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From May 23 to June 5, 2015 – The trip of a lifetime !
Your Acadian Tour de France A cutlural and heritage tour for Acadians from around the world!
This unique tour is customized for passionate Acadians, Cajuns and French descendants interested in learning about their French & Acadian heritage. The itinerary is specifically designed to visit and experience the most important Acadian heritage sites in France.
YOU WILL DISCOVER » » » Where the French explorers and the founding Acadian families came from…. You will discover RICHELIEU, LA CHAUSSÉE, MARTAIZÉ, D’AULNAY, BROUAGE, HONFLEUR, LA ROCHELLE. These cities were your Acadian ancestors’ homes before leaving for the New World in the early 1600’s. You will kneel in the church where they prayed before leaving and see the famous Towers of La Rochelle… the last landmark they will ever see of their native land. (Photo : In La Chaussée, the famous Maison de l’Acadie Museum and Church).
Where the Acadian founding families of Louisiana stayed during their 25 years of exile in France… You will also walk in the footsteps of your ancestors in CHÂTELLERAULT, ARCHIGNY, BELLE-ÎLE-EN-MER, NANTES, SAINT-MALO and learn about the lives of the thousands Acadians deported to France during the ‘GRAND DÉRANGEMENT’ and who eventually departed for Louisiana… (Photo : In Nantes, the Mural of Acadians leaving for Louisiana with a group of Acadians from Canada holding the Louisiana Acadian Flag)
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE » » » The most visited country on earth : FRANCE You will travel through four regions of France… Île-de-France, Poitou, Bretagne (Britanny) and Normandie. In addition to the Acadian focus of the trip, you will enjoy over 2000 years of French history while visiting some of the most popular tourist attractions of Europe, including le Château de Blois, le Mont Saint Michel, a WWII cemetary, Notre Dame Cathedral and the city of Paris. (Photo : Your tour director, Claude Boudreau at the glorious Mon Saint Michel)
Questions and reservations : LOUISIANA and USA : CANADA : Brenda Comeaux Trahan Claude Boudreau [email protected] [email protected] 337.288. 5914 or 337. 856.1620 506.850.7662
YOU WILL MEET » » » You will travel with Acadians from Canada and the U.S. You will meet and share meals with French citizens, some who are Acadian descendants, others who are passionate about Acadian history. You will make new friendships !
YOU WILL ENJOY ! » » » LAISSER LES BONS TEMPS ROULER…in France ! We have planned the details so you can travel in a relaxed, joyful and worry-free environment. There will be many special dinners and activities for you to enjoy at a leisure pace. Ø We’ve planned this trip at end of May, to avoid peak tourist season while enjoying the beautiful spring
weather of France. Ø We will stay in hotels for 2 or 3 nights at a time to avoid the typical one-hotel-per-day european tour. Ø You will have some leisure time on your own to stroll the historic towns, have a café or a nice meal. Ø Most mornings we will leave the hotel around 9 AM so you are not to rushed.
WHO IS THE TOUR ORGANIZER ? This unique tour is organized by La Société du Monument-Lefebvre inc., a national ACADIAN non-profit organization with the mission of promoting the Acadian Renaissance and Acadian Culture. La Société was founded in 1988 and manages the Monument-Lefebvre national historic site in Memramcook, New-Brunswick. The Monument is twinned with the Acadian Memorial in Saint-Martinville and the town of Memramcook is twinned with the town of Scott, Louisiana. In collaboration with various travel partners, over 250 Acadian, Cajun and French citizens have traveled with the Société since 2011 to Louisiana, France, Nova-Scotia and New Brunswick. Les Voyages DiasporAcadie is a Tour company founded by the director of the Société du Monument-Lefebvre, Claude Boudreau, to organize the Société’s Acadian tours.
WHO ARE YOUR TOUR GUIDES ? CLAUDE BOUDREAU, your Acadian Tour Director : Claude is a passionate 12th generation Acadian. The history of his ancestors has influenced his life, career choices and travels. The diversity of the Acadian Diaspora fascinates him, and he enjoys helping Acadians, Cajuns and French people to discover the places, the history, the culture of their heritage. He was only 14 years old when he took his first school trip to France and was hooked ever since. His first trip to Louisiana was the CONGRÈS MONDIAL ACADIEN in 1999. Claude has a business background, an M.B.A. and 25 years experience in promoting education, culture, heritage & travel. In addition to visiting several European countries, China, Cuba, Canada, the U.S. and Australia, he has been over 20 times to France and 12 times to Louisiana. He now lives in Memramcook, the Cradle of New Acadie and has double-duties as director at the Société du Monument-Lefebvre since 2007 and more recently as Tour Director of Les Voyages DiasporAcadie.
