Kimkim Trip Reviews for France

Our Kimkim's arranged trip to southern France was terrific in every way! They were easy to work with and accommodating to our particular requests. The accommodations were convenient and lovely, and the itinerary matched our desire for cultural/museum visits and explorations of small villages. (Unfortunately, after the height of the tourist season in October, many ateliers were closed for renovation.

Due to financial constraints, Kimkim recommended we rent a car to travel between some of our destinations. Unaware of the areas conventions around tolls, etc. driving turned out to be a bit hair-raising.

I've used Kimkim before, also for travel in France. That trip too, was excellently conceived and executed. I highly recommend Kimkim!

Audrey Benezech took all our requests and put together pretty much exactly what we wanted. A nice hotel in Avignon, small group tours each day, all the tour guides were excellent. only small thing that could have helped was when we needed to cancel a tour one day, by the time we figured out to put 011 with the number listed it was a bit late.
Audrey also helped by getting our train tickets for us, so everything was covered.

We had a wonderful family vacation to France in Summer 2024, thanks to the exceptional planning and support from Aline and Bastien at Discovery DMC. They designed a thoughtful and well-paced itinerary that included the highlights of Paris, the historical sites of Normandy, and the beauty of Nice. The mix of guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and seamless travel logistics made the entire trip feel effortless.

What stood out most was their attention to detail and responsiveness—before and during the trip. They tailored the experience to fit our family’s preferences and made sure everything ran smoothly. It was a perfect balance of sightseeing, cultural immersion, and relaxation. We highly recommend Aline, Bastien, and Discovery DMC, and would definitely work with them again for future travel.

> All our guides were phenomenal. Alex at Amboise, Fabian at Bordeaux as well as the guides at Bordeaux for the cheese and wine tour as well as the chocolate and pastry tour guide at Paris.

> All the private transfer pick ups, drop offs, etc. were all really good.

> My only criticism is the train ride. We all couldn't be together from Bordeaux to Paris. As we were traveling with 2 young kids, that was hard. We were able to talk to the people and figure out a solution but this was not ideal.

Hotel Reviews

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Manoir Saint Thomas

Amboise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Le Burdigala

33000

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Photo Shoot in Paris

Paris

Javier was great. We had 2 young kids and he was very accommodating. We are still waiting for professionally touched pictures but so far they look great.

Quality of Experience

Discover the mythical Loire Valley Châteaux & Hot Air Balloon Flight

France

The Chateaux visits were great. Alex, our guide, was fantastic. Very family friendly and our kids absolutely enjoyed the time. We had to unfortunately miss the hot air balloon since it was cancelled due to poor weather.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gourmet Food & History Walk

Bordeaux

Overall good experience but the guide didn't know that we did not eat meat. There was charcuterie also planned but we skipped it since none of us were meat eaters.

The trip itself was the trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Sebastian’s expertise and planning we didn’t have a single thing to worry about regarding scheduling or transportation. Some of our “small group” tours ended up being private which was a very pleasant surprise, and any time we needed to communicate we always received a very kind and timely response.

What an amazing trip to France that the KimKim Team and Liz put together for us! All our guides and experiences were 1st rate and we learned and did so much! I really don't have a favorite as it was all fantastic and each and every guide we had shared their love of the culture and history in their own special way. They were enthusiastic, friendly and knew the history of all the historical places so well. The trip to the Loire Valley Chateaux Day trip was definitely a highlight as was the perfume- making class and I absolutely loved the French Cooking class and market visit. Oh and the trip to Versailles riding Bikes and seeing the palace was incredible. All the vendors that Kim Kim chose where fantastic. I won't hesitate to book another trip with Kimkim again! Thank you for the memories to last a lifetime!

