A personal guide to authentic experiences
from a veteran travel journalist
Authentic Luxury Travel
[promoslider id="my_id" category="topbanner" height="200px"]
  • Home
  • About Elizabeth
    • Published Articles
  • Authentic Luxury Travel
  • Book A Trip
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Advertise
    • Contribute a Guest Post
    • Keep in Touch
    • Leave a Comment, Ask a Question
    • Plan a Getaway “Contest”
    • Send a Photo
    • Share a Travel Book or Movie
    • Write a Trip Report
  • Map of Posts by Location
  • Trip Planning
  • Africa
    • Botswana
    • Safaris
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Zambia
  • Air Travel
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
    • Bhutan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Myanmar
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Sydney
  • Authentic Travel
  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
      • Vancouver
    • Newfoundland
  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
  • Cruises
  • Europe
    • Czech Republic
    • England
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Poland
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Turkey
  • Hotels
  • India
  • Islands
    • Bermuda
    • Caribbean
    • Fiji
    • French Polynesia
    • Hawaii
    • Ibiza, Spain
    • Maldives
    • Palau
    • Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Dubai
  • New Zealand
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
  • Special Interest Trips
    • Ancestry travel
    • Bucket List Travel
    • Classic Car Adventures
    • Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    • fall colors
    • Family Travel
    • food tours
    • garden visits
    • Golf Vacations
    • Learning Vacations
      • Cooking schools
    • national holidays
    • Performing Arts
      • concerts
      • opera
    • Pet-Friendly Travel
    • Rafting
    • Recipes
    • Romantic Destinations
    • Shopping
    • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
    • Spa Vacations
    • surfing
    • Walking vacations
    • Wildlife Watching
    • Winter Holidays
    • Women's Travel
  • Staying Healthy
    • Dealing with Illness and Discomfort
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Insects
    • Mind and Spirit
    • Packing
    • Problem Prevention
    • Travelling with Kids
  • Travel Experts
  • U. S. Travel
    • National Parks
    • USA Eastern States
    • USA Midwestern States
    • USA Southern States
    • USA Southwest
    • USA Western States
      • Alaska
      • Central California
      • Montana
      • Northern California
      • Oregon
      • Southern California
      • Utah
      • Washington
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Voluntourism

Your Private Guide to France

June 19, 2013 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 3 Replies More

 

Guests arriving at Chateau de la Barre in the Loire Valley with Manuel de Croutte of Exclusive & Private.

Manuel de Croutte would like to introduce you to the art de vivre in France, and my advice is that you should let him. As you may already know (I didn’t), the art de vivre literally means the “art of living,” but in France it’s code for French history, tradition, culture, and – most of all – culinary heritage.

I can’t think of a more authentic way to see cultural France than to be guided by Manuel. His years of experience and extensive personal contacts open doors to historical sites, castles, vineyards, old homes and museums not usually open to the general public. You will find yourself dining with French aristocracy and sometimes overnighting in their grand houses.

The Chateau de Bourron is 45 minutes from Paris.

Certainly this is an authentic luxury experience and, as is almost always the case, the customized itinerary and personal attention is as important as the fine surroundings.

Manuel would be happy to welcome you when you arrive in France and accompany you on journeys to various regions, depending on your preference. You might decide to visit Normandy or Mont Saint Michel or the Loire Valley – or all three and more. Details of sample excursions are on his site Exclusive and Private. Just know that you will be treated to a unique and memorable view of cultural France

Famous Saint-Jean de Luz Bay on the Basque Coast.

Exclusive & Private can organize special events in France, such as family gatherings, honeymoons, and celebrations. They can also create bespoke itineraries in other European countries.

Read what previous clients said about their private five-day tour with Manuel through the southwest of France from Pau to Bordeaux via Biarritz:

“When we arrived in Pau, our guide and special new friend, Manuel de Croutte, was waiting for us at the airport. From the moment we were picked up, we were taken on the most perfect holiday of our lives. Everything was arranged by Manuel… from the luggage to the flowers, to the finest rooms, to the most extraordinary meals.

