Christian - Private Guide in Bordeaux
Fully licensed Driver-Guide
American - English Speaking Driver; fluent in French & English (dual citizen)
Red Cross PSC1 emergency training
UC San Diego 1986
Additional services of this guide:Private sightseeing tours in Switzerland; Italy; Spain; Belgium; Netherlands; Germany; Austria; etc.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, German
Hello - Bonjour!
My name is Christian - I was born and raised in the US.
I love France, and I love what I do: sharing my experiences with others.
...My parents are both originally European, which makes me a "first generation American"; but I've done something unusual: I left the US to live back in "the Old World".
My father is from France, my mother from Austria - and fortunately for me I grew up not only speaking all three languages (English, French and German) at home - but I also attended a Spanish-Bilingual grade school. Later on in University I continued pursuing my passion for languages by studying the history of languages and Mandarin Chinese, although I don't often get the opportunity to speak it.
I grew up - was raised with dual citizenship - when I arrived in France I could work without struggling to obtain proper documentation.
After spending about 10 years traveling throughout Western Europe as a musician with a successful Jazz band, I created Sightseeing in France -
- a Private Driver-Guide sightseeing service for visitors.
In addition to the clear-and-easy communication, visitors also appreciate my perspective on life in France as an American ex-pat. Many tourists appreciate being able to ask candid questions about the French and life in France in general - from politics to socialized medecine - freely; without worrying about offending or being misunderstood. (For example: A French Driver-Guide would be unable to compare the socialized medicine system to an American visitor without having experienced first hand what its like to live without socialized medecine!)
As a licensed Driver-Guide; since 2000; I have criss-crossed France and Western Europe; both providing tours - and on my own - to continually improve my knowledge base regarding the geography and history of France - which is an enormous accomplishment, considering the size of the country, the incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, gastronomy, and even folklore of this fascinating country - whose written history goes back much, much further than anything I learned going to school in the US.
Having accumulated a wealth of information over the years; I enjoy sharing this, while providing safe, reliable transportation throughout the entire country of France.
In addition to the more common destinations like Paris, Palace of Versailles, Normandy, and the Loire Valley Castles; I really like to showcase the lesser-known regions of France:
Dordogne (Aquitaine) - my favorite... the authentic heart of France... charming towns and villages with cobblestone streets and marvelous panoramic views... 12th century fortified castles overlooking a lazy weaving river....
Champagne; Burgundy; Côte du Rhône; Bordeaux; and Touraine regions for wineries/wine tasting
The Basque Country - The Pyrenees : Down along the Spanish border; far from Paris and hard to get to you can find some of the most beautiful sceneries as well as fascinating cultural attractions.
I love France, and I love what I do: sharing my experiences with others.
OFFERED TOURS:
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Bordeaux to Dordogne: Fantastic medieval villages & 12th century fortified castles
Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Sarlat-la-Caneda, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, Bordeaux
€1195
8 hours
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Bayonne/Biarritz - Basque Country Sightseeing tour
Espelette, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz, Bayonne
€895
6 hours
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Bordeaux to Lascaux & Dordogne Valley:, Les Eyzies, Rouffignac...
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Sarlat-la-Caneda, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
€1195
8 hours