TripUSAFrance
TripUSAFrance
5
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Palavas-les-Flots, Occitanie, France
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Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
48 reviews
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Amy C
Mandeville, Louisiana15 contributions
May 2022
The nine-day south of France tour was a FABULOUS experience! Julia created a varied and interesting itinerary that included the usual highlights (places like Arles, Avignon, and Nimes) as well as places and activities that are not on the usual big group package tours: a cheese cave, Camarque cowboys and bulls, petanque (the local version of bocce), walks on ramparts in small medieval villages, and accommodations in a beachfront hotel in a Mediterranean town that is not overbuilt like so many places are becoming. The food was wonderful; Julia took great care to select fine restaurants that represent the best of the regional cuisine - and wine was included with lunch and dinner. We had tours and tastings at 3 wineries. And if you love to take pictures (I do!) there were infinite opportunities to take pictures of mountains, vineyards, castles, cathedrals, monuments, horses, flowers, people, and more.
This tour included everything except for 5 dinners (and we were given a helpful list of recommended restaurants), airfare, and souvenirs, and was VERY reasonably priced. Julia, Isabelle (the other guide), and her family warmly welcomed us and introduced us to Provence and we truly felt like we were "Traveling like a local!"
Tip: if a balcony room is available when you book the trip, it is worth the small upgrade expense!
This tour included everything except for 5 dinners (and we were given a helpful list of recommended restaurants), airfare, and souvenirs, and was VERY reasonably priced. Julia, Isabelle (the other guide), and her family warmly welcomed us and introduced us to Provence and we truly felt like we were "Traveling like a local!"
Tip: if a balcony room is available when you book the trip, it is worth the small upgrade expense!
Written May 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tricia B
60 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If the south of France is on your bucket list, TripUSAFrance is the tour company to book with. I found this company through an internet search - reviews are overwhelmingly positive and I can echo that sentiment. We had an amazing 10 day tour. Seeing the lavender fields of Provence was just one of the highlights of this spectacular tour. Each day we visited a new town, each more charming and distinct from the other. Towns visited include Montpellier, St Guilhelm en Desert, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Carcassone, Avignon, Roussillon, the Pont du Gard and Aigues Morte along with one day spent in the lavender fields near Sault. Along the way we were expertly driven and guided by Stephane and Isabelle, along with some local guides, who made each member of the tour feel like family. There are many personal touches that make this tour special - a trip to a winery in Stephane's village to taste local wines, play Petanque and have a picnic ; a barbecue at a ranch in the Carmargue to learn about the regional horses/bulls; a visit to a lavender farm to harvest lavender and create our own essential oil. We happened to be in Arles when the bulls were being run in for the 'bull games' and our guide ensured that we were there. This is a superbly crafted tour designed to provide each person (no more than 14 per tour) with a very personal experience. Stephane and Isabelle ensured that everyone was taken care of, any food restrictions handled and that most of all, we had a good time. Hotels were clean and comfortable. If your budget allows, upgrade to a balcony room if available in Palavas les Flots so you can enjoy wine and snacks while looking at the Mediterranean. We LOVED our tour and can highly recommend Trip USA France.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane S
15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
I found this small group tour on Trip Advisor and was intrigued by all the five star reviews and the fact that the itinerary included more than just one day of seeing the D Day sites in Normandy. Booking was one of the best travel decisions I ever made. The tour is first rate with wonderful accommodations, a knowledgeable guide (who went above and beyond researching my relative buried in the American Cemetery and helping me arrange a very special visit/commemoration), and it had just the right blend of WW 2 and medieval historical touring included. I cannot imagine having a better experience. Peter even send a trip sheet for the four days we spent prior to the start of the tour in Paris on our own. That information proved very useful. I highly recommend them.
Written June 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelanieF416
Belleville, IL111 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This tour was like a local friend taking you to her favorite sights, wineries and restaurants in the South of France! It was intimate and slower paced than the big tours. Some highlights on the tour included a picnic at a winery with Julia’s mom’s homemade cooking, singalongs and games of pétanque; very tasty restaurants; and lighted art installation in a quarry cave — a very cool experience! More than I could have imagined!!!