Hotel Review

Citadines Trocadéro Paris

Paris

Clean, comfortable and great location within walking distance to the Eiffel tower and metro stations very convenient.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to Eiffel tower, grocery store, Victor Hugo Metro Station, Cafes

Staff

Nice staff, helpful and very good English

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Opera Garnier and Covered Passages Tour

Paris

Victor was our guide the day we went to the opera house and covered passages and he was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable and a very nice man. You could tell he loved the history and sharing Paris with visitors.

Unlock the Secrets of Perfume-Making!

Paris

Perfume-making was one of our favorite activities! Our teenagers absolutely loved it, and the entire experience was incredible. Working with the perfume specialist to craft a unique scent was great, and bringing home a personalized perfume was a special treat.

Private Loire Valley Châteaux Day Trip: Chambord, Clos Lucé & Chenonceau

Paris

The private tour to the Loire Valley Châteaux was phenomenal. The experience was filled with fascinating history and stunning architecture. This day trip was very enjoyable and stands out as a highlight of our trip.

The Louvre quest for teens

Paris

The Louvre quest for teens was a fantastic activity. Lorraine, our guide, was phenomenal and made the experience engaging with her stories and historical insights. Even our teenagers enjoyed the tour. The Louvre itself can be overwhelming, but with Lorraine guiding us through the highlights, it was both educational and fun for our family.

French Cooking Class & Market Visit

Paris

The French Cooking Class and Market Visit with Chef Dominique was really good. Initially, cooking in his home felt a bit different, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. From the market visit to cooking at his house, everything was delightful. The recipes we learned have been a hit since coming back home, and I've made them multiple times.

Overall we very much enjoyed the variety and expertise of our tours and guides! Here is a super-picky review just so you have details, but again we very much enjoyed our trip!!

Eiffel: guide was knowledgeable on how to make sure we would get to visit the very top given crowds and closures
Riverboat: great! one of our few chances to sit and have relaxing dinner as most days we were tired at the end of each day
Louvre: great run through the museum - guide was fantastic!
Notre Dame: guide was knowledgeable and talking points were interesting. Again, knew how to work the crowds
Loire: wonderful to see country outside of Paris for a day and the chateaux’s were great. DaVinci was a little underwhelming as but Amboise was beautiful - again we were in a hurry so I think we would have all liked more time in town to sit and eat a nice lunch (and browse) and I personally would have skipped the Luce just because we didn’t learn anything about DaVinci that we didn’t already know. We only had 30 min to get through Chambord. Maybe it was just too much for our group for the day, or maybe the guide should have kept us on schedule, but we still enjoyed the day trip.
Wine tasting: I enjoyed but the girls not so much
Perfume: fun and different!
Cooking class: chef was very nice, market was really cool (we all loved it) food was good, but no real cooking experience spent a lot of time there - maybe better for a longer trip or trip without teens
Versailles: great! again rushed in the actual palace (30 min to view before closing and some areas were closed) but bikes were fun and guide did a fantastic job with historical highlights
Opera/Passages: love the tour, guide was great! but we were all under the impression that we would get to do some shopping. It was great doing this at the end of the trip as it sort of touched on all the history we learned.
Food walk: guide was sweet and kind but the tour itself was not a highlight

Lodging: was nice! also nice to have a great little Italian place downstairs, but a couple of restaurant recommendations around lodging would have been fantastic - we were too tired to hit the bricks to look around and too hard to make a decision with 5 people. Nice accommodations, but may have been better to have been closer to our tours as we needed 45-1hr to get to them each morning.

Personally, I would have liked time to sit and eat between tours, but I like to eat :)

Kim Kim app: wonderful to have - here are thoughts for future
-push notifications when chat is enabled
-enable tour ratings in the app
24/7 help (by app or phone) on weekends as Karen mentioned

Other notes:
We found uber to be much better than taxi and the subway was clean and easy!

Thank you so much, Liz!

