Your EN
FRANCE guides are all ardent francophiles, all bilingual and
bicultural, all have years of experience planning and guiding
groups in France. They have lived, worked, hiked trails and
studied in France, know the country well and have many French
friends who join our groups whenever possible. Two guides
accompany most tours.
 Billie
Williams founded En France Tours in 1987 after years of
teaching French and organizing student tours to France. Her
love of France began long ago when she was a Fulbright scholar
in Paris and took advantage of every vacation to explore different
regions of the country. She delighted in the beauty of the countryside
and was fascinated to realize that the people she met in each
region brought a different history and culture, often a different
language, to the country. This first glance of the complexity
of France set the course of future years: regular return visits
to renew old friendships and favorite places, to make new discoveries
of special sites, and to enjoy the warm hospitality
of the French. Soon she was introducing her favorite regions
to others--first to family and friends, then to students. Finally,
when she saw what fun it was, she began to organize small-group
visits. Now she spends part of every year in France, exploring
country roads and villages, checking out new B&Bs and small
hotels, and talking to local people in each area about their
favorite places to spend a few hours, dine out, see the wildlife,
or take an afternoon drive.
En France Tours
grew out of such personal experiences, always with the goal
of giving people a chance to go beneath the surface and appreciate
the complex culture and beauty of France. Almost two decades later,
we are still committed to that goal.
Alain Lemennicier, born and raised
in the French province of Normandy, has been part of En France
Tours since 1993. He came to Olympia, Washington, in 1991 to
study English and decided to make his home there after meeting
his wife Judie. Living in the states inspired him to take a
renewed interest in the culture of his native country and to
rediscover its richness and diversity. He delighted in crisscrossing
the country with Judie to find those hidden corners that still
retain the flavor and charm of traditional French culture. These
treasures have become featured stops in the tours they designed
together for En France Tours.
Besides his
experience guiding groups throughout France, Alain brings other
special talents to our tours: he is a professional wine expert,
having to his credit a diploma in viticulture/oenologie, and
as a mountaineering instructor he has led numerous outdoor adventure
trips. On our tours we can always count on Alain's French wit
to keep us smiling and his insider's knowledge to help us find
our way to and from the back roads.
Judith Gabriele's contagious
enthusiasm and passion for France come from many years studying
French, living with French families and traveling throughout
the country. Years ago she began to host French exchange students,
and through these close friendships was able to join French
friends on long vacations in many different areas of the country,
sharing all aspects of daily life. These strong personal bonds
and her experience of the warmth and friendliness of the people
inspired her to resume to her French studies and complete a
Master's in French studying in Paris with Middlebury College.
On her return
to the states, she expanded her teaching responsibilities of
French at a local university. She joined En France in 1994,
and she and her husband Alain together have explored the French
countryside and designed several of our most popular itineraries.
Judie's sense of humor, unquenchable enthusiasm, her warmth
and love of France make the En France tours she guides memorable.
As she says: "One of my greatest joys is meeting new people
and helping them discover this extraordinary culture, language
and landscape."
 Our newest assistants, Dennis
and Brygida McDermott, who have spent years traveling
through the countryside of France. They have especially delighted
in exploring its many hidden corners, little villages, winding
country lanes, rural hardware and small, family-run grocery
stores (in which they found a wealth of cultural information!)
They have dined in the homes of French friends, in rustic farm
inns, on canal barges and in gourmet restaurants. But their
favorite meal is a simple picnic of cheese, fresh crisp bread
and wine, savored deep in the French countryside. In 1996 they
lived for several months in the heart of Paris and attended
a French language school. They shopped in the markets, entertained
friends, and walked, walked, walked, attempting to cover every
inch of the city on foot!
Along with a
love of French culture and cuisine, Dennis brings to En France
a passion for languages, especially French and Spanish. Brygida
brings a strong interest in the cultural and social customs
of France, as well as a genuine love of people. She has years
of experience planning trips in France and Spain for friends
and family. Along with making all the travel arrangements she
specializes in finding those little cottages, seaside villas
or bed and breakfasts that make a trip special. Dennis and Brygida
look forward to sharing their love of France with you.
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