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Simon Hardy

Every time I have the chance to travel, I strive to fully immerse myself in the destination I’m discovering. The colors, scents, tastes, and sounds—all these sensations define the essence of a journey and are made even more vivid through unique encounters with locals.

Born in France, the land of fragrances and gastronomy, I grew up between the countryside and the mountains. This is why I love crafting outdoor travel experiences for my guests as they explore France. Provence and the French Riviera perfectly embody my approach: the Art de Vivre combined with the beauty of the great outdoors!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in crafting authentic and immersive journeys across France, with a particular focus on off-the-beaten-path regions and outdoor experiences. Having traveled extensively and worked in tourism for years, I’ve developed a deep knowledge of places where nature, culture, and gastronomy come together to create unforgettable moments.

My expertise lies in Southern France, from the Provence countryside to the Alps and the Mediterranean coast. I know the best scenic roads for a self-drive itinerary, the hidden trails for a sunrise hike, and the family-run wineries where time seems to stand still. The Mont Ventoux, the Verdon Canyon, the Luberon villages, the vineyards of the Rhône Valley—these are landscapes I know like the back of my hand.

Beyond Provence and the Riviera, I have also spent time exploring other regions: the cliffs of Brittany, the castles and vineyards of the Loire Valley, the mountains of the Pyrenees, and the wild beauty of Corsica. Whether it’s a cycling trip, a truffle hunt in winter, or a stay in a remote ecolodge, I always look for experiences that bring travelers closer to the land and the people who shape it."

How did you get involved in travel?

"In 2007, I had the incredible opportunity to rediscover the heart of Laos while designing trekking routes along the Ho Chi Minh trails. Since then, I have lived and worked in Ethiopia, Thailand, and Mali, with a strong focus on ecotourism and sustainable travel.

When I returned to France in 2013, I decided to turn my dreams into reality by creating my own local travel agency in a region I deeply love. I have since become a specialist in ecotourism and off-the-beaten-track tours in Southern France—and I wouldn’t have it any other way!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I first experienced the Seychelles islands during a break while volunteering in Ethiopia. With our group, we hiked through the granite mountains of La Digue until we caught sight of the stunning coastline. Once down on the rocky shore, we followed our local guide, Dario, and continued our trek with an aquatic walk through the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean—backpacks on our heads—until we reached a breathtaking, deserted beach.

I will never forget the thrill of feeling like an explorer, even in such a well-known and touristy destination as the Seychelles. Since then, hiking from the mountains to the sea has become my favorite way to travel. Luckily for me, I can continue this adventure, whether on foot or by bike, along the incredible trails and scenic roads stretching from the Southern Alps to the Mediterranean!"

Simon is part of the following groups: France Travel Agents, France Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Favorite experiences

Provençal Cooking Class & Markets of Aix-en-Provence

The southeastern French region of Provence is one of the most scenic in the country. It's the land of the Riveria, medieval villages, lavender fields, and endless olive groves and vineyards. But Provence is as much a way of life as it is a point on a map. Today you'll experience Provence's...

Nice Off the Beaten Path

On the French Riviera, near the border with Italy, lies Nice. Nicknamed Nissa La Bella ("Nice the Beautiful"), it's a historic city famous for its artistic spirit, grand plazas, crescent-shaped pebble beaches, and the narrow streets of its colorful old town, Vieille Ville. Nice is a densely...

Soap Atelier Experience in Marseille

Explore a different art form as you learn about the region's emblematic Savon de Marseille (Marseille soap). This traditional hard soap, typically made with vegetable oils, has been around for nearly 600 years, with the first record of soap making in Marseille from 1370 CE. It was so popular and...

Discover Lyon on e-Bike

Lyon sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, creating scenic bike paths perfect for city exploration. First, get suited with all your gear, including an easy-to-use e-bike that will allow you to zip up hills without much effort. Then, you'll set off on two wheels to discover Lyon’s...

Explore the Lakeside Town of Annecy

Nestled by the northwestern shore of its namesake lake, Annecy is the jewel of the Haute-Savoie. From its crowning Château d'Annecy down to its gurgling canals, Annecy's Vieille Ville (Old Town) is infused with antique charm. Made great by the medieval Counts of Geneva and augmented by the Dukes...

Pastry Tour of Le Marais in Paris

Eating pastries and enjoying art is synonymous with French culture, and you'll get to do plenty of both while in Paris! Start your morning with a tour of the beloved Le Marais neighborhood with a local guide (a neighborhood resident, in fact). Le Marais has played an important part in French...

Recent trip reviews for Simon

In few words - amazing! 🤩
France | Aug 6 - Aug 22, 2025

Ksenia
Ksenia B.
Italy | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2025
In few words - amazing. 🤩 got help to organize a customized Atlantic Coast Trip in August, involving several countries, like Spain and France. We spent 16 days and visited all the coast from the Spanish Basque Country through the French one till Brittany and then even couple of days in Nantes. All great advice and attention to every minimum detail, perfect hotels selection (Villa Soro to come back, as well amazing spots between Emerald and Pink Granite coasts, itinerary that was smooth and... Read more

In few words - amazing. 🤩 got help to organize a customized Atlantic Coast Trip in August, involving several countries, like Spain and France. We spent 16 days and visited all the coast from the Spanish Basque Country through the French one till Brittany and then even couple of days in Nantes. All great advice and attention to every minimum detail, perfect hotels selection (Villa Soro to come back, as well amazing spots between Emerald and Pink Granite coasts, itinerary that was smooth and not tiring (as we were moving by car), great suggestions for private and group tours and all through a comfortable chat with the assistants who were always present and ready to advise. Thank you Simon 🤗 and of course Sebastian, we had an amazing vacation and already looking forward to doing more French escapes next year.

Hotel Review
Villa Soro
Donostia - San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa)

Superb! Really great location near the beach which is very local, non touristic, beautiful rooms, great food and really attentive personnel!

Authenticity & Character
Authenticity & Character
Location
Allows you to stay central but outside of crowds, great local beach nearby.
Location
Allows you to stay central but outside of crowds, great local beach nearby.
Staff
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Aug 28, 2025
Buongiorno Ksenia, Reading your review truly made my day 🤩 I’m so happy you enjoyed your Atlantic Coast journey — from the Basque Country to Brittany — and that the hotels, tours, and itinerary matched your expectations. This trip was also special for me: I loved designing it for you, from finding charming accommodations to sharing places meaningful to me — whether from childhood memories along the coast or tips from trusted colleagues and friends. That’s exactly what I love about being an... Read more

Buongiorno Ksenia,

Reading your review truly made my day 🤩 I’m so happy you enjoyed your Atlantic Coast journey — from the Basque Country to Brittany — and that the hotels, tours, and itinerary matched your expectations.

This trip was also special for me: I loved designing it for you, from finding charming accommodations to sharing places meaningful to me — whether from childhood memories along the coast or tips from trusted colleagues and friends. That’s exactly what I love about being an artisan of travel.

A special thanks as well to Sebastian for his support during your stay. I’m already looking forward to crafting your next French escape! 🇫🇷✨

Warm regards,
Simon

Everyone involved was excellent, Simon and Se...
France | Jul 21 - Aug 3, 2025

Jeff
Jeff P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2025

Everyone involved was excellent, Simon and Sebastion's communication was spot-on, I had last minute changes and all customer service was off the charts! Highly recommend and returning.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Aug 21, 2025

Hi Jeff,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌟 There were quite a few changes right before and during your trip, and we’re glad that our partners adapted so well. Sebastian and I are thrilled that we could make everything run smoothly for you. Truly tailor-made, just for you! We can’t wait to welcome you back for your next adventure.

Holiday in the South of France and Paris with my grandchildren 2025!
France | Jun 27 - Jul 6, 2025

Judy
Judy W.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2025
My specialist Simon did an excellent job in making my France experience with my grandchildren absolutely perfect. Our drivers were great, giving us some info on each place we were visiting, I literally never had to worry. Our hotel accommodations were absolutely wonderful especially in Nice and Aix en Provence - I could have stayed in Aix much longer as it was so beautiful. We had a lot of fun in Monaco in the Casino - No one won but definitely had fun while Nicole and Hillary enjoyed... Read more

My specialist Simon did an excellent job in making my France experience with my grandchildren absolutely perfect. Our drivers were great, giving us some info on each place we were visiting, I literally never had to worry. Our hotel accommodations were absolutely wonderful especially in Nice and Aix en Provence - I could have stayed in Aix much longer as it was so beautiful. We had a lot of fun in Monaco in the Casino - No one won but definitely had fun while Nicole and Hillary enjoyed browsing the stores and doing a little shopping at Zara’s.

The heat was my only downfall, kids didn't mind as they went to the beach to swim in the ocean and also in the pools to keep cool. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Perfume Making experience, so happy I did that. Our tours were all anmazing and the kids really enjoyed their night life in each place we stayed, not getting to bed until the wee hours of the morning. Paris is such a beautiful city with so much to see and do. The hotel we stayed at was wonderful as it was walking distance to everything. All the restaurants we went to had fabulous food, wine and cocktails no one complained.

Thank you Kim Kim for another wonderful and memorable holiday.

Hotel Reviews
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel
Paris

Wonderful hotel walking distance to everything - disappointed their spa and pool closed even though they offered us to use another hotels pool.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa Saint Ange
Aix en Provence

This hotel was beyond beautiful with its lovely gardens, fabulous pool with restaurant attached to the pool area where we enjoyed lunch, excellent breakfast and walking distance to town .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Bastide Saint Antoine
Grasse
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful grounds and excellent dinner
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boscolo Nice Hôtel & Spa
Nice

Absolutely beautiful, walking distance to beach, excellent breakfast - highly recommend

Authenticity & Character
It’s beautiful decor
Location
Close to beach, cafes and bars
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Dinner at Le Plongeoir
Dinner at Le Plongeoir
France
Food
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Aug 28, 2025
Dear Judy, What a joy to read your message – thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure (and a great adventure!) helping you plan this special trip with your grandchildren. I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and that the hotels, experiences, and tours all lived up to your expectations – especially Aix-en-Provence with the Villa Saint Ange! The image of you all enjoying Monaco’s casino, the beach, the perfume workshop, and Parisian nights paints quite the... Read more

Dear Judy,

What a joy to read your message – thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure (and a great adventure!) helping you plan this special trip with your grandchildren.

I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and that the hotels, experiences, and tours all lived up to your expectations – especially Aix-en-Provence with the Villa Saint Ange! The image of you all enjoying Monaco’s casino, the beach, the perfume workshop, and Parisian nights paints quite the postcard.

We’re also very aware that the summer heat was a challenge during your stay. Climate-related events like heatwaves are becoming more frequent, and as local travel specialists, it’s a growing priority for us to anticipate and adapt our services accordingly – from well-designed accommodations to thoughtfully timed activities and flexible pacing. We sincerely hope the arrangements we made provided you with the comfort you needed to enjoy your time here despite the temperatures.

Thank you again for your trust, your energy, and your kind words. We’d be delighted to welcome you back to France whenever the inspiration strikes again!

Warmest regards,
Simon | France by Locals

Simon planned a lovely tour in France for me,...
France | Aug 8 - Aug 20, 2024

Robert
Robert B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2024
Simon planned a lovely tour in France for me, staying at Tours, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and St Emilion. Everything went very smoothly and the guides e provided were excellent. Super time. Read more

Simon planned a lovely tour in France for me, staying at Tours, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and St Emilion. Everything went very smoothly and the guides e provided were excellent. Super time.

Activity Reviews
Cité du Vin : priority access with the skip the line ticket and wine tasting
Cité du Vin : priority access with the skip the line ticket and wine tasting
Bordeaux

The Cité du Vin in Bordeaux was a bit of a letdown for me. The building is modern and quite lovely, but I found the experience very basic. It felt more like an introductory course on wine—like "Did you know wine is made from grapes?"—which wasn't very engaging for me. The audio-visual presentations were well-done, but the pacing was off. I often found myself catching segments halfway and not knowing if I should wait for it to restart. Overall, I felt it wasn't the best use of my time.

Visit and tasting Chateau de Miniere
Visit and tasting Chateau de Miniere
Amboise

The wine tasting at Chateau de Miniere was a bit underwhelming. It was just me and the vineyard host, which made the experience feel somewhat isolated. The host poured a series of wines for me to taste, but there wasn't much conversation or interaction. It felt quite solitary, and at the end, she asked if I wanted to buy some wine, which I couldn't do because I was flying. I think it would have been much better with more people to share the experience with.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Sep 12, 2024

Dear Robert,
Thank you very much for your review! I am glad to hear you loved meeting the locals on your itinerary and training your French vocabulary :)
Kind regards,
Simon and the France By Locals team

A perfect fit for our family
France | Jun 28 - Jul 5, 2023

Ryan
Ryan S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 06, 2023
There are so many good things to say about Simon and the trip he planned for us. Let me start with our initial plan. He created so many fun and interesting things for us. Some weren't quite for our family so Simon was responsive to help choose different activities that were a prefect fit. Once we had everything all in place it turned out that we couldn't get the dates we had planned for. Within a few hours Simon had rebooked everything on our new dates. I can't imaging doing this... Read more

There are so many good things to say about Simon and the trip he planned for us. Let me start with our initial plan. He created so many fun and interesting things for us. Some weren't quite for our family so Simon was responsive to help choose different activities that were a prefect fit. Once we had everything all in place it turned out that we couldn't get the dates we had planned for. Within a few hours Simon had rebooked everything on our new dates. I can't imaging doing this myself, this alone was worth it.
Simon sent us our detailed itinerary a week before the trip so we could be comfortable in planning our timing, moving around the country.
When we landed in France we were greeted by a beautiful Limo that took us straight to the hotel. The Hotel in Paris was an apartment and nicely located for us to get around the city by Metro. The accommodations were clean and the breakfast each morning was very nice. We made good use of the coffee machine. We explored the city and loved our river cruise of the Seine at night. We also took the opportunity to climb the Eiffel Tower. After a long night of travel we found the cruise to be a perfect way to start the trip.
On day two we all loved the ride out to the palace of Versaille. The kids loved exploring the rooms and the gardens. When we returned to the city we explored the Jardins du Luxembourg on Simon's recommendation. It was perfect.
On day three we did a treasure hunt of the Louvre with the kids. We got to see all the important parts of the museum and the kids loved learning and seeing all the beauty of the museum.
Our next day took us by train to Marseille. Our first impression was a little off, but this was in large part due to the protests that were going on. However the hotel was in a great location and allowed us to get where we needed to go easily. After a good sleep we woke up to a new town. The streets had been cleaned and the energy was much better. Here again Simon was an excellent communicator for our trip. We had planned a morning cruise out to the Calanque national park, but the wind and the sea prevented us from going. Simon gave us plenty of notice and cancelled the excursion and provided a full refund very quickly. In the afternoon we did the e-bike tour of Marseille. The kids claimed this was the highlight of our whole trip. The views were spectacular, the exercise was fun and I highly recommend this as a way to connect with the city. Thanks to Simon notifying us that we couldn't sail in the morning. We were able to book a dinner cruise of the harbour and sea for the evening when the seas had calmed. This also was a highlight.
Then we were off to Nice. The train ride was smooth and easy. We checked in to another centrally located hotel that was cozy and again served a nice breakfast. We went and did some shopping and spent the afternoon splashing in the sea.
On our final full day we took a very lovely ride into Monaco. Our guide was very informative and it was a beautiful city. Definitely worth seeing. And of course getting to do a lap of the course of the Monaco Grand Prix was fun for everyone.
Upon returning to Nice we had more time to play in the Sea.
On our final day our limo to the airport was right on time and delivered us to the airport for a safe flight home.
Our family was so impressed by Simon and our kimkim experience. We had amazing things to do everyday and Simon created the trip of a lifetime for us. We are grateful!!

Hotel Reviews
Hôtel Aria
Nice

A nice hotel. Rooms were clean with a nice washroom. The breakfast was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to walk to the Sea
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maison Saint Louis Vieux Port
Marseille

Rooms were small but that is to be expected. We had a decent view. Very warm in the rooms. The breakfast was good. The location was very close to the harbour.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Citadines Bastille Marais Paris
Paris

The apartments were clean. The breakfast was very good. The location was close to several Metro lines allowing you to get around easily.

Authenticity & Character
It was a more modern feel.
Location
close to the Metro, easy to get around Paris
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Palace of Versailles Half day trip (Skip the line, audioguided & gardens) by minivan from Paris
Palace of Versailles Half day trip (Skip the line, audioguided & gardens) by minivan from Paris
Paris

This was a beautiful look at history. The palace is immaculately maintained and it made you feel a part of the history of the culture and country. The gardens are so vast you could spend days there. We loved the hall of mirrors and the artwork is truly a site to see.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
DU Half-day excursion to Monaco, Monte-Carlo, Eze & La Turbie
DU Half-day excursion to Monaco, Monte-Carlo, Eze & La Turbie
Nice

A visit to Monaco was well worth it. And we were pleasantly surprised to have the visit tot the village of Eze on the trip. It was quite the contrast of the old city of Eze and the activity and grandeur of Monaco. Our driver was very knowledgeable and was very good and navigating the busy streets. It was fun to do a lap of the Formula 1 course.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
clean
Marseille Fada Guided Ebike Tour
Marseille Fada Guided Ebike Tour
Marseille

The whole family said this was the highlight of our vacation. This is the only way to see a city. Our guide was knowledgeable and able to navigate the city with ease. The e-bike made it possible for us to cover a lot of ground. The view were spectacular and we were able to cover so much. They had a bike for my son and my daughter was just a little small but loved riding in the buggy behind me.

Quality of Experience
Just the best way to see the city
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fantastic
Louvre Treasure Hunt (kids or teens tour)
Louvre Treasure Hunt (kids or teens tour)
Paris

This was the best way to see the Museum. Our guide, Marine, was knowledgeable and fun. She told wonderful and engaging stories that kept our kids interested and fascinated. My wife and I were able to enjoy the stories as well and we saw all the the best of the Louvre. We were by the lines and avoided the crowds. We all learned a lot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgeable, fun, and a great storyteller. We loved Marine!!
Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise
Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise
Paris

This was the perfect way to start our vacation. The cruise is beautiful at night showing off Paris at sunset. There is lots of room and the views are spectacular.

Quality of Experience
The view of the city
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Jul 12, 2023

Hello Ryan,
Thank you very much for these sweet words here on Kimkim! I also transmitted your encouragement to my team; it was Noemi who took care of the reservations and Baptiste who assisted me with your digital travel booklet :)
Thank you again. We look forward to welcoming you again in France.
Simon

Memorable and active week in Provence
France | Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2023

Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie G.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023
We enjoyed the hotel and boat ride in Marseille. It was nice for everything to be walking distance. We also loved staying in Moustiers St Marie and the activities near there. Le Jas du Colombier was perfect to walk to town and hang out by the pool. The canyineering with Armand from the Verdoniers was epic. Our kids loved that so much. The kayaking with Christophe of Aquattitude was also a favorite. The horseback riding was a bit of a long and hot day for beginners. Same with biking, it was... Read more

We enjoyed the hotel and boat ride in Marseille. It was nice for everything to be walking distance. We also loved staying in Moustiers St Marie and the activities near there. Le Jas du Colombier was perfect to walk to town and hang out by the pool. The canyineering with Armand from the Verdoniers was epic. Our kids loved that so much. The kayaking with Christophe of Aquattitude was also a favorite. The horseback riding was a bit of a long and hot day for beginners. Same with biking, it was really hot and a bit challenging for the kids. We appreciated seeing the region from all these vantage points. It is really important for you to share any necessary info to be prepared ahead of time, since we are not in direct contact with the guide.

Hotel Reviews
Le Jas du Colombier
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

We had a huge house to ourselves. Very well equipped to cook and wash clothes. We loved the salt water pool at the end of a long hot day. The views are amazing and we enjoyed eating meals outside. It is really more of a house rental, not a hotel. This should be more clear for setting expectations.

Authenticity & Character
A but cluttered with their personal items but we really enjoyed our stay.
Location
Walkable to village center
Staff
Jeanine is very welcoming.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds
Maison Saint Louis Vieux Port
Marseille

Great location in the middle of the city. Clean and comfortable. Convenient to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Architecture
Location
Walkable
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Mountain-biking around the lake
Mountain-biking around the lake
France

A bit long and challenging for our kids. We enjoyed the picnic at the lake and biking through the region.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-day Canoë kayak Excursion in the lower Verdon canyon
Half-day Canoë kayak Excursion in the lower Verdon canyon
France

Gorgeous view of the canyon and great explanations.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Christophe from Aquattitude was phenomenal.
Transport
Horse riding in the Gorges, full-day
Horse riding in the Gorges, full-day
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

A bit too long and not as scenic as expected. We were supposed to bring our own lunch, would have been better if provided because travelers don’t typically have packs for lunches.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoneering in the Verdon Gorges
Canyoneering in the Verdon Gorges
France

A big hit with our entire family.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Armand was so friendly and able to adapt to each persons ability.
Transport
A day in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
A day in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Tons to see and do. Truly a gorgeous village. The hike to the church at the top earns you ice cream.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day morning Cruise to Calanques National Park - small group
Half-Day morning Cruise to Calanques National Park - small group
Marseille

Fun ride and swim, but captain was not not sharing a lot of info.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More friendly and sharing info
Transport
We walked there
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Jul 04, 2023
Bonjour Anne-Marie,
Thank you for this detailed review of your trip to Southern France in June! I am glad you enjoyed the knowledge and the professional behavior of the local guides you met in the Verdon region with your family. I note that we could have shared more necessary info to be prepared beforehand. We will continue improving our digital travel booklets, especially regarding outdoor activities requiring sharing of any specifications.
ça a été un plaisir de vous avoir comme voyageurs....
Read more

Bonjour Anne-Marie,
Thank you for this detailed review of your trip to Southern France in June! I am glad you enjoyed the knowledge and the professional behavior of the local guides you met in the Verdon region with your family. I note that we could have shared more necessary info to be prepared beforehand. We will continue improving our digital travel booklets, especially regarding outdoor activities requiring sharing of any specifications.
ça a été un plaisir de vous avoir comme voyageurs. Tout comme Christophe, William et vos hôtes qui me disent avoir passé de très agréables moments en votre compagnie.
Kind regards,
Simon

It could have been better ...
France | May 1 - May 28, 2023

Khanh
Khanh V.
Henderson, NC | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2023

Simon and his team provided thorough itineraries however there is no follow up contact from them to check on us, the travelers. With minimal of 4 arrangements with local guides during our 28 day trip, we were very much on our own most of the time. It would be more informative for us to have a guide in a city. We did not expect to have ones in small town or village stays. With the amount of research that we did ourselves, at times we thought that we could have done the trip without having to go with KimKim.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Jul 04, 2023

Bonjour Khanh,
Thank you very much for your feedback and detailed suggestions. I hope you could have enjoyed the itinerary I prepared along with central and comfortable accommodations! It is not always easy to include guides and activities during a self-drive of almost a month time without exceeding the budget or losing the sense of freedom and independence that characterize long-haul travels, but I take your comment into consideration for future travelers.
Kind regards,
Simon

60th Birthday Tour of France
France | May 28 - Jun 10, 2023

G
Gregory S.
Cornelius, NC | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2023

Many thanks to Kimkim and Simon for helping us to plan our two-week tour of France to celebrate my wife's 60th Birthday. The full itinerary brought in all the highlights we wanted to view and experience in a thoughtful well laid out order. The top highlight was Mont-Saint-Michel, a true wonder (although it was difficult to choose). The trip started in Paris, we then traveled to Bayeaux, in Normandy, then to the Loire Valley for Chateau tours before traveling to Avignon to experience Provance with the Roman ruins and wonderful wine. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Jul 04, 2023

Dear Greg,
Thank you for this detailed feedback about your trip from North to South. We are always interested in hearing about your overall experience and what you thought of our services. This is important for us and the following travelers!
See you maybe another time in other French regions!
Kind regards,
Simon

Honeymoon in Paris & Loire Valley
France | Oct 20 - Oct 29, 2022

Miranda
Miranda Z.
Allison Park, PA | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2022
We had an amazing time on our honeymoon in Paris and the Loire Valley! We started the trip arriving in Paris and stayed at Hotel a la Villa des Artistes. We loved this neighborhood and the hotel very nice/had a great breakfast. We took day trips from Paris to Giverny to see Claude Monet's house and went to Versailles. While in Paris, we did a chocolate & pastry tour & did lots of sightseeing. We then took TGV train to Tours where we spent an evening. The hotel in Tours (Chateau Belmont) was... Read more

We had an amazing time on our honeymoon in Paris and the Loire Valley! We started the trip arriving in Paris and stayed at Hotel a la Villa des Artistes. We loved this neighborhood and the hotel very nice/had a great breakfast. We took day trips from Paris to Giverny to see Claude Monet's house and went to Versailles. While in Paris, we did a chocolate & pastry tour & did lots of sightseeing. We then took TGV train to Tours where we spent an evening. The hotel in Tours (Chateau Belmont) was very nice but we did not love the city itself. We took our rental car from Tours and drove to the Loire Valley and stayed in Amboise. Amboise was beautiful and we loved the hotel we stayed at (Le Manoir St Thomas). While in the Loire Valley, we did some wine tours and castle tours. Our absolute favorite tour of the whole trip was the all day excursion to Chenonceau, Chambord, and a private chateau where we had lunch. Our guide was amazing and very informative. We took the train back from Tours to Paris for our last day and stayed at the Handsome Hotel. This was our least favorite hotel of the trip as it was very small and in a very noisy area. The hotel was centrally located though and was near a lot of shopping destinations which was convenient for our last day. The only hiccup we had on our trip was that the driver never showed up to pick us up to go to the airport as he was given an incorrect time. We ended up calling a cab ourselves though and were refunded the money. Simon was very helpful throughout the whole process and we definitely would recommend using him and KimKim to book a trip.

Hotel Reviews
Handsome Hotel Paris
Paris

This hotel was good for a one night stay as it was centrally located and close to the Marais district. It was quite loud though so I do not think I would have liked to stay here for several nights. The room itself was very nice and staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Manoir Saint Thomas
Amboise

We loved the charm of this hotel and how friendly the staff was. There is no elevator in this hotel so it may not be good for people with mobility issues, but we had no problem staying here. The breakfast here was wonderful. Hotel was a few minute walk from all of the shops/restaurants in Amboise. It was also close to Restaurant l'Ilôt which was one of our favorite restaurants we ate at on our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Château Belmont Tours by The Crest Collection
Tours

Hotel was very nice and we wished we would have booked a spa package earlier as they did not have any available when we checked in. Breakfast was very good. We had dinner at the restaurant and thought it was average.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes
Paris

Hotel is on a quiet side street in a very nice neighborhood. We are glad we stayed in this arrondissement for the majority of our time in Paris. Breakfast was delicious too!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Transfer from Paris hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
France

Our transfer was not scheduled for the correct time so the driver did not show up when he was supposed to. We waited for fifteen minutes and then ended up calling a taxi so we would not be late to the airport. Kimkim did refund us for our taxi ride.

Chambord, Chenonceau & lunch at a chateau - Full-day
Chambord, Chenonceau & lunch at a chateau - Full-day
France

This was absolutely the best tour of our trip. We felt we learned so much about both castles and our guide was awesome. We also loved having a private lunch at a chateau to be able to experience some home cooked French food. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vouvray & Montlouis Wine tour
Vouvray & Montlouis Wine tour
Tours

The guide was extremely knowledgeable and we loved being able to see all the behind scenes of the wine making process along with tasting all of the delicious wines. Definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monet's Giverny House & Gardens Small-Group Half Day Trip From Paris
Monet's Giverny House & Gardens Small-Group Half Day Trip From Paris
Paris

The gardens at Giverny house were absolutely beautiful and we loved exploring the house as well. We were under the assumption that this would be a guided tour though and instead of the tour guide going with us through the gardens/house, he just dropped us off and let us explore on our own. While it was nice to walk through on our own pace, I think we would have liked more explanations behind Giverny and Monet's work. Definitely still recommend going to Giverny, but perhaps with a different tour company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marais Pastry and Chocolate Tour
Marais Pastry and Chocolate Tour
Paris

We enjoyed this tour, however, we felt we did not try enough pastries and mainly tasted a lot of chocolates. It also was extremely busy in the Marais district when we visited, so at times our guide had us wait outside instead of going into the shops with her. I think this would be better to do on a weekday when it is a little less crowded instead of on a weekend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Versailles Palace & Gardens Half-day Guided Tour from Paris - small group
Versailles Palace & Gardens Half-day Guided Tour from Paris - small group
Paris

Our tour guide was great and we are so glad we got to see Versailles!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

Hello Miranda,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It was an absolute pleasure to organize your once-a-lifetime honeymoon trip! I hope you come back home with a lot of memories.
I wish you a healthy and lovely end of the year. See you soon in France,
Best,
Simon

Great Trip - Wish It Had Been Longer!We landed at CDG and were met by our driver a...
France | Sep 1 - Sep 10, 2022

N
Nancy B.
Petoskey, MI | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2022
We landed at CDG and were met by our driver and taken to our first hotel. Having a driver lined up takes so much stress off the end of a long flight/ beginning of the vacation!
After an initial day free, we jumped into our first organized event, an e-bike tour called Paris Charms and Secrets. Tour guide Pierre was part artist, part historian and part actor - animated, passionate and interesting! From Paris we headed south on the train for Lyon, a city we loved and want to return to. A...
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We landed at CDG and were met by our driver and taken to our first hotel. Having a driver lined up takes so much stress off the end of a long flight/ beginning of the vacation!
After an initial day free, we jumped into our first organized event, an e-bike tour called Paris Charms and Secrets. Tour guide Pierre was part artist, part historian and part actor - animated, passionate and interesting! From Paris we headed south on the train for Lyon, a city we loved and want to return to. A highlight of our stay there was the Lyon Traditional Food Tour with guide Semaan that was a foodie’s delight, but also a history lesson and walking tour of old Lyon rolled into one.
From Lyon we headed to Marsaille, again by train, and and a memorable Cassis and Bandol Wine tour. Our guide, Eric, was extremely knowledgeable and personable. We learned so much about wine and winemaking, met the families who owned the 3 vineyards we visited and heard the history of their operations. The countryside was exquisitely beautiful! We had a delicious lunch at a port side restaurant in Cassis, then rode to the top of a National (?) park that overlooked Marsaille. Amazing.
Our tours were all either private (just the two of us) or 8 or less. Perfect for getting around easily and for being able to ask questions and have the attention of the guide.
Our trip included transportation to and from CDG and train tickets for the inner France travel. With this arrangement we would advise making sure you know which train station you need to show up at (many cities have more than one) and (especially in Paris) where you need to be standing to board the train - they are very long and crowded trains and the stops are short: there isn’t time to figure anything out last minute.
Another consideration is transportation to/from train stations and to tours. Cabs are expensive and can add a considerable amount to your trip. The metro systems take a little time to figure out, but are a great way to go if your destination is too far to walk.
We chose to stay at smaller, boutique hotels and they were more than adequate.
Our trip was an abbreviated version of a longer trip planned and postponed due to the Covid pandemic. If we had it to do again, we would not try to pack visits to so many cities into 7 days.
We highly recommend KimKim if you want a tour, but not the “30-people wearing green scarves- following a flag” variety.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

Bonjour Nancy,
Thank you very much for your feedback and detailed suggestions. I am so glad we could finally set your trip to France after your first travel request in 2019 and so many uncertainties during this period!
It is important to us to get some comments on each tour and especially from our local guides in Paris, Lyon and Marseille/Cassis. FYI The Calanques is indeed a national park (born in 2012).
Your review will be helpful for future travelers coming to France too!
All my best, à bientôt!
Simon