Expeditions to France

Expedition leader Carole Devillers was born in France and spent her childhood in Paris which she learned to love and discover as her father took her to the various museums and attractions. When the family moved to Marseilles, she spent her adolescence discovering the Provence region. Today she invites you along for an intimate look at her native land. What better way to discover and understand France than to explore its many facets with a French photographer? Not only will you understand French culture better without the language barrier, but you may get to learn some French too!


PROVENCE - On the Lavender roads - Focusing on lavender, nature and medieval villages
DATES: June 29 - July 08, 2011, 10 days/9 nights
PRICE: $4,250 (land arrangements only, based on single occupancy).
ARRIVAL: June 29th. You need to leave the USA on June 28th to arrive the next morning in Paris.
DEPARTURE: July 8th from Paris.

OPTION: One extra day in Paris $295 (June 28) (includes hotel, B,D, sightseeing and tour leader services)

We will be taking the high speed TGV train from CDG airport for a 3-hour ride to Avignon, located on the left bank of the Rhône river and capital of the Vaucluse department in Provence. (You may be interested to know that Avignon is twinned with Wichita KS, and New Haven CT).
We'll spend two days in Avignon and then explore Provence from a country Bed & Breakfast chosen as our base: medieval villages, provencal markets and lavender fields will fill our days.
Returning to Paris by TGV on July 7th, we'll end the tour with one night in the City of Light.

HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

- AVIGNON - THE PALAIS DES PAPES (Popes Palace) (1D)
Built in the 14th century and the biggest Gothic structure in the world, the Palace became the residence of the Popes fleeing violent chaos in Rome. Although the popes left Avignon in 1377 to return to Rome, the palace remained under papal control for the next 350 years. It is now a national museum.

Accommodated in the historic quarter, within walking distance of the Palace and the famous Pont d'Avignon (St-Benezet), we will stroll at night fall and photograph the illuminations of old Avignon.

- THE PONT DU GARD (PN)
A UNESCO Heritage site, this impressive bridge was built by the Roman Empire over 2000 years ago to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (some 30 miles long) to cross the Gardon river. We'll spend time photographing the beautiful and formidable aqueduc, a monumental feat of engineering and architecture.
We'll enjoy a gourmet picnic in nature by the Gardon river.

- VISITS of MEDIEVAL VILLAGES in the LUBERON REGION (1L)
Gordes - Ménerbes - Oppede - Lacoste - Roussillon are photogenic villages perched on hilltops that we will explore. Sault and Apt, centers of the lavender growing region, will also be included in our excursions and we'll stop in off-the-beaten path villages as we go along.

- THE EMBLEMATIC FIELDS OF LAVENDER
In full bloom and quite awesome, the purple fields of Provence are mesmerizing. We'll spend time in them, trying various compositions with the Provencal landscapes, while inebriated by the fragrant flowers.

- COUNTRY MARKETS (1PN)
What a delight to savor the first strawberry or the first cherry of the season! In France we make a wish when we eat our first fruit of the season. It's a way of welcoming summer and honoring the season. Besides photographing the appealing fruit stalls, we'll purchase wonderful local produce and specialties for a picnic. The sun is warm, the sky is blue, cicadas chirr and joy is in the air. Vive la Provence!

- PARIS (D)- A farewell dinner in the cave of a medieval Gallo-Roman 12th century chapel-turned restaurant.

Expedition Cost: $4,250 (land arrangement only, based on single occupancy).
Reservations: A $1,000 per person deposit is required to secure a place on our expeditions, which can be paid via Paypal (with 3% fee) or by check. The balance is due 90 days prior to beginning of expedition.
Group Size: minimum 2, maximum 6. Under 4 sign-ups, a small-group supplement of $400 pp will be requested.

*Expedition Cost includes:
Accommodations: 2-star hotel accommodations in Avignon, country B&B in Provence and 3-star hotel in Paris; round-trip 2nd class TGV train CDG airport/Avignon/Paris Gare de Lyon; taxi transfer from Paris train station to hotel; chauffeured ground transportation by minivan; all breakfasts, 5 meals as indicated (L-lunch, PN-picnic, D-dinner); entrance fees at Palais des Papes and Pont St Benezet in Avignon; services of expedition leader.

Cost does NOT include:
Airfare to/from your home city and Paris; transfer from Paris hotel to CDG airport (you will receive proper transportation directions with itinerary); taxis or public transportation taken on your own; beverages at meals (whether bottled water, non-alcoholic, or alcoholic); meals not indicated in itinerary; items of personal nature and incidentals; luggage porters; mandatory travel insurance; entrance fees not mentioned above; passport fees; tips and gratuities.

NOTE: American and Canadian nationals do NOT need visa to enter France. Other nationals should check with their French consulate. You need a valid passport.

For complete details, see our General Information page.