France with Friends; Tours that feel more like traveling with friends! Celebrating 32 years as a boutique tour operator, France Off the Beaten Path Tours offers a unique, immersive, and personalized travel experience for those looking to explore the hidden gems of France beyond the typical tourist experience. The company focuses on designing and delivering authentic cultural encounters and excursions, and every tour offers travelers a deeper understanding of French culture, history, people, and way of life. From time spent with local French friends, some of France's most celebrated professionals, to quaint and artist villages, spectacular countryside landscapes, private tours of historical sites, and uniquely personalized dining, France Off the Beaten Path Tours offers a truly unforgettable journey off the well-trodden tourist trail.
Written by the business, not verified by us.France Off the Beaten Path (traveloffthebeatenpath.com) has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 100 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Events & Entertainment and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 98% rating it 4 stars or higher; The business has replied to 50% of negative reviews; 31 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-28.
Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Consumers consistently share that the staff and guides are exceptionally knowledgeable, kind, and always go above and beyond to ensure everyone feels safe, welcome, and special. Visitors frequently feel that exploring destinations with them is just like traveling alongside trusted companions who deeply understand the local culture and hidden gems. Guests truly love the wonderfully planned itineraries, charming accommodations, and spectacular dining experiences filled with delicious local food and regional wine. Many people eagerly mention that these carefully curated journeys create magical memories, genuine camaraderie, and lasting connections that stay with them forever.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.My siblings and I went on an OTBP tour of Provence in September, and it was excellent, highly recommended. Our two guides, Summer and Phillipe, were knowledgeable, friendly, and fun, and the hotel was excellent. The food and wine tours and meals were definitely a highlight.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH company was founded by an American, Christy who has been living in France for over 28 years. Her team members Philippe (French) and Summer (American) took our group around, wined and dined us like friends would do. It helped tremendously that they spoke English. They were very caring , kind, and professional. Philippe mainly discussed the highlights of the important villages or regions. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. I would highly recommend then to anyone who wishes to see the ff regions: Provence, Loirre Valley and Bordeaux.
The OTBP team was delightful! We had great meals with great wine every day- along with fun trips to fun places in the area. I would highly recommend.
We absolutely loved our tour of Provence with Philippe and Summer! They were amazing guides who were dependable, knowledgeable, flexible and FUN! They went out of their way to accommodate our needs, and their connections in the area provided many opportunities to meet interesting locals. In addition to visiting incredible historical sites, charming villages, vineyards, markets and the seaside, we ate the most amazing meals at outstanding restaurants and in two instances had private chefs prepare special meals for us at a vineyard in one instance and at the chefs own residence in the other! This gave us the opportunity to talk to these fascinating characters who were preparing our memorable meals! These experiences set this tour apart from all others we have experienced and the small group size made it even more special!! Our only complaint... after all those delicious lunches, we could have done without an evening meal too! We highly recommend this tour!
Amazing food, wine and history. We visited, ate and learned from friends of Christy. Truely an amazing experience!!!
This was one of the best travel experiences we have had! Christy, Philippe and Summer are very knowledgeable about the area and have crafted an excellent tour of Provence with meticulous attention to detail. The hotel location was perfect and we had the best rooms (facing the courtyard). The schedule was not tight and we had just the right amount of time to explore a village before moving on to the next. The size of the group made it feel more like friends vacationing together with local hosts driving us around and sharing their favorite places to visit. We are hoping to be able to take another tour soon. Tip: For an even more enjoyable experience next time, we plan to disembark in Paris and catch the train the next day. Connecting through CDG airport to a regional airport was not a pleasant experience.
Christy and her professional team of Hela and Remy met our high expectations for this tour of Bordeaux and its surrounds. Each and every day brought more surprises: walking and history in the form of stories by Hela, architecture, restaurants, wine cave, wineries and an award winning fromagerie. Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the restaurant in Arcachon with a table at the sea’s edge. And cooking (and eating!) in a French chef’s home. Christy ensures 5 stars all the way. We will travel with her again!
It was the perfect small group tour of Provence!! Our tour guides, Philipe and Summer were knowledgeable but most of all, they answered each of our questions wit respect and a wealth of knowledge! Our hotel was so attentive to our needs and each and every one of our chef prepared meals as well as the restaurant meals were the best of the cuisine of Provence!! I cannot think of one negative - We just did not want to leave!! Our small group of 8 also helped create the experience of a lifetime!! And, I do not want to neglect the Lavender fields- they were indeed more beautiful than the pictures!!
