Terms & Conditions

Please read this document thoroughly before booking a trip.

Responsibility:
Discover France (DF) acts as an agent in securing all aspects of these tours and is responsible to the participants for the arrangements, services, and accommodations included only in such capacity. DF, its agents, and/or employees shall not be responsible for personal injury or property damage arising out of the act of negligence of any direct or associated carrier, hotel, or other person rendering services or accommodations; nor is DF responsible for injury, death, damage, loss, or delay in any means of transportation or any event beyond the actual control of DF, its agents or suppliers or due to force majeure. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable, for any reason, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made. Additional expenses, if any, will be paid by passengers, likewise, any savings will be shared by passengers. DF reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain at any time, any person as a participant of any tour, or to cancel any tour. Instruction in bicycle use is not provided, and participants assume all risks associated with the activity they have booked; and participants affirm they are familiar with the operation of a multispeed bicycle. By completing this booking you affirm that you and all participants are in good health and capable of engaging in the activity you are booking. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. .

Reservations, Deposits, and Final Payment
AGREEMENT: by completing this booking form and signing your acceptance either by hand writing or by typing your name; you agree that you accept all Terms herein and that this is a directive to perform services on your behalf. All persons named in this booking are subject to this agreement and your signature implies acceptance of all terms by all participants named and that as signer, you have made all persons aware of the terms – regardless of how final payment is made.

A deposit of 250 EUROS per person is required at the time of tour confirmation. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. The tour price is per person based on double occupancy and includes those items mentioned in the itinerary, plus any prepaid optional items. Single room requests are subject to supplemental charges, and must be requested at time of booking. Group sizes are limited to a maximum and a minimum; a deposit will confirm space. A reservation is made by completing our online booking form or fax form. You may make your reservation tentatively by phone, or provide a credit card number by phone, but all bookings must be made by online system or by fax form in writing. This is to ensure that you are familiar with these terms and our release of liability.

At the time of reservation, a credit card is required to book and hold space. Your credit card will be charged 250 EUROS per person once the entire program is confirmed. If the requested tour is not available, you will not be charged, but offered an alternative, which you can choose to accept or decline. The deposit of 250 EUROS will be deducted from the final amount due, which due is 60 days prior to tour start. You may prepay at any time if you find a favorable exchange rate. See FAQs for more information.

Final Payment in Euros can be made by Visa or Mastercard credit card, or by wire transfer (bank transfer or via forex broker). We will remind you of your final payment date in advance and give you the option to pay using any of these methods. We can only accept these payment methods.

If you wish to pay by wire transfer, we will give you wire instructions including IBAN and BIC codes. If you choose to pay by credit card, you may first need to alert your card bank of a foreign transaction so that it will not block your card. Your card company will change the amount paid in EUROS to your currency at interbank rates in effect on the day of proccessing by your bank. Note, check your credit card for any additional fees that your card bank may assess. If you find a favorable exchange rate between the Euro and your currency any time prior to your payment due date; you may pay your final amount in advance to save more money.

Last minute bookings: for clients booking a tour within 14 days of departure, the booking form must be sent to us by fax with handwritten signature, rather than submitted online. Payment is due within 24 hours of confirmation. You are responsible for any additional fees to your bank above the amount due on your invoice.

Check each tour description to see what each trip includes. Self guided and guided trips vary on what is included, and among those there are variations.

If we do not receive payment or hear from you about your intentions to pay by 60 days prior then we may assume that you intend to cancel and you will be subject to terms of cancellation below.

Hotels from the point of tour departure through tour completion. Rooms are doubles and include private bath or shower. Single rooms are limited and require supplemental charges, singles not requesting single rooms will be booked into a double, and if a share arrangement is unavailable then the supplement will be assessed. If alternative hotels of the same category/standing are booked because of lack of availability, there will be no change to the tour price. If availability forces the booking of inferior/superior category hotel or room; you will be advised in advance and given the option to accept or decline the change as well as any change in tour price.

Meals included vary; check the individual trip description, however normally all breakfasts are included and most dinners in the tradition of each property are included.

Transportation includes a variety of situations. Longer trips may include transfers, and often, guided trips include transfers. Please refer to the trip description to be sure what is included. If you wish to arrange for separate transportation our agency can complete your needs. Also, daily vehicle support will transport baggage. Sightseeing and side touring are included only when paid in advance or noted on the itinerary. Tips, taxes and service charges are included on each included item such as hotels, restaurants, governmental but not tour guides. Most attractions such as chateau entrance fees are not included.

Exclusions
The tours do not include all other trip costs such as airfare, trip and/or medical insurance, excess baggage charges, or any personal items. Meals in addition to those mentioned in the itinerary are excluded, as well as any unpaid optional tour or sightseeing event. Drinks are typically excluded.


Emergency Service: each self-guided cycling and hiking tour includes what we call Emergency Service. This is a local contact available by telephone with English speaking staff. Examples of reasons to call: broken down equipment (other than flat tire); minor injury/illness that hampers or prevents continued cycling or walking, (serious injuries must first be reported to emergency medical responders – numbers are provided), missed trains/connections that would change your services, or the need to schedule additional services such as transfers. This service is only available during daylight cycling/walking hours. Hotel staff are available for other non-emergency related matters outside of your cycling/walking activities. PROBLEMS: If you find a problem or something that doesn’t meet with your expectation you may call this service to seek help. A resolution will be attempted in a timely manner. If you do not avail yourself of this service before making changes on your own you assume responsibility for any added costs you may incur as well as forfeiting any potential refunds. Problems must be brought to the attention of Emergency Service during the trip as resolutions after completion of travel are nearly always impossible to fix. Our USA office is your backup Emergency Service number if needed – mind the change in time zones and office hours.

