Wild & Prehistoric FRANCE Including Lascaux II & Rouffignac ● May 12-25, 2017

We invite you to join Mark Walters on this very the griffon vulture reintroduction program at special expedition to explore Wild & Prehistoric Gorges de la Jonte, and the prehistory of ancient France! Millau, an important cross­roads in antiquity. Discover wild areas and prehistoric sites in Explore the Vezère Valley, a hot-spot for Haute Provence, the Massif Central, and the prehistoric finds of both Neanderthal and Dordogne, including spectacular gorge country Cromagnon man. Enjoy a picnic and walk on populated by raptors, remote villages, and the Grand Randonner. See the cave paintings images of the greatest cave paintings in Europe in Lascaux II, then follow the river to another at Lascaux II. spectacular cave, Rouffignac. The trip will In Quinson in Haute Provence, explore the culmi­nate in Provence in Arles, Fontvieille, Musée de Préhistoire and the spectacular Gorges and Les Baux, a spectacular medieval town du Verdon. Then depart for the Massif Central with wonderful views across the Camargue and its relatively unexplored plateauland, Les and Rhone Valley. Causses, interspersed with breathtaking gorges Join us for an extraordinary adventure in and numerous prehistoric dolmen and stone France! circles. Sincerely, In the town of Roquefort, see the standing stone and look for blackcaps, woodpeckers, firecrests and other woodland bird species. Then explore the Causses and the geologic Margaret M. Betchart, President wonder of Cirque de Navacelles. Learn about For AAAS Travels & Sigma Xi Expeditions LEADERSHIP Leading this expedition will be Mark Walters. Travel writer, university lecturer, and naturalist, Mark has an MA from Cambridge University in the Classics, Archaeology and Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental Management. He has published widely in fields ranging from linguistics to natural history and archaeology, with his most recent contributions being for Fodor’s and Time Out travel guides. He also leads historical and natural history expeditions to Greece, Tuscany, and Sicily. Though currently based in southern Italy, Mark is a self-confessed Francophile, having traveled extensively in France since the 1960’s. He is looking forward to sharing his love of archaeology, pre­history, and nature, and his enthusiasm for French culture and language with expedition members.