We had a very nice time and appreciated Rose as our Normandy guide. She was wonderful for both our tours and even timed our American Cemetery (Omaha Beach) visit to witness the taking down of the flags and taps playing - very moving. The hotel in Bayeux was lovely. The drivers set up to pick us up and take us from the airport and train stations were wonderful and right on time.
Paris is always wonderful. The hotel was nice and quaint and quiet. The dinner and show at Moulin Rouge was very fun! The day going to the castles felt really rushed and long. I wouldn't do this tour again but rather stay in Paris or someplace closer. Our guide was nice but talked a lot, more then any other guide we'd ever had.
Dinner on the Seine was absolutely wonderful. When were seated the Eiffel tower right next to us, providing wonderful views at night. The food and wine were amazing. Truly a night we will always remember.
Overall, it was another wonderful time in Paris (we visited in 2015). We always plan our next years trip on the last day of our current one.... Scotland here we come!

Hotel Reviews

Chateau de Bellefontaine 4*

Bayeux

We had a lovely time in this beautiful Chateau. The staff were helpful and kind. Room was clean, had a great bathroom and had a lovely sitting area by the dormer window. The only drawback was that we needed a taxi to take us into town. It wasn't very expensive (about 7-9 euros) and the service responded quickly. The only thing was that we wished the small restaurant would have changed their menu from night to night. Food and breakfast were very good. We would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Lovely charm and a real old world French feel

Location

needed a taxi to get to town, morning and evening transfers provided would be really nice

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg

Paris

This little hotel was so quaint and charming with a real old time French feel. The room was small but arranged nicely with a nice bathroom with tub and shower. It was nice to get a couple of US TV channels to watch when winding down after a long day sight-seeing. Beds were soft with great bedding. The staff were very nice as well. We would stay again without hesitation.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the decor! Very old world French!

Location

A little far from the Eiffel Tower and that area but closer to Notre Dame. The area was lively with lots of little cafes and such.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Loire Valley Châteaux Day Trip: Chambord, Clos Lucé & Chenonceau

Paris

I wouldn't recommend this tour from Paris. We enjoyed seeing the castles but were rushed through each one and given too much information. We always book private tours so we can take our time. We didn't have time to linger and take in the sites, explore different areas of the sites, or have lunch in a nice small cafe. The ride would have been much more comfortable in a car but instead we were picked up in a van. It was uncomfortable ride for a long day of driving.

Quality of Experience

We didn't get to control the pace of the day or have time to linger at places or have a nice relaxing cafe lunch.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very nice but talked a lot, way too much information to absord.

Transport

The van, for only the two of us, was uncomfortable. A car for two people would be much more appropriate.

Tour of D-Day Sites

France

Our tour guide Rose was truly awesome. She was very knowledgable and didn't rush us through the day. We learned so many things we never learned in school. It was great having lunch with her and learning more about life in the Normandy area of France. She timed our day so we arrived at Omaha Beach in time to watch the flags taken down and taps played. It was very moving.

Quality of Experience

We were very moved by learning and seeing these sites.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rose is truly a gem

Transport

Very comfortable vehicle

Starry dinner on the Seine

Paris

We had a lovely experience from top to bottom. The view from our table was so amazing. The food and wine were wonderfully paired. A night we will remember always.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel

France

Rose was a wonderful guide. She was very knowledgable and patient as I was on crutches but determined to make it to the top. Mont Saint Michel is a true treasure of France. I had wanted to see it for years and was so happy I finally made it. We had a great time, even with all the walking and step climbing. Again, we enjoyed a nice lunch and conversation with Rose after our adventure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cabaret show and dinner at the Moulin Rouge

