About France Off The Beaten Path Tours
Celebrating 32 years in 2026 Dedicated To Tour Travel In France
We don’t just take you through France — we let you live it.
RATED EXCELLENT WITH 500+ REVIEWS
2019 WINNER!! 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR!
RECOMMENDED BY FROMMER’S FRANCE!
ABOUT The Company
Discover France Like a True Insider
A remarkable journey began 32 years ago in the heart of Provence, when American Christy Destremau arrived with a bold vision: to uncover France’s hidden treasures and share them with discerning travelers. With passion, expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit, she transformed that dream into France Off the Beaten Path Tours — a boutique company that has redefined the art of exploring France.
Today, each intimate, small-group tour is a gateway to experiences that are truly rare and unforgettable. From hidden villages to private tastings with local artisans, our journeys go beyond the ordinary, offering a curated, insider’s view of France that few travelers ever see. Step off the beaten path and join a tour that promises authenticity, luxury, and memories you’ll treasure forever.
Your exclusive French adventure awaits — book now while spaces are still available!
Small Groups. Big Experiences.
Christy’s boundless curiosity and deep love for France inspired her to design tours that reflect her unique travel philosophy and passion for this magical country. Driven by a desire to share her profound connection with fellow travelers, she set out to curate experiences that reveal the authentic heart of France.
Every tour is designed to feel less like a traditional tour and more like a personalized adventure among friends, immersing travelers in France’s culture, history, and natural beauty. By going beyond the typical attractions, Christy and her team create opportunities to experience the country in a way that transcends the ordinary, offering a genuine insider’s view that leaves lasting memories.
Step Into France Few Ever See
Her unwavering dedication to uncovering France’s hidden treasures and sharing its rich, sometimes dramatic history has guided the company for 32 years. Christy’s deep relationships with local chefs, wine-makers, artisans, and artists— many of whom have become lifelong friends — allow the company to offer exclusive, insider experiences that only a true local can provide.
Each itinerary blends culture, gastronomy, history, and immersive encounters, allowing travelers to walk through centuries of French history, connect with its traditions, and savor its beauty. Every tour is meticulously crafted to be unforgettable, enlightening, and uniquely personal.
Go Beyond the Ordinary
As you contemplate your next journey, consider this:
- What if your trip to France could be more than just a visit?
- What if it could be an experience that delves into the soul of the country, revealing its hidden wonders and untold stories, transforming your visit into an experience above and beyond your every dream?
With France Off the Beaten Path Tours, you unlock the secrets of France, forge connections that transcend the ordinary, create memories that will last a lifetime, and make new friends along the way. Are you ready to embark on a journey unlike any other?
France Off the Beaten Path Tours invites you to join them on a voyage of discovery, where an exceptional story unfolds daily on tour, unveiling the allure of France in all its splendor. Experience the magic of France through the eyes of Christy and her team, true insiders, and savor the authenticity of this remarkable country they call home.
Click here to review ALL 2026 tour dates & prices
Click here to review ALL 2027 tour dates & prices
In 2024, we celebrated our 30th anniversary specializing in small group tour travel in France and creating our “France with Friends” experiences – Click here to look back on 30 years celebrating France with our small group tours!
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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! Be a part of something exceptional; Experience France with Friends!
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.
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.
About France Off The Beaten Path™ – 32 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.
Every tour offers daily options with varying levels of activeness and discovery.
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.
About France Off The Beaten Path Tours – 32 Years in France
Whether joining an OTBP regularly scheduled, small group tour to Provence, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux wine country, Champagne, Normandy, 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.
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!
RATED 5 STARS BY HUNDREDS OF HAPPY TOUR GUESTS
