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Simon Hardy

Every time I have the chance to travel, I try to fully experience the destination that I am discovering. The colors, scents, tastes, sounds - all these sensations are the essence of the trip and are magnified even more by unique encounters with locals.

I was born in France (country of fragrances and gastronomy!) and raised between countryside and mountains, which is why I love proposing outdoor travel experiences to my guests when they discover France. Provence and the French Riviera are perfect illustrations of my approach: the Art de Vivre combined with the beauty of great outdoors! 

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Based both in Provence hinterlands and Marseille's old harbor, our local travel agency is dedicated to ecotourism and active travel in Southern France. We are specialists of the Southern Alps, the French Riviera, Provence hinterlands and its legendary « Mont Ventoux ». We organize self-driven trips and guided tours with our local ambassadors and guides: off-the-beaten-path but without missing the essentials! All year long we propose outdoor activities and tours around local products: black truffles and Mediterranean olives in winter, lavender in summer, southern Côte-du-Rhône wine in autumn…every month you'll have a reason to discover Southern France! 

Which of the following experiences would you choose in our wide scope of activities? Climbing the Mont Ventoux with or without a pedal assist system…Sleeping under the dome of an observatory in the Southern Alps (one of the best night skies of Europe!), or maybe Enjoying a 4* Ecolodge perched above the biggest European canyon? The choice is entirely yours, and I am here to assist you in creating a unique experience!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"In 2007, I was given the opportunity to rediscover the deep Laos while designing trekking paths along the Hô Chi Minh trails. Since then I have worked and lived in Ethiopia, Thailand, Mali. My work has focused on ecotourism and travel. 

When I returned to France in 2013, I decided to make my dreams come true by creating my own local travel agency in a region I particularly loved. I then became a specialist in ecotourism and off-the-beaten-track tours in Southern France, and I love it!  "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I experienced the Seychelles islands during a break when I was an international volunteer in Ethiopia. With our group, we hiked through the granite mountains of La Digue until spotting the beautiful coast. Once down on the rocky shore, we followed our local guide Dario and continued the trek with an aquatic walk in the turquoise Indian Ocean, backpacks on our heads, and finally reached a stunning deserted beach … I will never forget the feeling of being an ‘explorer’, even in a very popular and touristy place such as the Seychelles. 
Hiking from the mountains to the sea is now definitely my preferred itinerary! Fortunately for me, I can continue this adventure, walking or bike-riding along great paths and roads from the Southern Alps to the Mediterranean Sea!"

Simon is part of the following groups: France Travel Agents
Drive through the lavender fields of Provence
Provence Road Trip: Marseille, Les Baux, Forcalquier & Aix - 10 Days

Experience the quintessential highlights of the Provence region from the Mediterranean Sea to the deepest gorge in France (Gorges du Verdon) on this self-drive itinerary. Along with a mix of outdoor activities and cultural tours, you'll have plenty of free time to explore charming villages, famous vineyards, and UNESCO-listed monuments at your own pace for an adventure to remember.

An ancient alley in the village of Lourmarin
Provence Road Trip: Food, Wine & Culture - 7 Days

Get behind the wheel in the South of France during this weeklong road trip through the Provence region. Starting in Marseille, you'll swim in the Mediterranean, tour cafés and vineyards in Aix en Provence, and explore a range of picturesque hilltop villages in the Luberon. At the end of each day, hang your hat on some of the most charming hotels in France while choosing between exquisite dining options.

Finish this French adventure with a night in Nice
Paris, Provence & the French Riviera - 10 Days

This itinerary covers a boggling number of must-see places and unique excursions for an authentic taste of French life. Over the course of 10 days, you'll enjoy the beauty of Paris with the help of a local guide before spending three nights in Aix en Provence. From here, tour the French Riviera's best seaside towns starting in Cassis and heading east to Cannes and Nice where you'll complete the adventure.

Rock engravings in the heart of the Merveille Valley
Southern Alps and the French Riviera: Hiking & Culture Tour - 4 Days

On this nature and culture tour, you'll experience the best of the Southern Alps and French Riviera, famous for their alpine scenery and Mediterranean coastal beauty. Over three days, you'll discover the historic city of Nice, the valleys of Mercantour National Park, ancient petroglyphs, and much more.

Hilltop perched village of Gordes
Self-Drive Culture, Wine, and Food Tour of Southern France - 8 Days

On this self-drive tour, you'll get behind the wheel and take off into the south of France, discovering the highlights of the famed Provence region in just over a week. The tour will take you from the nation's oldest city, Marseille, to the markets and cafés of charming Aix-en-Provence. It continues to the historic city of Avignon, on the Rhône River, as well as into the Alpilles Mountains and over the valleys of the Luberon region. At the end of each day, you'll hang your hat in some of the most charming hotels and B&Bs in all of France.

Favorite experiences

Provençal Cooking Class & Markets of Aix-en-Provence

The southeastern French region of Provence is one of the most scenic in the country. It's the land of the Riveria, medieval villages, lavender fields, and endless olive groves and vineyards. But Provence is as much a way of life as it is a point on a map. Today you'll experience Provence's...

Nice Off the Beaten Path

On the French Riviera, near the border with Italy, lies Nice. Nicknamed Nissa La Bella ("Nice the Beautiful"), it's a historic city famous for its artistic spirit, grand plazas, crescent-shaped pebble beaches, and the narrow streets of its colorful old town, Vieille Ville. Nice is a densely...

Soap Atelier Experience in Marseille

Explore a different art form as you learn about the region's emblematic Savon de Marseille (Marseille soap). This traditional hard soap, typically made with vegetable oils, has been around for nearly 600 years, with the first record of soap making in Marseille from 1370 CE. It was so popular and...

Discover Lyon on e-Bike

Lyon sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, creating scenic bike paths perfect for city exploration. First, get suited with all your gear, including an easy-to-use e-bike that will allow you to zip up hills without much effort. Then, you'll set off on two wheels to discover Lyon’s...

Explore the Lakeside Town of Annecy

Nestled by the northwestern shore of its namesake lake, Annecy is the jewel of the Haute-Savoie. From its crowning Château d'Annecy down to its gurgling canals, Annecy's Vieille Ville (Old Town) is infused with antique charm. Made great by the medieval Counts of Geneva and augmented by the Dukes...

Pastry Tour of Le Marais in Paris

Eating pastries and enjoying art is synonymous with French culture, and you'll get to do plenty of both while in Paris! Start your morning with a tour of the beloved Le Marais neighborhood with a local guide (a neighborhood resident, in fact). Le Marais has played an important part in French...

Recent trip reviews for Simon

Honeymoon in Paris & Loire Valley
France | Oct 20 - Oct 29, 2022

Miranda
Miranda D.
Allison Park, PA | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2022

We had an amazing time on our honeymoon in Paris and the Loire Valley! We started the trip arriving in Paris and stayed at Hotel a la Villa des Artistes. We loved this neighborhood and the hotel very nice/had a great breakfast. We took day trips from Paris to Giverny to see Claude Monet's house and went to Versailles. While in Paris, we did a chocolate & pastry tour & did lots of sightseeing. We then took TGV train to Tours where we spent an evening. The hotel in Tours (Chateau Belmont) was... read more

We had an amazing time on our honeymoon in Paris and the Loire Valley! We started the trip arriving in Paris and stayed at Hotel a la Villa des Artistes. We loved this neighborhood and the hotel very nice/had a great breakfast. We took day trips from Paris to Giverny to see Claude Monet's house and went to Versailles. While in Paris, we did a chocolate & pastry tour & did lots of sightseeing. We then took TGV train to Tours where we spent an evening. The hotel in Tours (Chateau Belmont) was very nice but we did not love the city itself. We took our rental car from Tours and drove to the Loire Valley and stayed in Amboise. Amboise was beautiful and we loved the hotel we stayed at (Le Manoir St Thomas). While in the Loire Valley, we did some wine tours and castle tours. Our absolute favorite tour of the whole trip was the all day excursion to Chenonceau, Chambord, and a private chateau where we had lunch. Our guide was amazing and very informative. We took the train back from Tours to Paris for our last day and stayed at the Handsome Hotel. This was our least favorite hotel of the trip as it was very small and in a very noisy area. The hotel was centrally located though and was near a lot of shopping destinations which was convenient for our last day. The only hiccup we had on our trip was that the driver never showed up to pick us up to go to the airport as he was given an incorrect time. We ended up calling a cab ourselves though and were refunded the money. Simon was very helpful throughout the whole process and we definitely would recommend using him and KimKim to book a trip.

