Welcome to TripUSAFrance!

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1 Welcome to TripUSAFrance! Your Guides Hi there! We are Julia and Stephane from Montpellier, France. We started our tour company to share our passion for our French culture and our local knowledge. There are so many wonderful parts of France that are not easy for tourists to get to and explore, which is why we are here to help. Our mission is to help people who are interested in France to have a cultural trip where they can experience the country as temporary locals, not the average tourists bouncing around in a crowd or waiting in long lines and getting stuck in tourist traps. We will help you make a deeper connection with the country and understand what it is like to live there, while fulfilling the desire to see amazing sites and make lasting memories. We do this by keeping our groups small, giving each traveler lots of personal attention, planning fun activities to build rapport in the group, less time on the road, more time enjoying the region, and including handpicked local sites and experiences that you just can't get with one of the big tours! Your Tour We put together a custom tour just for your group that is full of our favorite sites and local secrets. You will spend 12 nights at a newly renovated boutique hotel located in a fun little fisherman town, right on the edge of the beach! From here we take you on our daily trips and at night you arrive back home to the same hotel each night for your convenience, no packing and unpacking all the time. All of our hand selected sites and activities are chosen to give you a great cultural experience of the best the region has to offer. We included cities with rich Roman history and relics, medieval walled cities and towns that have stood the test of time to allow you to walk back into the days of kings and queens, villages where nature and architecture enhance the beauty of one another, fantastic art exhibits with works from some of history's most famous artists, excellent wineries and local restaurants to give you an authentic taste of France, and fun French activities and tours with local residents so you can learn more about the culture and enjoy making new friends. We can't wait to show you all this and more, look below and see your complete custom tour of the South of France!

2 DAY 1: Pick up & Check-in, Palavas-les-Flots, Maguelone's Cathedral Saturday, April 13th Welcome dinner After picking you up from Montpellier's airport or train station in the afternoon, we will drive you to your hotel in Palavas-les-Flots, an authentic French beach town, where you will have some free time to relax and unpack. You will then have the opportunity to discover the hidden historical site of Maguelone's Cathedral, which Pope Urban II declared upon his visit in 1096 as "second only to that (cathedral) of Rome". We will then have our welcoming dinner at a French restaurant in a little village not far from Palavas that offers a cosy-vintage ambiance and excellent food. A real gem! DAY 2: Nimes Roman City, Wine Tasting at Chateau Flaugergues Sunday, April 14th Lunch in Nimes, Today we will spend the Free evening morning in Nimes, home to the finest collection of Roman architecture in all of France, including a magnificent amphitheater and a 2000-year-old temple. We will enjoy our lunch in the historical center and then visit the splendid "Jardin de la Fontaine" an 18th century park. Mid-afternoon we will head to the Chateau de Flaugergues winery, built at the end of the 16th century by wealthy aristocrats, where a wine tasting will be waiting for you. Vines have been grown on this spot since Roman times and they make excellent wine! We will then return to Palavas-les-Flots, your home base beach town, where you will spend your evening freely. You will be able to eat at one of the delicious restaurants of Palavas from our recommendation list. At the port, at the beach or in the city center there will be many different options for you to spend your free evenings in Palavas! DAY 3: St-Guilhem-le-Desert, Chateau Jonquière, French Picnic Monday, April 15th Lunch in St Guilhem, We will visit one of the Dinner French Picnic most beautiful villages of France, St-Guilhem-le-Desert, on the road of Santiago de Compostela (a Pilgrimage road recognized on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1998). The picturesque architecture and the wonderful abbey will bring you back in time. Enjoy the peaceful feeling as you wander through the cobbled streets and archways of this medieval village while learning about the life of Saint Guilhem, grandson of Charles Martel and cousin of Charlemagne. In the afternoon we will visit the nearby Château de Jonquières where the owner of the winery will give us a fun and educational lesson about wine-making and give us a wine-tasting. Early evening, after a break at your hotel, we will then gather for one of the highlights of our tour: a homemade picnic catered by Julia's mother! The menu includes Quiches, Tapenade, Charcuterie, Wine and more, a gourmet French meal! You will also get to try your hand at "Petanque", the backyard game of Southern France.

