Southern France 7-Day Trips & Itineraries

I had a wonderful time on our trip. Alexia delivered the perfect combination of excursions and down time so that my daughter an I could explore on our own. Our Via Ferrata experience was beautiful and challenging and a definite highlight of our trip. The E bike tour of Marseille is a must and the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, switching easily between French and English. Our only regret is that we could not stay longer! We look forward to visiting France and using Alexia again!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Florence Nice

Nice

This hotel was perfect for our stay in Nice. It was close to the old city and the waterfront and had a great petit dejunier.

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Casa Ortega

Marseille

This little bed and breakfast is a gem. My room was sparkling clean and the bathroom was updated. The breakfast was good and had a typical selection. The owner of the hotel was as nice as she could be and was very helpful giving me directions and suggestions for my time in Marseille.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It is close to the train station which is perfect but is a slight hike through a few sketchy streets to the waterfront.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Riviera Discovery Cruise: Mala Cave to Villefranche

Nice

Aperitif Cruise with Champagne

Paris

This was a very crowded cruise and all drinks must be paid for. From the description it made it sound like there was a free drink but there was no. That said, it is always nice to take a trip along the Seine and this was a small thing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Via Ferrata Experience

France

Jordi our guide was calm and steady. He was very knowledgeable and comfortable in his guiding and made our experience wonderful. He always knew we could do it! This is a beautiful view and trip in nature for the day.

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Morning food and wine tour

France

Nadia, our guide, was lovely. She was so knowledgeable and made sure that we sampled every food that we were interested in. She was very tuned in to our personal needs ( need a coffee, or bathroom break) and we never felt rushed or that we were getting a "canned" experience. It felt fresh and new, just for us.

Quality of Experience

Food

Everywhere we went we had samples!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Excursion by E-Bike

Marseille

What a great family and cafe. The owner and his wife Helen were so friendly and helpful during my stay.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I cannot imagine a better series of memorable adventures than the ones planned for us by KimKim/France by Locals and our consultant Amandine ... nor can I imagine that I could have had the same results trying to plan on my own. I selected the town of St Jean PIed de Port just based on having seen a Rick Steves video about it, but their choice of Hotel des Pyrenees was ideally located, exceptionally appointed and comfortable, and featured a Michelin Guide restaurant where, on a rainy night, we enjoyed the best meal of our lives as the only guests. Yannick was our maitre'd, our waiter for dinner and breakfasts, and our guide to travel around the area. When we arrived on Saturday night, Sondrien helped us to find the parking garage and came out in the rain to assist with luggage. The hotel looks like a place Cervantes might have visited, but the rooms have all been redone and are modern, spacious and comfortable with wonderful baths.

I have a vivid imagination, but when I asked for a Bordeaux vineyard experience I could not have adequately envisioned the magical medieval town of St. Emilion, rising up in the middle of vineyards dotted with magnificent chateaux, nor that we would be staying in a former chateau turned comfortable and welcoming B&B LaGomerie, with host Jean-Francois and Jessica and the sweet beagle Paco to greet us and see to our every comfort. From there we walked through newly blooming vineyards to the town, enjoyed two fantastic dinners in restaurants there, but the real highlight was our 5-hour e-bike tour of the vineyards and wine tasting at two chateaux with Rustic Vines. Our guide, Pauline, a trained sommelier, became a friend as she led us on a sunny day I hope I'll never forget and tutored us in everything from vines to wines, answering our thousand questions with patience and charm. The picnic under the trees at Chateau Moncet was a pinnacle experience.

Then, Brittany! The whole point of returning to France was to see St. Malo and Mont St-Michele, and Amandine wisely lodged us in the magnificent Royal Emeraude Hotel in Dinard, just across the bay from St. Malo. We were steps to the sandy ocean beach, the fantastic shops, the market and restaurants, and a quick drive to St. Malo (or you can take a boat across). We loved St Malo, but agreed that Dinard was the better choice for exploring the region, and I would not have known that, but Amandine did.

I read the reviews from people who thought it was expensive to use local experts, but I disagree. I would have used up hours exploring the plethora of choices on the internet, and I would never have known to select the locations, or the properties, that made for a perfect experience. And once we landed we had support every step of the way, via text, whatsapp, and phone (and I used all 3). I had one chance to see the south and west of France, and I am so glad I found KimKim, and they found France by Locals. Merci beau coup, Amandine! A bientot!

Activity Review

Half-day wine and bike guided tour

Saint Emilion

Justine Edelin did a splendid job of arranging our visit to our compete satisfaction. She found destinations that we were unaware of that were perfect for us. She responded promptly to my concerns during the trip. Justine provided us with a trip that was much better than I could have arranged by myself. Splendid job !

Hotel Reviews

Best Western Plus Hotel Divona Cahors

Cahors

Modern hotel right on the River Lot. The balcony was perfect for drying the clothes we had washed in the sink. Free parking on site. A walking trail along then river is just below the hotel grounds. Very good breakfast buffet.

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Mercure Figeac Viguier du Roy

46100

A very modern interior concealed within a very old building on a narrow street in the heart of Figeac. Free parking is several blocks up hill. Spacious comfortable room.

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Hotel Montaigne

Sarlat-la-Caneda

Very noce hotel on tnę edge of the old quarter of Sarlat. Spacious comfortable room. Parking can be a problem. A free parking lot is 20 minutes walk up the hill.

Authenticity & Character

Location

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Hôtel Parc Saint Séverin

Paris

A sweet small hotel in the Latin Quarter. Close to the Isle de La Cité and to Shakespeare and Company.

Authenticity & Character

Location

in the Latin Quarter. Close to the Isle de La Cité and to Shakespeare and Company.

Staff

welcoming and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided tour of Figeac

Figeac

Our guide knows everything about local history. She pointed out the fascinating museum of J-F Champollion, who used the Rosetta Sone to learn to read Egyptian hieroglyphics for the first time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excursion to Rocamadour and Padirac chasm

France

Or driver / guide was very informative and a safe driver.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paleolithic art in the Dordogne and truffle farm

Sarlat

Lascaux IV and the Museum in Les Eyzies are not to be missed. The guides were very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Informative and a safe driver.

Transport

Sarlat Market & Dordogne Culinary Tour : A Taste of Local Flavors

France

Our ,local guide was informative and helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff