As part of the wide range of opportunities we provide our clients, we offer holidays to our home in the south west of France - either on a 1:1 basis or with a group, dependent upon individual wishes and financial situation. Our strong belief in social values, ensures our clients are involved in the local community in France, where they are warmly welcomed as old friends. 

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We know and understand France very well and support clients to learn and remember a few basic French words where possible, which they enjoy practicing - mostly appropriately!

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Following an early start our journey south takes in the roads of France broken with stops for picnics, croissants, coffee and ice creams.  On arrival we unpack, get  clients settled into their ensuite bedrooms, before enjoying a freshly prepared dinner that awaits our arrival. 

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The first morning of the holiday is usually a quiet one, starting with a group chat over breakfast about what the clients would like to see and do during their holiday. We provide options and suggestions, mixing in new ideas for each group - there's always something new to do each holiday. We then head to a local supermarket to stock up on supplies and maybe have a coffee in a local tabac.

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Clients have been to a French hairdresser, travelled on trains, attended a classical concert, taken a horse and carriage tour of Blaye and toured a local chateau. One of our clients is a big sports fan, so we supported them to buy a football strip for the Bordeaux Girondins football team, which they proudly wear with their other football strips!

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Other activities we offer for our French holidays include:

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• Day trip to Perigueux and/or Bordeaux   In Bordeaux we use the Park Relais (park and ride) wherever possible and take the tram into the city centre. Our clients love taking the tram and find it an exciting start to the day out. Bordeaux has a lovely Natural History Museum and an interesting Customs Museum that we have visited previously, while the Monument des Girondins and Miroir d'eau are always popular for photos!  Lunch is often at a restaurant in the Marche des Capucins with its bustling stalls containing fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, meats. Foodie heaven!  We also like visiting the Bassin de Lumieres with its light and film spectacle it can be stuning. The little train touristique or the Bordeaux double decker bus trip gives everyone the chance to sight see without too much walking.

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• In Bergerac we can take a trip on the gabarre - a traditional river boat used for transporting goods through the area.  Read more about the beautiful city of Bergerac and these boats on the Perigord website. 

 

• Day trip to Zoo de la Palmyre at Royan. We've been visiting this zoo for many years and clients always request that it's included in their holidays - especially as they can feed many of the animals, including giraffes, by hand. On the way home we stop at the MacDonald's in Pons to round off the day. 

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• A tranquil guided cruise down the river Dronne in Brantôme - a beautiful town also known as the "Venice of Perigord".  We have been travelling with Les Croisières de Brantôme for around 10-years as the operators have always been very welcoming to us, ensuring our clients are safe and comfortable, even providing the commentary in English for them.

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• Relaxing on the beach and paddling in the water at St Aulaye, enjoying the sunshine with ice creams, drinks and lunch.

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• Another must-have for our clients is a visit to the local market on a Monday morning, with coffee (or a "pression"!) and croissants in a café, followed by shopping in the stalls.

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• Our now annual Halloween trip is always very popular and clients rebook it as soon as we return back to the UK! The French love this spooky holiday, which coincides with toussaint - all saints - when they honour their deceased loved ones with lots of beautiful big chrysanthemum plants! During our Halloween holiday we start by decorating the house, then we take a trip on the classic train at Guitres, take part in halloween actitvities and a party at our local restaurant - an always in complete costume!

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We mix in lots of other trips to a bar, café or restaurant, a Sunday morning vide grenier or a local brocante, and a last day trip to the supermarket to give our clients an immersive French experience - plus the chance to bring home souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.

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As you'll see, we spend a great deal of time researching events, activities and days out to enhance our client's holiday experience!

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For clients who prefer to holiday elsewhere, support staff enable them with their personal choice, which has included America, Spain and Yorkshire.

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Do click through the photos below to see what we all get up to on holiday! Photos are added after each trip.

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