EXCURSIONS


We are blessed once again to keep the Feast in one of the most visited areas in the South of France. The French Riviera is rich in natural beauty, and historical sites to enjoy.

Group bus excursions will be offered on three afternoons during the Feast. Further details will be shared as the Feast approaches. We have left Sunday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 23 open, so you may feel free to take advantage of the onsite facilities or activities in the region.

Excursion buses must be reserved ahead of time, so unfortunately, your reservation is not refundable in case of cancellation. However, once at the Feast, you may be able to find someone willing to exchange or purchase your excursion tickets.
Please note:
  • Costs listed are per person and cover the cost of the tour buses, as well as admission to local sites where specified/applicable.
  • Payment deadline: Sunday, July 14
1- VISIT TO A LOCAL WINERY
Date: Friday, October 18

This excursion will be on a first come, first served basis since each winery has a capacity limit.

  • The wineries are close to the feast site and will not have a guide on the bus.
  • Children under 18 will be served a non-alcoholic beverage instead of wine. 

2 different options are available for the winery tours:

Visit either the Château de Saint-Martin or Château Vaudois winery (“Château” can mean castle in French, or simply estate) in the Côtes de Provence winemaking region in which the Feast site is located and experience an important part of French and Provençal culture!  Although Côtes de Provence is most famous for its rosé wines, many wineries also produce red and/or white wines.

Option A – Château de Saint-Martin
Departure Time:  1:15pm
Cost:
Visit & wine and cheese tasting:
Adults (18+):  56 €
Visit & juice and cheese tasting:
Children (9-17 years old): 37 €
Children (2-8 years old): 26 €
Children under two are free.

This winery, which has belonged to the same family since 1740, offers you a sensory experience with a walk through their 17th-century vaulted cellars, a 20 min movie presenting the history of the estate, a self-guided visit of their liquor museum, as well as a guided visit of the production site. A tasting of 4 wines paired with 4 artisanal cheeses is also included in the visit.

The group will be divided into smaller groups that will rotate through those various areas for the best experience for everyone.

Please note that this chateau does not have their vineyard close by but offers a beautiful outdoor area you can enjoy at your leisure if the weather permits.  

This winery is 45-50 min away from our Feast site and you should be back on site by 6:30 pm at the latest. You can click on the following link for more information:  https://www.chateaudesaintmartin.com

Option B – Château Vaudois
Departure time:  1:30pm
Cost:
Visit & wine and cheese tasting:
Adults (18+): 46 €
Visit & juice and cheese tasting:
Children (2-17 years old): 28 €
Children under two are free if they do not take up a seat on the bus.


This 100-hectare estate, including a 20-hectare vineyard, is dedicated to the production of elegant, refined wines. In 1988, Marie and Gérard Delli-Zotti bought a sleepy old vineyard in Roquebrune sur Argens. Their children, Christelle and Jonathan, became interested in the name of the place, "Le Vaudois", and discovered that in 1205, the Vallée du Fournel had welcomed the itinerant preachers of the Vaudois religion, founded in Lyon in 1173 by Pierre Valdès. It is believed that sabbath keepers of the true Church of God lived in the Vaudois region with Pierre Valdès as their leader. This symbolic past immediately motivated the whole family to breathe new life into this place steeped in history.

During this visit, you will discover the history of the estate and learn the secrets behind their wines on a private tour of the vineyards, production site and cellar. Enjoy their fun vineyard-themed workshops and visit the cellar for a tasting of 3 of their wines paired with cheese.

This Château is 15-20 min away from the Feast site and the visit itself should not last more than 2 hours, so we expect to return to the Feast site by 4:30pm.

If you would like more information, you can click on the following link: https://www.chateau-vaudois.com

2- MONACO

Date: Monday, October 21
Departure Time: Buses will depart at 12:30 pm and leave Monaco at 9:00 pm returning to the site around 10:30 pm
Please note that by participating in this excursion you will miss one dinner at the resort, for which you will not be reimbursed. However, you will have the opportunity to have an evening meal at a restaurant of your choice in Monaco at your own expense.

Per person cost (not including dinner): 40 €
Children under two are free if they do not take up a seat in the bus.

Monaco, which is not actually a part of France, is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world after the Vatican.  As such, Monaco is also the world’s smallest monarchy (a principality, to be exact). Monaco is not part of the EU, but because of its close ties with France, it participates in the EU customs territory. However, there are no border formalities crossing between France and Monaco. French is the official language of Monaco. This luxurious stomping ground for the well-heeled and famous possesses a rich history dating back to the 13th century.

Monaco-Ville, also known locally as “le Rocher” or “the rock,” is an old fortified town and is situated on a rocky promontory, which extends into the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a guided tour through the world-famous Oceanographic Museum, which was established in 1910 by Prince Albert I, and was once under the direction of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Next-door to the Prince’s Palace is the Cathédrale de Monaco, a Romanesque-Byzantine church where Grace Kelly, Princess Grace of Monaco, is buried. There are many other interesting sites to visit including the world-famous Japanese gardens, Casino and Opera House. Despite being located in the world’s most densely populated country, Monaco-Ville is still a medieval village at heart, made up almost entirely of quiet pedestrian streets. Though innumerable people visit Monaco-Ville and the palace square, only local vehicles are allowed up to the rock. In addition to walking through the downtown shops, gardens and museums, you can also visit the Palace with an English-language audio-guide.

There is certainly more to see in Monaco than one afternoon affords, so we recommend you consider your interests and plan your afternoon there. There are many websites available that provide information on the sites and activities that Monaco has to offer. This website offers a nice overview of things to visit in Monaco: http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-to-visit/

3- CANNES
Date: Tuesday, October 22
Departure Time: Buses will depart at 1:15 pm
Cost per person:  38 €
Children under two are free if they do not take up a seat on the bus.

Although famous for the international film festival held there annually, there is more to Cannes than the glitz of the silver screen, casinos, and beautiful beaches (ranked among the 5 best beaches in France by US News and World Report).

You can stroll the famous “La Croisette” promenade, walk past the Film Festival auditorium, and admire the Painted Walls of Cannes which pay tribute to the cinema industry. If you feel like tackling some stairs, walk up to the Suquet district, the old city quarter when Cannes was just a fishing village. Or, enjoy souvenir shopping or a bite to eat in one of the many shops or cafés.

A 15-minute ferry ride away from Cannes is Sainte-Marguerite Island, a haven of calm and natural beauty. It also boasts an interesting history and a former fort-turned-prison which housed the cell of the legendary Man in the Iron Mask and is now a museum.