3 DAY 4: Avignon, Biscuit Factory, Pont du Gard Tuesday, April 16th Lunch in Avignon Discover the magnificent Free evening Avignon's historical center, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO for: The Papal Palace (1252) a former home to 7 successive Popes, the Pont d'avignon which inspired the famous kid's song and also its episcopal ensemble (the ramparts and churches) and more. We will have a fabulous lunch on the main square in front of the entrance to the Palace. Our last stop in town is a traditional biscuiterie to try some of the famous sweets of Provence and grab some snacks for the road. Next we head off to visit a masterpiece of ancient architecture: the Pont du Gard, a massive 2000 year old Roman aqueduct. It is a milestone of civic engineering and one of the greatest monuments of France that stands as a reminder of the tremendous power of the Roman Empire. Upon arriving home you have the evening free to relax or walk around the busy village and have dinner at a restaurant by the port. DAY 5: Marseille Soap Factory, Art Center, Aix-en-Provence, Cezanne Wednesday, April 17th Lunch in Aix-en-Provence Our first stop is a 100 year old Dinner in Sète Soap factory where generations of soap makers continue the tradition of making "Savon de Marseille", a historical regional product. You will learn about the process of soap making, enjoy the fabulous smell, and then explore the cute little boutique to maybe bring back home some of this famous award winning soap. Next we continue in Aix-en-Provence, one of the most beautiful cities in Provence. We start with a visit of the "Hotel de Caumont", an 18th century mansion converted into an art center where you will learn about the city's most famous painter Cézanne, visit the exhibitions, and afterwards enjoy a refined lunch in the magnificent cafe. You will then explore Aix's downtown and finish by visiting the Cezanne's workshop to appreciate his masterpieces and step into the world of the painter himself. After a short break back at the hotel we will dine in the nearby picturesque port city of Sète, also known as Venice of the Languedoc for its canal network, and relax as the evening winds down. DAY 6: Carcassonne Medieval City, Windmill, Red Marble Quarry Thursday, April 18th Lunch Carcassonne Free evening We will spend the morning exploring the exceptional medieval city of Carcassonne. The citadel derives its reputation from its massive double surrounding walls spanning 1.9 miles and 52 defensive towers. Walking atop the ramparts and surveying the lands, you will feel like you are in a movie, maybe because of the Robin Hood movie scenes filmed here! The town has about 5,000 years of history and has seen the Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and Crusaders. After enjoying some regional Southwestern French cuisine, we will head to Villeneuve-Minervois to see a windmill from Here you will learn about the mill's functioning & the making of flour. Afterwards we arrive at the Red Marble Quarry for a guided tour. Learn about the geology, the natural habitat and the history of the Quarry and its unique rock that was used extensively in architectural design in France and Italy during the 17th century, and can even be found in the Grand Trianon in Versailles! After this memorable day in the Midi-Pyrenées region consider relaxing at the wine bar of your hotel or walk down to the beach and enjoy some ice cream while watching the sunset!

