personalized and informative way to explore the city, I highly recommend this pedicab tour. The combination of a knowledgeable guide, a customized experience, and a fun ride made it a highlight of our visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hard to find pick up spot.

Annecy Traditional Food Tour

Annecy

Quality of Experience

Here’s a review you can post: This food tour was so much more than I expected and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The food at all five stops was excellent, but what really made the experience special was our guide’s incredible knowledge. At each stop, the guide provided exceptional insight into the history, culture, and significance of the food and the establishments we visited. It wasn’t just a food tour—it felt like a comprehensive tour of the city itself. Along the way, we learned so much about the city’s history, architecture, and local culture. Our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate, making every stop interesting and memorable. The combination of outstanding food and a fascinating city tour created an experience that far exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was an unforgettable experience and one of the best things we did on our trip.

Quality of Experience

Here’s a review you can post: This food tour was so much more than I expected and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The food at all five stops was excellent, but what really made the experience special was our guide’s incredible knowledge. At each stop, the guide provided exceptional insight into the history, culture, and significance of the food and the establishments we visited. It wasn’t just a food tour—it felt like a comprehensive tour of the city itself. Along the way, we learned so much about the city’s history, architecture, and local culture. Our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate, making every stop interesting and memorable. The combination of outstanding food and a fascinating city tour created an experience that far exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was an unforgettable experience and one of the best things we did on our trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aline did a wonderful job planning our trip to Tours and Paris. She worked with me to answer all my questions and design a trip that met all our expectations!

Hotel Reviews

Le Basile Hôtel

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was exemplary. Beyond helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless!

Oceania L'Univers Tours

Tours

Authenticity & Character

Lovely interior!

Location

Right by tourist office and train station.

Staff

Extremely helpful staff!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cooking Class in Tours, Loire Valley (Small Group Tour/2.5Hours)

France

Alex was a superb chef and teacher. He gave us many skills we will continue to use. The meal was excellent. Location easy to find. Kitchen was spotless and a very lovely space.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Villandry, Azay-Le-Rideau & Vouvray Wine Tour (Group Tour/9Hours)

France

Agathe was a superb guide. Very knowledgeable and personable. We enjoyed our day with her?

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day E-Bike guided tour, Loire Valley Chateaux : CHAMBORD (Small Group/8Hours)

Tours

Very fun day! Dimitri was an excellent guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The personalized detailed planning was excellent. Our hotels were just what we asked for as were the tours. We especially liked our unusual day in champagne with the Vintage Tour Company in “Marcel” with Coline. All our drivers were excellent.

Hotel Reviews

La Poterne

EPERNAY

The welcome and personal service was like visiting old friends. Charlotte made the best cake and breakfast. Very welcoming and comfy B&B. Perfect location if you want to be in town within walking distance to shops transport and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Lovely house and rooms

Staff

They make you feel like family

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the big tub and separate shower. Big comfy bed.

Hotel Dame des Arts

Paris

Great service, friendly and helpful staff. The food is excellent. Modern and stylish hotel with ambience. Our room was small but very comfortable with a king sized bed and well organized.

Authenticity & Character

Great style and ambience

Location

Close to every thing sight seeing, restaurants, metro etc.

Staff

All the staff were very helpful. Isi went the extra mile

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed was spacious and comfortable

Activity Review

Guided tour of Paris and secret Montmartre in a Citroën 2CV

Paris

JR listened to us and gave us a very personal eclectic tour as we had been to Paris a few times and wanted to see some different places.

The planning was very thorough and helpful. All the transportation was on time and easy to get a hold of.

The trip to hike along the Brittany coast from Port de le Duc to Saint Malo was a treat. The transfers were mostly flawless. The hotels were nice and well situated Watching the Eiffel tower sparkle through you hotel room window is quite the treat as is listening to the crashing waves on the beach in Dinard. The only feedback that would keep it from a 5 star was no map was provided for the route the travel adviser expected us to take. Perhaps I should have done that ahead of time instead of spending 45 minutes to an hour each evening reviewing the route and finding the location of the hotel etc etc. Once there was a surprise but it was sorted out and a great alternative was found. The written description of the route, the time estimates and the location of the hotels did not always match up perfectly. Fortunately the GR 34 is easy to follow and can be found on many hiking sites as a GPX file. The extra day in St Malo was a good idea but another day of walking would have been appreciated as well. The Brittany coast is stunning.