Plenty of evenings on your own to eat at the many restaurants in Palavas or go downstairs to the Hotel Les Coquilles wine store for a bottle of wine, around the corner to the bakery and market for my charcuterie plate ingredients! I enjoyed that on my balcony overlooking the Mediterranean several evenings which was perfect way to end the day.
Palavas is a quaint resort town with old town charm. Before I arrived I thought there wouldn’t be enough to fill the free time but I fully enjoyed strolling the beach and the canal area. It was the perfect pace for me!
Hotel Les Coquilles, it is CUTE & clean and modern boutique hotel just steps to the beach! The owners are so pleasant and accommodating!
Julia and her father Stephane were the perfect hosts fun & full of laughs! I highly recommend TripUSAFrance! I hope to return for another of their tours!
Plenty of evenings on your own to eat at the many restaurants in Palavas or go downstairs to the Hotel Les Coquilles wine store for a bottle of wine, around the corner to the bakery and market for my charcuterie plate ingredients! I enjoyed that on my balcony overlooking the Mediterranean several evenings which was perfect way to end the day.
Palavas is a quaint resort town with old town charm. Before I arrived I thought there wouldn’t be enough to fill the free time but I fully enjoyed strolling the beach and the canal area. It was the perfect pace for me!
Hotel Les Coquilles, it is CUTE & clean and modern boutique hotel just steps to the beach! The owners are so pleasant and accommodating!
Julia and her father Stephane were the perfect hosts fun & full of laughs! I highly recommend TripUSAFrance! I hope to return for another of their tours!
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn B
Lenexa, Kansas, United States15 contributions
May 2022
This tour of the south of France was one of the greatest adventures I have experienced. I have travelled a lot and by far this was the most interesting trips I have taken. Not only did we see historic sites but we also learned lessons along the way. The highlights of the life of Vincent Van Gogh was so enlightening, including the visit to the asylum where he was treated.
Everything was included in the tour. Our boutique hotel, La Coquille, was overlooking the Med, beautifully appointed rooms and breakfast to die for. While on tour in the different villages and cities lunch and some dinners were eaten as a group and the meals were awesome. Julia , our host, put together dining venues that were a delight.
I can without a doubt thank Julia and her dad Stephan for their driving skills , incredible knowledge of the country and the kindness they showed to everyone. And a huge thanks to Julia's Mom for putting together a wonderful picnic lunch at a local vineyard.
I worked as a Travel Agent for many years and without a doubt I would recommend TripUSAFrance every chance I could. Julia has put together one of the best organized tours I have ever been involved in. I have recommended this tour company to anyone who is interested in a holiday where you can actually learn something.
Everything was included in the tour. Our boutique hotel, La Coquille, was overlooking the Med, beautifully appointed rooms and breakfast to die for. While on tour in the different villages and cities lunch and some dinners were eaten as a group and the meals were awesome. Julia , our host, put together dining venues that were a delight.
I can without a doubt thank Julia and her dad Stephan for their driving skills , incredible knowledge of the country and the kindness they showed to everyone. And a huge thanks to Julia's Mom for putting together a wonderful picnic lunch at a local vineyard.