There were also amazing surprises like picking us up one evening and unexpectedly bringing us to the Chateau d’Arcangues outside Biarritz, where we met and had cocktails with the Marquis Michel d’Arcangues, sharing an intimate candlelight dinner that could never be recreated. Having traveled worldwide and been on numerous exclusive holidays, this was certainly the highlight in our lives in terms of delivering ultimate luxury and first-class treatment.” Owen & Ellen Coleman, New York – USA

Your private guide to France will help you enjoy the good life of an affluent Parisien.

And here’s what Jeffrey Garten said about Paris:

Dear Manuel,

On behalf of my wife Ina and myself, I wanted to thank you once again for making our trips to Paris so wonderful. We have been coming to Paris regularly since 2000, but when we met you about a year ago, the experience became much richer in many ways. First of all, we love the special customized tours you have constructed and arranged for us, such as “historical” Paris, private gardens of Paris, Paris under the German occupation. In every case, you managed to find expert guides who were not just knowledgeable but very cordial and very interesting people.

Second , you have given us recommendations for, and access to, some of the great exhibitions in the city that were otherwise sold out, such as the Stein family collection and the Hopper exhibition. The personal, customized tours are always with a guide who is so masterful that the experience is truly memorable.

Third, when it has been totally impossible to get a reservation, you made it happen, such as our upcoming dinner at Jules Verne. And finally, you have created unique events that we and our friends will remember forever, such as the moonlight cruises on a private yacht down the Seine River. Beyond all that, it has been a pleasure dealing with you, who are always patient and gracious with us, despite the fact that we often ask you at the last minute for something big, and we are forever changing plans.

Best regards,

Jeffrey Garten, New York

Are you ready to experience the art de vivre?

Chateau Pape Clement, Bordeaux.

[feather_share]

Tags: aristocrats, art de vivre, chateau, chauteax, Europe, Exclusive & Private, France, French, French culture, Loire Valley, Manuel de Croutte, Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, Paris, private guide, private tour, the art of living

Category: France, Travel Experts

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn

Comments (3)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Alex says:
    June 25, 2013 at 6:39 am

    Hi Elizabeth and Manuel. Fantastic post! With so much choice out there, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to traveling and enjoying the finer things in life. But France certainly has to be at the top of that list. It’s home such a wide variety of stunning scenery, attractions, historic cities and an incredible culinary heritage. A must-visit for any luxury traveler!

    Best wishes, Alex
    http://www.luxuryvillarentals.com

    Reply
  2. Nina Fogelman says:
    August 18, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    Hi Elizabeth, as always, fabulous, informative, authentic information. As always, the go to site for special insights. I continue to be a great fan although my travels keep me from posting more. Thanks for all you do and for your special insights. Best from Peru, Nina

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says:
      August 19, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Thanks for you kind words, Nina, and for providing a great service to Authentic Luxury Travelers when they are in Peru.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

« Pet-Friendly Paris
Tuscan Cooking School »

Subscribe

Join me and discover the joy of authentic travel experiences. Subscribe here. Watch your inbox for an activation email.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
[jr_instagram id="2"]
Let our Boutique Hotels inspire you
Discover the ancient and magical culture of  Peru
Discover Vietnams hidden treasures with the help of a private tour guide
Spectaular Italian Villas and homes for rent

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

I enjoy helping travelers plan custom itineraries that wander off the beaten path instead of following the well-worn trail of tourist sites. Elizabeth Hansen
Find out how I can help .

"I truly want to thank you for helping to make our trip a joyous adventure. We will always be grateful to you for enhancing our experiences." —N. Higgins, Black Mountain, NC

Find Authentic Luxury Destinations

Click the map to find articles and travel tips about your favorite destinations.

Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn
© 2023 Authentic Luxury Travel. All rights reserved. Design & Development by Acorn Interactive.