France By Locals

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Sebastian with Kimkim, who planned the most unforgettable journey through the South of France! From the thoughtful tours of Nice, to the charming cobblestone streets of Antibes, and the vibrant culture of Marseille, every detail was flawlessly arranged. From the moment we landed, everything was seamless—great accommodations, private transfers that ran like clockwork, and curated experiences that felt both exclusive and authentic. Whether it was sipping rosé at a café in Antibes or shopping and exploring the historic Old Port of Marseille, every moment felt magical. What truly set this trip apart was the personal touch. Sebastian took the time to understand our travel style and interests, and it showed in every recommendation—from hidden gems to must-see landmarks. We felt cared for, understood, and completely stress-free. If you're dreaming of a French getaway that blends elegance, adventure, and relaxation, look no further. This was more than a vacation—it was a beautifully crafted experience we’ll cherish forever. Merci beaucoup, Sebastian!

I wanted to introduce my granddaughters, aged 15 and almost 13, to the beauty of France and Sebastian helped plan the perfect trip! There were 7 of us, all women, who travelled together. We spent 4 days in Paris, followed by 2 days in the Loire Valley visiting the castles, then on to Normandy, where we stayed in the charming town of Bayeux for 2 nights. This was a great town to explore and then visit the Normandy beaches of DDay. After this, we went on to Mont St Michel, where we spent the night out on the Mont. Our final night was spent back in Paris, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower in the evening. Thanks to Sebastian’s attention to detail, everything worked out perfectly. All drivers arrived on time, the private guides he arranged were wonderful, very informative and engaging. My granddaughters were thrilled with our private tours, as were the rest of us! Sebastian chose beautiful hotels, and the Domaine de la Tortinière was a real highlight. A chateau with a pool set in the countryside. What could be better?!! He also organized all of our train travel and that was so helpful to just download those tickets. I can’t thank him enough for making this such a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend him when you are planning a trip to France!

We just finished an absolutely unforgettable trip through Provence and the French Riviera, organized by Simon at France by Locals. As a French native living in the United States for over twenty years, this trip was a wonderful opportunity for me to introduce my wife and four children to France while rediscovering so many new and unexpected aspects of my home country. From the very beginning, everything was flawlessly planned. Simon created a custom itinerary perfectly tailored to our family, with incredible attention to detail. Each day was packed with discoveries and varied experiences, all of which ran smoothly thanks to impeccable coordination. The activities were simply fantastic. My kids loved the scavenger hunt at the Louvre, a fun and engaging way to explore this iconic museum. We were also thrilled by the sidecar tour through the vineyards near Aix-en-Provence – a truly unique experience that combined adventure with wine tasting for the adults. The stargazing evening in the garden of our accommodation was magical: observing constellations and planets while hearing fascinating stories captivated every member of the family. The accommodations Simon selected were perfect, combining comfort with authentic local charm. We especially loved our stay at the Mas Provençal in Maubec, where we enjoyed the pool and the peaceful countryside, all while being close to picturesque villages like Bonnieux and Gordes. What made this trip so extraordinary was Simon’s regional expertise. Unlike a traditional travel agency, his local approach, personalized recommendations, and deep knowledge of every corner of the region made all the difference. Each activity was carefully chosen and tailored to our preferences, with an authentic touch that you simply don’t find in standard tourist itineraries. In summary, this trip was an absolute success. It was much more than just a vacation – it was an immersive experience into French culture, nature, and gastronomy, creating unforgettable memories for our entire family. Thank you to Simon and his team for this exceptional journey. We highly recommend France by Locals to anyone looking to experience France in a unique and authentic way.