I have been on two other trips with Christy and this one was next on my bucket list. It offered all the stops I wanted to tour in Normandy as well as a focus on D-Day and the history of WWII in Normandy. Our unique guide, Florent, had an exceptional knowledge of Normandy and this tour offered a most wonderful way to learn about the people who sacrificed so much for us. There is no other way I would want to tour this area. Christy and Christine, our guides, were both well versed in the area and provided all the assistance we could want. Included on this tour are Mont St Michel and Giverny, which are not to be missed! We recommend this trip to everyone. As my daughter said, it was: "the best trip ever." Noelle and Erica
Off The Beaten Path delivered an experience beyond our expectations. My husband and I chose the Provence tour to celebrate our 50th anniversary and it did not disappoint. Not only were the excursions and meals fantastic, the guides were knowledgeable, accommodating and amazing, as was our van driver, Philippe II! I highly recommend experiencing a guided tour through OTBP! Cheers!
Christy and Florent and Christine did a fantastic job as usual for our tour trip in France and Normandy specifically! We genuinely enjoyed Flo’s descriptions of key locations and historical knowledge of the events and people associated with 1944. We were particularly moved by the spots that Flo took us to which were clearly “off the beaten path” and not usually highlighted by other tours, such as the tiny church in Angoville au Plain and the two medics taking care of soldiers and the local child!
The Off the Beaten Path Tour in Provence is wonderful. The guides were knowledgeable and always helpful. My wife and I have been on other tours -- what makes this special is that you stay in one hotel in St. Remy for the duration of the tour. So it's not necessary to repack every few days to go to another hotel. The hotel, btw, is lovely. Day trips are provided to small towns, lavender fields, and wine producing areas. And the food and wine are exceptional. A great tour!
We had a wonderful 5 days in the Loire Valley with Christy of France Off the Beaten Path Tours and her team member, Christine. We stayed at the Hotel Le Pavillion des Lys in the beautiful and charming town of Amboise. The hotel was lovely as were the people that ran it and the breakfast was amazing! Having Amboise as our "home base" was perfect! We could unpack and relax and then each day we would gather in the lobby and then go to a different Chateau or Castle. While touring these beautiful residences we also learned about the Royal families that had these Chateaux built and the elaborate and animated lives they lived. Christy is quite the story teller! In addition to touring the Chateaux and Castles we also had the pleasure of meeting wonderful chefs and winemakers that Christy has gotten to know over the years. Such a special experience spending time with each of them doing a cooking class, cheese tasting, or learning about and tasting wonderful wines. We ended those wonderful experiences with by either having dinner in one of their restaurants or lunch or dinner with them in their homes - Such a Treat!! We would have never had these experiences that were so beautiful and intimate if we hadn't found Christy's tour. It was a wonderful 5 days full of so much beauty, laughter, friendship, learning, amazing food and wine. (Also, Christy also builds in time so you can do your own wondering). Thank you Christy and Christine!!
Boundless thanks & highest praise to Off the Beaten Path, LLC for a wonderful tour of Provence. Our experience created memories, and friends, that will last our lifetime. From start to finish, the journey was both seamless and utterly enjoyable. The website was accurate and informative. Once we registered for the tour, the communication from OTBP was very helpful. We knew what to pack and to expect. Shortly following our arrival at the Avignon rail station, we were greeted by the broad, shining smile of Summer, who was a guide and quickly became a friend. She was always helpful, prepared and pleasant. What a joy! As the adventure began, it quickly became apparent just how knowledgeable Phillipe, our lead tour guide, was with regard to Southern France. He offered so much information, along with humor. Phillipe shared details involving history, geography, and geology. Plus, he answered all of our questions about wine. Our welcome dinner with Chef Catherine at her farmhouse was a perfect time to get to know others on the tour. The food was marvelous, and Catherine was welcoming & fun. The next day, we enjoyed our first tour of St. Remy and its market. There were vendors offer local goods, and we bought some souvenirs to bring home. Then we hit the road. The countryside was lovely, and our lunch, with included eggplant, cheese, chicken, bread & fresh dessert was magnificent. Our driver (Phillipe #2) was very thoughtful and he kept us moving from one highlight to the next. Day three included lots of lovely lavender fields. Plus, we visited a lavender distillery. Phillipe provided information to help us understand this significant local flower. Again, the countryside was lovely, and we bonded further with our new-found friends on the tour. On the fourth day, we journeyed to the Mediterranean Coast. The sea was magnificent. We enjoyed a nice boat tour of the coastline. And then we spent time in Cassis, walking, shopping and eating. We even got to visit a perfumery that has been in operation for centuries! After we returned to St. Remy, we had a cozy group dinner in a pop up restaurant (in a former church)! The appetizers, entrees (lamb, vegetable lasagna and more) and desserts (and bread and wine) were incredible. The following day, we ventured to Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. We toured the vineyard and learned more about this region's special wine. And then, Chef Jean-Claude treated us to a fantastic lunch. And he even added some humor and song to heighten our fun. That evening, we enjoyed another outstanding dinner in St. Remy, with our friends on the tour, along with Phillipe, Summer and even Christy, the founder and owner of OTBP. Once again, memories were made. If you have interest in small group tours of regional sites with unique character, I cannot offer a higher recommendation than I would for Off the Beaten Path. Christy has curated an adventure that involves one highlight after another. My wife and I will never forget this wonderful trip, and we're already talking about a return to France for another experience with Christy, her team and Off the Beaten Path!
