The entire trip was wonderful. I fell in love with France!
France
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Nov 30 - Dec 10, 2025
The entire trip was wonderful. We were able to see so many things and cover lots of territory in a fairly short amount of time. I really appreciated the lodging options. Each was unique and special. There were a couple that stood out from the rest. At the top of the list was the Bastide de Bellegarde outside of Avignon. AMAZING! The chateau was wonderful. The rooms were spacious and the grounds were beautiful. The owner was lovely and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. We had dinner at the chateau and the food was spectacular. Both dinners were some of the best meals we had the entire trip. The owner gave us a private wine and cheese pairing, which we had done before at other places, but this was the best! So worth the stop! I loved the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and the tour was good as well. Having a rental car was well worth it. It allowed us to see so many unique and interesting sights like the Pont du Gard, wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and visits to Roman ruins in various spots around southern France. Driving was not too difficult. You have to pay attention to the GPS and watch for constant speed limit changes but the freedom a car provides is a nice addition to the trip. I fell in love with France on this trip, thanks to the wonderful planning and special touches KimKim included on the trip. Thanks for everything!
Hotel Reviews
AMAZING! This is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in and I have stayed in a lot of places around the world. The chateau itself is very well appointed. The decor is fun and interesting but very classy at the same time. The rooms are large and well appointed. Heated towel racks!!! Love them! The owner, Brian, is the best! So welcoming and friendly. He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and welcomed. The small touches he ensured were included were so appreciated! One of the best parts was the food!!!! WOW! That is all I can say! Dinner was spectacular. Everything was delicious. Definitely one of the best meals we had on our entire trip. I would stay here again in heart beat! Love this place!
Great location right in the heart of the old port. Nice rooms that are fairly good sized. Very nice staff. Safe.
This was a wonderful hotel. Hidden but quiet and off the main streets. In a very fun area of Paris. Small lobby but the rooms were well appointed and nice size.
This hotel was a pleasant surprise. It is very close to the train station so we were not expecting much. However, it was a great hotel! The room was huge and well appointed. The lobby was clean and festive. Everything was well decorated for the holidays at the hotel. It was nice to not have to drag our bags very far from the train station. Everyone was very nice and helpful. They even have a very nice baggage storage room for those that are staying at the hotel that allow you to keep your bags there while you explore town after you check out.
Very nice hotel and spa. The location is nice because it is in the old walled city but toward the edge so you don't have to walk very far with your bags. The hotel is beautiful. Very nicely remodeled with well appointed rooms and a very large comfortable lobby. There are interesting things around the hotel as well as it is built on or next to the dam. You can see the water pipes and there is water all around it. There are a couple Christmas markets right outside of the hotel which is convenient and festive. The spa is very nice. Well appointed and they require reservations so it is not crowded.
Activity Review
The photographer was great. We had a beautiful day and although it was busy near the tower he was able to take wonderful pictures that highlighted one of the most icon landmarks in Paris. The pictures we ended up with were very well done. A great memory!
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and heartfelt review of your trip. We’re delighted to hear that the overall experience was wonderful and that you were able to see so much of France in a short time while still enjoying the unique charm of each lodging option. We’re thrilled that Bastide de Bellegarde stood out as a highlight. Your description of the spacious rooms, beautiful grounds, and Brian’s warm hospitality truly captures the spirit of the property. It’s... Read more