A perfect work trip!
France | Sep 14 - Sep 27, 2024

Liz
Liz C.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024

I'm a Kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip to Nice, Marseille, Aix-En-Provonce, Lyon, and Paris. I stayed in wonderful hotels; my favorite was Globe et Cecil H么tel in the heart of Lyon, the Inwood La Bourdonnais, where I was in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower, and Hotel Des Grands Hommes in Paris, where I looked directly at the Pantheon and was blocks away from the Luxembourg Gardens. The hotels each left their personal touch on my stay and made sure every need was met.

I enjoyed the day trip from Aix-en-Provence to the beach village Cassis, where I took a boat to see the cliffs (falaises) and the sheltered inlets called calanques. The bike tour through the Luberon Valley, where we visited villages and vineyards, was beautiful, with the most enjoyable Caesar salad in M茅nerbes at Bistrot le 5 overlooking the grape vines in the valley below. In Paris, Les Caves du Louvre wine and cheese tasting was very informative and a great sampling of the cheeses and wines that were available at the time of year I was there. I enjoyed the Pastry and Chocolate tour of the Sainte Germain the Chocolate, where we walked in the Sainte Germain neighborhood and visited shops specializing in all the desserts and breads I could have dreamed about. The guide also provided a great deal of information about the history of the neighborhood, France, and the contemporary Parisian culture.

The various tours I took were a perfect mix of activity, culture, and visiting key landmarks. I left feeling very fulfilled and wishing I had more time to explore the other regions of France. Until next time..... Au revoir! 馃嚝馃嚪馃馃馃檶馃徏

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Florence Nice
Nice

I am a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip when I stayed at the Hotel Florence in Nice. This hotel has 2 restaurants below it and is close to the main shopping street of Av. Jean Medecin, which also leads directly to the promenade and Plague Beau Rivage Beach. Accommodations were cozy and functional.

Authenticity & Character
The dinning room is a little dated but offered a nice breakfast.
Location
Close to everything.
Staff
The staff made baggage storage easy and secure.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice clean bathroom.
NH Collection Marseille
Marseille

I am a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip when I stayed at the NH Collection Marseille is a very nice hotel with great staff members.

Authenticity & Character
Welcoming lobby with a bar and restaurant offering a nice breakfast.
Location
Situated right along the Rue De La Republique and a quick taxi ride from the train station.
Staff
Very helpful and attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was of reasonable size with an up-to-date bathroom.
The Originals R茅sidence Aix Schuman
Aix-en-Provence

This hotel offers a kitchenette for travelers who would like to eat in their rooms. A hot breakfast is also provided in the lobby restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
The character was a little stoic but provided the functional needs for me.
Location
It's a 10-15 minute walk from the city center.
Staff
I didn't interact much with the staff, but my needs were met.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotels and space were well maintained and clean.
H么tel Bastille Speria 3*
Paris

This hotel is located right off the Bastille Monument. The decor was nice, with a cozy lobby and a large bathroom. The breakfast was fulfilling, and the staff even provided fruit for me when I was leaving before the breakfast was open.

Authenticity & Character
This hotel felt very authentic, with an excellent selection of color combinations in the wallpaper decorations. The bathroom was large.
Location
This hotel is located right off the Bastille monument, surrounded by restaurants and shopping. It is a 20-minute walk from the Louvre and the Seine River.
Staff
The staff went above and beyond to fulfill our needs and was welcoming and kind.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was clean and comfortable.
Hotel La Bourdonnais - Tour Eiffel
Paris

This hotel allowed me to leave my bags at 6:00 am the day I checked in so I could go on a tour. When I arrived, my bags were in my room with a personalized note followed up by a phone call once I was settled in my room, making sure I had everything I needed.

Authenticity & Character
The decor was functional as the couch was a pull-out if needed in the junior suite, and the room had plenty of space. The bathroom was in its own closet, separate from the shower and vanity, so numerous people could use the facilities.
Location
This hotel is 10 minutes from the Eiffel Tower. It made it easy to come back after touring all day to freshen up, head back out for dinner, and see the Eiffel Tower light up at night. There are plenty of restaurants and shops right around the hotel.
Staff
The staff did a great job meeting my needs and went above and beyond to get me a Coke even though the bar was closed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing was left un attended to, great hotel.
H么tel Des Grands Hommes
Paris

This hotel has a spectacular view of the Pantheon, which is right across the street. The location is close to Notre Dame and Sainte Germain and has a great view of Sacre Cure across the city. I would recommend the top-floor suites, which include a balcony with a spectacular view and a nice sitting area. When you leave the hotel and turn the corner, the Eiffel Tower is in plain view. If you climb the Pantheon Tower, you'll see one of the city's best views.

