About Belle France Tours

From the moment we journeyed from our Seattle home to the shores of France in 1998, we were hooked. The two of us and our children, Rain and Deva, fell in love with the country and its people; almost immediately we began researching different regions for our future Belle France Tours . Over the ensuing years, we’ve returned many times, exploring the villages of Normandy, the peaceful valleys of the Loire River, the rugged mountains of the Massif Central, and the meandering charm of the Dordogne. But from our first trip, it was Languedoc that always called to us, from its undulating, vineyard-laced hills to the cobbled back streets of Montpellier.

Languedoc, with almost 300 days of sun a year (the exact reverse of Seattle’s 300 cloudy days), soon became our home away from home…the pastel-hued houses of Collioure, the remote beauty of the Corbieres hills, the wide, sandy beach that runs for miles south of Sete. We’ve spent many an afternoon strolling the shaded banks of the Canal du Midi, watched the world go by while sipping coffee at our favorite sidewalk cafe in Montpellier, and laughed late into the night with friends in Faugères, over wine and exquisite regional cuisine. Over the years we have developed relationships with the winemakers, chefs, and artisans that make this region a hidden gem for lovers of an authentic South of France experience.

This is a corner of France that most American tourists never see, a country rich with unexpected pleasures, warm and gracious people, and always a new village to explore. This is the France that we’ve made it our mission to share with our guests, and is what sets Belle France Tours apart. If your goal is to see all of the major tourist attractions, there are many tours that will meet your needs. But if it’s a truly unique, in-depth immersion in French daily life that you long for, Belle France Tours will do just that, and more.

Over the years our children have added their skills and expertise to our tours, working along side us to plan itineraries and menus at the chateau, research organic vineyards & farmers, and be knowledgeable ambassadors for this little known and very unique region of France.

We invite you to join us, Kristeen, Phil, Rain and Deva, for an unforgettable week in the South of France.

Belle France Tours : A One-Of-A-Kind Experience

From years of travel in France, we’ve designed a handcrafted experience that will ease you into French daily life and culture. There is no hopping from hotel to hotel – you’ll spend the entire week in a medieval chateau or charming Bed & Breakfast. Whether it be visiting a friend’s wine caveau tucked into the hills of Faugeres, or visiting Marie’s unique museum of quilts from around the world (Knitting Tour), we’ve designed the tour just for you, to ensure that you experience a France that most tourists never do.

Small Groups

Because our groups are small (ten maximum), we provide a truly customized experience that many larger tour companies can’t. From the moment you step off the plane in Montpellier Airport, you’re in our hands, as we create a wonderful and unforgettable week for you in the sunny South of France. By week’s end you will have formed friendships that can last a lifetime, and will remember, long afterward, hours spent sitting on the terrace late into the night, sipping wine under a sky brilliant with stars.

It’s all about relaxation

Any vacation can become over-stimulating if there is too much activity and not enough down time. We pride ourselves on a perfect mélange of activity and relaxation, allowing plenty of time for sitting by the pool or exploring the winding streets of your home village, yet still providing you with a full week of exciting day trips and activities.

Immersion in French daily life

Many travelers in France never get beyond the normal tourist sites. France is more than the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, and we’ll make sure you experience a French culture that many never do. From a memorable evening at our friends’ Regine & Christian’s wine cellar at La Vigneronne to a guided tour of the cobbled streets of le Rue de l'Ancien Courrier in Montpellier, we take you to places most travelers will never see.