Paris

This was such a fun dinner and show! We didn't make it here the first time we visited Paris. I'm so glad we made it this year. Really, a fun and enjoyable evening.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hi KimKim team......thank you all for putting together a fun, educational, interesting, workable, walkable, cultural, meet wonderful people itinerary for us. We all had an amazing time! All of our private guides and tours were definitely the way to go for the 5 of us.....no waiting in lines or having to decide where to go, how to get there, or what to expect. The order of the daily activities was also good...one day built on the next especially learning about King Louis XIV...from the Chateaux Day tour, to the Louvre, to Versailles and finally the covered passages - he definitely got around. It's hard to pick out one favorite activity....each one had its highlight. Joel, our chateaux day trip driver and guide, Laurine at the Louvre, and Chef Dominque were exceptional. We all loved the Louvre teen quest tour- Laurine's stories made the sculptures, art works and history come alive. Since this was my 3rd visit to Versailles I enjoyed seeing the grounds by bike (even though it was a cloudy day and the gardens were not in bloom), but felt a little bad when our time at the Palace was cut short due to the length of the ride. The Opera Garnier was beyond imagination in decor. A special treat was seeing the outside and inside renovation of Notre Dame combined with Sainte Chapelle - our guide was able to go in with us, again a plus for having a private tour. Oh yes....and we all came home smelling very French!

Hotel Review

Citadines Trocadéro Paris

Paris

We had 2 rooms for the 5 of us. The 2 teenagers enjoyed having their own room as did the 3 adults. The adult room had a sitting room with a twin sofa bed (very comfortable) and one bedroom with a double bed ( it would have been nice to have 2 single beds instead). As you would expect, the rooms were small but adequate. The kitchenette was nice for snacks and coffee. The hotel had a breakfast buffet but we did not partake. There was a nice bakery 2 doors down for morning pastries as we headed out early every morning. There was a nice restaurant next door plus small market just down the street. The neighborhood was very welcoming and within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Arc of Triumph and Champs-Elysees and close to 2 metro stations. We found taking an Uber or taxi to get across town was expensive since we were about 3 miles from the Louvre area where a lot of our activities took place so walking and the metro were our favorite modes of transportation!

Authenticity & Character

Older hotel with small lobby and nice sitting room with fireplace. Breakfast buffet was extra. Very nice courtyard and patio if we had had time to enjoy it!

Location

The walkable and local neighborhood. We did not have a view from the hotel but loved having the Eiffel Tower as our landmark especially at night.

Staff

Friendly and available to give directions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were clean, bathroom/shower was nice. Extra towels were readily available. Would have been a little tight with 4 in the one room with the one bedroom and sitting room with the twin sofa bed.

Activity Reviews

Eiffel Tower Guided Climb (stairs) to Second Floor with Optional Summit Access by Elevator

Paris

We all made it up the 360 stairs to the second floor, then took the elevator to the top. It was a sunny, cool day with clear skies so the view from the top was amazing. Dasha our guide was very personable and had lots of stories to keep us going.

Quality of Experience

Just being there!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dasha our guide was a good storyteller.

Transport

We were able to walk from our hotel.

Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

Paris

Our window side table was the best.....another beautiful night on a beautiful river! The food and wine was delicious.

Quality of Experience

Food

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit

Paris

Private tour allowed us to skip the lines plus have the benefit of a very knowledgeable and passionate guide.

Quality of Experience

Seeing the renovated Notre Dame outside and inside.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Another amazing private guide.

Transport

A 3-mile walk from our hotel !!!!!!!

Private Loire Valley Châteaux Day Trip: Chambord, Clos Lucé & Chenonceau

Paris

Great to get out of the city and see the Loire Valley countryside plus 3 very different but beautiful Chateaux!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Louvre quest for teens

Paris

A private tour and guide with a focus on seeing 15 iconic masterpieces - sculptures and paintings - to uncover a secret code and unlock the cryptex was a fun and learning experience for all of us. The Louvre is just too big and overwhelming to just wander around without a focus!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience

Paris

Learned about the various wine regions and how the right cheese can enhance the enjoyment of the wine.

French Cooking Class & Market Visit

Paris

Fun to go to the market with Chef Dominque and choose the food for our lunch. It was a hands-on cooking class so we all learned some new tips. Oh....and the food was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Food

Unlock the Secrets of Perfume-Making!

Paris

Had no idea how many scents can go into one eau de par fun creation. Fun chemistry lesson!