Authenticity & Character
The room had a lovely sitting room with a desk and a small couch and another room with a bed. The decor was charming and offered an authentic feel to complete our stay.
Location
It's an excellent location for the landmarks on the eastern side of the city. It's close to Disneyland Paris while still being close to the city center attractions. There's a good creperie right around the corner, and the best Croque Madame is at the Comptoir Du Pantheon, one block away. It's also three blocks from the Luxembourg Gardens.
Staff
The staff was very aware of each guest, and the night before I left, they asked if they could help me with my departure the following morning.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was clean and comfortable.
Globe et Cecil H么tel
Lyon

This hotel was a boutique hotel with lots of character and a location in the city center. Excellent access to shopping, old town, and landmark

Authenticity & Character
Very cozy rooms.
Location
Located in the city center of Lyon, close to the old town, the river, and the funicular to the Notre Dame Church overlooking the city.
Staff
Tended to every need I had and provided a substantial breakfast.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Due to the age of the building, the bath tub had some marks on it but it was not dirty just indicative of it's age, it was part of the charm.
Activity Reviews
Boat tour Nice/Monaco (Speedboat)
Boat tour Nice/Monaco (Speedboat)
Nice

The description of this activity isn't accurate. It isn't meant for travelers with physical sensitivities or who have endured recent or ongoing injuries due to the possibility of rough seas on a boat going at a high rate of speed. The excursion takes you to Monocao and lets travelers see super yachts from the water level. Travelers can swim in a cove with a cave and drive past other villages along the French Riviera. Things you see are spectacular, but the possible harm to one's body needs to be considered when booking this trip. The tour operators did not go out of their way to interact with guests or solve problems.

Quality of Experience
Communication about the possibilities of rough pounding seas in the write up for travelers.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No effort to solve problems or desire to interact with guests. The language barrier was ever present, and no effort was put into trying to decipher what guests were trying to say in French.
Transport
Nice new boat.
Discover Nice and the Riviera by E-bike (3.5hrs)
Discover Nice and the Riviera by E-bike (3.5hrs)
Nice

This activity took riders to spectacular views that are not easily accessible and around town for a city tour.

Quality of Experience
Nice way to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was knowledgeable and took care of the group.
Transport
The bikes were in good working condition.
Monaco Day Trip via 脠ze & La Turbie with Optional Beach Time
Monaco Day Trip via 脠ze & La Turbie with Optional Beach Time
France

This tour takes travelers to the coast of the French Riviera, Monaco, a perfume factory, and the village of脠zee. Beach time was not an option, and we were not gone for 10 hours, but still worth it.

Quality of Experience
It's nice to see all the sites at each location.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was knowledgeable and got us to all the sites.
Transport
Pick up and drop off at the hotel in an excellent vehicle.
Old Town Food Walk
Old Town Food Walk
Nice

This is a very informative tour and would be a great activity upon arrival. The socca that we got to eat was great, and the guide did a great job sharing historical and cultural information.

Quality of Experience
The guide did a great job connecting with me and sharing information I was interested in.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgable guide.
Transport
No transport was needed
Walking tour of Marseille
Walking tour of Marseille
Marseille

This tour was informative and enjoyable to see Le Panier neighborhood, the old port, and the Bonne M猫re.

Quality of Experience
I enjoyed seeing the fish market and the old mills in Le Panier.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was knowledgeable.
Full Day Luberon E-Bike Adventure
Full Day Luberon E-Bike Adventure
France

I loved riding bikes through the Luberon Valley and visiting the little villages. The e-bikes made the trip easy and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide made sure everyone was ok on the bike ride and told us a bit of history on the drive there.
Transport
The minivan was clean and well-maintained.
Private City Walk
Private City Walk
Aix-en-Provence

Erin Jordan, the guide in Aix-En-Provence, was excellent! She was knowledgeable and provided history, information on architecture, and insight into the city's economic evolution. She did a wonderful job.

Quality of Experience
She provided information on food, where to get the best pastries and chocolates, and great restaurant options.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half Day Cassis Trip
Half Day Cassis Trip
Aix-en-Provence

This half-day tour went too fast; if I were to say anything, it would be to allow yourself the full-day tour so you can enjoy all that Cassis has to offer. We took the boat to see the Parc National des Calanques. The blue water was so striking. The village had a great market and neat eateries. We were also taken to the Cap Canaille overlook to see the cove and city and admire the steep drop-off.