Hotel Reviews
A la Villa des Artistes 3*
Paris

Hotel is on a quiet side street in a very nice neighborhood. We are glad we stayed in this arrondissement for the majority of our time in Paris. Breakfast was delicious too!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Château Belmont Tours by The Crest Collection
Tours

Hotel was very nice and we wished we would have booked a spa package earlier as they did not have any available when we checked in. Breakfast was very good. We had dinner at the restaurant and thought it was average.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Manoir Saint Thomas
Amboise

We loved the charm of this hotel and how friendly the staff was. There is no elevator in this hotel so it may not be good for people with mobility issues, but we had no problem staying here. The breakfast here was wonderful. Hotel was a few minute walk from all of the shops/restaurants in Amboise. It was also close to Restaurant l'Ilôt which was one of our favorite restaurants we ate at on our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Handsome Hotel Paris
Paris

This hotel was good for a one night stay as it was centrally located and close to the Marais district. It was quite loud though so I do not think I would have liked to stay here for several nights. The room itself was very nice and staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
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Activity Reviews
Versailles Palace & Gardens Half-day Guided Tour from Paris - small group
Paris

Our tour guide was great and we are so glad we got to see Versailles!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marais Pastry and Chocolate Tour
Paris

We enjoyed this tour, however, we felt we did not try enough pastries and mainly tasted a lot of chocolates. It also was extremely busy in the Marais district when we visited, so at times our guide had us wait outside instead of going into the shops with her. I think this would be better to do on a weekday when it is a little less crowded instead of on a weekend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Monet's Giverny House & Gardens Small-Group Half Day Trip From Paris
Paris

The gardens at Giverny house were absolutely beautiful and we loved exploring the house as well. We were under the assumption that this would be a guided tour though and instead of the tour guide going with us through the gardens/house, he just dropped us off and let us explore on our own. While it was nice to walk through on our own pace, I think we would have liked more explanations behind Giverny and Monet's work. Definitely still recommend going to Giverny, but perhaps with a different tour company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Vouvray & Montlouis Wine tour
France

The guide was extremely knowledgeable and we loved being able to see all the behind scenes of the wine making process along with tasting all of the delicious wines. Definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chambord, Chenonceau & lunch at a chateau - Full-day
France

This was absolutely the best tour of our trip. We felt we learned so much about both castles and our guide was awesome. We also loved having a private lunch at a chateau to be able to experience some home cooked French food. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Paris hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
France

Our transfer was not scheduled for the correct time so the driver did not show up when he was supposed to. We waited for fifteen minutes and then ended up calling a taxi so we would not be late to the airport. Kimkim did refund us for our taxi ride.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2022

Hello Miranda,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It was an absolute pleasure to organize your once-a-lifetime honeymoon trip! I hope you come back home with a lot of memories.
I wish you a healthy and lovely end of the year. See you soon in France,
Best,
Simon

Great Trip - Wish It Had Been Longer!We landed at CDG and were met by our driver a...
France | Sep 1 - Sep 10, 2022

N
Nancy B.
Petoskey, MI | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2022

We landed at CDG and were met by our driver and taken to our first hotel. Having a driver lined up takes so much stress off the end of a long flight/ beginning of the vacation!
After an initial day free, we jumped into our first organized event, an e-bike tour called Paris Charms and Secrets. Tour guide Pierre was part artist, part historian and part actor - animated, passionate and interesting! From Paris we headed south on the train for Lyon, a city we loved and want to return to. A... read more

We landed at CDG and were met by our driver and taken to our first hotel. Having a driver lined up takes so much stress off the end of a long flight/ beginning of the vacation!
After an initial day free, we jumped into our first organized event, an e-bike tour called Paris Charms and Secrets. Tour guide Pierre was part artist, part historian and part actor - animated, passionate and interesting! From Paris we headed south on the train for Lyon, a city we loved and want to return to. A highlight of our stay there was the Lyon Traditional Food Tour with guide Semaan that was a foodie’s delight, but also a history lesson and walking tour of old Lyon rolled into one.
From Lyon we headed to Marsaille, again by train, and and a memorable Cassis and Bandol Wine tour. Our guide, Eric, was extremely knowledgeable and personable. We learned so much about wine and winemaking, met the families who owned the 3 vineyards we visited and heard the history of their operations. The countryside was exquisitely beautiful! We had a delicious lunch at a port side restaurant in Cassis, then rode to the top of a National (?) park that overlooked Marsaille. Amazing.
Our tours were all either private (just the two of us) or 8 or less. Perfect for getting around easily and for being able to ask questions and have the attention of the guide.
Our trip included transportation to and from CDG and train tickets for the inner France travel. With this arrangement we would advise making sure you know which train station you need to show up at (many cities have more than one) and (especially in Paris) where you need to be standing to board the train - they are very long and crowded trains and the stops are short: there isn’t time to figure anything out last minute.
Another consideration is transportation to/from train stations and to tours. Cabs are expensive and can add a considerable amount to your trip. The metro systems take a little time to figure out, but are a great way to go if your destination is too far to walk.
We chose to stay at smaller, boutique hotels and they were more than adequate.
Our trip was an abbreviated version of a longer trip planned and postponed due to the Covid pandemic. If we had it to do again, we would not try to pack visits to so many cities into 7 days.
We highly recommend KimKim if you want a tour, but not the “30-people wearing green scarves- following a flag” variety.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2022

Bonjour Nancy,
Thank you very much for your feedback and detailed suggestions. I am so glad we could finally set your trip to France after your first travel request in 2019 and so many uncertainties during this period!
It is important to us to get some comments on each tour and especially from our local guides in Paris, Lyon and Marseille/Cassis. FYI The Calanques is indeed a national park (born in 2012).
Your review will be helpful for future travelers coming to France too!
All my best, à bientôt!
Simon

An amazing 12 days in France (family of 4)
France | Aug 8 - Aug 19, 2022

D
Dawn B.
Belmont, CA | Reviewed on Aug 26, 2022

We really enjoyed our experience planning our trip with KimKim and our rep Simon. We were thrilled with the collaboration to set up the trip and how Simon accomodated our requests and questions especially as it related to suitability for our children. It wasn’t a one time correspondence, but a good back and forth of ideas, suggestions and then a final plan.

Once we arrived it was such a breeze. Everything happened as it should and made our trip so enjoyable. Standout tours were Cedric... read more

We really enjoyed our experience planning our trip with KimKim and our rep Simon. We were thrilled with the collaboration to set up the trip and how Simon accomodated our requests and questions especially as it related to suitability for our children. It wasn’t a one time correspondence, but a good back and forth of ideas, suggestions and then a final plan.

Once we arrived it was such a breeze. Everything happened as it should and made our trip so enjoyable. Standout tours were Cedric with Normandy Excursions (he was really amazing keeping our children's attention!), Manuel at the Eiffel Tower, chocolate and pastry tours of Le Marias and Loire Valley wine.

We have already recommended kimkim to friends and will certainly use them again.

