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FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Your boutique travel agency in France
Tailored luxury France tours & events
Exclusive France Tours is a prestigious cultural tourism agency that specialises in luxury tours of France and high-end vacation packages. We design each of our bespoke private tours and events to meet the precise requirements of our clients. We work with individuals, groups and companies to create entirely unique, high-luxury experiences and excursions.
Whether you’re seeking a truly exceptional French holiday, pursuing personal travel dreams or planning a strategic corporate event in France, Exclusive France Tours is your ideal partner.
We have over 20 years of experience in high-end travel and tourism. We are experts at designing and delivering private, custom-made tours that are entirely out of the ordinary, full of authentic discoveries and exclusive experiences. We understand that true luxury is by nature extraordinary–so we ensure that each of our private tours, packages and bespoke events are precisely that. Our discerning clients expect only the very best. We deliver.
Our philosophy
Our philosophy is simple and sincere: we recognise that each and every client is different. That’s why all of our luxury tours of France are totally unique and focus on private, painstakingly tailored experiences.
Our first step is to get to know you and understand what you are looking for, taking careful note of your interests and wishes. We then work with you hand in hand, bringing together your vision and preferences with our 20 years of travel and event management expertise.
The result? A completely bespoke high-end getaway. One that corresponds perfectly to your vision, personality, and travel dreams. We never offer pre-packaged tours or experiences. You can expect a genuinely personalised adventure when you work with us.
Authenticity is just as fundamental to our philosophy. Whether you’re primarily interested in exploring France’s rich history, tasting its world-renowned cuisine, gourmet specialties and its amazing wines, or experiencing extreme sports and outdoor adventures in breathtaking settings, your experience will involve local people— the true ambassadors of French culture. If “experiential” travel means something to you, working with us will guarantee you actually achieve it.
French artisans and craftsmen are dedicated to sharing and upholding regional traditions, and form the heart of trades from cheesemaking to wine and woodworking. Having gained remarkable skills passed down through generations, they welcome the opportunity to share their passion. Their in-depth knowledge, enthusiasm and insider’s perspective will make your trip both unique and unforgettable. You will experience the living heritage of France, leaving you with much more than a mere visit. Our France luxury tours go far beyond enjoyable journeys: you will live, feel, and taste France in all its marvellous specificity and heritage.

Marie Tesson
Exclusive France Tours

Our areas of expertise
France has so much to offer. It abounds in history, art, culture, food, wine, magnificent landscapes and countryside, architecture and much more. Read on and see where your desires and our expertise can take you. Our carefully tailored luxury tours and corporate events will leave you with lifelong memories and unforgettable experiences.
Immerse yourself in French Culture and Heritage
France’s heritage is an inexhaustible source of inspiration: the country boasts rich legacies in countless domains, from history and the arts to music, literature, fashion and architecture. Our expert team works to give all our clients an immersive cultural experience: we aim for you to feel, breathe and live all France has to offer. According to your personal interests and requests, we work with top experts and specialists to provide:
Historical explorations that can include private visits to renowned historic and cultural sites, or themed historical tours that have a thoroughly unique dimension. Think novel treasure hunts, night visits or photographic safaris by Segway. Or tell us what your ideal encounter with France’s living history looks like. The rest is up to us.
Gastronomic tours & adventures: Gourmet excursions that might include cooking classes with a master Chef; French food tours and visits to local markets and food producers; visiting a local craftsman or gourmet artisan’s workshop.
Wine tasting and appreciation is as fundamental to French culture as food is, and is a particular love and expertise of Exclusive France Tours. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge and quality contacts, we can organise intimate encounters with winemakers, personalised tours of vineyards, wine lessons with professionals, tastings in the cellars of renowned estates, vineyard tours in a jeep or “2CV” vintage automobile, or bespoke walking tours. We would also be delighted to develop a new concept to fulfil your wine-tasting visions, and our luxury wine tours are all entirely unique.
During your journey, one of the key elements of your bespoke excursion will be meeting with local French experts. As it has always been the case, these artisans are the very soul of the country, the essence of French life. Your encounters with winemakers, chefs, cheesemakers, craftsmen, farmers and others will bring you more than their know-how. They will pass on the spirit and substance of French culture to you. This is why our tours are so unique: they represent the place where luxury and prestige meet authenticity and cultural exchange.
Plunge into Sports and Outdoor Activities
France offers an infinite variety of enjoyable nature breaks and outdoor activities, from hiking to cycling and paragliding.
You will be spoiled for choice if you’re seeking close encounters with France’s natural wonders. There are seemingly endless possibilities for outdoor adventures. Exclusive France Tours adds another dimension to these, offering novel ways to explore your chosen areas. We’ll help you enjoy France off the beaten track.
Why not trek with friends in the heart of the breathtaking Pyrenees National Park? Accompanied by a local mountain guide, you will discover the many facets of the region. But perhaps an early morning balloon flight is more appealing. Imagine floating over the Loire River valley in the early morning light, drifting with the soft breeze as you enjoy breathtaking views of the stunning landscapes, dotted with fairy-tale chateaux. For the more adventurous traveler, we offer a magical flight in a ULM over the renowned Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, soaring over the medieval wonder surrounded by tides.
Each season offers different possibilities for outdoor adventure. Looking for a break during your ski holidays? Why not go dogsledding or hiking in the snowy Alps, from prestigious Courchevel and Megeve to rustic Les Gets? Rafting in Ardèche near the Sainte Croix Lake is sure to provide an adrenaline rush. Perhaps you’re up for an early start and a deep-sea fishing day with a professional fisherman? Also consider summer hiking through gorgeous mountain pastures, enjoying the pure mountain air and stunning views.
Are you seeking the ultimate cycling adventure? We can design a luxurious tour in any of our specialty regions. What better way to experience the wine-making routes of Burgundy, Bordeaux or Champagne regions? You can stock up on local delicacies and enjoy a picnic between rides. If you’re looking for a more relaxed pace, take family and friends on a barge through the Burgundy countryside for the perfect escape.
Of course, we can help with the ‘après’ activities to relax and recuperate: we’ll give you our best addresses for luxury spas, indulgent massages, top-rate gastronomic dining and more. In short, get ready for truly unique luxury tours of France!
Private Themed Events and Evenings
For special occasions with family and friends or corporate gatherings, we design exceptional private events and themed evenings. Our entire team combine their creativity, expertise and enthusiasm to find novel locations and themes for your next bespoke corporate function or private celebration.
Imagine enjoying an elegant aperitif atop the tower of a historical site, while basking in the superb operatic voice of a soprano diva. Imagine fine dining in a wine tank with an oenologist; teatime with a Duchess in her fairy-tale French castle; or revelling in a refined gastronomic evening in a UNESCO-listed historical site while being entertained by comedians. Picture playing roulette or black jack during a casino night in a castle; enjoying a gala dinner in a renovated abbey, or perhaps a company anniversary celebration in a former movie theatre whose decor matches the film’s. We ensure that your next private corporate getaway or personal celebration is truly remarkable– and unforgettable.
Luxury Weddings, Anniversary Parties & Other Events
In addition to our bespoke itineraries, we also plan high-end destination weddings, engagement parties, honeymoons and other special events for couples in France. Whether it’s just the two of you or you’re envisaging a memorable and unique soirée with family and friends gathered, we’ll ensure your wedding, honeymoon or anniversary party is truly exceptional. And if you’re thinking of proposing marriage in France, we’ve got plenty of luxurious and unique ideas for popping the question.
We work closely with all of our clients and couples to ensure your special day, event or celebration unfolds with all the magic, prestige and joy you expect. Our team will work to coordinate any travel plans throughout France and its neighbouring countries with the same attention to detail.
Where: Throughout France and its neighbouring countries.
Wine expertise & French vineyards
Wine Tours Built on Passion and Authenticity
French wines are noble, stimulating and inspiring. In fact, it was the love of wine that inspired Exclusive Wine Tours’ Founder, Marie Tesson, to share the magic of this hallowed tradition. 20 years later her passion has not dimmed and Marie continues to ensure that each client’s experience is authentic and personalised.
Through our close family and friendship connections with famous winemakers, you can expect your bespoke French wine tour to include private meetings with some of them on their estates –many of which are usually closed to the public. Your tour may also allow you to taste exceptional wines, guided by experts, and to learn about winemaking processes and cellar management. The friendly, personal atmosphere will give your individual wine tours or corporate events both conviviality and originality.
We can help you choose which of France’ distinctive wine-making areas – Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, the Loire Valley, Alsace, the Rhône Valley or Provence – best suit your interests and plans. Thanks to our wine expertise of over 20 years, we’re delighted to share our knowledge and privileged contacts in the world of French winemaking universe with you. As a result, your private wine tour will be totally unique and full of exclusive experiences– we guarantee it.
Who are we?
How it started… with Marie Tesson, Founder and Owner of Exclusive France Tours
After pursuing studies in finance and international law, Marie worked for several years on the investment team at the Australian Embassy in Paris. She then left Paris for Australia, where she was appointed as the Managing Director of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce in Sydney. In that role, she organized major luxury events and VIP receptions.
