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About Us


As a tour operator specialized in tours to France and Belgium, our native countries, we provide the most authentic and unique vacation by offering out an off the beaten path experience that includes history, nature, local art, folklore, and, of course, gourmet cuisine. During your stay with us, we will share with you the love of our native countries and our extensive, in-depth knowledge of the culture.

We are proud of offering quality tours by limiting the size of the groups to 8 guests. We designed the tours ourselves in order to show you the real local culture, not the tourist trap. We have chosen to have you stay at the same accommodation for the entire tour, to allow you to immerse yourself in the culture, meet the locals and feel at home without having to pack and unpack every day. We always choose an ideal location from where we can offer you a great variety of daily visits.

Our goals during your stay with us is to get to know you, pamper you, take care of each of you and make your stay a one-of-a-kind experience because you are not a tourist, but our guest.
Jackie Grandchamps, PhD

The Founders of French Escapade:

Jacqueline Grandchamps, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, came from Belgium to the United States in 1995 to conduct cancer research at Stanford University. But her heart has always been in traveling (Europe, America, Africa and Asia). She now spends her time traveling between the San Francisco Bay Area (where she lives) and France and Belgium.

Jackie Grandchamps will be your personal guide during the tour. She is available to answer your questions and provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your trip. She also gives free DVD presentations about the trips upon request.

"I wanted to make my dream come true: sharing my love of traveling and giving people the opportunity to really experience a different culture. Instead of the traditional 'tourist' sightseeing trip to France, I wanted to immerse very small groups of people in the culture, let them meet locals, eat authentic cuisine and 'live' the actual French experience. That's how French Escapade was born."

Before Your Tour


  • Contact Jackie for information and advice.
  • Meet with her in person for more information or presentations.
  • Let her assist you in planning and customizing your tour.

During Your Tour


  • Jackie will meet you at the airport and drive you to your accommodation.
  • She will be your personal chauffeur and guide.
  • She will make sure your stay is as pleasant as possible.


Valerie Sans, is a French native who lives in the Rhone-Alpes region. She has a Masters degree in British/ American History and Literature. She taught for several years in the US and is very comfortable in both cultures.

Valerie Sans will be your French hostess. She will make sure your stay is an authentic French experience.
Valerie Sans

"Traveling has always been essential in my life, but I have often felt alienated in hotels and restaurants which seemed to work as barriers between the locals and myself. When Jackie told me of her desire to create French Escapade as an alternative to the regular tourist routine, I immediately joined in. I have always enjoyed sharing my passion for France with others. Most of all, I look forward to helping people of other cultures feel 'French' for the extent of their stay here."

During Your Tour


  • If we stay at their French country house, she will prepare authentic, traditional French cuisine.
  • She will be your host and complimentary concierge, taking good care at the guesthouse and at the hotel.
  • She will share with you her knowledge and love of French culture.