Bicycles
For tours longer than 8 day, a participant may wish to bring their own bicycle for assured comfort and better trip enjoyment. You know your bicycle inside and out, which leaves less to adapt being in new terrain. Bicycle rentals are optional for all tours, and can be made available for an additional charge for those who prefer. Bicycles are typically hybrids equipped with necessary gear for this type of travel/terrain. You may rent a road bicycle on many tours, but you must explicitly request this type of bike in your booking or at least 60 days prior to travel – supplements will apply for road bike rentals. Hybrids are multispeed bicycles equipped with bags, locks, water bottles, repair kit, and other misc items. All bicycles are kept exclusively for our customers. Any customers who choose to bring their own bicycles are responsible for all mechanical issues, for all transportation issues including traveling by train, which is difficult in France on the TGV. (See our recommendations in your travel documents.) If you plan to rent a bicycle, you are responsible for the bicycle once you take possession of it at your first hotel. Your responsibilities include any costs for damage or theft up to the full value of the bicycle.

Air & Train Reservations
.We do not handle air reservations. Customers are encouraged to contact a travel agent or web service. Car and train reservations/tickets can be arranged by us in advance. If we should make any such reservation or ticket purchase on your behalf you agree and understand that we do so in an agency capacity and are performing a reservation service only. Fees for this service may apply. You further agree that you are subject to all terms and conditions of the car/rail/service provider. You are responsible to be familiar with those terms and agree that you are ultimately responsible to the car/rail/service provider for any reservations, changes, cancellations, disputes or other regardless of how your reservation was made on your behalf. With respect to train travel with bicycles, you are advised that rules exist for transport on TGV and other high speed trains. Please ask for information on baggage limits if traveling by TGV prior to purchasing tickets. We are not responsible for any problems you may have traveling on the TGV with your bike. See your travel documents for our suggestions.

Cancellation of Tours
Once a deposit is received, a reservation confirmation is made, and final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. If a cancellation is made after deposit but before the 60-day period, all deposits are returned except 125 EUROS per person. Within 60 days, but more than 45 days, all of deposits are retained, and within 45 days additional penalties may apply, up to 100% of tour costs. No refunds are available once the trip commences. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS, including weather or other factors beyond our control. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason, in which case a full refund will be processed. If the tour is cancelled within 45 days of departure, an additional discount will be made for an alternate trip in addition to the full refund.

Refunds are made by the same method of payment you used to pay your trip.

Modification/Changes
Once a booking request is received and confirmed, any modification of dates or alteration of itineraries will require a change fee. Fees vary according to the scope of the change but can be substantial if last minute changes lead to hotel or other service cancellations. A minimum change fee of 20euros applies to any change within 60 days of travel.

In the event that any significant changes are made because of a problem with a supplier, for example a hotel bankruptcy, we will advise you as soon as is reasonably possible with the alternatives available. Such changes may require a supplement or even offer a refund, but except in extreme circumstances, all Terms still apply. This does not apply in the case of Force Majeure.

Force Majeure: Refunds and compensation payments are not liable in circumstances beyond our control or our supplier’s control. This includes but is not limited to changes due to war, threat of war, acts of terrorism, civil strife, strikes, natural disaster, fire, adverse weather or other acts of God.

Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance is not included in the tour price but is strongly recommended. This will protect you should you need to cancel for certain necessary reasons such as illness, and provides your refunds for air and tour in full. Additional insurance for baggage, health/accident is also strongly recommended. An insurance offer will be included with your initial confirmation and final documentation after receipt of your deposit. Our preferred insurer is CSA who is well respected in the industry and highly rated. We assume that if you choose not to use our preferred provider that you are taking protection through another provider of your choosing.

Pre-departure Documentation
After receipt of your final payment, a variety of documentation will be sent by email delivery in PDF format including suggestions for clothing, preparations, tour details, sites/suggestions, packing, money, etc. Also, included will be confirmations, travel info, release forms, and an outline of what to expect. You are responsible for passport and visa requirements (if any), and we suggest you plan early to apply for a passport. Please check your government requirements.

Additional responsibilities of you the traveler include, but are not limited to the adherence of all local laws, respecting customs and culture, assessing your abilities, respecting other trip members privacy, and if on a guided trip following the suggestions and advice of the guide.

Privacy: All information provided in a booking will be kept in a confidential manner and will not be disclosed or sold to other companies for any purpose beyond what is needed to secure your travel arrangements with our suppliers. Credit card information will be destroyed or deleted from files, but mailing information and past travel information will be retained by us. You may receive mailings from us periodically unless you explicitly ask to be removed from said mailings. Any photos that you send, or that are taken by our guides with your permission, are deemed to be our property and available for use in promotions we make without any compensation to you for their use.

You are enrolling in an active adventure vacation and accept the Terms above as stated. You understand what self-guided travel involves (if applicable) and agree that you are capable of managing by yourself during the tour and comfortable with the independent aspect and freedom of travel that this style of vacation offers.