Hotel Review
Hotel Sainte-Beuve
Paris

Wonderful hotel, great location and amazing staff. We had a lovely experience at this hotel for our family of 4. The breakfast was phenomenal.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy access to multiple metro lines and the neighborhood itself is wonderful to explore and relax in.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2022

Bonjour Dawn and Brian,
Thank you so much for your review
It is so important to us to get some comments on each tour and especially from our local guides. Cedric is our trustful guide in Normandy, and we are happy to read that he adapted the tour to your family!
See you soon in another region of France!
Regards,
Simon

This trip was amazing! Simon did such a grea...
France | Jul 12 - Jul 21, 2022

A
ANNE N.
West Bloomfield Township, MI | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2022

This trip was amazing! Simon did such a great job in knowing exactly what to plan. In Paris, our dinner cruise on the Seine was outstanding -one of our favorite meals by far! Our tour of the Eiffel Tour at sunset was awesome and our tour guide Christina was so interesting, fun and knowledgeable. Our family of 5 became pastry chefs and created delicious macaroons which was so fun, but planning this on Bastille Day made travel to the kitchen a challenge;( Our hotel was great. The staff was... read more

This trip was amazing! Simon did such a great job in knowing exactly what to plan. In Paris, our dinner cruise on the Seine was outstanding -one of our favorite meals by far! Our tour of the Eiffel Tour at sunset was awesome and our tour guide Christina was so interesting, fun and knowledgeable. Our family of 5 became pastry chefs and created delicious macaroons which was so fun, but planning this on Bastille Day made travel to the kitchen a challenge;( Our hotel was great. The staff was so wonderful and the accommodations were superb at Hotel Bourdonnais- we would highly recommend!!!

On to the South of France via train. We wish we were given better insight on how these trains work. Our destination was Aix de Provence-but at the train station we did not know which train was which because this train was traveling to Marsailles and I am not sure how we would know that without speaking to someone that could speak english. Another bit of advise- have your luggage ready to leave the train ahead-the stops are very quick!

Aix de Provence was amazing. Our dinner at Jardin Mazarin was delicious and the restaurant was very pretty! The highlights was our trip with Pierre to all the villages - this was so worth it. Our Chef Giles adventure in picking put ingredients, visiting a winery and preparing and eating a masterpiece was an amazing experience.

J'adore France - Merci mon ami!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Bourdonnais - Tour Eiffel
Paris

Amazing people that work there ! So accommodating and beautiful accommodations. Great breakfast and delicious pastries. We would stay here again for sure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
so close to the Eiffle Tower
Staff
great people that were so helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything was clean all the time;)
Aparthotel Adagio Aix en Provence Centre
Aix-en-Provence

Great location to stay and tour. Offers laundry and great space. I didn't understand a cleaning fee or paying for new towels. I enjoyed the people that worked there. They were very nice;)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Novotel Suites Paris CDG Airport
Roissy-en-France

so close to our gate! EASY and very nice lodging to make our flight on time

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Versailles Palace & Gardens Half-day Guided Tour from Paris - small group
Paris

This was not a guided tour- it was a ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
air was not great
Paris Dinner Cruise
Paris

awesome dinner and entertainment! Great service.

Quality of Experience
Food
you will not leave hungry!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Macarons class
Paris

I was excited to learn and enjoyed it! I felt bad we were very late because we had t find a ride and it was far. On Bastille day you can not travel anywhere.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
(DU) Evening Eiffel Tower Private Tour + skip-the-line tickets
Paris

This was amazing. Our guide Christine was fabulous !

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
so close to our hotel we walked.
Luberon Markets and Villages small-group guided tour
Aix-en-Provence

Our guide, Pierre was amazing and so knowledgeable. we will never forget these visits.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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everything
Provençal Cooking Class in Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence

what an amazing experience to learn of an actual day in a life of a resident. Our Chef did amazing in including us, showing us, and creating masterpieces. I loved going to his home and sharing in our creations.

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Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Local specialist: Simon Hardy

Overall a great trip!
France | Jul 9 - Jul 17, 2022

M
Manpreet S.
Washington, DC | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2022

Simon had the local experiences perfect. The cooking class, boat tour, and wine tastings were great. Having the train tickets taken care of in advance was needed. If I had to do it again, I would've tried to have an actual call with Simon to discuss some stuff as doing it all over email was a bit difficult at times. We would have probably also figured out that the hotel back in Paris on the last night was probably not the best one to use. But that is made up by the hotel in Marseille! It was... read more

Simon had the local experiences perfect. The cooking class, boat tour, and wine tastings were great. Having the train tickets taken care of in advance was needed. If I had to do it again, I would've tried to have an actual call with Simon to discuss some stuff as doing it all over email was a bit difficult at times. We would have probably also figured out that the hotel back in Paris on the last night was probably not the best one to use. But that is made up by the hotel in Marseille! It was great. We had such an awesome view of the Bastille Day activities from our room while looking at the massive crowds below. We had a few minor hiccups with transfers and dinner reservations, but no vacation goes 100% smooth and we all recovered and Simon was quick to fix what he could. Thank you, Simon.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel OFF Paris Seine 4*
Paris

Such a unique hotel! It's literally a floating barge on the river! The staff was great. It is close enough to walk to the TGV train station if you are going to another part of France, but a bit far from the attractions you might want to visit in Paris. But the local metro station is directly across the street to get to those locations. If proximity to the TGV is what you want, this is great. If you want to stay closer to the Paris attractions, you might want to try another place.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Aquabella 4*
Aix en Provence

One of the few places in Aix that has a pool and it was a great pool! It's still walkable to everything in Aix. The rooms are actually very spacious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port
Marseille

This hotel is right on the Old Port. You can walk to many restaurants and shops. The metro station is right in front as well. The staff was very nice and helpful. They helped us translate some documents! The only complaint would be that this location was sometimes noisy at night given it's location right on a busy part of the Old Port. But this location also allowed us to view the Bastille Day festivities without having to venture into the massive crowds! This will be tradition European size hotel rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Handsome Hotel Paris
Paris

The good is that this hotel is walking distance to some of the Paris attractions you want to see. It is also very close to endless Parisien cafes and shopping. This hotel is TINY even by European standards. The elevator was borderline claustrophobic. I would have been happier paying higher room charges for a better hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Chateauneuf du Pape & Gigondas Wine Tour
France

Our guide, Eric was AWESOME! He knew the area and the wine so well. He also knew the general area very well. He took us to some non wine related stops for some nice pictures and history lessons.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Eric was the best!
Transport
Provençal Cooking Class in Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence

Gilles was an excellent host. We cooked at his house which was a unique experience. We had a fun group. The only thing I wish was for Gilles to involve us more in the shopping experience by showing us how he was picking things at the market, but that is a very minor complaint. He gave everyone their jobs and helped people who needed help during the cooking process. The stop at the winery was a nice stop. The food was delicious as well.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It was a little crowded in the transport
Full-day Private Cassis & Bandol Rosé Wine Tour
France

Eric, the guide, was amazing! He knew the wine and the surrounding regions so well. He was more than a wine guide, he was a tour guide. I would book a tour with him again!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day Cruise to Calanques National Park - private group
Marseille

This was such an awesome excursion. The boat was comfortable (no bathroom). Caesar was our guide and was incredible. He captained the boat with expertise and provided context to all the places we visited. The area itself is gorgeous!! The blue waters and the unique Calanques were so cool. Caesar even dropped us off at a different location as he made lunch reservations for us at a friend's restaurant which turned out to be amazing! Book this trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Paris hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
France

On time and big enough for our group.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Simon Hardy

A trip we’ll never forget!
France | Jun 3 - Jun 14, 2022

S
Sarah H.
Saint Peters, MO | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2022

We had the most amazing trip to France because of Simon. He helped us plan out every detail. We enjoyed fantastic excursions, our favorites being a wine tour in Bandol & Cassis and a cooking course in Provence that was absolutely incredible in a Michelin starred kitchen! Simon was also available and incredibly responsive when I had a couple questions during our trip. I cannot say enough good things about Simon and the unforgettable trip he helped design for my family. Merci beaucoup Simon!!!!!!! read more

We had the most amazing trip to France because of Simon. He helped us plan out every detail. We enjoyed fantastic excursions, our favorites being a wine tour in Bandol & Cassis and a cooking course in Provence that was absolutely incredible in a Michelin starred kitchen! Simon was also available and incredibly responsive when I had a couple questions during our trip. I cannot say enough good things about Simon and the unforgettable trip he helped design for my family. Merci beaucoup Simon!!!!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Capelongue, a Beaumier hotel
Bonnieux