Once back in France, she settled down on a wine estate in the heart of Burgundy. It didn’t take her long to realize how promising wine-related travel could be in Burgundy. This French destination was at that time only witnessing the dawn of high end, authentic wine tourism. In 2001, she created her first agency, out of a deep desire to share and pass on her love for wine, terroir and French culture. Formerly married to a wine producer, she naturally developed very privileged relationships in this exclusive region of France. And that’s how this long story started.
A dedicated team at your entire service
Little by little, client requests became more specific: travellers wished to explore other regions, which pushed Marie to develop her bespoke tour services beyond wine and Burgundy. The company expanded to offer tours in regions including Bordeaux, Champagne, Provence, the Basque Country, the Loire Valley, Lyon & the Cote du Rhone, and Alsace. But the journey doesn’t end there. It’s continuously evolving, inspired by the desires and requests of our discerning and passionate clientele. That’s why at Exclusive France Tours, Marie and her passionate team always seek to go the extra mile, continually perfecting and renewing their approach. Luckily, the infinite variety of culture, heritage, gastronomy, humans offered by French destinations keeps them inspired to design marvellous, ultra-bespoke experiences for you.
Our approach:
Our ambition is to offer our clients discovery of the unknown and rarefied experiences by creating tailored, top-rate private excursions and business events in France. We offer you a personalised approach to local and regional heritage; therefore, we will automatically take into account your tastes, whims and most treasured travel dreams when designing your luxury getaway.
WE STRIVE FOR PERFECTION.
Hardworking, reliable, imaginative, organized, demanding, creative, sticklers for detail, quick-thinking and passionate; these are the key words that reflect our vision– and our everyday mission to be the very best. There is no challenge we won’t take up for our valued clients. We process and fulfil your requests in a flash. We aim to achieve your satisfaction by exceeding your expectations. Our ultimate reward? Your enjoyment.
Are you seeking truly bespoke travel services and tours? Here’s why to choose us:
- We do not advertise hotels or serve as a booking intermediary
- We do not offer pre-set or standard tours: all of ours are entirely tailored
- We do not offer vouchers
- You’ll find no standard lists of restaurant recommendations or generic “must-see” lists with us
Exclusive France Tours goes much further— guaranteeing that your experience is nothing short of exceptional and memorable.
What you can expect from us:
We realise your vision
Our ambition: to design a once-in-a-lifetime luxury experience for you
We transform your wishes into unique moments
We write the script for your luxury French adventure. Next, we arrange your dedicated storyboard.
Then…Action!
Some Ideas For Exclusive Luxury France Tours
Customers’ Testimonials
Hi Marie,
We had a delightful time! Thank you very much for designing a great tour. We particularly enjoyed the olive oil tour/tasting, truffle hunting, and cooking class. Thibault was a fantastic tour guide, too. I particularly appreciated his flexibility and patience with us. (…) Again, we had a lovely time and appreciate your effort for making our vacation great. I already miss Provence!
E.Z.Marie, we are back to Monaco and I’m writing to you to say thank you for a great day we spend at Vougeot. All our friends are absolutely happy with the experience at this beautiful countryside of Bourgogne. The Citroen driving is definitely something, that we never tried before and it was so much fun! All our group and me personally would like to thank you Marie for a wonderful journey 😊 We plan to visit Bretagne in the end of May for my husband birthday, would you be interested to organize another trip for us? Hope you've got back home safely, maybe we could meet in Nice for a coffee sometimes 😉
Best regards,
S.I.I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and llaria for all your hard work organizing our trip to France. As I mentioned earlier, from the moment Bruno greeted us in Paris to when we (sadly) departed his and Aurzelle’s (she was soooo much fun with her interesting, delightful historical facts) company , our France experience was truly fantastic and a most memorable one! I cannot express enough the wonderful time we had in every aspect: from the delicious food (I have many pictures) and fabulous restaurants (cannot pick just one J), to the educational wine tastings (cannot pick a favorite but Chateau Beauregard with Victoria (?) was delightful); our balloon ride was breathtaking; the special, private, sunset dinner with Jean Max (excellent service!); another delightful, surprise tour (and champagne toast to our anniversary) at Chateau de Gizeaux and most of ALL : the wonderful French citizens that were so helpful (we actually had a patron in a store ask if we needed help translating!) and patient as we desperately tried to communicate in your language. We have been to Europe many times over the years (mostly Italy), this being our second trip to France and I must admit this was a trip in the top “2”!!! Again, I cannot thank you both enough especially after our slight “incident” with Mike’s back issue (the pharmacist was both patient and helpful to guide us in therapy). Beautiful memories!
Best Regards,
Mike & Marie S.Used in the proposal of Mont-Michel.
Marie-San from exclusive France tours has been very kind from her first contact, she was flexible on the schedule and the budget to best meet my requirements.
In the preparation phase, we were able to communicate with you immediately by phone and email despite the 7-hour time difference. Mrs. Christèle, our guide, and the photographer Mrs Pauline were also professional and very kind, and I was able to make a proposal that was very satisfying as a result. If you would like to succeed in the proposal during a trip in France, we recommend exclusive France tours.
Highly recommend. I am not easily impressed, but Marie managed the impossible throughout our entire Champagne experience. She was able to secure private and exclusive access to prestigious houses, which is a privilege reserved only for major distributors and celebrities. Each visit was unique, exclusive, educational and delicious. Looking forward to working with her to explore the rest of France.
Amanda M.Marie,
I wanted to thank you for this Eductour which allowed us to discover the Burgundy high places, to live moments of rare emotion (the ULM...) and magic (the evening with chefs) and to meet a wide range of partners.
Contacts taken during the appointments were very interesting. The organization on the theme "la Grande Vadrouille" was successful with playful epics across the vineyards... (although we came back home exhausted- but happy with such a rich, extensive and hectic programme!).
Thank you again!
Fabienne P.A.Marie Tesson had created for us in November 2017 a tailor made journey around vineyard in the Burgundy region.
Our clients from different cultures and backgrounds but all of them with high expectations were absolutely delighted.
Ms. Tesson did a great job, her knowledge, her skills and her capacity to listen and to adapt were key factors for the success of our journey.
I highly recommend Ms. Tesson to any client who wishes a high quality event.
Sam A.My wife and I contracted Exclusive France Tours, owned and operated by Marie Tesson, for a private tour from July 13th to August 2nd this year after a three-month selection process from among six serious France-based tour operators. We started with a list of the cities and towns we wanted and where appropriate, identified the specific sites that we wanted to see in the locations. For some of the locations identified, she asked what we wanted to see and do, since she had her own perspective on which French locations were must-sees vs. could pass over. Which was the reason we agreed to delete Troyes, Grenoble, Amiens, Beauvais, Chartres, and Rouen. She also reasoned that Lille was out of the way and was impractical to include. She insisted, and rightly so, that we needed to visit Chinon, Sarlat, Bayeaux, Fontevraud, St. Emilion, Colmar, Amboise, Calanques de Cassis, and Luberon, and spend more time than planned at Marseilles. She also asked a lot of questions herself – was seeing as many cities as we could very important? Which were our top 10 shouldn’t miss? How important was culture? History? Art and architecture? Food and wine? Hands-on workshops? What was our philosophy on accommodation? Walking and trekking? And of course, budget range, all questions that I appreciated.
It was Marie’s quickness to respond, candor, forthrightness, and exceptional enthusiasm to show off the best that France had to offer that clinched it for us. There were many examples. She asked if he could reverse the sequence of the tour as I first designed so that we could hit Mont St. Michel at one of those rare high-tide days of the year, which was certainly not to be missed. She also proposed that we walk across the beach to get to Mont St. Michel rather than taking the easy drive then wait to be ferried by one of the slow shuttle buses – it was indeed an experience to explore the flora and fauna of the bay including the famed quicksands. She suggested two nights in Beaune from which to do Meursault, Fontenay and Colmar rather than splitting hotels between Beaune and Dijon, which made more sense than my original design.
Marie took charge of the project from day 1 and it was a labor of love for her. It was just unfortunate that while we were there, she had to be in the United States to accompany her son but she kept tabs regularly on how the tour was going. We were given a Merceds Benz Viano for the entire trip. But given the logistical constraints, since we were changing guide-drivers after Nice on the way north, Marie had us fly from Nice to Lyon. Which was still ok rather than drive for 4+ hours or take a slow train. From Paris to south of France, from July 13th to 25th, we were assigned Pierre, a tour operator owner himself, and from Lyon back to Paris, from the 28th to August 2nd, we were with Cecille. They drove safely and well, never once had anything close to an accident, helped with all the hotel check-ins, looked for roadside toilets when we needed it, identified appropriate snack and quick-lunch stops, helped take some pictures, and assisted with some of the explanations of the sights we were about to see or had just seen. Pierre especially had a lot of additional information that he was very willing to share, and he was our ‘local guide’ for Bayeux, Avignon, Arles, Roussillon, Beynac, Senanque, Nice, and Monaco.
