Memories for a lifetime
France
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Jun 7 - Jun 17, 2024
Thanks to Lucie for putting together a memorable trip to the Loire region and Bretagne. The chateau she found for us, Domaine de La Tortinière, was remarkable. She arranged breathtaking tours and a full-day of interesting history from the D-Day invasion of Normandy. We really enjoyed our guide, Clementine, whose local knowledge was great to experience.
Hotel Reviews
Smaller hotel with a really historical feel. Fantastic staff who were always helpful finding restaurants, transportation, etc. We loved the location in the heart of the 5th Arrondissement, near the Pantheon.
This hotel was breathtaking. Being on the water with such a dramatic view was incredible. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant recommended by Lucie, which featured amazing fresh seafood and a stunning sunset. The next day, even though it was rainy, the views were dramatic and beautiful.
Activity Reviews
![Adventure aboard an authentic sidecar to uncover Paris](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/cc2c74ba3ba52137fe38602887b108c3355a231a/medium-345f93a6f32c05bfb44dc7a6936069c5.jpg)
The sidecar tour was an unexpected delight! It was a recommendation from Lucie, and my family absolutely loved it. It gave us a unique perspective of Paris, almost like we were pedestrians exploring the city. The kids, who are in college, found it especially helpful to understand the city's geography before we walked around the next day.
![Visit of the Eiffel Tower with access to the summit](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/470acc02fa08a35356f20af473dad072bffe2ebe/medium-258a5f6894a3aa4b1a7ab9284a971fe0.jpg)
I was really looking forward to going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but due to some crazy traffic (thanks to President Biden's visit), we missed our appointment. Despite not making it to the summit, we still enjoyed our time at the Eiffel Tower and took some great pictures.
![Chambord Castle](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/32567e156dfca94a37993688fa26ce018c21d26e/medium-1917aee7f90ab8d299a1dfa279bc7ad1.jpg)
Chambord Castle was one of the highlights of our trip. It was lovely to see and really stood out among the chateaus we visited.
![Vouvray wine discovery tour](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/trip_plan/days/photos/a4210c01d06241955aa39ae2bce955d9ff2f5687/medium-a2cd64a64401e2d8d7ca28ce90b14270.jpg)
The wine discovery tour in Vouvray was fantastic. We learned about biodynamic wines, which was fascinating. It was a great day overall.
![Rodin museum](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/d80e8e9f3f42abfcc0ccc7f1e1006bbfdb644ba2/original-ca70aadfce0cedc5dfbdc2347ea21c57.jpg)
The Rodin Museum was part of a perfect day. We got to see different aspects of France, and the museum itself was a wonderful experience. We really enjoyed it.
![Tour of D-Day Sites](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/2bf3aeba56ea4af3c15f27dd210caf82b96b7a74/medium-fe4b23f4a2bb0da2759fd15e3a6db89a.jpg)
We had a private guide named Clementine who was outstanding. She brought the history of the Normandy invasions to life and adjusted the tour magnificently to our interests. By the end of the day, we had a comprehensive understanding of the event
![Discovery of the Machines de l'île](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/6f0fe13d685ef6ca25ef49707667fc6c5686133e/original-bd1bb3381d54e36910ebe6f5a488f6d2.jpg)
This was such a unique and fantastic experience! The mechanized animals, including a giant elephant you can ride, were incredible. It felt like stepping into a Studio Ghibli movie, filled with imagination and creativity. Plus, the hotel was conveniently located, which made for an enjoyable evening.
![Lucie](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/00cfe5747549c149588ff42f9cff5833fb2cab79/original-1fcd5b3f33b776190f6fb4a7c19393dc.jpg)
Thank you so much Kirby for your review. I am so happy that this was a memorable trip for the whole family and that you enjoyed the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy.
Thanks for sharing your feedback on the hotels and the tours. This is of great help for us to keep improving our services.
I wish you the best.
Lucie