We just returned after a fabulous trip to South of France organized by Sebastian with Rough guides. From the time I started communicating with Sebastian until the very last day he promptly answered all my questions and addressed all our requests We visited Marseilles, Aix en Provence, Avignon and some of the small towns around there. All the boutique hotels we stayed at were nicely appointed, small rooms but very conveniently located from where we could walk to attractions, restaurants etc. Staff at all these hotels were very friendly, spoke English well and breakfast was excellent. He arranged for transfers from Marseilles airport and to the other towns. The car drivers were just great professionals and we enjoyed chatting with them. Sebastian had also arranged for walking tours including a culinary tour in Avignon which was fab. He had also arranged a day trip from Avignon to surrounding towns like St. Remy, LeBoux etc which was fantastic He had also booked out transfer from Avignon to Paris on the train on first class which made our journey so pleasant Overall our experience with Sebastian with Roughguides was amazing! Will definitely use their service again Thank you Sebastian and Roughguides

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure far exceeded my expectations! All 7 of us had a wonderful trip, thanks to Sebastian and his kind and accommodating willingness to work with Pat K. Every drive/and or guide was prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and interested in knowing about us. Marlene gave us an interesting and efficient tour of Versailles. She was a hoot--what fun we had! We went through the streets of Montmartre with Sensei (sp?) who showed us all the hidden gems with lots of patience because it was crowded, noisy, and hot. He sprinkled his guidance with a sense of humor that was much appreciated. After leaving Paris for the Loire Valley, we were treated to 2 wonderful days at Domaine de la Tortinière--what a gorgeous chateau where the breakfast buffet was outstanding, as was the staff! Camille was our guide at Tours, first to beautiful Chenonceau, then to wine-tasting at Clos de la Richardiêre. This day was incredible, and Camille was a delight! On to Le Bayeux (room for 3 was too tight), where we self-toured the beautiful, quaint city and enjoyed the Bayeux Tapestry-learned so much. Normandy, guided by excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly Emma, was another highlight. It was an emotional visit and too much to write about here. Transport by friendly and helpful Hischam for 1 1/2 days at Mont-St-Michel was next--an overwhelmingly amazing experience, too! He also transported us to the train station in Caen when that stay was over. For our final night, we stayed at the beautiful Hôtel Lorette-Astotel. However, we couldn't take full advantage of it because we were caught in that terrible storm as soon as we descended the Eiffel Tower. It took 1 1/2 hours to find our way back, but the staff gave us plastic bags for our soaking wet clothes. All transports--the Metro, trains, vans--were great throughout our entire time in France. Very impressive! Thanks for everything! I highly recommend kimkim as your travel agency. Finally, this has nothing to do with kimkim because we planned our own trip to Musée D'Orsay and had timed tickets. However, what's the point of timed tickets if you let everyone in en masse? It was so crowded that we stayed only one half hour! An awful and expensive disappointment. The people who run the place need to solve this problem.

Great trip to France. Sebastian was very flexible in helping us plan. He is very knowledgeable as well. Highly recommended. Top highlights for us were: (1) Private Bour tour at Marseille visiting Frioul archipelago (2) Cycling through Cezanne's route at Aix-En-Provence (3) Visiting 6+ villages (Luberon and Riviera) experiencing so many aspects of French cuisine and culture (4) Visit to Eze, Monaco and Montecarlo (5) Paris Cycling and Guided tour to Montmarte

I love this company - I love the Team - I am a Travel Manager based in Australia. I have many clients going to France - and France by Locals are my go to. Everything from 3 Day's in Paris with Touring to more extensive 6 weeklong Itinerary's with Transfers. Trains, Boats and Planes. I cannot fault them. My clients have on the ground - same time concierge if they need it as well. "Sebastian I am in Bordeaux - I would love a Restaurant recommendation" - Sebastian - lets them know, where to go and even makes the reservation "I need a Dr" - well here are the Dr's that are close by you with Numbers and addresses - The list goes on. Accommodation is always Boutique, Castles, Manor Houses and you cannot fault any of them. Day Touring from small groups to Private, to Private Wine Tastings & Degustation Lunches/Dinners in Michaelian Star Restaurant's, A Vintage Car tour through Epernay. It is all about contacts and knowing the area and these guy's know France. Always bespoke, always personal, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Splendid time exploring Provence, all organised immaculately with no hitches. Help was also available during the holiday when it looked as though my travel might be disrupted by the French national strike, with alternative arrangements being made (although they turned out to be unnecessary). Congratulations to Sebastian and the rest of the team.