Wild & Prehistoric FRANCE Including Lascaux II & Rouffignac May 12-25, 2017 We invite you to join Mark Walters on this very special expedition to explore Wild & Prehistoric France! Discover wild areas and prehistoric sites in Haute Provence, the Massif Central, and the Dordogne, including spectacular gorge country populated by raptors, remote villages, and images of the greatest cave paintings in Europe at Lascaux II. In Quinson in Haute Provence, explore the Musée de Préhistoire and the spectacular Gorges du Verdon. Then depart for the Massif Central and its relatively unexplored plateauland, Les Causses, interspersed with breathtaking gorges and numerous prehistoric dolmen and stone circles. In the town of Roquefort, see the standing stone and look for blackcaps, woodpeckers, firecrests and other woodland bird species. Then explore the Causses and the geologic wonder of Cirque de Navacelles. Learn about the griffon vulture reintroduction program at Gorges de la Jonte, and the prehistory of ancient Millau, an important cross roads in antiquity. Explore the Vezère Valley, a hot-spot for prehistoric finds of both Neanderthal and Cromagnon man. Enjoy a picnic and walk on the Grand Randonner. See the cave paintings in Lascaux II, then follow the river to another spectacular cave, Rouffignac. The trip will culmi nate in Provence in Arles, Fontvieille, and Les Baux, a spectacular medieval town with wonderful views across the Camargue and Rhone Valley. Join us for an extraordinary adventure in France! Sincerely, Margaret M. Betchart, President For AAAS Travels & Sigma Xi Expeditions
LEADERSHIP Leading this expedition will be Mark Walters. Travel writer, university lecturer, and naturalist, Mark has an MA from Cambridge University in the Classics, Archaeology and Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental Management. He has published widely in fields ranging from linguistics to natural history and archaeology, with his most recent contributions being for Fodor s and Time Out travel guides. He also leads historical and natural history expeditions to Greece, Tuscany, and Sicily. Though currently based in southern Italy, Mark is a self-confessed Francophile, having traveled extensively in France since the 1960 s. He is looking forward to sharing his love of archaeology, pre history, and nature, and his enthusiasm for French culture and language with expedition members. ITINERARY Days 1/2 New York to Marseille Depart from New York for Paris and take a connecting flight to Marseille. Transfer on own to the Best Western Marseille Hotel. Evening at leisure. Day 3 Marseille to Greoux les Bains This morning we will explore Vieux Marseille and tour the Museum of the Roman Docks. We will then drive to Greoux les Bains, our first stop en route to the Gorges du Verdon. Enjoy a welcome social and dinner at Hotel des Alpes (2 nights). B,D Day 4 Quinson, Haute Provence Drive to Quinson to visit the Musée de Préhistoire, designed and constructed by worldfamous architect Sir Norman Foster. This state-ofthe-art museum will guide us through the various periods of prehistory in France and will also raise the issue of conservation of Paleolithic sites. After our guided tour, we will stock up with picnic provisions at the local epicerie and have a picnic on the leafy bank of the River Verdon. We will then explore the gorge the site of so many prehistoric finds by boat or foot. Evening lecture. B,L,D Day 5 Les Causses, Massif Central & Millau This morning, we will have an early de parture westwards towards the Massif Central and its relatively unexplored plateauland, Les Causses, interspersed with breath taking gorges, stretching across south central France. Homo sapiens have inhabited the area since Paleolithic times. We will focus on the curious Neolithic remains dotting the land scape, on stone circles, megalithic dolmen, and menhir. After a light lunch at the ancient Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, we will arrive in Millau and explore historic sites in the town center. Cevenol Hotel (3 nights). B,D Day 6 Roquefort & Millau Today we will explore the river valley below the town of Roquefort to see the standing stone
placed incongruously on the river bed. This will give us an opportunity to listen for blackcaps, robins, woodpeckers, firecrests and other predominantly woodland bird species. At the town of Roquefort we will view one of the traditional caves used for cheese-making. Have lunch at the caves in Roquefort with an afternoon visit to the Museum of Paleontology and Archaeology. Besides the wealth of fossil remains, we will see signs of continuous occupation from the Neolithic onwards as Millau was an important crossroads in antiquity. B,L Day 7 Gorges de la Jonte & Cirque de Navacelles Today we will follow the Tarn River valley northeast into the Gorges de la Jonte. This is the site of a griffon vulture reintro duction program which can be viewed from Belvedere des Autours. We will explore and learn more about flora and fauna of this fascinating place. After lunch, we will cross architect Norman Foster s remarkable bridge spanning the River Tarn. We then drive past rolling fields and pastures of the Causses via Alzon to the geological wonder of the Cirque de Navacelles, a remarkably eroded gorge testifying to the dynamic land scapes of the area. We will take a short walk past stone circles and a dolmen on the deserted plateauland of the Causses. B,D Day 8 Albi, The Dordogne & Les Eyzies We will depart this morning for the Dordogne, the center of prehistory in France. Our route takes us cross-country to Albi. Like so many towns in the interior of France, Albi is beautifully preserved and idyllically located on the Tarn River. Our first visit will be to the medieval cathedral-cum-fortress of Ste Cecile towering impressively over the rest of the old town. Close to the cathedral is the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Albi is the artist Albi s birthplace, and the museum houses the most comprehensive collection of his works and has a small prehistory section. Continue to Les Eyzies on the River Vezère. Hotel des Roches (3 nights). B Day 9 Lascaux II Take a morning walk on a Grand Randonner, one of the many sign-posted trails running through rural France from Le Moustier towards La Madeleine. This is an introduction to the Vezère Valley, the hot spot of prehistoric settlements in Europe. Visit Rogue Saint Christopher, the site of millenia of settlements on limestone terraces carved by the River Vezère. In the afternoon, we ll specialize in paleolithic cave paintings and explore Lascaux II. Ranking as number one among prehistoric sites in Europe, the cave at Lascaux was discovered in 1940. Although the cave has now been closed to the public, the facsimile cave reproduces two galleries from the upper part of the original. After our guided tour of Lascaux II we will follow the river back towards Les Eyzies for another spectacular cave, Rouffignac. Because of the delicate environment within the cave and the possible damage to its paintings, visitor numbers are severely restricted. We will
