Charleston Huguenots Exploring France!
Charleston Huguenots in France!
September 25 – October 4, 2023
Join fellow Charleston Huguenots on a delightful excursion in France this fall!
Our group will number 10 – 14 travelers – the perfect size for in-depth exploration of local stories, gastronomy, and a sense of place. Our itinerary will take us to Paris (3 nights), where we’ll join local experts to imbibe in history, art, the culinary scene, and Parisian highlights. We’ll enjoy a local excursion to nearby Meaux, site of France’s first Huguenot Church, and brimming with Brie cheese, cider, and World War I stories.
We’ll then travel to the pretty city of Lyon (2 nights), at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, in France’s heartland. Lyon is one of Europe’s most atmospheric cities and a culinary capital . . . and we’ll taste the “first fruits” on a guided culinary excursion. History, anyone? Stories will stretch from Roman settlement at the “confluence,” to Jean Moulin and the amazing story of the French Resistance during World War II. We’ll enjoy a scenic day excursion into the foothills of the Alps, where we’ll learn firsthand about cheese production on the village level.
Our final “hub” will be the stunning town of Le Puy-en-Velay (2 nights), defined by its setting among volcanic rock spires. Nearby lies the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon: site of a massive rescue of Jews and others fleeing Nazi barbarity, that spanned World War II. These heroic efforts were led and organized by the inspired Huguenot leaders of Le Chambon. Israel declared Le Chambon’s residents to be “Righteous Among the Nations,” and the village has been recognized multiple times by the French government.
Enjoy multiple nights in each place discovering the local terroir, historical links to French Huguenots, and discovery of “the real France.” Allons-y – let’s go!
Click below to read the full itinerary & details, and reserve your spot today!
Trip Pricing
$5,495 / person (based on double occupancy; single room supplement, $1,200)
What’s included in the price?
Ground transportation in France (included chartered coaches, metros, trains, and airport shuttle service); accommodation with breakfast for 8 nights in high-standard hotels in France; all activities per the itinerary; 3 group lunches and 5 group dinners; guide and concierge service throughout the trip.
Not included: Airfare, alcohol (except for group tastings listed in the itinerary), other meals, independent activities, or trip insurance.
How do I sign up?
Sign up for this trip directly through Explore Up Close. It’s simple and easy to register online!
To sign up, click the registration button below to complete your trip registration form and submit your deposit payment.
After registering for the trip and submitting your deposit payment of $1,000 / person, the trip balance will be due 90 days prior to the departure date, or June 27, 2023.
You can pay the balance at your convenience, by clicking the “Pay Now” button on the right side of your trip invoice that you received by email after booking.
Your deposit is fully refundable until 90 days before the trip begins (June 27, 2023), minus a $100 service fee. We recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your payment in case of an unexpected cancellation after this date. Find more details about trip insurance below!
Click the button below to complete the online registration form, and pay your deposit via our secure online payment portal.
Registration will remain open while there is space available. Book your spot today!
Travel Documents, Flights, & Trip Insurance
Passports
For American citizens, a valid passport is required to enter France. Please make sure that your passport will be valid for at least six months after your scheduled return date to the US. If you need to renew your passport before the trip, we recommend starting that process as soon as possible! Please let us know if you have any questions.
Flights
We will fly into and depart from Paris. We encourage travelers to book the flights that suit them best. If you need assistance booking your flight, please contact us and we will gladly put you in contact with our travel agent.
Trip Insurance
We highly recommend travel insurance, which protects you and your trip investment in the event that you must cancel or leave a trip unexpectedly. Our travel agent can assist you in booking trip insurance, or you may prefer to contact a travel insurance providers directly to request a quote.
A few trip insurance companies you may wish to consider:
Travel Guard: www.travelguard.com
Allianz: www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Generali: www.generalitravelinsurance.com/
The website www.insuremytrip.com is also a helpful resource for comparing pricing & features.
Covid-19 Travel Requirements:
Covid-19 vaccination and testing are no longer required to enter France, or to return home to the United States at the end of the trip.
We will keep you informed in the event of any changes prior to our trip.
If you have questions, please contact Caroline Cope Khoury (contact information listed below) to discuss!
Questions about this trip?
Please contact Caroline Cope Khoury at (864) 384-6947 or caroline@exploreupclose.com