Quality of Experience

Versailles Bike & Palace Day Trip

France

It was fun to see the Palace grounds from the backside and around the canal. The Palace was of course beautiful and rich with history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Montmartre Local Food Walk

Paris

Fun seeing another area of Paris with cobblestone streets, historical architecture, art and steep hills leading to Sacre-Coeur and sampling rocks, macaroons, wine and cheese along the way.

Opera Garnier and Covered Passages Tour

Paris

The covered passages gave us another view of Paris and French history.....more Louis XIV references. Beautiful architecture and store fronts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

An amazing travel experience was had! Sebastian’s meticulous planning ensured a seamless itinerary. The hotel and location were ideal, situated centrally near attractions and in a vibrant neighborhood. The tours were exceptional, with knowledgeable guides who enhanced the overall experience. We felt like we got the full Parisian experience.

Despite traveling with two young children, the trip was remarkably smooth and enjoyable for all. The children remained engaged throughout the journey with the recommendations. This was our second booking through KimKim, and we anticipate future endeavors with the company. Their user-friendly platform significantly enhances our travel experience, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the destinations.

Hotel Review

Hotel Bastille Spéria

Paris

Although the rooms were smaller compared to US hotels, they were reasonable considering we're in Paris! The location was exceptional, and I thoroughly enjoyed the neighborhood it was located in. The Italian restaurant across the street was particularly impressive and I highly recommend it. The surrounding area offered a diverse culinary scene with numerous excellent restaurants. The hotel’s breakfast buffet was exceptional, and the overall cleanliness and efficiency of the establishment were commendable. I would be delighted to stay there again in the future.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Paris: Illuminations Seine River Cruise

Paris

An excellent commencement to our journey. We were fortunate to witness the city’s prominent landmarks and get a great overview of our home for the next week. Regrettably, we wish we had scheduled our visit slightly later in the evening to experience the city’s illuminated beauty.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Louvre Treasure Hunt (kids or teens tour)

Paris

Our guide, Tiffen, was exceptional in maintaining the engagement of both children and adults throughout the tour. Through insightful commentary, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the Louvre’s historical significance and the historical context of the artwork it houses. The incorporation of a treasure hunt element significantly enhanced the enjoyment of the experience for the children, who were particularly delighted by the prize they received at the conclusion of the tour. The duration of the two-hour session was highly appropriate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Palace of Versailles Half day trip (Skip the line, audioguided & gardens) by minivan from Paris

Paris

A must-see attraction in Paris, Versailles offers a captivating experience despite the lengthy commute from the city center. The driver’s entertaining commentary provided an engaging narrative while commuting to Versailles. The audioguide offered a comprehensive historical account, however, its detailed nature may occasionally hinder sustained attention. The gardens are resplendent, though vibrant array of blooms were missing for us during the early spring season. Nevertheless, navigating through the extensive palace can become congested, particularly during peak tourist hours.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Opera Garnier visit

Paris

A comprehensive tour of an exceptionally grand opera house left a lasting impression. Its imposing architecture and regal aura were truly awe-inspiring. However, the two-hour duration proved somewhat protracted for what was to be seen. Despite this, the guide’s exceptional engagement skills ensured that we remained captivated throughout the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided tour of Paris and secret Montmartre in a Citroën 2CV

Paris

The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the exhilarating experience of racing around the city in a Citroen 2CV, the iconic French car. The exceptional driving skills and captivating entertainment value of the drivers made it an unforgettable experience for all ages, including the children. We captured some of the most memorable photographs with the car positioned in front of iconic landmarks such as the Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe. Passersby were captivated by our presence, often capturing images of us as if we were movie stars during our thrilling drives. This unique mode of transportation provided an exceptional opportunity to explore the city while immersing ourselves in its vibrant atmosphere.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Macaron Cooking Class

Paris

I selected this experience for my children, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a remarkable opportunity to witness a genuine Parisian apartment and create our own macarons, immersing ourselves in the authentic Parisian experience. The tour was exceptionally efficient and entertaining. Was great talking to the chef to learn more about French food and culture. If you have a passion for macarons, this is an indispensable activity.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Transfer from Paris hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

France

Professional and reliable drivers who prioritize safety and punctuality. The pickup service was provided in a luxurious minivan, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We recently returned from an unforgettable trip through Southern France, and using Audrey from Kimkim was hands down one of the best travel decisions we’ve made.

