Paris and Normandy dream vacation.
France
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May 13 - May 20, 2026
I was able to curate our trip with Audrey and her colleague based on my preferences and also to accommodate my husband whose back issues worsened as we were planning the trip. We are not experienced travelers and our travel styles and expectations differ but Audrey managed to please us both! We loved our first hotel on the left bank, Jardin de Cluny. Other favorite parts of Paris: our food tour with Laur. We were continually challenged finding our way on the metro and on foot so we were late meeting up with Laur though we kept in contact with her. Our host at the hotel was a big help in pointing us un the right direction, even so, we took the train the wrong way! Laur’s tour of history, and out of the way food specialists was wonderful. Our tour of Notre Dame was also so well done by our guide, Solana. Her history and architectural tour was done outside the church because she couldn’t speak inside, I think because of the feast of the assumption. Then she accompanied us inside and wordlessly pointed out things she had mentioned outside.It rained on both of these tours but we managed to be inside for the downpours, what luck! Our other private guide was supposed to be for the louvre but it was delayed in opening so Kim Kim and our guide pivoted seamlessly! I was asked where I’d like to go instead and I chose musee d’orsay. Our guide (I wish I could remember her name) knew so much without having been prepared! It was a true treat to have a guide for an art museum! Our other tour in Paris was not my favorite. First we saw the Eiffel Tower, a must see and so impressive. After, we went on a boat ride on the Seine. It was too long, we didn’t feel welcomed, and there was no narration by the staff. I had to find out for myself that we could download a tour with a QR code on our phone, no one told us. The problem with that is that their speakers played music the whole time, and trying to listen to the narrated tour with music playing was bad enough, but when the app wasn’t speaking it played its own music- what cacophony! Later I found out that my phone battery was continually running low because the tour was running in my background, until I got wise to it and deleted it. I would not recommend this company at all! On top of that, we didn’t know how to retrace our steps to the metro and by the time we did, after 10:30pm, the metro trains were only running every hour so we had to pay for a cab back to our arrondissement, and luckily found a fantastic restaurant close to our hotel that served until 11:30pm. Serendipity!
Outside of Paris we once gain had wonderful experiences! Our bike tour of Versailles was fantastic! We got to shop at the farmers market for our picnic lunch, learning how to make change in euros was new to us! Our picnic lunch in the grass was lovely and during the sunny portion of our trip. During our bike ride our guide, Arnaud, would pause us and regale stories of the kings and their court. We did endure a downpour on our bikes on the way back but luckily the tour provided us with ponchos! We were on our own for the palace tour, another must see! We especially loved the hall of the paintings of French battles, which Arnaud recommended.
Our next bike tour was a private ride through the Normandy countryside with Hugo. It was more than fantastic. Edward and I were both moved by the Omaha beach memorial museum and graves. We were given time to be on our own for about 2 hours, then back on the bikes for more stories of the countryside people during the war, then a picnic set out by Hugo in an out of the way spot. Lovely, every minute. We stayed at a delightful hotel called Lion d’or and enjoyed their lounge/bar with photos of famous visitors. It’s full of history, as is the town, Bayeux. For our last day I requested our driver take us to chantilly. Unfortunately it was closed the day we would visit but we enjoyed a neighboring town, Senlis. Our drivers were all great, especially our cab to the airport. All in all great memories and I belief we’ll be back to France!
Hotel Reviews
Loved this place. The hotel reception/ concierge was highly professional, the breakfast outstanding, the bed comfortable
It was nice
We were given a ground floor room because of my husbands back. Thank you kimkim! A delightful stroll outdoors to the bar where we enjoyed espresso in the afternoon and wine in the evening
Professional staff
Activity Reviews
Loved this tourist attraction but hard to find our way there especially with someone who doesn’t walk well. We had just arrived in Paris and had to hurry to make our reserved time slot.
See my review in the general review page. I do not recommend
Easy bike ride through the grounds with the guide adding interesting stories along the way
See general review
Despite the rain and restrictions on our guide talking indoors, we got a quality tour which we loved
Pivot to another museum worked out amazingly well
Wow, electric bikes, knowledgeable guide, Omaha beach, picnic in grove, we had it all
We did not do this, we went to Chantilly instead
Bonjour Jodie, bonjour Edward,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your journey through France. It was truly a pleasure helping you design this trip and adapting it along the way to make sure it worked beautifully for everyone in your family.
Thank you again for your trust—it was a real pleasure being part of your trip, and I would be delighted to help you plan another adventure in France whenever you return.
Warm regard,
Audrey