All the local guides that Mare had arranged were top-notch. Some were American or British which made it so easy to understand their English. Without exception, the guides were all enthusiastic, loved what they were doing, conveyed their infections enthusiasm to us, and never kept looking at the time. Some actually went way over the budgeted time period, in their desire to share more things with us. Specifics – Romain shared with us much of what he had grown up with in the Mont St Michel area; the Mont St Michel Abbey tour with Cecile was lively; the American Aurzelle was with us for two full days as she deftly and expertly guided us in Chinon, Tours, Chenonceau, and Amboise; Marianne was very enthusiastic in showing off St Emilion and Bordeaux; Cathy recognized our religiosity and made sure we saw everything in Lourdes; Jean Yves was great in showing off Carcassonne and Toulouse; we loved Sophie in Nimes; Laurianne was very knowledgeable and knew all the places in Marseille; smart-looking Anne showed off the best of Lyon; Baptiste was very eager to show off Beaune – but admittedly whose English was probably the most difficult to understand; Kim, a fountain of knowledge re all things Dijon; Cristopher, the Brit, was very thorough in explain the beauty of Vezelay; Heidi, the American wine critic who was a perfect match to show off Colmar and the Alsace wine region towns; and Christine who confidently toured us around Nancy, Verdun, Reims, and several Grand Est champagne houses.
The accommodations we agreed to were also of high standard with great locations. We were booked at the only B&B inside Mont St. Michel, La Tete Noire, otherwise it would have been one of the ordinary motels outside; Oceania in Tours was well-located; Madeleine in Sarlat was right at the edge of the Old Town; Hotel du Chateau was just outside the citadel; St. Louis in Avignon was a former religious cloister and had a lot of atmosphere; the best of the lot was undoubtedly Intercon Hotel Dieu in Marseille; Mercure in Nice wasn’t grand but had a great view of the Promenade; Royal in Lyon was right at the corner of the Bellecour square and the suite provided was magnificent; Maison des Tetes in Colmar was actually one of the city’s historical attractions; Les Haras in Strasbourg was equine-themed but was a bit far from the island city centre; our cottage in Le Cep in Beaune was memorable with great woodwork.
We had also arranged pre-paid gastronomic lunches at high-rated Michelin-starred restaurants during the trip. All the meals that Marie arranged were exceptional – L’Orangerie in Chenonceau; Grande Maison in Bordeaux; Franck Putelat in Carcassonne; L’Auberge at St. Remy; Mirazur in Menton; Maison Lameloise in Beaune; and Le Millenaire in Reims. We loved Bordeaux’s Pierre Gagniere, Carcassonne’s Franck Putelat and Menton’s Mauro Colagreco the best, and liked St. Remy’s Fanny Rey the least.
As far as travel logistics went, we were happy with the Mercedes Benz Viano that was provided. For transport from hotel to the Nice airport and from Lyon airport to hotel, Marie had arranged Mercedes limos, which was nice.
Marie Tesson listens, internalizes what she’s heard, crafts well-thought out itineraries, isn’t afraid to suggest alternatives, and communicates earnestly with her clients. For our ‘Tour de France’, she has consistently gone beyond my expectations and I rate her new baby, Exclusive France Tours, a 10 out of 10.
Jaime D.R.What a trip! The honeymoon was wonderful, and planned incredibly well, we can’t think of anything wrong.
The detail on the itinerary was perfect and the guides were outstanding. Everyone was very knowledgeable and easy going. The special tours and lunches were just that, very special. Lots of memories to keep!
Thank you again for helping me plan a successful honeymoon.
I look forward to the next trip. We will contact you for any France trips in the future.
Thanks!
Davis F.Dear Marie and Emeline,
Thank you both for all of your help with this itinerary you have both been amazing we cannot believe how we have been able to organise everything that G. requested at such short notice. Your team has been amazing. I will certainly advise our lifestyle team to use your company for any future requests. We appreciate all of your help. As Julia said we can’t wait to see pictures and hear from G. how it all went!
Amy R.I want to thank you for your love and support in making it possible for us to have the most amazing proposal day. Thank you for helping me in making this a very special and memorable day in our life. Everything went very well and we are extremely happy!
We are now celebrating in the French Riviera and reminiscing how prefect everything was!
G. & A.I just wanted to drop a note to say thank you so much for our wonderful tour. We all enjoyed every minute of it. In fact we were struggling to pinpoint what was our favourite moment as it was all perfect.
Christine was such a lovely and knowledgeable person with great humour, she kept us entertained and we now know a lot of French history. So fascinating 😊
And Vincent was just wonderful, he attended to our needs perfectly and we enjoyed his company too.
So definitely 14 very happy ladies who didn’t want to return home. (The weather was fabulous too!)
Many thanks again!
R. L.Contact-us