This hotel is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Parisis Paris Tour Eiffel
Paris

We loved the location and our view of the Eiffel tower, the rooms are quite small and the bathrooms left a little to be desired (paint chipping in showers, a little unsightly).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Restaurant | Welcome gastronomic dinner in Aix en Provence
Aix-en-Provence

Of all of the restaurants we enjoyed on our trip, this one was one of our least favorites.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full-day Private Cassis & Bandol Rosé Wine Tour
France

So fun! Great trip and beautiful views! Our guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private exclusive cooking class, Spa and Dinner in Joucas
France

This was our favorite excursion. We couldnt believe how hands on the chefs were and how much time they spent with us! Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to use the spa, but the 7 course meal was amazing!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
(DU) Evening Eiffel Tower Private Tour + skip-the-line tickets
Paris

Wow! The eiffel tower at sunset was unbelievable! It is a MUST DO!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transfer from Paris hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
France

On time and pleasant! Also were prepared with car seats for our children which was very appreciated!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

Bonjour Sarah,
Merci beaucoup! Thank you very much for your very nice comments and suggestions! I am glad we could finally make this beautiful trip running in 2022, after having postponed it in Covid time..
I think your family will keep nice memories, maybe even the youngest ;)
Many thanks,
Simon

Mom, daughter trip to South of France
France | May 26 - Jun 1, 2022

Hillary
Hillary S.
Calabasas, CA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2022

We planned 3 days in Avignon and 3 days in Aix-en-Provence. Simon prepared a perfect itinerary and we made the most of our limited time in each city. We flew into Paris, took the train to Avignon and rented a car. In Avignon, we visited the oldest winery (La Nerthe) at Chateauneuf du Pape, took a gourmet walking tour of the city with Julian and had time to explore the beautiful city on our own. On our way to Aix, we stopped in St. Remy and took an e-bike tour through the Alpilles natural... read more

We planned 3 days in Avignon and 3 days in Aix-en-Provence. Simon prepared a perfect itinerary and we made the most of our limited time in each city. We flew into Paris, took the train to Avignon and rented a car. In Avignon, we visited the oldest winery (La Nerthe) at Chateauneuf du Pape, took a gourmet walking tour of the city with Julian and had time to explore the beautiful city on our own. On our way to Aix, we stopped in St. Remy and took an e-bike tour through the Alpilles natural park and road to Les Baux de Provence. It was spectacular! In Aix, we spent the day with Nathalie, starting with a winery tour in the morning and touring the beautiful small towns in Luberon (Lourmarin, Roussilon and Gordes) in the afternoon. We finished our time in Aix with a cooking class that started with buying the ingredients in the local market, choosing a wine from a local winery and preparing the meal at our guide, Gilles, home. My daughter and I had the BEST time!

Simon included lots of great (very helpful) information in the travelbook, restaurant recommendations as well suggestions on sites to see in each town. It was a trip of a lifetime!!

Hotel Reviews
La Mirande
Avignon

Amazing experience for a mom-daughter stay. The hotel is centrally located, but as other travelers have noted, driving can be a harrowing experience. We couldn't figure out how to get through the pop up metal barriers when we arrived. After driving in circles through VERY narrow streets, we got through only because the barrier was down for the person in front of us. When we drove out the next day to visit a winery, we encountered the barrier at the bottom of the hill. Still unaware how to get past, we backed up the hill, inevitably scraping the side of a wall. When we walked back up to ask for help, the valet graciously walked us down and explained how to use the call box. That aside, the hotel property is spectacular and the staff were wonderful. Our room was spacious, very traditional French country decor. We were greeted with chocolate and fruit basket. No detail was spared! Breakfast in the morning was wonderful and lunch in the restaurant on the patio is a must! Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Traditional French country
Location
Centrally located
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
5* Hotel Le Pigonnet
Aix-en-Provence

Amazing! The hotel is a 15 minute walk from the city center, however, the property is spectacular with beautiful gardens and fountains and pool. Our room was spacious and well appointed, breakfast in the garden was delightful and the staff were wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
The grounds are beautiful - nice relaxing breakfast in the morning and great to sit outside for a nightcap.
Location
Great location, but a bit far from the city center.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bistronomic diner in Avignon
Avignon
Visit of Chateau la Nerthe & Tasting
Avignon

Camille was delightful! She was very knowledgeable about the history of the winery and explained the winery's AOC designation. Camille walked us through the cellar and explained the aging process for different wines. We concludes with a sampling of 7 different wines. Overall great experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gourmet tour of Avignon - Shared activity
Avignon

Julian was a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable about the history of Avignon and local culture. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through the city sampling different foods and wines from the region.

Quality of Experience
Perfect amount of time and stops
Food
Visiting local shops and sampling different food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ebike tour in the Alpilles from St Remy
France

We arrived at the bike shop and met our guide who set us up on our ebikes. We biked through the beautiful hillside; the pedal assist was perfect and we had no problem biking up steep hills. Our first stop was to see the view of Les Baux-de-Provence and then we road down town and walked around for ~30 minutes. The ride back was beautiful with water/snack stops on the way back. Overall, it was ~4 hours and ~30 miles. One of our favorite tours on our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine Tour in the Luberon Nature Park
Aix-en-Provence

Initially we did not anticipate a full day tour, but realized it was broken down into two parts. Wine tasting in the morning and a tour of small towns in Luberon (Lourmarin, Roussillon and Gordes). It was a long day, but we absolutely loved see the beautiful villages. our guide, Nathalie was wonderful and we had ample time to walk around at each stop.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Provençal Cooking Class in Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence

The day started in the morning, walking through the local market and buying fresh produce, cheese and meat that we would use in our recipe. We then stopped at a local winery before making our way to our host/guides home. Gilles was a wonderful host, very knowledgeable about the local market, and regional cuisine. We had a great group and all worked together to prepare our meal.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Restaurant | Welcome gastronomic dinner in Aix en Provence
Aix-en-Provence

Unfortunately, we did not have a great experience at this restaurant. While my daughter and I are pretty adventurous eaters, we did not enjoy this meal. The restaurant itself was beautiful and the staff were very attentive, but overall, I would not go back.

Quality of Experience
Food
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

Dear Hillary,
Thank you for this very detailed feedback about your trip to Provence, we are always interested in hearing about your overall experience and what you thought of our services. This is important for us and the following travelers!
See you maybe another time in another French region!
Kind regards,
Simon

Overall, the trip was good. We enjoyed the w...
France | Jun 1 - Jun 7, 2022

G
Glenys K.
Rocklin, CA | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2022

Overall, the trip was good. We enjoyed the wine experience, the cooking class was very good and Narde was a good guide. Our disappointment was the guide, Christian. He was charming, but his English was terrible. He is more of a driver than a guide. We had him for two days and did not learn a thing. In fact, I had to google things to try and understand what he was saying. Other than pointing out houses of famous people, such as eeljun (his version of Elton John) and hotels, which had... read more

Overall, the trip was good. We enjoyed the wine experience, the cooking class was very good and Narde was a good guide. Our disappointment was the guide, Christian. He was charming, but his English was terrible. He is more of a driver than a guide. We had him for two days and did not learn a thing. In fact, I had to google things to try and understand what he was saying. Other than pointing out houses of famous people, such as eeljun (his version of Elton John) and hotels, which had signs anyway, he had nothing to contribute. Really disappointing. He should NOT be guiding an English speaking tour.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

Hello Glenys,
Thank you for your nice feedback about your trip to Southern France.
Concerning the issues with the driver, I am personally checking with our local provider about what went wrong with your group, currently asking him for clarifications. This is important for us and the following travelers.
I wish you a great time now that you are back in the US!
All my best,
Simon

Our trip to the Rhone valley and the Luberon
France | May 4 - May 13, 2022

R
Russ R.
East Concord, NH | Reviewed on May 14, 2022

Simon was very attentive and designed a wonderful trip for us. We visited Lyon, Avignon, the Luberon, and Marseille. It was a good balance of planned activities and free time for exploration on our own. Each stop had something memorable. In Lyon, the gastronomy walking tour peas our favorite. In Avingon, Pont de Gare and a side trip to Nimes. Both the cooking class and the e-bike tour were great, and staying in Roussillon was superb. We didn't have much time in Marseille so that was some... read more

Simon was very attentive and designed a wonderful trip for us. We visited Lyon, Avignon, the Luberon, and Marseille. It was a good balance of planned activities and free time for exploration on our own. Each stop had something memorable. In Lyon, the gastronomy walking tour peas our favorite. In Avingon, Pont de Gare and a side trip to Nimes. Both the cooking class and the e-bike tour were great, and staying in Roussillon was superb. We didn't have much time in Marseille so that was some place we'll have to return to on another trip.