Normally, I plan highly detailed itineraries myself, but I was having a hard time creating one that truly maximized our time in the region—so I turned to Audrey. From our very first conversation, she took the time to understand both mine and my wife's interests, and then built an itinerary that aligned perfectly with what we enjoy. Every aspect of the trip—hotels, restaurants, tours, vineyards, shopping—reflected that initial conversation and was perfectly curated.

What made the experience even more special was Audrey’s local insight. Having someone who actually lives in the area made all the difference and allowed us to discover places and experiences we wouldn't have found on our own. We had just one small issue during the trip, and Audrey resolved it quickly and smoothly, giving us real peace of mind.

This trip exceeded all our expectations, and we’re so grateful for Audrey’s help in making it so special. I can’t recommend her highly enough!

We are big fans of walking tours. In Paris, we did a French Revolution tour, Sebastian was great and interactive. I have a better understanding of timelines and how it shaped modern Paris. The Wine and Cheese tasting was intimate and delicious. We learned the French way of wine tasting and tried red and white in different regions. Also, watched Parisians come in and choose wines for their evening. The Notre Dame and Sainte Chappelle tour was rich in history, architecture and interesting stories. We would have missed 90% what was there without an educated guide. The same goes for the tour of Palais Garnier, deep in beautiful and layered architecture, stories and history.
Liz planned our activities so that we didn’t waste time in our few days there. It was an active, relaxing romp around Paris.

Hotel Review

Hôtel Lorette - Astotel

Paris

Great staff, lobby and breakfast. Rooms are clean and beds were firm and comfortable. We slept great facing the courtyard. Metro and restaurants were good near the hotel too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience

Paris

We enjoyed visiting this new area of Paris. It’s an intimate gathering where you can ask questions and experience wines from different regions of France. Very memorable and fun

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

Sebastian was a great guide! We finished with a good upstanding of the timeline, where it started and who was there (don’t want to give away the surprises). It’s an easy walk and he was good with engaging the 15 year old in our group. Good for history buffs and always good to have a chance to talk with locals.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Despite a bit of an uphill climb in the early stages of planning and booking, once we were booked the KimKim team really take care of all the details. Their proactive follow-ups and engagement with the local services and guides were excellent and everything went off incredibly smoothly. A special thanks to Liz, our coordinator, her suggestions on the activities in Paris were 5-star amazing and perfectly laid out for the duration of our stay. She set the stage perfectly for what we could accomplish and get the most out of a short 4 night stay. We all walked away from the trip having felt we learned so much about Paris, the French Revolution, and history of the city, now we look forward to going back again to explore further. The hotel location was excellent, and really had us in the heart of what we were looking to experience in the form of an authentic Paris neighbourhood with families and young couples. There were lots of authentic dining options close buy, and the most amazing collection of local bakeries, cheese shops, and wine shops all within 5 min of the hotel. Great work KimKim and Thank You Liz!!

Activity Reviews

Eiffel Tower Guided Tour with Summit Access via Elevator

Paris

Entertaining guide, and critical to have if you want to get to the top of the tower. We were fortunate that our timing was righ around sunset and we left the tower just as the 5 min light show started with a beautiful pink sky background. Amazing way to start out time in Paris.

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

Fantastic guide and fascinating journey through the history of France's monarchies with their impact on Paris. The tour really revealed the nature of how the French Revolution impacted the western world and many of the things we take for granted today. It was also an amazing foundation to understand Paris and many of her sights. Highly recommend as a day 1 activity for any trip to Paris.

