French Side Travel is a family-owned French travel agency specializing in luxury and custom trips to France. Paul is a world traveler at heart.
We organize tailor-made, original tours throughout all of France including Corsica and Guadeloupe. French side travel was built by a father and son duo who have turned their passion for traveling into their profession. He drove from France to India at the beginning of the 1980s and he piloted his way to Santiago de Compostela in 2005. Since then, he has traveled to more than 50 countries around th
e world. He first gained experience in tourism with the very innovative French tour operators "Nouvelles Frontières". He now has 30 years of experience with various European tour operators. He holds a master's degree in tourism and economics from the Grenoble College of Commerce and an executive MBA from the Neoma Business School in Paris. He strives to provide environmentally friendly and stable travels and is looking forward to sharing his know-how and his wanderlust with you! Mark holds a master's degree in international trade from the Paris School of Business. His studies and internships have already brought him from Paris to London and Cologne via New Delhi to Sydney. Mark's experience in tourism and communication enriches Paul's expertise. With French Side Travel, Mark pursues an ambitious goal: realizing his childhood passion of sharing his love of traveling with others!
03/31/2026
Experience France in complete privacy, comfort, and style.
This château is a beautiful example of French Side Travel’s exclusive selection of dream villas — personally chosen for their charm, comfort, and character. Each offers privacy, style, and tailored service, perfect for couples, families, and small groups seeking authentic French luxury.
Just 15 minutes from Marseille’s Old Port, this 15th-century château sits on a peaceful 17-acre estate surrounded by rolling hills and centuries-old trees. With elegant salons, a chef’s kitchen, library, 15 bedrooms, and space for up to 30 guests, it’s ideal for retreats and family gatherings in Provence.
For the first time, our CEO Mark Bonte is officially a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for France 🇫🇷
We’re so proud of this recognition — a true reflection of his passion, expertise, and dedication to creating unforgettable journeys.
Thank you to and to our amazing travelers for trusting us to make your dream trips a reality!
03/04/2026
From the delicate layers of a millefeuille to the elegance of a tarte aux framboises and the iconic Paris-Brest, baking in France isn’t just culinary, it’s cultural. It’s an institution rooted in history, precision, and artistry.
On your next trip, perhaps you’re craving more than just a bite of a perfectly flaky croissant.
Imagine stepping inside a private kitchen, guided by an expert pastry chef, learning the techniques behind France’s most celebrated creations. The stories. The craftsmanship. The secrets passed down through generations.
At French Side Travel, we curate luxurious experiences tailored to your tastes... and this time, we mean that quite literally!!
Whether you’re mastering crêpes in Brittany, perfecting croissants in Paris, or crafting refined pâtisserie in the countryside, our private baking workshops invite you to discover France in the most delicious way possible.
02/13/2026
We’re thrilled to announce that our CEO Mark Bonte has once again been recognized as one of Travel + Leisure’s Top Travel Advisors for France 🇫🇷
Mark has been part of this prestigious list every year since 2022, a recognition that truly reflects his expertise, passion, and dedication to creating exceptional travel experiences.
A heartfelt thank you to for this honor, and above all, to our travelers for your continued trust; it’s what makes this possible!
11/28/2025
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Normandy with some of our team members—and what a trip it was!
Highlights included:
✨ Mont Saint-Michel – perfectly timed during the low season, we enjoyed blue skies and absolutely no crowds. A truly magical experience.
✨ Historic WWII sites – with our private guide, we explored Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc, reflecting on history in a deeply moving way.
Of course, we couldn’t miss visiting our most cherished hotel partners. Our favorites this trip: Château La Chenevière and La Ferme Saint Siméon —both exceptional in every way.
Discover Normandy like a local—reach out to your France experts today.
09/02/2025
When you think of France, Paris and the Riviera might come to mind… but our team swears by these 7 underrated villages that feel like stepping into a storybook.
From colorful facades to medieval streets and breathtaking views, these villages offer a truly authentic French escape.
Ready to plan your trip? Discover where to stay and more insider tips in our latest blog post. www.frenchsidetravel.com/blog
08/01/2025
✨Whether newly opened, reborn, or soon to launch, these 5-star gems are setting the tone for refined stays across France this year:
1️⃣ Experimental Marais – Paris: The iconic group takes over the Hôtel des Archives, adding its signature flair to the heart of the Marais.
2️⃣ Hôtel SAX – Paris: Bold, stylish, and sultry — this newcomer in the 8th arrondissement is already turning heads.
3️⃣ Maison Barrière Vendôme – Paris: After a grand transformation, this jewel steps back into the spotlight near Place Vendôme. .vendome
4️⃣ Villa Miraé – Antibes: Luxury meets Riviera charm in this ultra-private villa-style hotel on the Côte d’Azur.
5️⃣ Château de Commaraine – Burgundy: Opening in October, this historic château promises an immersive wine & culture experience in the heart of Burgundy.
Which one’s going on your list? ✨
07/24/2025
Discover the Magic of the Gorges du Verdon ✨🌊
Crystal-clear turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and luxurious stays overlooking the canyon.
The Gorges du Verdon is a true gem of Southern France: perfect for families, couples, and friends. 🛶
Looking for breathtaking scenery and unforgettable adventures? From private boat tours to wine tastings in nearby Provence, there’s something here for every age, every mood, and every travel dream.
Last year was our biggest one yet at French Side Travel, and 2025 is going to be even bigger. We welcomed 2,165 clients on 634 tailor-made trips across all regions of our beautiful country, but 5 regions, hotels, and day trips stood out as clear favorites.
🥐 Paris -
🫒 Provence -
👙 French Riviera - @
🖼️ Normandy -
🏰 Loire Valley -
Following the unforgettable Paris Olympics and the recent reopening of Notre Dame, demand for France is off the charts! We don't know everything, but based on requests we have been receiving here are the five regions you should have on your radar:
🏄🏼♂️ Basque Country
🍷 Burgundy
🍇 Bordeaux
🍾Champagne
🏝️ Corsica
We can't wait to see what 2025 brings, and be sure you call your local experts at French Side Travel when you're ready to get started on a tailor-made itinerary for your clients.
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French Side Travel is a family-owned French DMC catering to the premium and luxury travel market to France. We organize tailor-made, original tours throughout all of France including Corsica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. We’re based in Paris and Aix-en-Provence, and we pride ourselves on our extensive local knowledge, dedication to customer service, and a keen attention to detail. We offer a mix of classic products such as hotels, visits, and meals with authentic products like luxurious bed and breakfasts and activities with locals. You won’t find our high-end and unique travel packages in travel brochures. Each of our tours is 100% customized to our traveler’s unique needs and preferences.
France truly has something for every taste, from untouched nature to dynamic cities and from quaint seaside villages to abbeys perched in the mountains. It’s a hub for art, culture, gastronomy, fashion, and much, much more. We look forward to helping you or your clients to explore hidden jewels, visit iconic must-sees, shop in a bustling market, and immerse yourselves in the French Art de Vivre.
French Side Travel welcomes inquiries from both travelers and travel agencies. Travelers to France may reach us here.
For travel agencies, we look forward to being your DMC for France. We provide valuable assistance and real local knowledge to your travel requests in France. We help expand your portfolio of premium and exclusive offerings.
For Business to Business inquiries please contact [email protected].
French Side Travel was built by a father and son duo who have turned their passion for traveling into their profession.
Paul
Paul is a dyed-in-the-wool globetrotter. He has traveled to more than 50 countries. Perhaps the most memorable were hitchhiking from France to India in the early 1980s and walking the Camino de Santiago from Arles to Santiago de Compostela in 2015.
Before founding French Side Travel he enjoyed a 30 year-long journey working for European tour operators. He holds a Master’s Degree in tourism and economy from the Business School of Grenoble and an Executive MBA from the Neoma Business School in Paris.
His priorities are sharing authentic travel experiences and helping travelers discover France in a different way!
Mark
Mark holds a Master in International Business from the Paris School of Business. The young Franco-German has gained travel industry and communication experience working in Paris, London, Cologne, New Delhi, and Sydney.
Mark has ambitious goals for French Side Travel. He wants to fulfill his childhood dream to create a company that allows his to widely share his passion for travel in France with visitors from around the world.