4 DAY 7: Farmers Market, Montpellier, Fabre Museum, Cooking Class Friday, April 19th Lunch in Montpellier This morning enjoy the Dinner: Cooking Class local market across from your hotel and discover all the colorful flavors of the South. Later in the morning we will go visit the gorgeous downtown of Montpellier, 8th biggest city of France. Start with the park du Peyrou, the Cathedral St-Pierre, and finish by a visit of the downtown - a mix of big avenues "Paris style" and narrow medieval streets. Be ready to fall in love with Montpellier! After some delicious crepes for lunch at one of the best creperies in town, we will finish the city tour by a stop at the museum Fabre. Founded in 1825, this exceptional museum houses one of France s richest collections of European art, a must visit! After your break, we will meet again for our cooking class with a local French chef. It's time for you to hone your cooking skills and tackle French cuisine with the help of an expert, or simply sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the fun ambiance. We will then enjoy the fabulous meal that you made and all go home with the recipes as a souvenir! DAY 8: Baux-de-Provence, Carrières Lumières, St-Paul-de-Mausole, Olive Oil Mill Saturday, April 20th Lunch in Les Baux-de-Provence Today we visit Les-Baux- Free evening de-provence and the beauty of this Provençal village will take your breath away. You will have time to explore the medieval streets, look over the artisan shops, or slow down at a cafe and watch the people come and go. After lunch we will see the fascinating art, light & sound show: Les Carrières de Lumières. The art show takes place in a former quarry and will be showcasing art from famous artists. Next we will visit the 11th century Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastary to appreciate the beautiful architecture of the Provençal Romansque style. It is here where Vincent Van Gogh sought sanctuary at the end of his life and also painted many iconic pieces including his famous "Starry Night" in Another amazing location we will visit is the Moulin Castelas Olive Oil Mill. Here they produce some of the best olive oil in the region and the tour and extensive oil tasting is eye opening and delicious! Our last stop of the day is the Montmajour Abbaye which is noted for its 11th 14th-century graves, carved in the rock, its subterranean crypt, and its massive unfinished church. It is a picturesque location with very interesting history and has been a source of inspiration for artists, including Van Gogh. After this fun and activity filled day you will arrive back at your hotel for a free evening to relax. DAY 9: Camargue: Flamingos, Aigues-Mortes, Manade (French Ranch) Sunday, April 21st Lunch Aigues-Mortes The Camargue is a unique Dinner in Montpellier wetland natural environment to South of France which is a source of pride and culture to those living in the region. In the morning you will have the pleasure of seeing the famous Camargue flamingos in their natural habitat at the Park du Pont de Gau, one of the best spots to birdwatch in France. After taking some time to watch and appreciate the natural beauty and wildlife at the park we will then head over to Aigues-Mortes, a medieval fortified port city rich with history and also was the location where the 7th and 8th crusades were launched. For lunch we will have a wonderful traditional Camargue meal and you will be able to wander the streets and shops among the locals and gaze at the walls and architecture of the city. To continue experiencing the Camargue we will next visit a "Manade" which is a French bull ranch and learn about the French cowboy, the Camargue culture and traditions and see the beautiful Camargue bulls and horses which are an important part of this culture. After some fun at the ranch we will take you back for a short break at the hotel to get ready to return to Montpellier for a group dinner to end the night.

5 DAY 10: Couvertoirade, Millau's Viaduc, Roquefort Factory Monday, April 22nd Lunch in La Couvertoirade Today we wake up and hit the Free evening road to Roquefort. Along the way we stop at Couvertoirade, a tiny medieval village with it's castle and walls intact, built by the Knights Templars and later the Hospitallers! Close your eyes, take a deep breath, imagine you are in the 15th century, then open your eyes and you might believe it is real! Follow the guide and walk the walls, explore the castle, wander the village, maybe even hike up the hill to the windmill if you choose. After departing we will drive on the architectural marvel Viaduc de Millau, the tallest bridge in the world! You will also learn about this joint project by English and French engineers with an explanatory guided tour. Once in Roquefort we will visit the amazing underground Roquefort Cave cheese factory and go on a tour where you will learn about the unique characteristics of the cave and the intricate process of making this iconic French cheese before tasting it. After our fun day you will arrive back at your hotel and enjoy a free evening in your lovely hometown, Palavas-les-flots. DAY 11: Arles Roman City & Van Gogh Home Tuesday, April 23rd Lunch in Arles, Today you will visit one of Dinner in Le Grau du Roi the most iconic town of Porvence: Arles. Famous for its many Roman monuments and being the place where Van Gogh called home for 9 years. If you are a fan of his work the city may feel familiar as he painted over 200 works here! We will start our city tour with the Van Gogh walking tour with a local expert which will take you in Vincent s footsteps to the places by which he was inspired. While learning about Van Gogh life you will also be able to enjoy the beauty of Arles downtown and see all the Roman vestiges. After lunch we will complete our Arles city tour with a visit of the Alyscamps, a scenic ancient Roman necropolis (cemetery) where Van Gogh loved to stroll and the Langlois Bridge, a drawbridge that was the subject of several paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. After a short break at your hotel we will head to the coastal town of Le Grau du Roi for a delicious seafood dinner to end the night. DAY 12: Oyster Farm, Canal du Midi & Boat Ride, Brewery, 9 Locks Wednesday, April 24th Lunch on river cruise Oysters are an important Farewell Dinner staple in French cuisine and today you are in for a special treat with a visit of Julia's uncle's oyster farm. You will get to learn about the process of oyster farming and taste the fresh oysters if you like. Next we will visit the nearby magical, picturesque Canal du Midi which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Here we will enjoy lunch on a relaxing 2.5hrs barge ride down the river, a great experience with friends! Conveniently located nearby is the Brasserie Alaryk where we will stop and discover the artisanal & organic beer making methods they use. The tour includes a delicious beer tasting. Our last stop by the Canal is the 9 locks of Fonserranes, an architectural masterpiece, at the time of its construction considered to be one of the wonders of the world by allowing boats to ascend 21.5 metres. On our way back we will have our farewell dinner. Unfortunately it is time to leave the South of France. We will drop you off at the airport or train station in the morning and help make sure that everything is well coordinated for you to travel stress free. We hope we will have succeeded our mission: sharing our culture and region for a vacation full of memories and smiles. Thursday, April 25th Check out before 12 pm - Drop off at MPL airport or Train Station

