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Breathtaking villa by the sea
Old rustic door and walls with lavender pot in front
Fontane - FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™
Lavender on the wooden chair
Amazing scenery only with FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours
Astonishing lavender fields
authentic buildings, Provence walking tour with FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours
Bridge in Provence, Provence walking tour
Sunflower field in Provence by FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™
Wine corks in the pot
On of the enchanting castles in Loire Valley - FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours
Red vine, glass and three bottles
On of the enchanting castles in Loire Valley
Woman in the grape fields holding wine glass, and enjoing her FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tour
Lavender in the basket
Bordeaux old town with FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours

About France Off The Beaten Path Tours

Celebrating 30 years Dedicated To Tour Travel In France and Now Egypt

TOUR TRAVEL IN FRANCE & EGYPT IS OUR SPECIALTY!!

RATED EXCELLENT WITH 500+ REVIEWS

2019 WINNER!! 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR!

RECOMMENDED BY FROMMER’S FRANCE!

ABOUT OFF THE BEATEN PATH, LLC – The Company

Unrivaled expertise and specialization exclusively in active tour travel within France plus superior customer service and exceptional value for the price set Off the Beaten Path, LLC apart from other tour companies. Off the Beaten Path, LLC (OTBP) is American owned and operated with offices in the USA, Bordeaux, and Provence, France! Founded and helmed by American author and photographer, Christy Destremau, who also holds French citizenship, and has been living an authentic, French life immersed in French culture for over two decades, the company celebrates 30 years in 2024 designing and delivering engaging small group, walking, gourmet foodie, wine, culinary, and cultural tours exclusively in France!

Off the Beaten Path, LLC (OTBP) began as a dream. As a woman-owned and run company, Christy Destremau took a leap of faith, transforming her vision of travel and philosophy to enjoy life to its fullest into sharing authentic experiences in France with travelers. Throughout the years of ups and downs, uncertainties that life can sometimes present in travel, she’s remained faithful to her dream in a world where only one constant, change, remains king. Along with her team of stellar guides and French friends and partners, the company continues to deliver unparalleled experiences.

Travel writers and magazines rank Off the Beaten Path, LLC Tours among the best in guided tours of Provence – southern France, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, and Champagne. The company’s small group France tours offer travelers the very BEST, and most inspiring and exclusive itineraries comprised of cultural “insider” experiences and active excursions to discover Provence, Loire Valley, and Bordeaux, France.

French travel newspaper mentioning FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tours

Enjoy exceptional quality and excellent value on a France Off the Beaten Path small group tour! Travelers and publications rate France Off the Beaten Path Tours among the BEST active, small group tours in France thanks to the unparalleled “insider” experiences included in each tour itinerary. The company’s “insider” relationships with local French chefs, artisans, hotel owners and cultural industry professionals place the company in a very exclusive position to create its one-of-a-kind itineraries to experience the very BEST of France! Whether you’re a seasoned small group tour traveler, or new to the small group tour scene, Off the Beaten Path tours offer fun, enriching, interactive, local, and authentic French experiences and activities for everyone!

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Happy people around the table with lifted glasses enjoying their FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ tour

FEEL Welcome AND AT HOME WITH OUR Friends ON EVERY TOUR!

More than just a tour, France Off the Beaten Path transforms the entire guest experience into a personalized and exclusive “unparalleled” active, cultural affair that far exceeds guest expectations every time! We connect guests with our lifelong, local French friends who rank among France’s top-rated chefs, specialty artisans, artists, wine producers, hotel & castle owners, and entertainers!

An Exceptional Team of Tour Guides

In addition to leading many tours herself, Christy has selected a handful of tour guides to work alongside her. Like Christy, France Off the Beaten Path tour guides are American and French, multi-lingual, and reside in France. They bring a wealth of local information and history to enrich each guest’s individual experience. Company Tour guides have personally been selected for their comprehensive understanding of French and Anglophone culture, and have a talent for being able to blend the two cultures to ensure memorable experiences for France Off the Beaten Path Tour guests. Many have been elected to some of the most prestigious tourism offices in France, and have also been awarded UNESCO accolades for their cultural work in France.

Christy, the founder of FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ with tour quests in a restaurant

France Off the Beaten Path Tour Company guides are also contributing authors to prominent guidebooks including Rick Steve’s Provence Guide Book, Best of France Guide, and PJ Adams’ France Travel series, to name a few. The key ingredient to a successful tour is the guide, and France Off the Beaten Path Tour guides have been recognized for their talent, knowledge, and professionalism. You will find that Christy and her team are wonderful traveling companions whose knowledge, and sense of fun and a positive attitude make each tour day a wonderful experience.