ANNE-CHRISTINE MARTINOT, your French tour guide and coordonnatrice is the owner of the tour company L’agence Langue, Culture & Découverte in France. She started her career as a teacher in France and in the USA. She has an MBA in Tourisme et Services and has traveled to many destinations around the world. She is also passionate for her home region of la Charente-Maritime and her country of France. ‘’In 2012, I hosted Claude Boudreau’s first Acadian group in France and again in 2013. I met extraordinary, passionate Acadians … we laughed, sang & danced during these trips. After this, I had to visit l’Acadie, which I did in October 2012. The following year I brought my parents to Louisiana for Mardi Gras to join Claude’s tour, and during the summer of 2014, I brought 25 French citizens to join Claude’s group of 60 Acadians and 15 Cajuns at the CONGRÈS MONDIAL ACADIEN!’’
Your Acadian Tour de France An amazing voyage from May 23 to June 5, 2015
PROPOSED ITINERARY It is important to note that the proposed shedule including hotels, meals, attractions and activities may be modified at any time during the trip due to unforseen events or circumstances. In the event of such changes, no refunds are given, however a similar activity will be offered. (B: breakfast, L: lunch, S: Supper)
Saturday, May 23 : The Adventure Begins! You will depart from Louisiana on an overnight trip to Paris. You may fly to Montreal, Canada to join the Canadian group or directly to Paris via another U.S. city (there are no direct flights from Louisiana to Paris).
Sunday, May 24 : An Intro to France ! Arriving in Paris in the morning and leaving by motor-coach for the Poitou, the homeland of most Acadians. On the way we visit the amazing Château de Blois and learn about French Kings and Queens that influenced the destiny of the Acadians. Check-in at the Renaudot hotel in Loudun for 3 nights.
Monday, May 25 : Our Ancestral Land After a good night of sleep and breakfast, we explore the old city of Loudun and then head to the town of the famous Cardinal Richelieu for lunch. In the afternoon we head to Aulnay, La Chaussée and Martaizé, the originating area of many founding families of Acadie. Visit of the Maison de l’Acadie and its famous church. Meeting and supper with French friends. Overnight in Loudun. (B, L, S)
Tuesday, May 26 : Acadian Exiles in France Today we visit Châtellerault where many Acadians resided during the Grand Dérangement. Serveral street names honor the Acadian history. Lunch with French friends. In the afternoon we visit La ligne acadienne, an Acadian colony also established during this period. Supper with a French group.Overnight in Loudun. (B, L, S)
Wed., May 27 : La Rochelle and the New World We will drive to the Atlantic coast to discover this port city and the departing point for many Acadians for the new World. Guided walking tour and lots of free time to explore. Check-in at hotel in ROCHEFORT for 2 nights. (B)
Thursday, May 28 : Fun with Champlain The morning is for you to enjoy! Sleep-in or continue to explore La Rochelle. In the afternoon we visit Brouage
and the island of Oléron where we will have a special supper of local products. Overnight in Rochefort. (B, S)
Friday, May 29 : Cajun origins in France As we travel to Britanny, we stop in Nantes to view the mural of Acadians leaving for Louisiana. We tour the medieval town centre and continue to Carnac ant then to Quiberon where we will sleep for 2 nights. (B,L)
Saturday, May 30 : Belle-Île-en-mer We rise early to take the ferry to meet French-Acadians on this ‘Acadian’ island. Half the population are Acadian descendants. Magnificient scenery. Return to Quiberon at the end of the day. (B, L)
Sun., May 31 : The famous port of Saint-Malo The walled city is an amazing attraction. It was home to the explorer Jacques Cartier and to thousands of Acadians during the Déportation. We arrive after lunch and have the rest of the day to explore and enjoy. Cocktails on the beach before supper. We stay one night at a hotel inside the fortress-city. (B, L)
Monday, June 1 : Le Mont Saint-Michel As we cross-over into Normandy, we will visit one of the most popular attractions of the World, the Mont-Saint-Michel. We then continue to the coastal village of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer where we will be staying for 2 nights. (B, L, S)
Tuesday, June 2 : Normandy and WWII Today will be spent learning about WWII as we visit a war cemetery and the Juno Beach Centre. Return to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. (B,L)
Wednesday June 3: Heading back to Paris As we start traveling towards Paris, we stop to discover the beautiful town of Honfleur. We arrive in Paris mid-afternoon and check-in for two nights at our hotel. Time to visit on your own. Paris by night metro and walking tour (B)
Thursday June 4 : An entire day in Paris ! An entire day to discover this amazing city. A guided tour will bring you around the city’s famous sites. Farewell supper. (B,S).
Friday, June 5 : Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport for trip back home. AUREVOIR!