One of the most significant things that made this trip great was all of Christy's connections with so many "acceuillants" (extraordinarily hospitable) French people who welcomed us into their homes and places of work. Also, I know a lot about French history, arts and culture, but Christy never scolded me--or almost never!--for interjecting my "additions." She's a very tactful, as well as knowledgeable guide. I enjoyed myself immensely all during the tour.
What an amazing time we had in the Loire Valley with the Off the Beaten Path team!! It was everything we hoped it would be, and then some. It was so fun to meet new friends and enjoy their company at chateaux’s, homes, restaurants and boat excursion! Every detail was perfectly planned - we wouldn’t have changed a thing! Hotel was comfortable and welcoming, and the coffee was delicious - that’s saying a lot from someone who loves American coffee. Lots of delicious food and wine too! As you might expect, all of the charm of the French countryside just enveloped us from the moment we arrived in Amboise, and Christy, Summer and Christine were just as warm, delightful and knowledgeable as we had hoped. Thanks to all of you for a fantastic trip!! 🇫🇷🥂
The tour was fantastic. We saw Provence through the experienced and passionate Philippe with the charm and spirit of his co-guide Summer. The places visited were spot on, we learned so much about the south of France ranging from art, history, food, wine and even to vegetation. Our bus driver, P2, was steady, amusing and a great driver. I loved staying in one hotel, a beautiful property, the entire time. Also, I enjoyed those experiences which were truly “off the beaten path” like the opening dinner at Catherine’s vintage home, our Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting and lunch courtesy of Jean Claude, and the delicious pork stew and winery full of surprises, compliments of Michelle. We were blessed with a great group of tour mates who have become friends. It was the trip of a lifetime. Thanks to all, especially Philippe and Summer!
Christi (OTBP) owner and guide - Hela and knowledgeable chauffeur Rémy felt like old friends and family. They were all knowledgeable and personable. We recommend the tour (and every tour from OTBP) because Christi surrounds herself with intelligent, personable and knowledgeable people. We enjoyed the entire tour! From learning ancient history to learning about fine local wines from Bordeaux and working hands on with chef Antoine, wife Claire and family, we created and ate at least seven different food courses…very French! Our city tour exposed us to several tastings along the way, and of course ending with cheese and wine at Dauphine’s.
Taking this tour was a dream of a lifetime. It was everything I had hoped for, did not disappoint. As a first time solo traveler, this tour was perfect. Everything was amazing, our tour guides- Philippe and Summer- with their historical knowledge and the care we received, our bus driver- Philippe, the villages we visited, the beautiful scenery, our hotel, the food-yum, and of course the wine! I especially enjoyed the small group concept. I meet some amazing “new friends” Outstanding job Off The Beaten Path!
Week May 13-18, 2024 Our recent trip to the Loire Valley was one of the best we have ever experienced. Christy, along with Summer and Christine, were well versed in the history of the Loire Valley. We visited the Château de Chambord, and learned all about the Renaissance architecture, the grandeur of the castle, with its intricate designs and sprawling gardens. Christy’s insightful anecdotes about its use as a hunting lodge by King Francis I brought the history to life, making us feel as if we were stepping back in time. Next, we explored Château de Amboise, which overlooks the Loire River. This château was not only a royal residence but also the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci. Christy’s stories about the intrigue and political maneuvers of the French court, coupled with the breathtaking views from the castle’s terraces, made this day truly unforgettable. The most romantic of all, Château de Chenonceau, with its stunning arches spanning the River Cher, was a highlight of our trip. I typically find tour guides who read from a history book, but this is not what Christy does. Christy’s engaging tales of the women who shaped its history, from Diane de Poitiers to Catherine de Medici, revealed the secrets and rivalries that unfolded behind its elegant facade. Much more interesting!!!!! Christy also set up wine tours complemented by unique wine tastings and hands-on cooking classes. We learned about the distinct characteristics of Loire Valley wines. The cooking classes were a delightful experience, where we learned to prepare traditional French dishes that I can try at home. What truly made this trip exceptional was Christy’s fun and upbeat manner. Her passion for history and culture was infectious, and her ability to weave fascinating stories about the nobility's secrets and daily lives added to our experience. Each day with Christy was filled with laughter and learning, making our journey through the Loire Valley both educational and entertaining. Christy, creates other tours in France as well as Egypt and we will definitely be booking with her again.
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