Why I Left ToursByLocals, and What It Means for You

If you’ve been searching for a private driver-guide for a tour of Brittany or Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel from Saint-Malo, the D-Day Landing Beaches from Bayeux, a full day in Saint-Malo, you may have come across my name on ToursByLocals at some point.

Let me explain what happened, and more importantly, what it means for you as a traveler.

ToursByLocals: A Serious Platform

First, I want to be clear: ToursByLocals is a legitimate, well-structured platform. They have a rigorous guide selection process, and being listed there was, at the time, a real validation of my credentials as a licensed tour guide and professional driver. Not everyone gets accepted.

For years, it worked well. American and international travelers could find me easily, read my reviews, and book a private tour of Western France with confidence.

So why did I leave?

The Decision to Go Independent

A few years ago, I decided to invest seriously in my own digital presence.

I trained in web development and SEO, rebuilt my website from the ground up, and took full control of my online visibility. It was a significant investment of time and energy, but it gave me something that no platform can offer: complete independence.

Here’s what changed when I went direct:

My agenda, my rules. On a platform, availability, pricing structures, and booking flows follow the platform’s logic. Going direct means I manage my own calendar, communicate directly with my clients from the very first message, and customize each tour exactly as needed, without intermediaries.

A direct relationship with you. When you book through bellidays.com, you’re not booking a slot. You’re reaching out to me personally. I answer your questions, I understand your trip, and I tailor the experience around what matters to you, your interests, your pace, your family.

Better value for everyone. Platform commissions typically run between 20% and 30%. By booking direct, that cost disappears. You either pay less for the same experience, or that budget goes toward something that genuinely enriches your day, an oyster tasting in Cancale, entrance fees to the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey, a longer stop along the Emerald Coast.

What You Get When You Book Direct

I’ve been a licensed tour guide and professional driver in Brittany and Normandy for over 17 years. I speak English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French. I operate a premium Mercedes V-Class for up to 6 passengers, and every tour I offer is fully private, just your group, and me.

Whether you’re arriving by cruise ship in Saint-Malo, flying into Rennes, or staying in Bayeux for the D-Day sites, I design the day around your plans, not a preset itinerary.

Tours I specialize in:

• Mont-Saint-Michel, from Saint-Malo, Rennes, or Bayeux
• D-Day Landing Beaches, American sector, British sector, or combined
• Saint-Malo & the Emerald Coast, intra-muros, Cancale, Dinard
• Dinan, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Brittany
• Combination tours, Mont-Saint-Michel + D-Day, Saint-Malo + Dinan, and more

All tours can be customized. Shore excursions with tight schedules are welcome, I know the tides, the timings, and how to make every minute count.

Beyond Brittany & Normandy: A Boutique Travel Advisor at Your Service

Brittany and Normandy are my home territory, but they’re not my only terrain.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked as a private driver across France and Europe. I’ve driven clients through the Loire Valley, Alsace, Champagne, the Basque Country, the Bordeaux wine region, and beyond. I’ve even had clients take me as far as Spain, and if that’s what your trip calls for, don’t hesitate to ask. With me, almost anything is possible.

Through the years, I’ve built a network of trusted partners across the country: local guides, small guesthouses, family-run restaurants, wine producers, artisans. People I’ve met, spent time with, and personally validated. I don’t recommend places or people I haven’t experienced myself, that’s a line I won’t cross.

This is what I call my boutique travel advisor service: one contact, one local, for your entire France experience. Whether you’re planning a multi-day tour from Paris, a week through the French countryside, or a single unforgettable day, reach out. I’ll either handle it directly or connect you with exactly the right person.

How to Book

Use the contact form on this site, or send me an email directly. I’ll get back to you quickly, usually within a few hours, and we’ll build your tour together.

No platform. No middleman. Just a local driver-guide who knows this corner of France like the back of her hand, and genuinely loves sharing it.

See you in Brittany or Normandy!

Belinda