6 Accomodation 12 Nights at the fabulous boutique hotel Les Coquilles in Palavas-lès-Flots. Located across from the beach, this hotel has a 9.6/10 rating on Booking.com. Our travelers love the authentic French breakfast, the comfortable beds, cleanliness and the size of the rooms, the proximity to the sea and the town center, the wine shop/bar in the lobby, and the hospitality of the owners. Palavas-lès-Flots Your Home Town Palavas, for a shorter version, is located at the beach. This city, which is unknown to most foreigners, has a very authentic feel to it and offers many activities such as walking by the Mediterranean or the port, many shops and ice cream places, bars and restaurants, parks, a church etc...there will always be something for you to do during your free time. Restaurant Details All breakfasts, lunches, and 7 of your dinners are included in the tour price. We take care to select restaurants offering great food as it is an important part of your experience. There are many restaurants serving local French food nearby your hotel and all around Palavas-lès-Flots. A list of recommendations will be provided on arrival for your free evenings. Vegetarians and vegans are more than welcome on our tour and there are always options that suit these diets.

7 Edited: April 3rd, 2018 Travelers Quote: 8-12 People Private Group Traveling Dates: Saturday, April 13th to Thursday, April 25th, 2019 Price Per Person Group Disount Total Per Person 15% Deposit Per Person 8 $4,712 $130 $4,582 $ $4,712 $190 $4,522 $ $4,712 $250 $4,462 $ Extra $350 for Solo Travelers (individual room) Upgrade to Sea View & Balcony Room for $320/room Save an extra $120/person if you pay by check What's included: 2 local tour guides: Julia & Stephane 12 hotel nights 12 breakfasts & lunches 7 dinners including a homemade French picnic 1 drink at lunch & dinner (glass of wine/beer/soft) Daily water & snacks Transportation to all sites / activities Welcome present: souvenirs of Southern France Pick up and drop off to Montpellier's airport or train station Cell phones + Sim cards to contact your guides at any time Personal help to find your flight to MPL & coordinate your trip All entry fees Each site/monument comes with a guided tour by Julia or other partner guides, or with audio guides 1 cooking class 1 boat tour on the Canal du Midi 1 educational wine making tour + tasting 1 winery chateau tour + tasting 1 brewery tour + tasting 1 biscuiterie tour + tasting 1 Roquefort cheese factory tour + tasting 1 oyster farm tour + tasting Gratuities What's not included: Transportation to France 5 dinners Drinks besides water and the 1 drink included at lunch & dinner Travel insurance T R I P U SA FRANCE JULIA@TRIPUSAFRANCE.COM