take a train into the caves and see the prehistoric drawings, especially of mammoths. Day 10 Vezère Valley, Abri Pataud & Sarlat In Paleolithic times, the limestone overhangs and caves were used as shelters and burial sites by groups hunting reindeer which migrated through the Vezère Valley. One of the reindeer river crossings must have been close to Les Eyzies, as this whole area is a hot spot of prehistoric finds for both Neanderthal man and Cromagnon man, our direct ancestor. This morning visit the Museum of Prehistory and learn about the many finds often spanning several thousand years at the same site. Nearby is Abri Pataud, a shelter used in Paleolithic times and focal point for multi-disciplinary studies on early mankind, ranging from the study of living or fossil plant spores or pollen to forensic medicine. Have a picnic on the banks of the Vezère in Les Eyties. We will head to the beautifully preserved town of Sarlat for an evening guided tour by gaslight. B,L,D Day 11 Arles, Provence This morning we travel south east to Arles. Commanding a strategic point in the Rhone Valley, Arles flourished in Roman times and is considered the heart-and-soul of Provence. Lunch en route at the Canal du Midi near Carcassonne. In the afternoon we will visit the Musée de Arles Antiques, a museum recently opened at the western end of the ancient Circus Maximus near the banks of the Rhone. We will view the well-displayed prehistoric and Roman sections in order to get a clearer idea of land use and settle ments in ancient times. Hotel du Forum (3 nights). B Day 12 Fontvieille, Les Alpilles & Les Baux Our first stop this morning is Font vieille, site of a megalithic chamber, one of many to be found in the calcareous landscape of Les Alpilles. This is also the location of Les Baux, a finely preserved medieval town complete with a chateau affording wonderful vistas across the plains of the Camargue and the Rhone Valley. B,L Day 13 La Palissade, Camargue Today we head south of Arles into the Camargue, the low-lying area between the Grand Rhone and the Petit Rhone, considered one of the finest wetlands in Europe. Our destination is La Palissade. Here we will look for the greater flamingo, found in the Camargue through out the year, as well as a variety of other birds like the European beeeater and little tern. We will also learn
about the salt extraction industry which began in Roman times. After a picnic underneath the stone pines at La Palissade, we return to Arles. Farewell dinner in celebration of wild and prehistoric France. B,L,D Day 14 Marseille Transfer to the Marseille airport for our return flights home. B RESPONSIBILITY Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and The Planetary Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to trans portation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. We can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident, or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. Operation of the ship is solely the responsibility of Skorpios Cruises, Chile. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, acts of God, terrorism, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrange ments are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. 2016 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons and Mark Walters. CST# 2036304-40 Yes! I/we want to join the Wild France Expedition, May 12-25, 2017, offered by AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi, ACS, and The Planetary Society. Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $ ($500 per person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Age Address City State Zip Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Email Address Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: RESERVATIONS #1457 Twin Single Twin Share: with a friend or Nonsmoker Smoker assign a roommate Signature Date Signature Date Please Mail To: Wild France 2017 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 SIGMA XI ACS The Planetary Society THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY
AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 FIRST CLASS Wild & Prehistoric FRANCE! May 12-25, 2017 COSTS & CONDITIONS Trip Fee: $3,995 per person twin share for 14 days, plus air fare of approximately $1,995 including tax from New York to Paris and Marseilles, round trip. Air Fare: Air fare quoted is a special fare with Air France. AIR FARES AND TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Accommodations: Are in first class or country style hotels which reflect the charm and heritage of France, and are well situated for visits to prehistoric sites, nature reserves, shops, and walking paths. We encourage singles to register on a twin share basis. Limited singles are available for a supplement of $795. What to Expect: This expedition is planned for the travel enthusiast who would enjoy exploring and learning about the fascinating heritage of France, includ ing world renowned caves with prehistoric cave paintings plus wild places and birdlife of Southern France. Travel is by motorcoach, with daily outings on foot of 1 to 2 miles at a leisurely pace suitable for exploring prehistoric sites, museums, medieval cities and wooded footpaths. Exploration requires some walking up and downhill. Please be prepared to actively explore on foot. This expedition is a tremendous experience for travelers with an appetite for adventure and discovery who would like to explore off- the-beaten-track locations in south central France with an excellent leader. (No smoking in vehicles, during lectures, or meals, please.) Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations in first class and country style hotels which reflect the cultural heritage of France; most meals; tips to drivers and guides; group entrance fees; baggage handling; leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International air fare (quoted separately); some meals; independent airport transfers; gratuity to expedi tion leader; personal items such as alcoholic bever ages, laundry, phone calls, bottled water, snacks, passport, personal insurance. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: Please mail a deposit of $500 per person to: Wild France 2017 Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Final payment is due 60 days before departure. Questions: Please call Marisa Eide at Betchart Expeditions Inc. Phone: (800) 252-4910 or (408) 252-4910 Fax: (408) 252-1444 Email: marisa@betchartexpeditions.com Look on the Web: www.betchartexpeditions.com Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before departure, less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund for any cancellation after the 60 day period unless your space can be resold; then a $100 per person handling fee applies. No refunds are made for unused services.