Terms and Conditions - France Authentic Tours

Summary of Terms & Conditions 

The FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS team will do its best to organise your French holiday. To ensure we can provide the best possible service and act in your best interests, please find below a summary of our Terms & Conditions. Our full Terms & Conditions will be provided with your quotation.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

A - PRICES & PAYMENT

  1. Package prices shown on the FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS website are per person, based on twin-share accommodation. Quoted tour prices are in euros (€) and are based on current costs (May 2026). Single-room supplements are quoted on a case-by-case basis.
  2. Price quotations are subject to change without notice until your booking has been confirmed.
  3. Payments can be made securely online using Visa or Mastercard, or by secure bank transfer.
  4. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS is not responsible for any interbank fees or charges applied by your bank or intermediary banks during the payment process.
  5. If the number of participants in your tour changes, we may need to adjust the tour price accordingly. Please also note that most tours require a minimum number of participants to operate. Early booking and payment of the deposit will help secure your place on the tour.

 

B - DEPOSIT

  1. A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total package price is required at the time of booking. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS cannot proceed with any travel arrangements until the deposit has been received.
  2. If payment is not received by the due date, FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS reserves the right to cancel the booking without liability.

 

C - BALANCE PAYMENT

  1. The remaining balance (less the deposit) must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour departure date.
  2. For bookings made less than 60 days before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
  3. If payment of the deposit or balance becomes overdue for reasons within the Traveller's control, FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS will issue a reminder specifying a final payment deadline. If payment is not received by that date, FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS reserves the right to cancel the Travel Agreement and apply the cancellation fees set out in Section F.
  4. Travel documents will be sent directly to the Traveller once full payment has been received. If you have any questions, the FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS team will be available by email or telephone before and during your journey.

 

D - BOOKING CHANGES

  1. For minor booking changes requested by the Traveller after the deposit has been paid and more than 60 days before departure, such as a change in the rental car category or the addition of a pre-booked activity, any difference in price will be charged to the Traveller.
  2. Major changes requested by the Traveller, such as changes to travel dates or the itinerary, will be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and a new booking reflecting the requested changes. The cancellation conditions set out in Section F will apply. The FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS team will do its best to accommodate the Traveller's requests.
  3. If FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS is required to make changes to your booking for any reason, every effort will be made to provide an alternative of an equivalent or higher standard. No additional cost will be charged to the Traveller.

 

E - REASSIGNMENT

Up to 60 days before the start of the tour, the Traveller may request to transfer their booking to another person (reassignment), provided that all rights and obligations arising from the Travel Agreement are transferred to that person.

  1. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS may refuse the reassignment if the replacement traveller does not meet the specific requirements of the tour or is unable to comply with applicable legal requirements or official regulations.
  2. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS reserves the right to charge for any additional costs incurred as a result of the reassignment. The original Traveller and the replacement traveller will be jointly liable for the tour price and any additional costs incurred by FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS.
  3. The original Traveller and the replacement traveller are jointly responsible for ensuring that the replacement traveller obtains any required visa, travel documents and travel insurance before departure.

 

F - CANCELLATION POLICY

The Traveller may cancel the Travel Agreement at any time before departure by providing written notice by certified mail to:

FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS
10 rue du Commerce
49360 Maulévrier
France

  1. The cancellation date will be the date on which FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS receives the written notice.
  2. No refunds are available once the tour has commenced, or for any tour, excursion, pass, ticket, package, accommodation, meal or other service that has already been used.
  3. If the journey is cancelled due to force majeure, as defined under French law, or for reasons attributable to FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS, no cancellation fee will apply. The trip will be postponed or otherwise managed in accordance with French law.
  4. Travellers who cancel their journey may be entitled to a refund of the tour price, less any non-refundable fees.

For all packages, the following cancellation fees apply:

  • More than 45 days before Day 1 of the tour: 30% of the total package price will be retained by FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS.
  • Between 45 and 30 days before Day 1 of the tour: 50% of the total package price will be retained by FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS.
  • From 29 days before Day 1 of the tour, or in the event of a trip interruption: 100% of the total package price will be retained by FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS.

These cancellation terms are not intended to replace comprehensive travel and health insurance, which we strongly recommend.

  1. If FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS cancels a tour because the minimum number of guests has not been reached, or due to circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit.

 

G - INSURANCE

  1. Travel and health insurance are not included in the tour price. Insurance should be arranged at the same time as booking your tour and flights. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS strongly recommends obtaining appropriate and comprehensive travel and health insurance for travel to France.

Please provide a copy of your travel insurance policy when confirming your reservation. We will also email you an Authorisation Clients Form, which authorises us to contact your insurer on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

  1. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS cannot be held responsible for a Traveller's failure to obtain appropriate insurance. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Traveller as a result of failing to obtain adequate travel insurance.
  2. Cancellation fees will apply if the tour is cancelled before the departure date, as outlined in the paragraph above. If the tour is interrupted or abandoned after it has commenced, additional return transport and other costs may be incurred. The purchase of comprehensive travel insurance covering these circumstances is strongly recommended.

