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ABOUT

 
A field of sunflowers on a sunny day under a bright blue sky at Rayat in France

our story

Tournesol is the French word for "sunflower". Composed of "tourne" (French for "turn") and "sol" (latin for "sun") the word truly illustrates the daily journey of each flower as it pivots on its stem to always be facing the sun as it travels across the summer sky.

We are a luxury travel company that caters to a clientele seeking memorable and authentic experiences while traveling through Europe. Founder and President Lisa Dunoyer is a native of England who moved to Paris shortly after graduating from University with a degree in French. She met her husband-to-be in Paris and the two soon moved to the French Riviera, where they married and had three of their four children. In 2000, they moved to the United States settling in Annapolis, Maryland, traveling back to France regularly on family vacations. In 2017, the Dunoyers finally acquired a villa of their own in the village of Le Bar sur Loup on their beloved French Riviera.

What began as a French adventure has blossomed across Europe. At Tournesol, we curate memorable, beautifully personal travel throughout France, Spain, the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Switzerland. We strive to create experiences you will treasure forever. Each member of our team has a unique connection to the destinations we plan, and our goal is to ensure you have a trip of a lifetime that you will cherish for many years to come.

OUR WHY

It all started with France, a beautiful country that holds a special place in our hearts. We grew up there, fell in love there and started a family there. It is a place that has given us so much joy and holds so many wonderful memories. Tournesol began with a focus on planning travel to France, but we have since expanded to craft journeys to destinations all around Europe. We founded Tournesol Travel to help others experience, through travel, the magic of memorable, authentic and amazing experiences. 

OUR HOW

We have resided and traveled extensively through Europe, so we know about those unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences. We speak the language, so we can be sure you are getting the right value for your money. Our extensive network β€œon the ground” will ensure you visit what is truly worth seeing, stay at the best hotels and secure a great table at that charming local restaurant. We are here to help you customize and design the trip of your dreams.

 

our Team

 

LISA DUNOYER

Founder & President

A native of England, Lisa promptly moved to Paris upon completion of her university studies. She has a comprehensive background planning trips for luxury travel companies, and having resided in the French Riviera for many years, brings her expertise into planning each and every trip. Lisa has a huge passion for travel and gets so much joy out of helping others discover the magic of each destination.

Jenna kasten

Vice President, Operations and Partnerships

Jenna's deep love for travel began with her first visit to the South of France in 2018. It marked the start of a deep love affair between Jenna and the many beautiful destinations of Europe. She currently lives in San Francisco but happily makes the journey overseas as often as possible.

 

our Trip planners

Siobhan lyons

Custom Trip Planner

SiobhΓ‘n’s love affair with travel began on a family holiday to the south of France, including a detour through Paris where she enjoyed her first unforgettable taste of profiteroles. After university, she lived and worked in Paris for two years and later spent several seasons working behind the scenes at the Cannes Film Festival. Now based in London, SiobhΓ‘n continues to chase the thrill of discovery, with travel remaining her greatest passion.

Brigitte Bouchayer

Custom Trip Planner

A native of France and a passionate wine lover, Brigitte holds both a Sommelier and a Wines and Spirits Master’s degree. She spent ten years organizing trade shows and, since 2004, has held various roles in the wine industry across France and Asia. Brigitte moved to the CΓ΄te d’Azur in 2015, bringing a wealth of travel and expatriate experience. Over the years, she has learned that local wines, gastronomy, landscapes, and traditions are essential to understanding a region, its people, and culture. Her favorite travel memory is crossing New Zealand in a camper van, discovering the wines of each country she visited.

Niamh Hendry

Custom Trip Planner

A native of Scotland, Niamh’s passion for travel began with family holidays on the CΓ΄te d’Azur, where her love of culture, history, and cuisine first took root. Now splitting her time between the UK and France, she draws on years of experience crafting bespoke European journeys that inspire wonder. From vineyard escapes and family adventures to cultural discoveries, culinary experiences, and wellness retreats, she designs trips that feel seamless, personal, and unforgettable. A lifelong ocean lover, she brings her adventurous spirit to every itinerary, whether exploring hidden beaches or diving with sharks and turtles in remarkable marine environments.

LAURA Forsyth

Custom Trip Planner

Born and raised in Saint-Tropez with British parents, Laura grew up surrounded by breathtaking landscapes that sparked her curiosity to explore more of the world. Now living in Paris to pursue her acting studies, she has fallen completely in love with its energy and culture. Over the years, her love for organized yet fun travel grew, along with a desire to share her experiences and insider tips.

Constance Goutay

Custom Trip Planner

Constance is a travel enthusiast and cinephile, originally from Barcelona. With a degree in History and Political Science, she began her career as a filmmaker in Argentina. Fascinated by culture, history, cuisine, and iconic cinema, Constance brings her passion for discovery to every journey. An avid lover of art, she delights in recommending the best museums, galleries, and collections for fellow art enthusiasts. She takes great pleasure in helping craft thoughtful, memorable trips that create a deeper connection to the places you visit.

Mary Fabro

Custom Trip Planner

Mary grew up in Normandy and has lived across Europe and the U.S., giving her a broad perspective on travel and culture. After a successful career as a tech executive, she followed her passion for helping others plan unforgettable trips. A devoted traveler, Mary delights in local cuisine, history, and traditions wherever she goes, and many of her closest friends are people she met on her journeys, sometimes in the most unexpected circumstances. When not guiding travelers, she’s texting her college-aged children with endless enthusiasm or tending to her chickens at home.

Rachel berlin

Custom Trip Planner

Rachel is an American who grew up in Haiti and attended the LycΓ©e FranΓ§ais. She traveled internationally from a young age, sparking a lifelong passion for exploring new places. This passion led her to pursue a degree in international education. Rachel loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for travel, culture, and local experiences with others. When she’s not helping others discover the world, she enjoys turning on some good music and dancing her heart out.

Jeanne pruett

Custom Trip Planner

Born and raised in France, Jeanne has lived in Paris, Brittany, and Reims before moving to the United States over a decade ago. On her first date, her husband admitted he wasn’t very interested in visiting Franceβ€”spoiler: she changed his mind! Her years abroad give her a unique perspective on creating memorable travel experiences. Passionate about travel, art, and gastronomy, Jeanne loves sharing local culture and hidden gems, from family-run vineyards to charming villages and tucked-away bistros.

Camille verney-carron

Custom Trip Planner

A native of France with a passion for gastronomy and culture, Camille has created and managed culinary ventures from premium catering to a plant-based gourmet brand. Her experience with authentic flavors naturally led her to travel, showing her that a region and its people are best discovered through food, landscapes, and cultural heritage. Now based on the CΓ΄te d’Azur, she loves sharing these experiences, and while on holiday, her favorite activity is visiting local markets to immerse herself in the culture.

AmΓ©lie Rivalan

Custom Trip Planner

Originally from Paris, AmΓ©lie moved to Washington D.C. in 2024 and quickly discovered a passion for sharing her love of Franceβ€”its culture, cuisine, and landscapes. A lifelong traveler, she has always sought the best local places to visit, dine, and stay. After a career as a Human Resources Director across Europe, AmΓ©lie now designs bespoke journeys that make every traveler’s experience unforgettable. Beyond travel, she loves dancing, from classical and tap to ragga dancehall.

Margaux Grivelet

Custom Trip Planner

Margaux’s appreciation for life’s simple pleasures began in the Dordogne and continues in Bordeaux, where her deep knowledge of French food, wine, and culture guides travelers seeking authentic experiences. Shaped by her French and Thai roots, she brings a warm, open outlook to every connection and loves sharing the region’s rich blend of influences. And whether she’s waiting for a train or savoring a quiet moment, Margaux is always ready with a book or a deck of cards to pass the time.

Valentine Fauste-gay

Custom Trip Planner

Valentine’s love for travel has been shaped by living and working across countries, from France to Singapore and beyond. Constantly moving between cultures has sparked a deep appreciation for meaningful journeys and shared experiences. Now based in London, Valentine is thrilled to help others discover the joy of travel with Tournesol.

Allyson Bowers

Custom Trip Planner

Allyson’s love for Europe began with a life-changing summer in Barcelona, where I fell in love with the people, culture, food, and language. That experience sparked a lasting connection to Spain and to Europe as a whole. While at university, Allyson spent a year living in Paris, an experience that turned me into a lifelong francophile, and Allyson traveled extensively throughout the continent. After college, Allyson worked for SNCF, becoming an expert in European travel planning. Allyson continues to explore Europe regularly and love helping others plan unforgettable trips and discover new parts of the world with confidence.

Camille Bastide

Custom Trip Planner

Born and raised along the Mediterranean, Camille grew up in a family where travel was simply part of life. With parents constantly exploring new countries and cultures, she developed a deep curiosity about the world from an early age. She has lived in Morocco, Sweden, Peru, and RΓ©union Island, experiences that shaped her open-minded perspective and love for meaningful discovery. Over the years, Camille has learned that travel is not just about seeing places, but about connecting with people, cultures, and moments that stay with you forever. For her, every journey is an opportunity to learn, grow, and create unforgettable memories - and she loves helping others design trips that feel personal, inspiring, and seamless.

Jerome Vrignault

Custom Trip Planner

Born in Paris, where he lived for over 30 years, JΓ©rΓ΄me has dedicated his life to exploring the many facets of France. After a transformative journey around the world, he devoted his career to creating unique and memorable travel experiences: first through adventure tourism, then corporate events in the MICE Industry (Meeting, Incentive, Congress & Events) and now through bespoke luxury travel. Based on the French Riviera, he now designs exclusive and deeply personalized itineraries to reveal France and its hidden gems. His intimate knowledge of numerous French regions, allows him to create authentic, elegant, and emotionally resonant travel experiences for the most discerning travelers.

Valentin gatineaud

Custom Trip Planner

Valentin is a French native from the Lorraine region in eastern France and has been living in Paris since 2021. He began his career in luxury hospitality, working in some of Paris’s refined boutique hotels, where he developed a strong sense of service and built lasting connections with an international clientele. He now enjoys helping travelers experience France in a more personal and meaningful way, from hidden corners of Paris to the gentle rhythm of the countryside. Outside of work, Valentin is a passionate waltz enthusiast and can often be found attending Viennese balls in Paris.

our Operations team

Lauren o’leary

Trip Operations Coordinator

A dual citizen of the United States and France, Lauren spends her summers on the picturesque French Riviera. With friends and family across Europe, she loves immersing herself in different cultures. You might find her basking on the beach, hiking scenic trails, or exploring the villages where her family has deep roots. She also makes a mean homemade croissant, so she doesn’t have to wait for when she travel abroads for a perfect pastry.

NOELLA Auneau

Trip Operations Coordinator

Noella was born and raised in the picturesque Loire Valley, surrounded by historic castles. (Fun fact! Her last name is the name of a town in France). She studied Accounting at the prestigious Sorbonne in Paris before moving to the United States to be with her partner. With a deep passion for cooking, Noella loves sharing cultural traditions and culinary delights. An avid traveler, she enjoys planning trips and helping others discover the beauty, charm, and stories of the places they visit.

Francesca dunoyer

Trip Operations Coordinator

Francesca grew up traveling across France, with a family deeply rooted in French culture. Now a student at the University of Florida, her lifelong passion for travel and connection to Europe bring both precision and heart to her role at Tournesol. Countless summers at her family home outside Nice have fueled her admiration for the travel and inspired her desire to share its beauty.

 

Eddie dunoyer

Trips Operations Coordinator

As a lifelong traveler, Eddie has always had a passion for people, and connections we form with new people while traveling to new places. He looks forward to the chance to help create new connections and new memories for clients on their next European adventure

Dru o’Rourke

Trips Operations Coordinator

Dru has loved traveling her entire life and is passionate about the importance of exploring new places and cultures. She is thrilled by the opportunity to help clients curate their European vacations. Dru lives in Denver where she and her family enjoy hiking, skiing and discovering new mountain towns.

 

Interested in joining our team?