I worked as a Travel Agent for many years and without a doubt I would recommend TripUSAFrance every chance I could. Julia has put together one of the best organized tours I have ever been involved in. I have recommended this tour company to anyone who is interested in a holiday where you can actually learn something.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David and Libbie E
Raleigh, NC1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
Julia‘s trip was recommended to us by friends who are experienced travelers. We are so happy we took their advice. This trip is absolutely fabulous from start to finish. The accommodations, the food, and the general experience were absolutely wonderful and we felt like we were really locals. Julia picked out a wide variety of wineries to visit and sites to see and she is very knowledgeable in explaining things to us especially the history of each of the beautiful villages we visited. One of our main memories is the lunch/picnic provided by Julia‘s mom and dad and singing with them and visiting with them and eating the most delicious food they prepared for us. we highly, make that very high recommend this trip to anyone who wants to travel through Southern France as a local. David & Libbie
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clayton r
Greenwich, CT1 contribution
Sept 2021
We were two adult couples going to Normandy from Paris and back and spent five days in the Normandy region including visiting the WWII sites. Our trip was very well organized in every respect including hotel accommodations. driver, restaurant choices and especially the local guides. Everything was high quality, on time and we always felt we were in the right place at the right time. I highly recommend TripUSAFrance and plan to use them again.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karla
Lincoln, AL3 contributions
May 2022
I found TripUSAFrance while researching individual cities for what was going to be a "do it yourself" tour of the south of France. I'm so glad I didn't try to do this myself. I never would have known about some of the great experiences Julia and her family/crew packed into 10 days. Castles of the Knights Templar, gorgeous villages in the mountains, learning to play petanque at a winery - plus the stuff that "normal tourists" get to do. It was a great mix of activities, excellent food, and only 14 guests. Julia is an excellent tour guide and the guides she hires for some settings (such as in Arles) are subject matter experts who bring lots of expertise and fun stories to the tour. We stayed in a boutique hotel that was dedicated to our group, so we felt pampered and well-cared for the whole trip. If you don't like big tour groups, but don't want to do it all yourself, this is a perfect alternative.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice J
Bend, OR20 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Best trip ever! I don't think that there are words of praise superlative enough in the English language to describe the wonderful experiences we had on this trip. It was magnifique! We have traveled extensively for many years and have had many excellent trips, but this one surpassed them all. Owners Jerome and Katy at Hotel les Coquilles welcomed us warmly and created an atmosphere that was casual and relaxed. Rooms were spacious and clean, and the many options at breakfast were fresh and generous. Julia and her father Stephane were the perfect hosts, guides, and drivers. Julia's mom prepared a delicious dinner for the group which we all enjoyed. We felt like we were members of the family, but we were treated like royalty. We even learned how to play Pétanque! Yes, we visited famous sites like The Pont du Gard, Avignon's Palais des Papes and Arles' Roman Amphitheater, but each day held a secret surprise including a tour and tasting at an Oyster Farm, lunch at the Roquefort Cheese Caves where we were the only Americans in the restaurant, a visit to a vermouth distillery, and a fabulous afternoon and barbecue at a ranch in the Camargue. These were once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and we are so grateful to Julia and her family for sharing their beautiful part of the world with us. Merci beaucoup!
Written June 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CGR28
Raleigh, NC25 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This was a fabulous tour of Provence France. I checked off my bucket list, seeing and running through the beautiful lavender fields! Stephane and Isabelle were wonderful guides. They provided exceptional customer service for 9 days! The itinerary was just what I wanted, and the small group size allowed us to all become fast friends. I searched the internet for lavender tours in France and am so thankful that I chose Trip USA France! Thanks, Julia!!
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This trip looks wonderful. We are older and use a cane and walk slower. Would this be a good fit for us? We don’t want to slow anyone down and are happy to enjoy a glass of wine if there is a big uphill jaunt. We just returned from 3 weeks in England where we walked about 2-4 miles a day with breaks. Would this tour to southern France be a good fit for us ?
Written October 26, 2022
It was easy to adjust the activities. For example, at one stop many of us climbed the city walls and others stayed below and explored the village. On another day, there were 2 routes to our destination- one short with lots of stairs and one more winding up a longer incline. We had people who went both ways and the guide made time for both. I think the key is the small group size where they can be accommodating. Also, we traveled in vans instead of buses so could park closer, in some cases, than the big buses. There IS plenty of walking, but if you walked 2-4 miles a day in England, I think you’d be fine. Also, the owner was our guide most days, so email her directly with your concerns.
Written October 27, 2022
We have a trip coming up on September 9 with TripUSA France. Communication has been about zero and we’re only a little over a month out. Did you have similar experience?I want to know our exact Itinerary. Please reassure me
They are still in business
Written July 27, 2022
Hi Deborah. We are still in business and your tour is operating as usual. I just spoke to your traveling partner on the phone yesterday. We will be sending out the final itinerary soon. Thank you!
-Peter, Tour Director
Written July 29, 2022
You are not expected to pay any tips. We did, however, leave a monetary gift for housekeeping at the hotel and our excellent tour guides.
Written September 23, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.