Hotel Reviews
Le Clos de la Glycine
Roussillon

Roussillon is a stunning location and this hotel is right in the center of the town. Our room had a patio with a gorgeous view of the ochre cliffs and across the valley. It was a few weeks before prime lavender season but everything was lush and green. The room was spacious for the three of us. And breakfast on the terrace was delicious, plus the view...

Tips for future travelers

Our room had a hot tub (not all do), check so you can be prepared.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel de l'Horloge
Avignon

Great location in Avignon, central, near the Pope's Palace. Breakfast was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Cultural and culinary walking tour
Lyon

Guide was amazing, very easy going, lots of interesting facts. He was also good at engaging the group. The tasting locations were all excellent as well. Learned a lot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on May 25, 2022

Bonjour Russ, thank you very much for this detailed review and nice comment! I am glad you enjoyed and learned a lot during this trip to Southern France. I am glad your family enjoyed it too.
A bientôt in Marseille !
Simon

We spent 3 weeks in France with my family of ...
France | Mar 18 - Apr 8, 2022

K
Kassie T.
Palmdale, CA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2022

We spent 3 weeks in France with my family of four! I love to plan and research but it was becoming too time consuming so I reached out to KimKim. They connected us to Simon, who completed a full 3-week itinerary for us - including hotels, train, transfers, and tours and experiences. It was fun picking and choosing what our family wanted from the options given. Simon then booked everything for us after we had finalized our selection. I am writing this out in the review because to be... read more

We spent 3 weeks in France with my family of four! I love to plan and research but it was becoming too time consuming so I reached out to KimKim. They connected us to Simon, who completed a full 3-week itinerary for us - including hotels, train, transfers, and tours and experiences. It was fun picking and choosing what our family wanted from the options given. Simon then booked everything for us after we had finalized our selection. I am writing this out in the review because to be honest, I really didn't understand how KimKim works. This is how it works. I can't imagine how many hours I saved with Simon planning and then booking everything for us.

Our trip was amazing - we refer to it as a YOLO trip!! We thoroughly enjoyed experiencing all different parts of France - a country of many countries. While on our trip, Simon checked in on us and we even met him when in Marseilles.

I don't know if I will ever go back to planning trips now that I know it is so easy with KimKim!
5 stars - all the way!

Hotel Review
Edgar Suites Paris Louvre - Bellan
Paris

Perfect for our family of 4. More space than a typical hotel room and great location. My only downfall would be the 3 flights of stairs with luggage, but hey, we expected that!

Tips for future travelers

3 flights of stairs

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Electric Bike tour of Paris' Hidden Gems - Small-group
Paris

Favorite activity in Paris!

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2022

Hello Kassie,
Thank you so much for your nice comment! In 3 weeks' time, you indeed had many occasions to rediscover France and its multicultural faces - a country of many countries as you say!
I am glad your family enjoyed it too. It was really nice meeting you guys in Marseille, right in the middle of your itinerary.
Don't hesitate to use Kimkim for other trips, and maybe see you another time in France!
A bientôt, Simon

Memorable trip to the South of France
France | Oct 16 - Oct 30, 2021

Karen
Karen F.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2021

I can't thank Simon and Ambre Marie enough for all their planning and recommendations for our group! Everything was truly wonderful, from when we arrived in Marseille to our last night in Eze. Our guides throughout the week - LuLu, Arthur, Alex, Nathalie and Stephan - were all excellent, and the towns and locations visited spectacular. A highlight for us all was Captain Laurence, on our boat tour out of Marseille - she is wonderful. Our first dinner in Marseille at Restaurant Une table au... read more

I can't thank Simon and Ambre Marie enough for all their planning and recommendations for our group! Everything was truly wonderful, from when we arrived in Marseille to our last night in Eze. Our guides throughout the week - LuLu, Arthur, Alex, Nathalie and Stephan - were all excellent, and the towns and locations visited spectacular. A highlight for us all was Captain Laurence, on our boat tour out of Marseille - she is wonderful. Our first dinner in Marseille at Restaurant Une table au Sud was truly memorable - we would definitely recommend this restaurant! And we cannot forget the Olive Oil Tasting/Cooking Class at Moulin Sant Jean in Fontvieille - another high point! Chateau Eze we will remember as a highlight of the trip, along with the fabulous dinner at the hotel restaurant on our last evening.

Accomodations: The Intercontinental in Marseille was beautiful and the food and service very good. La Maison Dauphine in Aix was the perfect guest house for the six of us. I would be sure when booking that your customers are aware that there is no lift - fine for us, but could be an issue getting to the third floor for some. Véronique was a gracious host, assisting us with restaurant suggestions and reservations. La Divine Comédie in Avignon was beautiful, but we would not recommend it. We are dog lovers, but huge weimaraners trying to sit on your chair while you're eating breakfast in the dining room did not seem appropriate when paying luxury prices. On our first night, having toured all day and bearing wine and cheese from our travels, we asked to utilize some utensils and plates, which were provided but at a fee per person - again seems out of line with the price point. We were also sitting in the garden at 5PM in the afternoon when one of the staff came out to tell us we were being too loud ( I know - Americans!). If it was late in the evening, a fair concern, but at 5PM in the afternoon? It was also VERY difficult for the guides to find us and to load and unload luggage at this location.

Overall, we couldn't have been happier with this long planned/delayed trip for our group. Many thanks for your thoughtful understanding of the type of experience we were hoping for - you definitely delivered! Best: Karen, Tom, Maggie, Brian, Jack and Kandy

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2021

Dear Karen,
Thank you for your feedback about your trip to Southern France, we are always interested in hearing about your overall experience and what you thought of our services. This is important for us and the following travelers!
Concerning the issues with the accommodation in Avignon, I will personally check with our local provider what went wrong with your group.
Ambre and I are happy that you enjoyed the services of our local guides and drivers.
I wish you a great time now that you are back in Montana!
All my best,
Simon

Our trip was amazing!
France | Feb 10 - Feb 18, 2020

L
Lanier M.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2020

Our trip was Amazing! Simon was so responsive, both before AND during our trip. I've traveled a lot but never used a travel agent before and what a difference it makes! Thanks to Simon, KimKim, and the So Provence! So Alps! team, we enjoyed sights and experiences we would not have planned ourselves. All of our guides were very knowledgeable and experienced. We had a great trip.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2020

Dear Lanier, thank you very much for your nice words about your trip with us! Your guide Cédric told me that you were great travelers! The team and I are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and will be happy to see you maybe another time in France. A bientôt, Simon

Good trip itinerary but a couple of mis-steps.
France | Nov 15 - Nov 24, 2019

C
Catherine S.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2019

I enjoyed the trip and tours arranged by kimkim. The hotels and guides were good with 2 exceptions - described below. I did not interact much with Simon so cannot provide comments on his service.
There are 2 things that were of poor quality however:
1. The hotel in Aux-du-Provence was not good quality. I also had a safety issue there, in that someone I did not know, tried to come into my room late at night. Also, my bathroom smelled bad and my refrigerator did not work. I would not stay at... read more

I enjoyed the trip and tours arranged by kimkim. The hotels and guides were good with 2 exceptions - described below. I did not interact much with Simon so cannot provide comments on his service.
There are 2 things that were of poor quality however:
1. The hotel in Aux-du-Provence was not good quality. I also had a safety issue there, in that someone I did not know, tried to come into my room late at night. Also, my bathroom smelled bad and my refrigerator did not work. I would not stay at this hotel again.
2. The guide who took us to Monaco was not good. She was more focused on her personal activities and plans for later in the day. She provided minimal information on what we were seeing. She dropped us off and never accompanied us to any spots we visited along the way. She operated more as a driver than a guide. I don't feel we got what we paid kimkim, for this person's services.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2020

Dear Catherine,
Thank you for your feedback about your trip to the French Riviera, we are always interested in hearing about your overall experience and what you thought of our services. This is important for us and the following travelers!
Concerning the two issues in Aix and Monaco, I will personally check with our local providers what went wrong with your group. Even if it's the first time that we receive bad reviews about them, this cannot happen anymore.
During my absence, my colleague... read more

Dear Catherine,
Thank you for your feedback about your trip to the French Riviera, we are always interested in hearing about your overall experience and what you thought of our services. This is important for us and the following travelers!
Concerning the two issues in Aix and Monaco, I will personally check with our local providers what went wrong with your group. Even if it's the first time that we receive bad reviews about them, this cannot happen anymore.
During my absence, my colleague Mari told me that you enjoyed the services of our local guides and drivers Flavio, Arthur, and Julian. I was sure that they would have made perfect experiences for you and your group!
I wish you a great time now that you are back in California!
All my best,
Simon

Great time in Provence, but
France | Sep 19 - Sep 22, 2019

J
Judy P.
San Mateo, CA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2019

I think overall KimKim did the best they could to service my group. They provided many options based on my request but our intentions were different. The KimKim service is best for those who are ok with someone taking care of everything and not worries about the additional cost. I think I was trying to learn more about the place and see various price options and activities lined up next to each other so I could get a good comparison and it’s not meant for that.

On that note Simon and Lucie... read more

I think overall KimKim did the best they could to service my group. They provided many options based on my request but our intentions were different. The KimKim service is best for those who are ok with someone taking care of everything and not worries about the additional cost. I think I was trying to learn more about the place and see various price options and activities lined up next to each other so I could get a good comparison and it’s not meant for that.

On that note Simon and Lucie did everything they could to service our group. We had a great time in Provence for the most part. The dinner we had the first night was delicious and I highly recommend the food tour/ cooking class we did with Mathilde. The wineries were less than pleasing and did not meet my expectations in terms of ambiance at the facilities. The wineries did not seem they were ready for visitors or meant for visitors. Maybe my comparison is to California wineries so there is a mismatch.

Overall, glad we went, we had a great time but I might go another route in the future due to my own personal reasons. More clarity around the cost breakdown would help the comfort level when booking for sure. The unknown makes it feel uncomfortable and I expect that we are paying a higher premium for the service but getting a rough idea would help.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

Trip to France
France | Sep 19 - Sep 22, 2019

U
Usha M.
| Reviewed on Sep 27, 2019

KimKim did a great job planning for the wants/needs of our group. We used KimKim for transportation, cooking classes, winery tours, and train tickets. I can’t say enough about our cooking class. Mathilde was knowledgeable, providing history and passion for her cooking class. She was also a great resource for things to do in the area. The meal we created in her kitchen was informative, fun, and delicious.
The train tickets and transportation was also great. With 5 girls and luggage, we... read more

KimKim did a great job planning for the wants/needs of our group. We used KimKim for transportation, cooking classes, winery tours, and train tickets. I can’t say enough about our cooking class. Mathilde was knowledgeable, providing history and passion for her cooking class. She was also a great resource for things to do in the area. The meal we created in her kitchen was informative, fun, and delicious.
The train tickets and transportation was also great. With 5 girls and luggage, we always had a van with room to spare.
With regards to the winery, we weren’t very impressed. I am not sure if this is because our expectations were different from how wine tours are run in the Provence area, or if it was not planned properly. Our tour guide Stefan, was very pleasant and knowledgeable and was not the reason for our underwhelming experience. However, we are used to wineries that provide an experience of family history, a comfortable setting to sit, and food pairing (small bites) that pair well with wine tastings. This is not what we experienced, which made this tour somewhat lackluster to say the least. It may be a good idea for KimKim to provide specific overview of wine tours so as not to disappoint future customers.
I would definitely recommend kimkim and their services to others. We had some truly unforgettable moments. Cheers!

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

Culinary Rhône Valley Tour: Lyon to Marseille - 8 Days
France | Jul 8 - Jul 19, 2019

Claudia-Dee
Claudia-Dee M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2019

This trip was perfection. Our local specialist Simon planned it seamlessly. Each leg of the trip was different and special. The location of the Lyon hotel and the gourmet walking tour and winery trip with Tasty Lyon was great too.
Domaine Capelongue was stunning and a great location to visit all the small towns around.
Our favourite by far was Caroline’s beautiful B&B Villa Astoria. She was a great host and her help Sylvie is very sweet. The location, views and house are perfection .
Thank you to Simon again for the great planning, communication and making our holiday a Dream!

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2019

Bonjour Claudia and family! Thank you very much for these kind words about your trip from Lyon to Marseille last week. I was very pleased to meet you guys in my town and be able to spend this special moment with your family! The team and I are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and will be happy to see you maybe another time in Southern France! A bientôt, Simon

Highlights of Provence - 12 Days
France | Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2019

K
Kim Eng K.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2019

Overall itinerary was well planned and hotel selection was superb with good location and services except for the following :

1) Hotel Splendid Nice, who did the dinner booking for us, failed to inform us of the change in restaurant. We had a nasty shock when we went to the given restaurant and found it to be empty of furniture. The alternative restaurant we managed to locate was poor with meat dishes.

2) Hotel in Forcalquier is an excellent resort hotel, but is located 2 km from town.... read more

Overall itinerary was well planned and hotel selection was superb with good location and services except for the following :

1) Hotel Splendid Nice, who did the dinner booking for us, failed to inform us of the change in restaurant. We had a nasty shock when we went to the given restaurant and found it to be empty of furniture. The alternative restaurant we managed to locate was poor with meat dishes.

2) Hotel in Forcalquier is an excellent resort hotel, but is located 2 km from town. Taxis service was hard to come by and under the terrible heat wave, we were thankful that the hotel get their staff to send us to town and later, after much frustration in trying to get taxis, arranged for their staff to bring us back to the resort.

Marion, the local guide in Nice for the gourmet walk about was very friendly and gave us plenty of information about Nice. Marc who brought us to Monaco was a responsible guide. The Aix walking tour guide, Arthur, was very helpful and gave insights of Aix En Provence, Remy, our guide from Aix to Marseille is a cheerful and caring guide that provide plenty of information about the places we visit.

Overall Simon has done a good job in arranging this tour. It would be better if we can have a communication link such as what's app established before the tour start. We were on our own on first night when we found the restaurant we were supposed to have dinner was closed, and we didn't know then it was the hotel who arranged it. My attempt to reach Simon by phone went straight to voicemail.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2019

Dear M.Kwarn, thank you for your detailed review of your 12-days trip to Southern France, merci beaucoup! I will let our local partners know about your comments in order to improve these important logistics matters. I hope that your group has well arrived back in Malaysia and Singapour, see you maybe another time in Southern France! Best, Simon

Discover Provence by Electric Bike - 6 Days
France | Jun 15 - Jun 22, 2019

R
Richard L.
Mesa, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 23, 2019

This was the perfect travel experience and one that my wife and I will remember for a lifetime.

The accommodations that were booked for us in every town were in a beautiful setting, always very comfortable and with an extraordinary staff. We were especially impressed with our room in Sault maintained by Kevin. Not only was it in a beautiful valley each and every space was perfectly furnished. Dominique who was our host outside of Roussillon was very helpful and took great pains to make us... read more

This was the perfect travel experience and one that my wife and I will remember for a lifetime.

The accommodations that were booked for us in every town were in a beautiful setting, always very comfortable and with an extraordinary staff. We were especially impressed with our room in Sault maintained by Kevin. Not only was it in a beautiful valley each and every space was perfectly furnished. Dominique who was our host outside of Roussillon was very helpful and took great pains to make us feel welcome and comfortable. Our hotel in Vaison-la-Romaine “Hostellerie Le Befroi” had one of the greatest meals we ate in all of France.

The food was also of the highest quality. Each location that was booked was very accommodating and the meals were delicious.

The travel book provided to us was very accurate and provided a great guide to this long journey. We never once felt lost or out of place as the directions were so clear throughout.

The equipment was of the highest quality. The EBikes provided by Sun EBike and our specialist Estelle was fabulous. Estelle also gave us a great tip about a professional bike race that was happening so we could be prepared in our route. We were given panniers that were large enough to fit all of our gear and still have space. The GPS provided to us had pre loaded maps for every day and was very clear and kept us on route.

The greatest part of this trip was the journey itself. Every hill and valley we rolled through was more beautiful than the next and we could not imagine having had a better experience.

Thank you to Simon and So Provence So Alps for this vacation that will live with us always.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2019

Hi Richard and Raquel, my colleagues and I are very happy to hear that you enjoyed riding across the Drome Provençale and Vaucluse, our favorite spot in Provence :)! I will let your Ebike specialist know about your comments and tell Estelle that you appreciated her service. I hope that you have well arrived back in Arizona, see you maybe another time in Southern France! Best, Simon

Trip to France
France | Oct 16 - Oct 22, 2018

Garth
Garth J.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2018

I thought the hotels and guides were great. The first two nights in Aix Provence were the best as far as service and hotels go. This small hotel provided great service and an excellent room. The cooking school was enjoyable with a trip to the market and then a quick wine tasting before the class. The food proved amazing and the event filled the day. Don't suggest having any more meals that day. The hotel in Arles was quite beautiful. It was a treat to stay there. The wine trip the... read more

I thought the hotels and guides were great. The first two nights in Aix Provence were the best as far as service and hotels go. This small hotel provided great service and an excellent room. The cooking school was enjoyable with a trip to the market and then a quick wine tasting before the class. The food proved amazing and the event filled the day. Don't suggest having any more meals that day. The hotel in Arles was quite beautiful. It was a treat to stay there. The wine trip the next day was the highlight of our stay in Provence. Eric the wine tour guide was excellent. The private tours were wonderful and the places were beautiful. I would highly recommend him to anyone. Our hotel in Avignon was nice but not exceptional. It was located in a great place and they gave us a nice room with a deck overlooking the city. We enjoyed our touring around the area by rental car and managed to fill the day with the high-points of the region. All and all the package proved very good. I would highly recommend Simon. He was able to readjust our schedule due to a flight cancellation that eliminated our first day. Simon's rescheduling enable us to almost recapture the elements of the lost first day. The only item that was a bit negative was the cost of the private transport in Provence. Our driver, while very nice charged much more than estimated in our itinerary. But that didn't diminish the excellent services and information provided and the great assistance Simon provided for us. Many thanks to Simon.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

GolfTrip
France | Sep 23 - Sep 29, 2018

B
Brian M.
King of Prussia, PA | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2018

Estelle from sun e bikes was great and very helpful. The staff at the restaurants: Fort in Marseille, La Fourchette in Avignon were very pleasant and good experiences. Heily Lucullus in Avignon was very good and our owner/hostess was very nice. Eating dinner outside at Les Fin Roches in CDP had excellent ambiance. CDP itself was just OK. Sylvie at La Nerth gave a great tour although a little rushed since we were a little late. But she spent a lot of time with us in the the tasting... read more

Estelle from sun e bikes was great and very helpful. The staff at the restaurants: Fort in Marseille, La Fourchette in Avignon were very pleasant and good experiences. Heily Lucullus in Avignon was very good and our owner/hostess was very nice. Eating dinner outside at Les Fin Roches in CDP had excellent ambiance. CDP itself was just OK. Sylvie at La Nerth gave a great tour although a little rushed since we were a little late. But she spent a lot of time with us in the the tasting room and it was very memorable. Very attractive woman by the way. ;) . Before we got to La Nerth, we stopped at Mont Redon winery. Very friendly staff and a beautiful place. I recommend that as a stopover. Domaine de Manville was an excellent experience. The staff was excellent and we were treated very well by everyone that we interacted with, excepting the misunderstanding at the proshop.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

Trip to France
France | Sep 23 - Sep 29, 2018

Alana
Alana E.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2018

Our Trip to Provence and The French Riveria was great. Alex our guide and driver was fantastic. Very professional but friendly, excellent driver, so knowledgeable on the history and geography of the area and very flexible when we had requests for small variations. Our hotel accommodations were all very good - the last one - Hotel La Perouse was fabulous - great way to end our holiday. Regarding the activities we partook in - we all thought the hike in Calanques National Park was great but in... read more

Our Trip to Provence and The French Riveria was great. Alex our guide and driver was fantastic. Very professional but friendly, excellent driver, so knowledgeable on the history and geography of the area and very flexible when we had requests for small variations. Our hotel accommodations were all very good - the last one - Hotel La Perouse was fabulous - great way to end our holiday. Regarding the activities we partook in - we all thought the hike in Calanques National Park was great but in some places a little slippery - not recommended for people who aren't steady on their feet or are not wearing appropriate footwear - or elderly.

We all loved our day in the Luberon visiting Gordes and Roussillon .
St Tropez was also well liked - some good shopping.
Our excursion to Grasse and our workshop at the perfume House of Galimord was probably one of our most memorable experiences - wasn't sure how the interested the guys would be but we all thoroughly ended it.
Monaco and Eze were also beautiful and very enjoyable.

Gourmet walking tour in Nice was good - Marion was lovely and very knowledgeable but a little disorganized and it was hard for everyone to hear her - concept was good and she showed us some great hidden foodie spots - would be a good tour to do the you first arrived in Nice so you could you this information to your advantage to close where to dine.

The wine tasting at Domaine du Clos des Roses was disappointing - we all thought it would have been better to stay in St Tropez - afternoon was a waste -No tour - tasted 2 wines - not worth it.

In all - we were very satisfied with the itinerary except for the wine tasting - perhaps next time we would allow 1 day extra in each location for shopping and wandering the town at our own leisure or enjoying the facilities of the hotels

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

Short visit in Cote d'Azur area.
France | Sep 17 - Sep 19, 2018

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Sheila W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Sep 29, 2018

The two days of hiking in the "Vallee des Merveilles" was wonderful with Damien. He was very considerate, interesting and fun. The tour was exactly what I was hoping. Sometime in the future, I would love to plan another but longer hike through that part of France.

The tour of Nice was good. Our guide knew the information and presented it well. Our only problem was that she talks too long with a very fast loud voice. Sometimes she talked so quickly that we could not follow her strain of... read more

The two days of hiking in the "Vallee des Merveilles" was wonderful with Damien. He was very considerate, interesting and fun. The tour was exactly what I was hoping. Sometime in the future, I would love to plan another but longer hike through that part of France.

The tour of Nice was good. Our guide knew the information and presented it well. Our only problem was that she talks too long with a very fast loud voice. Sometimes she talked so quickly that we could not follow her strain of thought.

Simon, thank you for putting together a great 3 day tour of southern France. Hopefully there are other opportunities to give you a call.
Thanks again
Sheila

Local specialist: Simon Hardy

An active trip that coordinates w an nternational munich flight
France | Sep 4 - Sep 8, 2018

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Lori G.
Milwaukee, WI | Reviewed on Sep 10, 2018

Simon was very helpful to meet with me pre trip and make sure I understood where I was supposed to be each day. The hotels and restaurants that he selected were fantastic. I especially loved Danielle at the wine b and b. The wine experience was fantastic. Sun E bikes made the trip pretty tough. While I am certain they had the best of intentions, the person who drops off the bike needs to be trained on how to set the GPS up for success. I asked immediately how to zoom in and he wasn't able to... read more

Simon was very helpful to meet with me pre trip and make sure I understood where I was supposed to be each day. The hotels and restaurants that he selected were fantastic. I especially loved Danielle at the wine b and b. The wine experience was fantastic. Sun E bikes made the trip pretty tough. While I am certain they had the best of intentions, the person who drops off the bike needs to be trained on how to set the GPS up for success. I asked immediately how to zoom in and he wasn't able to make that happen so that I could see the roads. With in 10 minutes I was lost and when I called no one answered. I should have left a message and didn't. The rest of the day was a mess as I was continuously lost. My road book pages weren't numbered and got out of order. Even if they hadn't, once you are lost I am not sure they would have helped. The bike specialist did try to meet me at the wine tasting. he was correct that the gps was working (as in pointing the right direction and having signal, it just wasn't set up to zoom in and see roads) He was still unable to fix this but brought me paper maps. Since I couldn't sleep because I was worrying so much about my next day, I was able to change the setting myself. I'm not sure why that couldn't have been done right away, it would have saved a lot of frustration for everyone. I did appreciate the pickup on the second day when I couldn't go further after riding in rain and a thunderstorm. One thing that would have been helpful to know as well in St Remy is that according to my hotel concierge, taxi's need 2 days in advance reservation to make the 20 minute drive to the train station. I almost missed my train back to Paris due to this. Since the rating asks to describe Simon, I don't think it is fair to rate him based on Sun E bikes failure to set up the gps, overall, I would unfortunately rate the trip as a whole lower as it was really stressful.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2018

Hi Lori, thank you for the review concerning your 3-days bike tour in the hinterland of Provence. I will let Danielle and the other people met know that you enjoyed their services. But I also have listed a series of recommendations dedicated to my partners in order to improve our service before and during the bike tour itself. I know that you had rough moments during your trip...and I hope that you will remember the good times too. All my best, Simon

Family friendly tour of Provence
France | Jul 9 - Jul 13, 2018

Kylie
Kylie W.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 18, 2018

We are a family of 4 who travelled to Provence in July 2018. Our children are aged 4 and 6. All our accommodation was superb and the guided tours excellent. The tour of the calenques with skipper Laurence was one of the most unique and memorable experiences of our travels so far - we traveled quickly to some magnificent swimming locations and saw a really different side of Marseille.

The tour of an Olive mill was delicious and fascinating. The family were really welcoming and involved the... read more

We are a family of 4 who travelled to Provence in July 2018. Our children are aged 4 and 6. All our accommodation was superb and the guided tours excellent. The tour of the calenques with skipper Laurence was one of the most unique and memorable experiences of our travels so far - we traveled quickly to some magnificent swimming locations and saw a really different side of Marseille.

The tour of an Olive mill was delicious and fascinating. The family were really welcoming and involved the children in cooking and touring.

The children also had an amazing time on Olivier’s carriage ride - what a great way to tour the countryside!

We would definitely engage Simon Hardy and KimKim again for our next holiday. Many thanks.

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Hi Kylie and Matt, what a great pleasure to hear that you appreciated your stay in Provence with us! I expected that your children would have appreciated the cultural & outdoor activities with our local ambassadors... I will tell them directly. I hope to see you maybe another time in Provence, the Southern Alps or the French Riviera! All my best, Simon

Aix de Provence
France | Jun 28 - Jul 8, 2018

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Teresa F.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2018

What an incredible journey! Merci merci merci Simon for a well thought out itinerary and the amazing guides that were assigned to take us to all those beautiful places. Having a private guide made all the difference because we were able to see even more than what was on our agenda Alex and Natalie were incredibly knowledgeable and so nice! Our hotels were fantastic! Located close to everything. The one in Marseille was amazing located right across from the Old Port and just around the corner... read more

What an incredible journey! Merci merci merci Simon for a well thought out itinerary and the amazing guides that were assigned to take us to all those beautiful places. Having a private guide made all the difference because we were able to see even more than what was on our agenda Alex and Natalie were incredibly knowledgeable and so nice! Our hotels were fantastic! Located close to everything. The one in Marseille was amazing located right across from the Old Port and just around the corner from Lafayette Gallery for great shopping. We are so grateful to have visited your beautiful country.... ours seems so boring in comparison 😉. Canada is a wonderful place to live but there’s no comparison when it comes to the History, Architecture, Culture & let’s not forget the food!!! I bought the best Macarons ever in Nice ... they are my favourite! So on that note I will say thank you again and I will be sure to post a comment on the trip advisor regarding our experience with your company. We truly made the right choice and so grateful for all that you did for us!

Merci!🙏🏻 Vive La France!!🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Hi Teresa and Kim! Thank you for this very pleasant message! I am glad that you enjoyed your trip and the service of our local guides during the past weeks between Provence & the French Riviera. This is really gratifying. See you maybe another time in France!

Sightsee and relax
France | May 31 - Jun 9, 2018

Maria
Maria d.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2018

We enjoyed the whole experience.
The itinerary was meticulously planned, the guides were very professional , yet friendly and helpful, the vehicles comfortable and the small groups made interaction and time management easy.
One of my most memorable experiences was the Gallimard perfumery - I enjoyed making my own perfume!
My husband greatly enjoyed the trip to Monaco and Monte Carlo.
On the whole, a fabulous trip!

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2018

Hi Maria, thank you very much for your feedback! We are glad and proud that you enjoyed our immersive experiences in the hinterland of Provence and along the French Riviera. A bientôt! Simon

provence village tour
France | May 20 - May 20, 2018

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Allyce H.
Tempe, AZ | Reviewed on May 28, 2018

I had a wonderful experience working with kimkim to arrange for private vans and guides to villages in Provence for a group of university students. When we were in Barcelona we were affected by the train strike in France, and our train was cancelled...which left us (a group of 16) stranded and unable to get to our hotel in Avignon. Out of desperation, I contacted Simon, who was my kimkim contact based in Marseille and he took time on a Saturday (holiday weekend) to make calls for me and... read more

I had a wonderful experience working with kimkim to arrange for private vans and guides to villages in Provence for a group of university students. When we were in Barcelona we were affected by the train strike in France, and our train was cancelled...which left us (a group of 16) stranded and unable to get to our hotel in Avignon. Out of desperation, I contacted Simon, who was my kimkim contact based in Marseille and he took time on a Saturday (holiday weekend) to make calls for me and arrange for a private coach transfer for our group. He saved us!!! He even followed up afterwards to see if we made it to our destination. I can’t say enough great things about the service and extent Simon went to, on his own personal time, to help us out when we were in a bind. Thank you, Simon!!!

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on May 29, 2018

Hi Allyce, thank you for these kind words! I am glad as well that your students enjoyed the cultural guided tour, and that that you guys didn't stay stuck in Nimes during the strike! There is always a solution :) I am looking forward to having you again with us in Provence! A bientôt, Simon

Wine tours
France | Apr 25 - Apr 27, 2018

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Laura D.
Jefferson, NC | Reviewed on Apr 30, 2018

Simon helped make our vacation effortless. He stayed in constant communication during the planning stages with great suggestions and coordinated our pick up from the train station.
He even left his cell number in case I had questions while on our trip.
Our guide, Alex, was amazing. He was so knowledgeable on various subjects and made our tours
Delightful. He was punctual as well, which we appreciated being in Provence a short time.
I highly recommend the kimkim team!
Laura

Local specialist: Simon Hardy
Simon
Simon Hardy
Local specialist in Marseille, France | Reviewed on May 02, 2018

Bonjour Laura, thanks for your review! Great to hear from you all, we always do our best to set up great guides and chauffeurs for our travelers, and Alex is one of them! We're looking forward to having you again with us in Provence and the French Riviera. Best regards, Simon