 

H - PASSPORTS, VISAS & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

  1. It is the Traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport and, where required, a valid visa to travel from their home country to France. We strongly recommend checking your passport's expiry date at the time of booking. Before finalising your travel plans, ensure that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond the date of your intended departure from the Schengen Area.
  2. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS advises all Travellers who are not citizens of a European Union country, or who hold a passport issued by a non-European Union country, to ensure they meet all passport and visa requirements by contacting the French Embassy or Consulate in their home country at the time of booking. New Zealand and Australian passport holders may stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.

Please note that the European Union plans to introduce the ETIAS system in late 2026. ETIAS is not a visa; it is an electronic pre-travel authorisation system, similar to Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Australian and New Zealand citizens will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Europe, with ETIAS simply adding a quick online registration requirement before departure.

  1. The Traveller is also responsible for meeting any inbound or outbound COVID-19 or other pandemic-related entry or exit requirements (such as proof of vaccination or test results) that apply at the time of travel.
  2. As visa, health, COVID-19 and other pandemic-related requirements may change without notice, Travellers should check the latest requirements regularly before departure.

 

I - LUGGAGE

  1. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS is not liable for lost, stolen or damaged luggage. The Traveller should report any issues directly to the relevant carrier or to their travel insurer. All baggage and personal belongings remain the sole responsibility of the Traveller.
  2. Luggage allowance:
    • Guided Tours (minivan): Each Traveller is permitted one medium-sized suitcase and one small carry-on bag only, due to the limited luggage space in our minivans. Please pack lightly and ensure that you are able to manage your own luggage without assistance.
    • Self-Drive Tours: We also recommend that you travel light so that your luggage fits comfortably in a medium-sized vehicle. If you are travelling with larger luggage, you should reserve a vehicle that accommodates your luggage or arrange to leave some of it at a luggage storage facility before the start of the tour.
    • Cycling Tours: Your luggage must fit within the two panniers provided with your bicycle. Any additional luggage may be left with the bicycle rental company or at your accommodation, where available.

 

J - ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

  1. Please note that FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS primarily provides accommodation in Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs), giving Travellers the opportunity to stay in local homes. We carefully select properties that offer an outstanding level of comfort and quality of service compared with typical French B&Bs. However, B&Bs are not hotels, and we appreciate your respect for your hosts' house rules.
  2. When dining at a table d'hôtes, you will usually share the family table with other Travellers. Meals are prepared by your hosts, and the menu is generally the same for all guests, featuring traditional regional French cuisine. If the Traveller advises FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS of any dietary requirements at the time of booking, we will pass this information on to the hosts. They will do their best to accommodate these requirements; however, we cannot guarantee that all dietary needs can be met.
  3. Please note that B&B rooms are generally not available for check-in before 5.00 pm on the day of arrival. On the day of departure, rooms must be vacated by 10.00 am. Detailed information for each property will be included in your Travel Pack.

K - FITNESS

The best way to discover France's beautiful rural landscapes, charming villages, picturesque harbours and sandy beaches is on foot. Whether you have chosen a guided tour, a self-drive tour or a cycling tour, you should expect to walk between 3 and 6 kilometres each day.

All our tours involve walking and/or cycling. Please ensure that you are comfortable with this level of activity before booking. If you believe it may be difficult for you, our tours may not be the best fit. If you are unsure, please contact us before booking. We will do our best to adapt the itinerary where possible and recommend the tour that best suits your level of fitness.

 

L- LIABILITY

The Traveller acknowledges, by accepting these Terms and Conditions, that FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS, in making arrangements for accommodation, transport or any other services in connection with the itineraries of individual Travellers, shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, liability or expense affecting any person or property arising from any act, omission or default by any accommodation provider, carrier or other company or person providing services included in the tour.

Furthermore, FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS accepts no responsibility for any illness, theft, labour disputes, strikes, machinery breakdown, government restrictions, acts of war or terrorism, pandemics, weather conditions, defects in any means of transport, or any other misadventure, casualty or cause beyond its reasonable control.

 

M - INQUIRIES & CLAIMS

  1. If a service is not provided in accordance with the Travel Agreement, the Traveller may request a remedy. FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS may refuse a remedy only where providing one would involve unreasonable expense. During the tour, the Traveller will be provided with an emergency telephone number to contact FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS staff. After the tour, the Traveller may contact us using the same number or send a claim by registered mail to:

FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS
10 rue du Commerce
49360 Maulévrier
FRANCE

  1. If FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS fails to provide a remedy within a reasonable period, the Traveller may arrange an appropriate remedy and request reimbursement of the reasonable and necessary costs incurred. Supporting documentation must be provided for all expenses claimed.
  2. Deadline for submitting a claim
  1. Any claim relating to the non-performance of services under the Travel Agreement must be submitted to FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS within 30 days of the final day of the tour.
  2. Valid claims must be notified to FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS within the above period by registered mail to the address specified in Clause O.1.
  3. Claims submitted after this period will only be considered where the deadline could not reasonably be met due to circumstances beyond the Traveller's control.

 

N - APPLICABLE LAW & JURISDICTION

Any dispute arising from or relating to the tour, including accommodation or any other services booked through FRANCE AUTHENTIC TOURS, shall be governed by the laws of France. Any legal proceedings shall be brought exclusively before the competent courts of Angers (Maine-et-Loire, France).