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Les Charmettes

Saint-Malo

Fun hotel on the St Malo beach. A 20 minute walk from the walled city. The beach is fun with water and wind sports abounding. Lots of happy noise.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Port-Jacquet

Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, Ille-et-Vilaine

I would have slept on the floor in a closet to get at the breakfast! so good. so friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Day Trip to Cancale & Mont-Saint-Michel

Saint-Malo

Mt St Michelle is very nice. We skipped the Cancale portion as we had each day been in a nice town along the coast and wanted to spend more time in St Malo. We stayed an extra day in St malo to enjoy the city but would not have had any real time there had we spent 3 hours in Cancale.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We added this French Basque experience on to a cruise and was so glad we did. We had always heard of Biarritz, the resort of royalty and also the Basque region with its intriguing culture and language. Working with Emma was a pleasure. She recommended staying in Bayonne as our base and it was a delightful choice and so convenient to take the train for all day trips. Hotel Koegui in Bayonne was so nice to come back to each night. We liked the room, breakfast and staff. The artwork was a beautiful touch. Our St Jean de Luz tour was unfortunately canceled but we enjoyed the town on our own. Lauren in Cambo les Bains and Espelette was a great guide. Being Basque, she explained the culture and sites very well. She was very conscious of our time so we made our return train but we did not feel rushed. Vicky in Biarritz was marvelous. We immediately felt a connection and enjoyed our tour immensely. Wish it could have been longer. The Quality Hotel in Bordeaux for our last night was a great location but not very special. It was adequate. We did not have a room as pictured in their online site. The driver to the airport was punctual and a delight to talk with on our drive. Kimkim has again given us the trip we hoped for. Thank you.

Hotel Reviews

Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre 3*

Bordeaux

Great location. Adequate room and good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Nothing special

Location

In the heart of old town

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything in our room was very clean

Villa Koegui

Bayonne

Great location in a wonderful town. Our room was spacious with a nice bathroom. Breakfast was delicious and varied. The staff was very helpful and courteous. Highly recommend if in Bayonne.

Authenticity & Character

Location and artwork

Location

Walkable to train and all restaurants

Staff

Very helpful with restaurant advice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Biarritz Walking Historical Tour

France

Same as Biarritz train station

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Biarritz

France

We loved Vicky. She met us at the train station where we were going to take a taxi or bus into town but instead her husband was with her to take us. So nice. We had a great walking tour of Biarritz with plenty of history and culture explained. Wish it could have been longer but we had 2 hours and the afternoon to explore on our own.

Quality of Experience

Vicky

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vicky

Transport

Espelette guided Tour

France

Lauren also guided us to Espelette which we really enjoyed. It was an even more submersion into the Basque culture. The final tasting of some pepper products was a nice way to end this tour.

Quality of Experience

Lauren was great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Good driver

Transport

Villa Arnaga

France

Lauren was a very good guide for this chateau. Being Basque, she knew the reasons for much of the architecture and decorations. It was a fascinating home with all the wall paintings.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Tour in St Jean de Luz

France

Unfortunately cancelled at last moment

Quality of Experience

Canceled

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Canceled

Transport

Canceled

My family of four (2 adults and 2 adult children (ages 21 and 18) spent 10 days in France. We had six days in Paris and 4 in Nice. When we decided to go to France, I was overwhelmed with all there was to see and do. Not know where to stay or which tours were best for our family, I turned to KimKim for help. Liz took the time to understand what we wanted to see and do on our trip ensuring everyone got to do something they really wanted. The tours were a amazing. An especially memorable tour was the the VIP tour of the Louvre - First to see the Mona Lisa. Adam was our tour guide and he was amazing. He not only was entertaining, he knew exactly how to get to the Mona Lisa before everyone else. We had a few minutes alone to look at the painting and got a family photo. But all our tour guides were fantastic. The people of France were fantastic. We enjoyed eating at the many boulangerie's, learning the subway and just taking in all the architecture. Nice was gorgeous as well. So much history and culture and we had a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. We will remember this trip forever and can't wait to return.

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Suisse

Nice

Hotel Suisse was a top notch location and had an excellent view. The complimentary breakfast was also very good and appreciated. The beds were comfortable and the AC worked well. The bathrooms felt a little old and were quite tiny. Some of the hotel staff outshined others. Overall, they were nice and accommodating as we had a bit of a snafu when we first arrived. The location was the best part of this hotel. The value wasn't great given the price we paid, however.

Authenticity & Character

Fit the area but not the price point.

Location

Perfect spot with a view of the Mediterranean. Walking distance to a many restaurants and shops.

Staff

Some staff were nice than others.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were clean. Bathrooms felt really small.

Hôtel Adèle & Jules Paris

Paris

This hotel was really pretty and quaint. The only reason I gave this four stars and not five is that there were some hidden fees we were not aware of and the two single beds we requested were smashed together as one bed. But the location was great. Access to many nearby restaurants and boulangeries as well as the train. The hotel had AC (which is not common in Paris) and was quiet so we were able to get rest. The bathrooms were updated and very nice as well.