REGISTRATION FORM -‐ TRIP INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS
This unique travel experience is offered by :
Les Voyages DiasporAcadie Inc., an Acadian Tour Operator located at 1260, Taylor Road, Taylor Village, N.-‐B. Canada E4K 2T8. Tel. (506) 850-‐7662. Email : [email protected] In collaboration with La Société du Monument-‐Lefebvre, a national, non-‐profit Acadian organisation located at
480, Central Street, Memramcook, N.-‐B. Canada, E4K 3S6. Tél. (506) 758-‐9808. Email : [email protected] Contact person : Claude Boudreau
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER… IN FRANCE ! Our objective is for you to have an amazing and memorable experience in the land of your ancestors. Our trip philosophy is having a great time, being in a happy while sharing with great people ! This is a BILINGUAL TOUR with ACADIANS FROM Canada ! This trip is 100% bilingual, in French and in English. You will be traveling with Acadians from Canada, some who speak little English, others who are fully bilingual. This is part of the DiasporAcadie Experience : Acadians from everywhere, travelling together to learn about ourselves and our common heritage. Guided tours will be offered in French and in English. When only available in French, we will always translate in English. This is an incredible opportunity to make friends with Acadians from Canada while in France. The TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES : -‐ 12 nights accomodations (please note that hotel rooms in France are smaller than American hotels. The rating system in Europe is also different, with 3 stars being the norm). -‐ All breakfast and 11 other meals (total of 24 meals). -‐ Land transportation by motorcoach. -‐ Ferry transportation to Belle-‐Île-‐en-‐mer. -‐ All entrance fees and guided tours included in the program. Special activities. -‐ A color, customized day-‐by-‐day ‘CARNET DE ROUTE’ (Tour book). -‐ One tour director (Claude Boudreau, from Canada) and one tour guide-‐coordinator (Anne-‐Christine Martinot, from France) to take care of all your needs. -‐ Cities and villages visited : La Chaussée, Richelieu, Archigny, Châtellerault, Oléron, La Rochelle, Nantes, Belle-‐Île-‐en-‐mer, Brouage, Saint-‐Malo, Mont-‐Saint-‐Michel, St.-‐Aubin-‐sur-‐mer, Paris and several other towns and localities along the way. PACKAGE PRICE & PAYMENTS The land portion of this unique package is 3600 $ US per person in a double occupancy room (2 people sharing one room). Single supplement is 750 $ US (total for a single person in one room is 4350 $). 50% (1800 $US) is due as soon as possible to reserve your place. The balance is due on April 1, 2015. We accept cheques, bank transfers, VISA and MASTERCARD payments. Please note there is a 3% surcharge for credit card payments. Cheques must be made out to : LES VOYAGES DIASPORACADIE INC. and mailed to 1260, Taylor Road, Taylor Village, New Brunswick, Canada E4K 2T8. Credit cards payments can be made via Paypal or by phone at (506) 850-‐7662. FLIGHT INFORMATION Your flight is not included in the package price. You may book your flight directly or with our help. You must however contact Claude Boudreau at (506) 850-‐7662 or [email protected] BEFORE BOOKING your flight in order to be able to join-‐up with the group in Canada or in France.
SCHEDULE CHANGES It is important to note that the proposed shedule including hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities may be modified at any time during the trip due to unforseen events or circumstances. In the event of such changes, no refunds are given, however a similar activity will be offered. HEALTH You must be able to walk approximately 1,5 mile per day at a leisure pace. There will be several walking tours during the trip and there will be stairs to climb in a few places. There will be frequent stops during these tours. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact us. TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE EVERY TRAVELLER MUST HAVE PROOF OF TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE BEFORE LEAVING. PASSEPORT You must provide us with a photocopy of your passeport at the latest by April 1, 2015. Your passport must be valid for six month after the return date (i.e. valid until December 5, 2015).
Family Name: _______________________________ Given name: __________________________________ Street Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City : ______________________________ State : _________________ Zip Code: ________________ Email: __________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________ I will be sharing my room with : ____________________________________________________________ We want : ________ two single beds OR ________ one double bed PASSEPORT You must provide a copy of your passeport by April 1, 2015. Date of birth: __________________________________ Passeport number: ____________________ EXACT NAME on the PASSPORT : _____________________________________________________ Passport expiration date : _______________________________________________________________ EMERGENCY INFORMATION during the trip : Contact person : _________________________________________ Relation : ________________________ Telephone : _________________________ Cell or 2nd phone number : ____________________ INSURANCE : You must provide this information by May 1st, 2015 : Insurance company : ______________________________ Telephone number: ________________________ Policy number :____________________________________________________ GENEOLGY information (optional) To help us plan the trip, it may be useful to know you family information : Your mother’s maiden name : ___________________________ Your grandmothers’ madien names : _____________________ ___________________ For women, your maiden name : _____________________
Your Acadian Tour de France TRAVELER INFORMATION
Please complete one form for each traveler
Do you want to do advanced geneology research during the trip ? ______ YES ______ NO If you answer YES to this question, you must already have some work done on your family tree and be looking for additional information. We will contact you ahead of time to determine your needs. BAGAGES -‐ PORTERAGE Porterage will not always be available at hotels, however we do offer the service. If you require this service, your bagages will have to be ready at least 30 minutes before departure times and it may take up to an hour to be delivered to your room upon checking-‐in. Do you require the service ? _______ YES ______ NO MEAL REQUEST – Health conditions ALLERGIES (serious reactions) :______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ INTOLERANCE TO CERTAIN FOODS (Intolerances are not considered as serious as allergies or life threatening). We will try to accomodate these requests but cannot always guarantee them. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific concerns. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ I am vegetarian.
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS : Please indicate only medical conditions which may require our assistance during the trip. __________________________________________________________________________________________ I have read the above conditions and accept them : Signature : ______________________________________ Date : ____________________________________