Expert Professional English speaking American guides who live in France, superlative guest service, inspiring itineraries, deluxe historical hotel accommodations, sumptuous French meals, regional wines, and comfortable transportation are of the highest standard on every France Off the Beaten Path Tour. Each tour itinerary is comprised of a variety of engaging activities and enriching experiences for guests to authentically discover the heart and soul of each region. Participate in cooking classes with local friends who are celebrity Master, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and Michelin-star chefs, and who look forward to welcoming you to their family homes, professional kitchens, and workshops, as a group of friends.

Christy, the founder of FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ with her Provence Team of Guides.

About France Off The Beaten Path™ – 30 Years in France

Shop at weekly village markets where OTBP tour guides introduce you to our French friends who are olive oil and wine producers, artists, cheese-makers, herb and spice vendors, craftsmen, perfumery and linen artisans, and designers. Walk the same countryside and vineyard trails frequented by regional French residents and their families. Enjoy the slow road scenery walking local country trails through vineyards, flower fields of lavender, poppies, and sunflowers, olive and fruit orchards, and small historic villages. Tour castles, pre-historic caves, and other historical monuments and sites with knowledgeable, professional UNESCO award-winning guides. Dine in the same gourmet restaurants and bistros, as the locals do; where the chefs are our personal friends and set aside a special table uniquely to welcome you. Built in leisure time provides guests with opportunities to pursue independent interests and activities or to break away from the group for some quiet or personal time.

Christy, the founder of FRANCE OFF THE BEATEN PATH™ with her husband

Every tour offers daily options with varying levels of activeness and options.

Tour guests always have the flexibility of deciding how each day unfolds. OTBP tour guides sit down with the group every day to discuss the activities, excursions, walks, local events, and options of the day. With so many options available during each tour, the company assures guests the flexibility to be as active as one chooses (more walking, less walking, shopping time, cultural discovery, people watching, photography, etc.), and to also enjoy leisure time to pursue independent interests, all while enjoying the perks of traveling in a small group. OTBP tour guides take care and manage the daily logistics and details while you, our guest, spend your time on the important stuff — having fun, relaxing and enjoying your vacation your way! The idea behind each OTBP tour is to appeal to the discerning traveler of all ages and backgrounds who seeks something new and different, and who wants to reach out and discover something inspiring.

man posing on a tractor beside the lavender field

About France Off The Beaten Path Tours – 30 Years in France

Whether joining an OTBP regularly scheduled, small group tour to Provence, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux wine country, or requesting a private, custom designed tour to one of these regions of France, OTBP ensures that each itinerary is inspiring, and that each guest experience is unique and personalized. You’ll find Testimonials of guest satisfaction on both our guest Feedback page, and sprinkled throughout the website.

Why Choose France Off the Beaten Path Tours for your next tour vacation to France? Click here to read…

Photos of our France Off the Beaten Path Tours Team in Action

Doing What We Love Together … We couldn’t Do It Without You

Thank You For Choosing To Discover France With Us!


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RATED 5 STARS BY HUNDREDS OF HAPPY TOUR GUESTS

OVER 500 VERIFIED FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON TRUSTPILOT

A WORD FROM Our Guests:

“This was my third trip in the same number of years with Christy and Off the Beaten Path. While on her trips you can tell how much effort there is on the off season to make every single week perfect. From the pick up at the train station to the teary goodbye at the airport, everything is perfectly planned and executed. The hotel in St. Remy is magical, and the tour guides Philippe and David are exceptional. If you are considering a trip with OTBP, go for it and come home with new friends, a love of Provence and a longing to return as soon as you can!” — Beth Bower

“We had an excellent tour with Christie and her crew in the Loire valley. We did things that only a true insider would have access to-dinner at a Michelin chefs house, helping/learning to cook at a highly rated restaurant in their kitchen. This was in addition to seeing the sights and touring the castles. A truly unique experience that is off the beaten path. We will use her again when going back to France.” — Karen Berner

“France Off the Beaten Path was so great the first time that I had to return to Off The Beaten Path for a repeat visit. Everyone that works for Christy is excellent and full of life. Loved their tours to Van Gough, Dinner at Catherine’s home, picnic in the woods, wineries – And the only max at 16. So we really got to know each other. Highly recommend.” — Lauren

“Outstanding tour of truly beautiful areas of Provence by a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who spoke perfect English. Gorgeous accomodation, very special restaurant experiences, and an effort made to avoid arriving at tourist hotspots with the hordes made it all the more enjoyable.” — Geoff & Lorrene Evans

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