Authenticity & Character

It felt Parisian

Location

Access to all the nearby restaurants and the subway.

Staff

Staff was nice. They didn't necessarily go out of their way to greet us but they were nice and accomodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable beds.

Activity Reviews

Parisian Shopping Secrets in the Marais

Paris

This was an interesting experience. We did learn a lot about shopping in Paris on this trip. However, it did feel a bit awkward at times while the tour guide watched us shop at the places she showed us. My 18 year old daughter really loved it the most as she couldn't wait to see some of the shops of Paris.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antibes Heritage & Cannes Highlights Afternoon Adventure

Nice

A fun few hours exploring Antibes and Cannes. We likely would not have gone to these towns otherwise so it was great to see these two other locations and get learn more about the local culture. We also were given some time to tour Cannes by ourselves. Our favorite of the two was Antibes. Very charming place. The tour guides were very nice and helpful as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Squares to Seaside: Nice E-Bike Ride

Nice

Super fun learning how to ride an e-bike as it was our first time. It really allowed us to see so much more. The only downside was our tour guide often got far ahead of us and it was hard to keep up at times. Despite this, he was very nice and knowledgeable. And it was still a nice time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Loire Valley Châteaux Day Trip: Chambord, Clos Lucé & Chenonceau

Paris

Ed was our tour guide and he was fantastic. Even went so far as to make us a lunch reservation outside a castle. He had a lot of knowledge and shared a great deal with us along the way. We saw three amazing places and got the back story for all of them. Definitely a highlight of our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Versailles & Farmers Market Bike Day

Paris

Our tour guide did a great job setting us up with bicycles and also guiding us through Versailles. We saw a great deal and learned a lot. The palace tour was at the end, for which we were on our own and that part was crowded. But the biking part was super fun. We also got a tour of the town and a chance to visit the local shops and restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

First to the Mona Lisa: VIP Louvre Experience

Paris

Our tour guide, Adam was simply amazing. We were the first family to reach the Mona Lisa. Adam was so much fun and taught us a lot in a short time. I would highly recommend requesting Adam. Go Team Adam!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit with Priority Access

Paris

Ed was fantastic at sharing with us the details of Sainte-Chapelle and the Notre Dame. We learned a great deal about both locations and he shared other information for us as well. He was incredibly nice and took his time to explain the culture and meaning behind these buildings. He also was patient with us as we were still dealing with jet lag from arriving the previous day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

🔸 Eiffel Tower : Reserved Access to the Summit + Audio guide

Paris

Loved seeing the Eiffel Tower at sunset. The tour guide was great but the tower was packed with people making it difficult to fully enjoy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a great time. All the connections between stops worked out just fine. The guides were wonderful. Enjoyed our time there very much.

Lucie was instrumental in setting up a fun and realistic itinerary for our trip to France. She was very responsive to all of our inquiries both before and during the trip and managed many important details for us. Chloe was great on our walking tour of Aix en Provence. Greg was an informative guide for our trip to the Luberon Villages. Thank you for your support and would definitely use your service again.

Meeting points could have been better explained, the tour company for Saint Micheele did not provide the transit {10 passenger van that you descibed.] We were placed on a bus with alot of people, we got a tour with another couple who were spanish, single guide thru the abbey, slowed visit time because of double translation

Hotel Review

Hotel Brighton

Paris

great location, staff is very helpful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

From Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel: Abbey, Village & Bay

Paris

guide was great, put on bus with alot of people instead of the small coach for ten as promised or explained in your guide. Unfourtunaely guide had another couple who only spoke spanish, slow time thru abby tour because of double translation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

guide great transit large bus, put on last, poor visibilty of country side.

Transport

large bus, poor sitting put on last, no ten passenger coach

Early Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise

Paris

resonable meal and little miss communication with staff served expresso at end of dinner instead of decaf coffee latta, graet bridge sites an explanation of the various bridges would have been great to enhance the experince,

Quality of Experience

Food

served expresso instead of decaf latte after dinner, not corrected

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

used privat transport fromVersailles to the river that was good, we arranged that

Paris Museum Pass

Paris

We used it for visisiting the Louvre for & hours [art overload] and to go to Versailles, It would of helped to gett a better handle on its use.

Quality of Experience

🔸 Eiffel Tower : Reserved Access to the Summit + Audio guide

Paris

better on start point, we actually went to the tower first and denied access, went to location thanks to MAPS APP, eventually founf the guide, a better explanation on this would have helped, we thought the confirmation number was our access to the tower.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit with Priority Access

Paris

excellent guide, knew the history and archectecture

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hidden Corners Bike Trip

Paris

great guide, felt safe with the streets taken

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff