We’re Tripologiste — two friends crafting trips you couldn’t plan with a search bar.
Americans in France, on the ground across Europe, here when inspiration strikes and when the train is late.
Our Story
We’re Jonas Martin and Paul Browning—best friends who turned years of travel, hospitality, and creative problem-solving into a boutique planning studio.
Jonas grew up in Dallas, cut his teeth touring with bands, and later built sets and experiences for Broadway houses and big-name productions in New York. Years on the road honed his read-the-room instincts, crisis-calming presence, and knack for turning strangers into allies—from ticket agents to restaurateurs. Now based in Burgundy, he’s the connector who keeps plans smooth in real time: negotiating fixes, finding the great-but-unbookable, and adjusting days on the fly without losing the magic. He brings Tripologiste a maker’s eye for detail, hospitality-first service, and the steady logistics brain you want when a train is late or an opportunity appears.
Paul was born in Burgundy to a French mother and American father, grew up in Texas with summers back in France, and later studied in Switzerland—collecting languages, train timetables, and a reputation for making complex plans feel easy. In 2024 he moved back to his grandfather’s village in Burgundy to put that cross-cultural life to work. He’s the strategist who turns big-picture wishes into elegant routes: aligning pacing, booking smart, and leaving white space for the good surprises. On the ground, his French fluency and local instincts keep things frictionless—securing tables, smoothing transport snags, and translating nuance so you feel at home. He brings Tripologiste a planner’s rigor, a host’s warmth, and the calm, EU-time presence that makes travel feel effortless.
Tripologiste started the way our favorite trips start: with a good idea, a giant paper map, and time left open for magic. Today we design trips that feel like that: grounded, personal, and full of room for the moments you’ll talk about for years.
Why “Americans in Burgundy” matters
Being based in Burgundy, France means we work on your time—European time. We scout places ourselves, pick up the phone in French, and step in locally when things shift. Need a last-minute table in Lyon? Bag mix-up in Marseille? We’re close enough to help.
What we do
Custom European itineraries that fit how you like to travel—whether that’s art and architecture, food and wine, slow countryside days, or a city-hopping grand tour.
On-the-ground support while you’re traveling—practical help, local fixes, and friendly guidance in EU hours.
See Services & Pricing · FAQs
How we work
Listen. Free consult to learn your style, must-dos, and non-negotiables.
Design. We build a clear plan with built-in breathing room and options.
Book. We lock in the essentials (and flag smart splurges vs. easy saves).
Travel—with backup. You go. We’re nearby if you need us.
What we stand for
We plan thoughtful travel—respecting local rhythms, supporting independent businesses, cutting friction where it doesn’t add meaning, and leaving space for the unexpected good stuff.
Ginger
“They listened, advised, delivered, and respected our budget. Their planning made an ambitious, art-filled Europe trip not just doable, but joyful.”
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Ginger
We started with a long list of cultural sites—many in out-of-the-way villages. Tripologiste did deep research before each meeting and honed it into an exciting, doable plan. In two weeks we went Austin → London → Burgundy → the Riviera → Paris, with reservations assembled and smart downtime built in. As an artist, I’m supremely grateful; this trip will shape my work for years. There’s no way I could’ve done this alone. They listened, advised, delivered, and respected our budget—anticipating the unexpected magic, too.
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Rick
From the first planning session, Tripologiste blended old-school, full-color paper maps with the latest apps and links, so we felt informed at every step. They quickly understood what mattered to us and integrated it beautifully. Their calming presence, reasonable pricing, and solution-oriented approach gave us confidence. International travel can be stressful; with Tripologiste, we felt fully supported and free to enjoy the experience. We’re already looking forward to the next trip because of the magical moments they made possible.
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Heather
I was nervous about a first solo trip to France—and not being fluent—but Jonas and Paul prepped me so well that I never felt like a stranger. They asked what I love, built an itinerary with easy options, helped with the metro, matched me to neighborhoods, and grabbed dinner reservations. It felt like they were on holiday with me (in the best way). Update: I hired them again for Marseille—same smooth experience. Tripologiste is now my go-to for European travel.
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Tara
Even as someone who knows France, having Tripologiste tailor a European road trip was a game-changer. After a few chats and a short questionnaire, we got a flexible, rich plan—from Aurec-sur-Loire through Briançon, Turin, Milan, Lake Como, then Geneva and back to Lyon—scenic routes, clear driving notes, and support throughout.
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Ashley
They listened closely, answered every concern, and built a Google-doc guide packed with tailored suggestions—plus driving tips, currency and culture notes, and a WhatsApp channel for on-the-go help. We might’ve missed Briançon without them. They lifted the planning load so I could actually enjoy the lead-up to vacation.
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Anthony
Their accompanied Burgundy program opened my eyes to the region’s history, beauty, and flavors. From beginning to end, this ranks among my top five world travels. Thank you, P & J—I’ll absolutely use your expertise on future trips to France.
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Jean-Marie
Tripologiste curated a countryside-first France itinerary I couldn’t have pieced together on my own. I wanted horse riding and show jumping; they found venues that matched my skill level and shows along our route, plus a stream of small, local gems. Robust, thoughtful planning—beyond anything a feed can deliver.
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Natasha
As a mother–daughter duo, we wanted something slow and scenic—Tripologiste shaped a Provence–Occitanie loop that balanced markets, olive mills, and tiny hill towns with just-right driving days. After one call, they delivered a day-by-day doc with map pins, timing buffers, and “choose-your-mood” meal ideas, plus quick WhatsApp check-ins when a rail strike popped up. It felt like traveling with a savvy local co-pilot.
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Camille
I traveled solo along the Normandy–Brittany coast, and their plan made it effortless: coastal walks matched to tides, small guesthouses with character, and clear notes on parking, tolls, and rainy-day swaps. The Google doc and pins kept me oriented, and their gentle nudges led me to places I’d have skipped—like a cider farm lunch that became the trip’s highlight. I came home feeling both cared for and wildly independent.
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Ginger
We arrived with a sprawling list of cultural stops—many in tiny villages. Tripologiste researched deeply, then shaped a two-week Austin → London → Burgundy → Riviera → Paris route with reservations, smart downtime, and room for surprise. As an artist, I’m grateful; I couldn’t have done this alone. They listened, advised, delivered—and respected our budget.
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Rick
From day one, they combined tactile paper maps with modern links and apps, quickly grasped what mattered, and wove it into our plan. Calm, solution-oriented, and fairly priced, they kept us informed and at ease. International travel felt effortless—and we’re already planning the next trip thanks to the moments they made possible.
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![Close-up of a woman with dark, wavy hair, wearing a black sweater, in an indoor setting with blurred ceiling lights.]()
Heather
First solo trip to France, not fluent, very nervous—Tripologiste turned that into confidence. They built an itinerary with easy options, matched me to neighborhoods, helped with the metro, and secured dinner reservations. It felt like they were traveling with me. I hired them again for Marseille—same smooth support. They’re now my Europe go-to.