Palace of Versailles Day Trip

Paris

Excellent guide and we would not have been able to understand the true history and context of Versailles without his expert knowledge walking us through the history and meaning of each component of the Palace. Of particular interest were the paintings and frescos throughout the royal apartments. Our guide took the time to point out the meaning of all of the different pieces of art, and how they played a role within the royal court. Overall Versailles is beyond imagination in its scale and impact.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Car service from the hotel to the guide was seamless and perfectly coordinated in a very comfortable 'black' car.

Sebastian was excellent at planning our trip. He was very responsive to our unusual needs and accommodated our priorities flexibly. Everything went smoothly.

We landed at Charles de Gaulle in Paris. A driver was waiting for us and took us to the train station. Our tickets were ready and waiting online. The car rental agency was across the street in Caen. From there we drove to the hotel in Bayeux. It was well maintained and centrally located with pleasant staff.

The day long private guide of the D-Day sites in Normandy was excellent. We then had a couple of free days to explore on our own. Then we drove back to Paris and turned in the car. That was a harrowing experience around the Gare St. Lazar. From there we spent foJonathan was excellent at planning our trip. He was very responsive to our unusual needs and accommodated our priorities flexibly. Everything went smoothly.

We landed at Charles de Gaulle in Paris. A driver was waiting for us and took us to the train station. Our tickets were ready and waiting online. The car rental agency was across the street in Caen. From there we drove to the hotel in Bayeux. It was well maintained and centrally located with pleasant staff.

The day long private guide, Emmanuel, of the D-Day sites in Normandy was excellent. We then had a couple of free days to explore on our own.

Then we drove back to Paris and turned in the car. That was a harrowing experience around the Gare St. Lazar. From there we spent four days on our own visiting our favorite sites, using the Metro for transportation.

Our driver was ready and waiting well in advance to take us back to Charles de Gaulle in time for our flight. Overall Kimkim did a perfect job!

Our trip to Paris and Bayeux was exceptional. From the very second of the planning process, Liz listened to our desires and did a fantastic job creating an itinerary that was full of culture and history.

The KimKim team was exceptional in answering all of our questions while we were traveling. It definitely provided a sense of security and comfort knowing that we weren’t alone and were being taken care of in a foreign country where we didn’t speak the language.

All of our guides were extremely knowledgeable and kept our interest peeked throughout the tours, and the private tours were worth every cent. My son and I loved getting to know our guides, and building relationships with them!

We will most definitely use KimKim on our European travels in the future!

Hotel Reviews

Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris

Paris

Spacious and in a good location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Churchill Hotel Bayeux Centre

Bayeux

Authenticity & Character

Full of charm with a pleasant ambiance.

Location

Such a quaint street!

Staff

Staff was very kind and helpful through our stay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

ibis Paris CDG Airport

Tremblay en France

It was okay for the 10 hours that we were there, but it was very small and cramped overall. The beds were so small you couldn’t move or you’d fall off of them. The shower door didn’t go to the floor, so there was water was all over the bathroom floor.

Authenticity & Character

Very stark

Location

Connected to the airport!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Gourmet Cruise Experience on the Seine

Paris

The overall experience was fun, but be prepared to eat like a Parisian! As picky eaters, weren’t prepared for the food.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Omaha & Utah Beach War History Day Trip

Bayeux

Being able to see where my grandfather was on D Day and hear the stories of what he experienced on that horrific day was extremely emotional. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Versailles Bike & Palace Day Trip

France

This was such a great day!! Our guides, Tebo, made this the best experience! It was so fun to go to the market and immerse ourselves into the day in the life of a local! And being on the bikes was such an added bonus and a great way to tour the grounds! Definitely recommend this one!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private French Revolution Walking Tour For All Ages

Paris

This was the least favorite thing that we did. The tour guide didn’t go in chronological order, and it was very difficult to follow. More of a lecture format, so it was a bit boring.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mont-Saint-Michel Day Trip

Bayeux

Having a private guide for the day was EVERYTHING….. Manan was amazing!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Manan was such a fun girl. We talked for 9 hours straight!

