Review Time
It was a wonderful week full of treats and surprises. The hotel was outstanding along with the exceptional meals at different venues. We laughed often and learned more interesting history than we thought possible. Highly recommend France: Off the Beaten Path for an in depth visit in France.
This was our third trip with Christy, this time in Bordeaux and we had a wonderful time. As with the previous trips, Christy’s tours are very well planned, with a good mixture of activities, fabulous food and wine and great memories. Christy was ably assisted by Remi and Isabelle who were delightful. Mary-Louise and Olivia
Dear Christie, Philippe, and Remi, I remember when my wife Susan suggested that we add a tour of Provence to our attendance at a family wedding in Aix en Provence. I normally plan our overseas adventures, but she said she had uncovered an interesting tour online and asked me to review the particulars. It occurred to both of us that the itinerary looked very comprehensive both in what we would see but also for what and how we would experience this unique area of France. From the very beginning you answered all our questions in a very timely mannerwhich made us very confident that we were in caring hands. I think there were two things that really were superlative. The first was the incredible staffing. Phillipe’s knowledge of the region and especially the arts was truly remarkable. In addition to having been a hotel manager in London and in St. Remy, he provided us with unexpected professionalism in relations with your clients. It was like having our own travelling5-star concierge. Having Remi, yet another professional guide, to assist Phillipe as his “Sweeper” was truly a special gift as our group scheduled for10 was only 8. Both had great senses of humor and a gift for making everyone in the group feel special and safe. Most importantly they transformed a group of unknown people quickly into a family. The second, I assume, lies with your design and that was the choice of how we would enjoy the food and wine of the region which was the prime reason for choosing “off the Beaten Path”. To start our tour with a meal prepared at the home of a truly fantastic chef Catherine Burtonboy ( La Mas de Lilou) was an act of true understanding of the “foodie”. It was truly a memorable evening and set the standard for the week in every meal we had; extremely unique and memorably delicious. Your choice of Maison Bernard in Maillane wasinspired by showcasing the cooking of a one-star chef and now owner, JeremyScalia and wife Julie. In my opinion, however, the meal prepared by Chef Jean-ClaudeAltmayer, a retired Michelin 2-star master, was the highpoint of our gastronomic adventure. I think we all wish to thank you for this incredible visit to Chateauneuf du Pape where we drank remarkable wine from Chateau Maucoil and a meal that we could have only dreamed of enjoying. I am happy to recommend your tours to my friends (as I have already done) and hope that Susan and I can take part in another regional adventure with you in the future. Merci beaucoup Bob and Susan Davis
After reading glowing reviews and being drawn by the promise of visiting Provence's famous lavender fields, I chose this small-group tour with high expectations. I'm delighted to say it exceeded every single one! From the moment of arrival until my reluctant departure, every detail was orchestrated with precision and genuine care.Our guides—Philippe, Summer, and Isabelle—along with company owner Christy and driver Philippe, were outstanding. They shared their genuine passion for Provence while making our small group feel like longtime friends. As a solo traveler, I felt completely welcomed and included from day one.This tour represents small-group travel at its finest. The combination of passionate guides, perfect accommodations, exceptional dining, and seamless organization created an experience that was both educational and deeply enjoyable. For anyone seeking an authentic, well-curated Provence experience with personal attention, I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.
We had an absolutely unforgettable experience with Off the Beaten Path Tour of Provence. From start to finish, the journey was a perfect blend of curated adventure, warm hospitality, and authentic local charm.Christy, Summer, Isabelle, and Philippe were far more than just guides—they were storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and ultimately, friends. Their passion for Provence shone through in every detail, from the thoughtfully chosen sites to the intimate dining experiences that gave us a true taste of the region.Each day brought breathtaking scenery, extraordinary meals, and genuine connections—not only with the hosts but also with our fellow travelers, who quickly became part of the joy. Whether we were exploring hilltop villages, savoring local wines, or laughing over dinner under the Provençal sky, every moment felt carefully crafted and completely magical.We can say without hesitation that we will absolutely travel with Off the Beaten Path again. Thank you for a truly remarkable and enriching journey—we carry the memories (and friendships!) with us still.
Christy has put together a TOP NOTCH team and great agenda's - truly "off the beaten path" and we had experiences we would not have encountered by ourselves. From sightseeing, to fabulous lunches, exquisite dinners and history, this tour met and exceeded our expectations - we will be back
I wanted to experience Provence, France during the lavender season and chose France Off the Beaten Path after reading the group tour reviews; and they didn't disappoint! My tour was in July 2025, which involved a mixed group of 10 people, and from the very beginning when I experienced travel problems with disrupted rail service from Nice because of wildfires around Marseille, Philippe our head tour guide, took immediate actions to provide me a driver to get me to St. Remy. Our week's itinerary was very well thought-out and timely executed with plenty of personal time mixed in. We had three guides with us all week: Philippe, Summer and Isabelle, who were all well-versed in everything Provence and France. As a real perk, there were a couple days that the Owner Christy Destremau, who wasn't leading a tour herself, joined us during the day or for a couple meals. All of the meals we ate were 5 star; from the picnic lunch (with wine of course) under the trees at the lavender distillery that we toured, to a new restaurant of a favored Michelin Star chef, to the gourmet meal at Château Maucoil winery under the canopy of trees overlooking the vineyards in Chateauneuf-Du-Pape... The Hotel Gounad in St. Remi that we were based in for the week was just lovely! Beautifully appointed, comfortable rooms and the people who worked there were very helpful and kind. I would highly recommend this high end travel company if you want attention to detail and want to travel 'off the beaten path!'
An exceptional tour. Christy (and her support guide Christine) felt like genuine friends by the end of this trip. It felt like we were traveling with people we've known forever—who just so happen to have fantastic connections and excellent taste in experiences, food, and culture. Could not recommend more highly. Went so above and beyond our wildest expectations!
I’d highly recommend Off the Beaten Path & Christy Destremau for your next trip to France! Christy has been doing this for a few decades and it shows with her knowledge of history and her extensive network of great chefs, wine makers & excursions. We had a group of 9 family members of various ages & there was something that appealed to every age. We visited castles, chateaus, had dinner at an award winning French chef’s house, tasted the finest Loire Valley wines & had lunch in their family chateau, had a cooking class from another notable chef at his restaurant, but the highlight for all was a hot air balloon ride over the Loire River valley floating over castles, chateau’s & vineyards - absolutely breathtaking & magical! Our rooms fantastic at the centrally located Le Clos d’Amboise & the breakfast was outstanding! We had 3 vegans in our group, all the chefs & restaurants accommodated their dietary restrictions. Last but not least, Christy’s colleagues Remy & Christine were so helpful, caring & FUN!!
Traveling with Off the Beaten Path was an excellent way to immerse into the local culture, dine and discover excellent cuisine, and most importantly, meet unforgettable people. We had an amazing time and loved our accommodations, guides. We will cherish our memories of how each and every day was a new adventure to unfold. Highly recommend!
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Celebrating 31 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. See more