Quality of Experience
The natural environment and village were memorable and a place I would like to go back to.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
WWII & Traboules private walking tour
WWII & Traboules private walking tour
Lyon

The guide was knowledgeable, showed me all the passages or Traboules that made up the city of Lyon, and earned it the UNESCO classification. We talked little about World War II but focused more on the city and the silk industry.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gones Tour, 2-hour e-bike Guided Tour
Gones Tour, 2-hour e-bike Guided Tour
Lyon

Biking along the Rh么ne's banks was a treat. This path took the tour along the Rh么ne River to the Golden Head Park, where there's a free zoo and open space for city dwellers to enjoy.

Quality of Experience
The guide added history and pointed out key points of the city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide did a great job of explaining how to use the e-bike and setting expectations for how to ride safely as a group.
Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music
Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music
Paris

The experience on the boat provided a great vantage point to see all the buildings along the shore of the Seine River lite up. The food was good, and the live singer created a nice ambience.

Quality of Experience
Food
The food was good and paired with flavorful wine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Louvre Museum Visit
Private Louvre Museum Visit
Paris

Our guide led us through the Sully and Denon wings, seeing all the masterpiece artwork.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine and cheese tasting in Paris
Wine and cheese tasting in Paris
Paris

This was one of my favorite activities in Paris. The sommelier explained why the wines and cheese come from the different regions in France.

Quality of Experience
The wine and cheese was excellent.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The sommelier shared so much information with us while we enjoyed the pairings.
Burgundy Wine Tour from Paris
Burgundy Wine Tour from Paris
Paris

This was a day well spent in Chablis. Our guide did a great job taking us to three different wineries to taste the wines each location produced. We learned about the numerous ways to make wines. It was nice to meander through Chablis, pick a restaurant of our choice for lunch, and, of course, a bakery for dessert.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful scenerey
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was Italian and had a great sense of humor and lots of information regarding wine.
Transport
Saint-Germain-des-Pr茅s Pastry & Chocolate Walk
Saint-Germain-des-Pr茅s Pastry & Chocolate Walk
Paris

This was a great tour, introducing me to the essential things about the chocolates and pastries in France. The Guide did a great job leading us to all the different locations to taste the other foods. He included things about history, guided us through a church, and shared historical information about the area.

Quality of Experience
He was a great guide and great food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Latin Quarter Gourmet Food Walk
Latin Quarter Gourmet Food Walk
Paris

It was fun to stop at different shops and pick up items for our picnic in the park. We visited a fromagerie, a market for fresh produce, a p芒tisserie, a charcuterie, and a wine shop with red and white wine ready to sample.

Quality of Experience
Excellent food products with history mixed in.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide knew much about the food, the neighborhood's history, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. She did a great job providing up-to-date information on the rebuilding of Notre Dame.
Palace of Versailles & Giverny Day Trip with Gourmet Lunch
Palace of Versailles & Giverny Day Trip with Gourmet Lunch
Paris

Monet's paintings come alive when you visit his gardens. I highly recommend this tour to see the flowers and other inspirations in his paintings. The guide did a great job sharing his life story on the bus ride to Giverny. Lunch and the Palace of Versailles were great stops. The guide did well keeping the group on time and ensuring we saw everything necessary.

Quality of Experience
The prime time to go to Givery would be July and August, but it is still well worth the visit through September to see all the flowers in bloom. The house is interesting to see at all times of the year, and the souvenir shop, his workshop, was full of Monet items for everyone. Versaille is amazing to visit any time of the year, but the gardens and fountains are spectacular when in bloom, and the water is flowing.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide used the time on the way to Giverny to provide us with his life story so we knew his history before arriving.
Transport
It is well worth it to get to visit these top locations in one day.
Private Montmartre Art & Culture Walk
Private Montmartre Art & Culture Walk
Paris

This tour will take you up the hill step by step to where the Sacre Cure is located. It's interesting to hear the cultural stories of the artists who have lived here in the past. The final stop is the highlight of the tour. It's either the Cathedral or the view of Paris- probably both!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mathilde Dubuisson
Mathilde
Mathilde Dubuisson
Local specialist in Villefranche-sur-Sa么ne | Replied on Oct 04, 2024

Bonjour Liz and merci beaucoup for leaving such a detailed review, it helps a lot in improving our services :)
I'm happy to read you enjoyed your French escapade, it was a pleasure to design your trip!
脌 bient么t!
Mathilde