The globetrotting father-son duo of Paul and Mark Bonte started French Side Travel five years ago as a way to share their passion for France’s renowned cities and lesser-known places with other explorers. The destination management company specializes in luxury trips across its namesake country, and all of its itineraries are customized.
“People dream of romantic evenings in Paris, Champagne vineyards, and sun-drenched colorful villages in Provence,” says James Rodriguez, the company’s marketing manager. “We have the privilege of turning that dream into a reality.”
One of French Side Travel’s signature offerings is its six-day Road Trip for Foodies through Normandy. The itinerary blends some of the northwestern region’s top culinary experiences with its historical sites.
“The French love food, and there is no better way to connect with the locals than at a shared table,” says Rodriguez. “We include market tours, visits to artisanal Calvados apple brandy and Camembert cheese producers, and a cooking class with a local chef to let visitors do just that.”
Those stops are blended with exploration of Claude Monet’s Giverny and World War II sites. History buffs can spend two hours or two days seeing Omaha and the other D-Day landing beaches, along with military cemeteries. The tours can be adapted to focus on American, Canadian, and/or British battlefields.
Three other towns in the Normandy area that the company includes are Honfleur, Deauville, and Bayeux. Honfleur features a charming port area that teems with cafés and medieval buildings, and Deauville is famous for its seafood.
“Bayeux doesn’t always get onto Normandy itineraries, but it’d be a real shame to miss it,” says Rodriguez of the quaint village. “It has stunning architecture and the incomparable Bayeux Tapestry—a 230-foot long masterpiece that tells the story of William the Conqueror, who invaded and become the King of England, forever changing world history and leaving an indelible mark on the English language.”
For more information, email Rodriguez or go to frenchsidetravel.com.
Top photo: “The Brave” sculpture on Omaha Beach
Photo by top photo: Atout France/Nathalie Baetens