Transport

Felt safe the entire time, and it was great to get to know our guides during this time.

American Airborne Divisions War History Day Trip

Bayeux

Great day with such amazing stories of individual heroism. We had a very small group, so we split up the morning by taking a break at a local cafe (pic below). The guide spoke with the owner who had WW2 artifacts in the back of her shop, and she allowed us to go visit. It was such an intimate and impactful bonus to our day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall, the trip was wonderful. We fully enjoyed our excursion to Arcachon from Bordeaux and the wine region as well. The days spend in the Loire Vally were amazing, we could not have asked for more. The time spent in Paris was also exactly what we were looking for. We did have some issues with being taken to the wrong train station by an arranged driver for a day trip to Normandy. Although, Audrey was able to help us regroup and got us there the next day for an abbreviated trip, It took additional arranging on our part also. The next time we would like a few more specific details about where to find drivers so we don't spend time looking and miss. The only other thing we would have liked is to have dinner reservations made for us , instead of spending time figuring that out. We did not make them in advance so we were relying on hotel conceirge and found some to be booked.

Fantastic planning assistance from Audrey. She helped put together a custom itinerary that was exactly what we wanted and none of what we didn't want. She patiently worked with us as we explored different options for different days even when we changed our minds, made recommendations when asked, carefully planned out logistics and timing, and then executed all of our bookings. Polite, professional and friendly. Only constructive feedback I'd say is for days where our itinerary is known to start before a hotel serves breakfast, to not include breakfast with the hotel booking on those days.

We had an exceptional experience with this company. Our travel planning consultant, Matilde, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and reponsive. Our itinerary was exactly what we wanted for our time in France and was HIGHLY personlized. The arrangement of transfers was wonderful and seemless. Even "special" requests were easily attained. Unfortunately I experienced a medical situation on our trip and our travel consultant and the emergency contact for Kimkim were helpful, kind and responsive. I will definintely use this agency again and highly recommend for an exceptional travel experience!!

Amazing!

Justine was a pleasure to work with. She helped to set up a well organized and balanced itinerary with everything we were looking for.

She recommended a B&B that we never would have found on our own and was possibly the highlight of the trip.

I love the questionnaire at the beginning and about 2 days later having an agenda! Sebastian picked some great experiences and exceeded my expectations!

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Lorette - Astotel

Paris

Beautiful part of town. Lovely hotel. Only note, our room was tiny! No place to store luggage but we were only there one night.

Authenticity & Character

In an historic building

Location

Close to Printemps!

Staff

Very friendly, great English

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless!

Hotel Belle Normandy

Bayeux

We had 3 days here at this beautiful school turned hotel! They had a great breakfast and helpful staff. Our room was family sized!

Authenticity & Character

In an historic building

Location

I’m walking distance to the heart of Bayeau

Staff

Super helpful, great English!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless!

Domaine de la Tortinière

Veigne

Such an amazing experience to stay in an actual castle! So charming!!!

Authenticity & Character

Kept lots of the original charm while adding modern amenities!

Location

Off the beaten path in Tours

Staff

Friendly and helpful, great English

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless!

Courtyard by Marriott Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport

Le Mesnil-Amelot

So convenient at the airport! More of a resort feel. Room was large!

Authenticity & Character

True Marriott

Location

Perfect for catching a flight the next day!

Staff

Friendly, helpful but English needs work😉

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Activity Reviews

Full-day Tour of D-Day Sites

Bayeux

I would give this only 3 stars but it’s because of the weather! It was rainy, windy and bitterly cold. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and even added an extra stop!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Warm and dry!

Full-day guided tour from Bayeux to the Mont-Saint-Michel

France

Was not a guided tour, just a shuttle.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vouvray & Montlouis Wine tour

Tours

We had a private tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable about all processes of wine making! She brought along some meat and cheeses for pairing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport