Meet Our Team

Jackie Grandchamps, PhD; Founder and Owner

Jackie

“I wanted to make my dream come true by sharing my love of traveling and giving people the opportunity to really experience a different culture. Instead of the traditional ‘tourist’ sightseeing trips, I wanted to immerse very small groups of people in the culture, and make them experience another way of life. That’s how French Escapade was born in 2003.

I was then approached by art teachers who wanted such an experience incorporated in a painting workshop so that their students could discover a different culture and paint on the same tour. Our first painting tour took place in 2005.

I have welcomed about 100 teachers, 2,800 guests, and run more than 250 trips. When traveling with French Escapade, you are not a tourist, you are our guest. That is why I have made many new friends since 2003.”

With a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Jacqueline Grandchamps came from Belgium to the United States in 1995 to conduct cancer research at Stanford University. But her heart has always been in traveling — in Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia. She created French Escapade with Valerie Sans in 2003 and now splits her time between Delaware, US and the South of France.

Her passions: socializing/ dancing/ gardening and all racket sports (tennis, ping-pong and now pickleball).

Valerie Sans, Co-Founder

Valerie

“Traveling has always been essential in my life and when Jackie and I felt ready for a career change, designing authentic travel experiences seemed the right thing to do. French Escapade was then born to propose an alternative to regular tourist routines. Passion has always been at the core of our business adventure, and when we later on added painting holidays to our tour offers, I couldn’t be happier being an art lover myself.

I am very proud to offer the best travel experience to our guests. How? By welcoming our guests as friends, pampering them as much as I can, hosting wonderful artists and selecting memorable painting sites. Each workshop nourishes me as another wonderful human experience.”

Valerie Sans is a French native who lives in Delaware, US, but still spends a few months a year in Europe. With a master’s degree in British & American History and Literature and being a former Fulbright teacher in the US, she is equally comfortable with American and European ways of life.
Valerie is our tour manager who makes sure your stay is an authentic experience. She mainly acts behind the scene, but she also attends a few tours for general organization purposes.

Her passions: books/ history/ cooking

Natalia Verges, Tour Leader

Natalia

“I was born in Catalonia, Spain and I opened my own guide business in Besalu, my hometown in 2010. I am keen on history and art, and love to share this passion with people. I live in Hamburg, Germany at the moment with my husband and two kids, but I have also lived in Belgium and France, so I regard myself as a true European. I can speak Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German and Italian.I have always worked as a tour guide but I think it is important to have new challenges. So when Jackie offered me to join the French Escapade team in 2015, I gladly jumped in to take a step further. I like to meet new people so this job is a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world and show them a new culture.”

Natalia Verges has a master degree in Art History and also in Visual Arts and Education from Spain. She is a very talented tour guide eager to share her knowledge of European history and art. She leads groups with energy, confidence and a big smile. She is much appreciated by our guests. We are very fortunate to have her in our team.

Her passions: history/ food/ cats

Marie Ginier-Gillet, Tour Leader

Marie
“When I got the opportunity to work with French Escapade as a tour leader in 2016, I was delighted as I love travelling and meeting new people. My previous career was in law and I was happy to leave my office work to be outside with painters in amazing places. I love meeting people from different part of the world so we can exchange about the culture. I am looking forward to adding new locations to my palette!”
Marie was born in the French Alps near Grenoble where she still lives with her husband. She has been a lawyer for over 25 years. French native, she also speaks English and is perfectly fluent in Italian, having spent years in Italy during her college years. Always eager to make your trip a wonderful adventure, Marie is a very attentive tour leader who is much appreciated by all, especially for her professional skills as well as a great sense of humor.

Her passions: reading, hiking, volunteering in local events (such as the Berlioz Festival or local historical shows).

Heather Daines, Tour Leader

Heather

“Adventures are the best way to learn.”

“I attended my first French Escapade workshop in 2019 as a participant. I thought the combination of travel and painting tour made for a perfect adventure. Subsequently, I went on to take several more trips with French Escapade and found my passion for art, people and cultures around the world. I was ecstatic when Jackie and Valerie gave me the opportunity to become a guide for the company. Since I began working for French Escapade I have become even more impressed with the business and the care the staff has for each and every customer. Their desire to make every trip the perfect trip is unmatched. I’m happy to be associated with French Escapade and look forward to being a guide for years to come.”

Heather Daines has Associates degrees in Horticulture and Floral Design Management as well as Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. In addition to raising 4 children with her husband, Rex, she also worked independently as a Landscape Architect for many years. Heather has lived in Oregon for 30 years and currently resides in beautiful Bend, Oregon. She enjoys being a de facto tour guide for friends and family and sharing with them the natural beauty of Central Oregon.

Her passions: gardening/ painting/ the outdoors/photography.

Linda Baxley, Tour Leader

Linda
“Learning keeps me young and one of the best ways to learn is to explore new things, places and people. My first trip with French Escapade was eye-opening because it took place in my home state of California. I learned that there are always new places to discover, whether in your own backyard (so to speak) or to countries I had only previously read about. Add to that the new “sight” one gains whenever looking at a locale to paint, and it is easy to see why French Escapade became part of my continuing growth. I was delighted when Jackie and Valerie offered me the chance to help others in their pursuit of learning and exploration.”
Linda is a native Californian and spent her earlier life as a lawyer, litigating patent disputes primarily in the pharmaceutical industry for 25 years. As a “recovering attorney” and now an empty-nester, Linda took up watercolor painting in an effort to learn patience and the art of letting loose (the water does what it wants to do). She is now applying her organization skills, as well as her past experiences as a tour guide (from college), a teacher (from her years as both a lawyer and as a volunteer), and a shuttle driver (long story), to help share her growth mindset with others.

Her passions: drawing/painting, volunteering, traveling (she is in a competition with her husband and kids to see who will be the first to visit all seven continents), cooking, pickleball (this is a new one) and her family.

Mariona Esteba, Tour Leader

Mariona
“When I first heard of French Escapade, I had the feeling that it was made for me. I am a caring person who enjoys all kinds of creation, and a tour leader committed to providing enriching encounters. I am passionate about sharing and learning from other cultures, and my love for traveling has always been a motivator. I am very grateful to be part of the French Escapade team.”
Mariona has a BFA from the University of Barcelona and a Postgraduate Degree in Cultural Management, and has been sharing her Catalan culture to Americans since 2003. She currently lives in the Empordà region near the sea, with her husband and their 2 boys, enjoying their lives surrounded by nature, a friendly community, and their Art studio, all in the same place.

She speaks Catalan, Spanish, English and French.

Her passions: exploring new surroundings, sharing a good meal, reading, singing and being outdoors.

Cristine Traber, Tour Leader

Cristine
“Since an early age I have been obsessed with French culture; the architecture, the fashion, the food, the language, and the history. This passion has led me to several trips during my teenage years to France with French family exchange programs, as well as a path to getting my Architectural Masters degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was the closest thing in the United States to France.

As a zealous sketcher and painter, I was very drawn to French Escapade program as a participant and I still think of it as a bucket list trip that exceeded all my expectations.“

Cristine currently lives in Seattle, Washington as a practicing architect and avid amateur artist. She has lived in all corners of the United States and definitely prefers the sunnier parts. Traveling throughout Europe is essential to Cristine’s free time.

Her passions: While home in Seattle, Cristine enjoys hiking with her German Shepherd, Greta, working in her garden, sketching and watercoloring, and reading about far off places and exotic experiences.

Teresa Plaja, Tour Leader

Teresa
“I love the idea of helping people and discovering new places and art experiences!

When Jackie and Valerie offered me the opportunity to collaborate with French Escapade, I really thought it was a great idea! Combining my passion of staying and enjoying new destinations as well as helping and assisting people abroad for whatever they need to have a pleasant stay.

I am more than ready to welcome you with a big smile and open arms with French Escapade!”

Teresa has been an official tour guide in Catalunya since 2010. She also has a small company which organizes excursions and experiences for those who like to meet new friends and discover lovely and interesting places. She also loves doing private tours for foreign people in her country. A very optimistic person and well-organized, she is always trying to spread good ambiance with the groups.

She graduated in BA Tourism when stayed in Barcelona in 2003. After 7 years living in Ireland to improve her English and experience of life, she got back to her lovely hometown in l’Empordà, in the Costa Brava, where she lives with her husband and two children.

She speaks Catalan, Spanish, English and French.

Her passions: history (especially the medieval part), art museums, hiking, traveling and spending time with her loved ones!

Sandra Bustins, Tour Leader

Sandra
“I love working with French Escapade because it allows me to combine my passion for language with my appreciation for French culture.

Collaborating with a team that values creativity and culture is incredibly rewarding, and it inspires me to keep exploring new ways to connect people through words, art and landscape.”

Sandra is a translator based in the beautiful province of Girona. She works to bridge cultures and bring stories to life. Her main focus is subtitling films for independent festivals across Catalonia, where she helps audiences connect with unique and thought-provoking cinema.

She speaks Catalan, Spanish, English, French and Chinese.

Her passions: When she’s not immersed in words and subtitles, you’ll find her hiking in the great outdoors. The Pyrenees are her favorite playground, and she’s always on the lookout for new trails and hidden spots. She also has a deep love for reading, French cinema and Chinese food.

Vee Marzullo, Tour Leader

Vee
“I met French Escapade as a participant a few years ago and I continue to treat myself to their workshops as much as I can. Working also with French Escapade as a guide is the perfect job as it allows me to combine and share some of my passions like painting, sketching, traveling, and meeting new people.

Jackie and Valerie are such caring people and teaming up with our other fun leaders to pamper our guests, our art teachers and help them build memorable experiences and lasting friendships brings me so much joy”.

Vee was born in Paris, France, grew-up in Africa, started her career in London, England and lived there for 15 years until she met her American husband who brought her to Philadelphia, USA over 20 years ago.

Vee spent her career in the financial industry organizing corporate conferences and galas, complex world-travel, graphics and website design and decided to retire early to focus her time on her husband, her teenage twins, her house pets, and herself.

More passions of hers are outdoor adventures, reading, movies, and animals.

Natalja (Nat) Dudek, Tour Leader

Silvia
“My surename means hoopoe, which is a migratory bird. So traveling is truly given to me by nature. As a trained translator and language teacher, working for French Escapade gives me the unique opportunity to combine everything I love: traveling, communicating, and making sure our guests will have a wonderful experience. It’s all about connecting with people and cultures, and experiencing international culinary art. It is about feeling, living, and enjoying every moment of your stay with us.”
Nat left Germany more than 20 years ago and made Spain her home, living in different places, but always close to the ocean — so she can start her day with a morning swim before work. Curious and energetic by nature, she has worked in a variety of fields, including screen printing, publishing, teaching, gastronomy, guiding trekking and cycling tours, and translation.
She is a versatile and positive person who looks for solutions where others still see problems.

In her free time, she loves being outdoors, cooking for friends, or performing on stage with her amateur theatre group.

Amanda H., Tour Leader

Marie
“I have always been someone who is an avid learner and therefore I have always been up for a challenge whether it be in my personal or professional life. I have played many different sports from Gymnastics to Sky Diving; White Water rafting to Inline Marathons; Scuba Diving and even learning music too. During middle school, I signed up for an extracurricular art class where I learned how to sketch. All of which I am absolutely passionate about and I am excited to join French Escapade which allows me to reconnect with my love of art too!”
Born in England to a Dutch father and a French mother, Amanda grew up in a multicultural environment where curiosity and learning were valued. From a very young age, she was fortunate to travel extensively in countries with diverse cultures which allowed her to develop a particular interest in the humanities and the arts, leading her to pursue a career in the hospitality field.

She had the opportunity to work in various sectors and in many countries: Scotland, England, Switzerland, France, South Africa and in the US. She recently moved back to France where she continues to improve herself while sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with those around her. This passion for relationships, learning, and innovation remains at the heart of her journey..