France By Locals

We were guided to France by Locals by KimKim travel service and discovered they are a wonderful resource. Sebastian, our local contact, was only given a few weeks to make arrangements and reserve hotels since our trip to France was a spontaneous decision. The hotels were outstanding, in great locations. The tours and activities arranged for us were interesting and the local guides were each well versed and fun to be with. Sebastian was attentive to our requests and easy to work with as we made our plans. We look forward to using France by Locals again when we return to France.

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!

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.

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 had an awesome trip, with fun excursions, lovely hotels, informative guides, and history and scenery at every turn. We can’t wait to plan our next adventure! Thanks so much to Sebastian.

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.

France by Locals is an outstanding partner for advisors who want to deliver truly personalized French itineraries. Their approach is warm, thoughtful, and never cookie-cutter. They really take the time to understand each traveler and craft experiences that reflect their style. They’re also wonderfully easy to work with: clear communication, quick responses, and great flexibility across different budgets. Sebastian, in particular, is fantastic—collaborative, attentive, and always on top of the details. Highly recommend for advisors who have clients looking for an authentic and beautifully customized France experience.

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