ITINERARY

Days 1/2 New York to Marseille on the leafy bank of the River Verdon. We will Depart from New York for Paris and take a then explore the gorge—the site of so many connecting flight to Marseille. Transfer on own prehistoric finds—by boat or foot. Evening to the Best Western Marseille Hotel. Evening lecture. B,L,D at leisure. Day 5 Les Causses, Massif Central Day 3 Marseille to Greoux les Bains & Millau This morning we will explore Vieux Marseille This morning, we will have an early de­parture and tour the Museum of the Roman Docks. We westwards towards the Massif Central and its will then drive to Greoux les Bains, our first stop relatively unexplored plateauland, Les Causses, en route to the Gorges du Verdon. Enjoy a interspersed with breath­taking gorges, stretching welcome social and dinner at Hotel des Alpes across south central France. Homo sapiens have (2 nights). B,D inhabited the area since Paleolithic times. We will Day 4 Quinson, Haute Provence focus on the curious Neolithic remains dotting Drive to Quinson to visit the Musée de the land­scape, on stone circles, megalithic Préhistoire, designed and constructed by world- dolmen, and menhir. After a light lunch at the famous architect Sir Norman Foster. This state-of- ancient Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, we will the-art museum will guide us through the various arrive in Millau and explore historic sites in the periods of prehistory in France and will also raise town center. Cevenol Hotel (3 nights). B,D the issue of conservation of Paleolithic sites. After Day 6 Roquefort & Millau our guided tour, we will stock up with picnic Today we will explore the river valley below provisions at the local epicerie and have a picnic the town of Roquefort to see the standing stone placed incongruously on the river bed. This will Day 8 Albi, The Dordogne & Les Eyzies give us an opportunity to listen for blackcaps, We will depart this morning for the Dordogne, robins, woodpeckers, firecrests and other the center of prehistory in France. Our route predominantly woodland bird species. At the takes us cross-country to Albi. Like so many town of Roquefort we will view one of the towns in the interior of France, Albi is beautifully traditional caves used for cheese-making. preserved and idyllically located on the Tarn Have lunch at the caves in Roquefort with an River. Our first visit will be to the medieval afternoon visit to the Museum of Paleontology cathedral-cum-fortress of Ste Cecile towering and Archaeology. Besides the wealth of fossil impressively over the rest of the old town. remains, we will see signs of continuous Close to the cathedral is the Toulouse-Lautrec occupation from the Neolithic onwards as Millau Museum. Albi is the artist Albi’s birthplace, and was an important crossroads in antiquity. B,L the museum houses the most comprehensive Day 7 Gorges de la Jonte collection of his works and has a small prehistory & Cirque de Navacelles section. Continue to Les Eyzies on the River Today we will follow the Tarn River valley Vezère. Hotel des Roches (3 nights). B northeast into the Gorges de la Jonte. This is Day 9 Lascaux II the site of a griffon vulture reintro­duction Take a morning walk on a Grand Randonner, program which can be viewed from Belvedere one of the many sign-posted trails running des Autours. We will explore and learn more through rural France from Le Moustier towards about flora and fauna of this fascinating place. La Madeleine. This is an introduction to the After lunch, we will cross architect Norman Vezère Valley, the hot spot of prehistoric settle­ Foster’s remarkable bridge spanning the ments in Europe. Visit Rogue Saint Christopher, River Tarn. We then drive past rolling fields the site of millenia of settlements on limestone and pastures of the terraces carved by the River Vezère. Causses via Alzon In the afternoon, we’ll specialize in paleolithic to the geological cave paintings and explore Lascaux II. Ranking as wonder of the number one among prehistoric sites in Europe, Cirque de Navacelles, the cave at Lascaux was discovered in 1940. a remarkably eroded Although the cave has now been closed to the gorge testifying to the public, the facsimile cave reproduces two dynamic land­scapes galleries from the upper part of the original. of the area. We will After our guided tour of Lascaux II we will take a short walk follow the river back towards Les Eyzies past stone circles for another spectacular cave, Rouffignac. and a dolmen on the Because of the delicate environment within deserted plateauland the cave and the possible damage to its paintings, of the Causses. B,D visitor numbers are severely restricted. We will take a train into the caves and see the prehistoric of Sarlat for an evening guided tour by gaslight. drawings, especially of mammoths. B,L,D Day 10 Vezère Valley, Day 11 Arles, Provence Abri Pataud & Sarlat This morning we travel south­east to Arles. In Paleolithic times, the limestone overhangs Commanding a strategic point in the Rhone and caves were used as shelters and burial sites Valley, Arles flourished in Roman times and is by groups hunting reindeer which migrated considered the heart-and-soul of Provence. through the Vezère Valley. One of the reindeer Lunch en route at the Canal du Midi near river crossings must have been close to Les Carcassonne. In the afternoon we will visit the Eyzies, as this whole area is a hot spot of pre­ Musée de Arles Antiques, a museum recently historic finds for both Neanderthal man and Cro- opened at the western end of the ancient Circus magnon man, our direct ancestor. This morning Maximus near the banks of the Rhone. We will visit the Museum of Prehistory and learn about view the well-displayed prehistoric and Roman the many finds often spanning several thousand sections in order to get a clearer idea of land years at the same site. Nearby is Abri Pataud, a use and settle­ments in ancient times. Hotel du shelter used in Paleolithic times and focal point Forum (3 nights). B for multi-disciplinary studies on early mankind, Day 12 Fontvieille, Les Alpilles ranging from the study of living or fossil plant & Les Baux spores or pollen to forensic medicine. Have a Our first stop this morning is Font­vieille, site picnic on the banks of the Vezère in Les Eyties. of a megalithic chamber, one of many to be found We will head to the beautifully preserved town in the calcareous landscape of Les Alpilles. This is also the location of Les Baux, a finely preserved medieval town complete with a chateau affording wonderful vistas across the plains of the Camargue and the Rhone Valley. B,L Day 13 La Palissade, Camargue Today we head south of Arles into the Camargue, the low-lying area between the Grand Rhone and the Petit Rhone, considered one of the finest wetlands in Europe. Our destination is La Palissade. Here we will look for the greater flamingo, found in the Camargue through­out the year, as well as a variety of other birds like the European bee- eater and little tern. We will also learn • IGM THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY  S

about the salt extraction industry which began in Roman times. After a picnic underneath the stone RESERVATIONS #1457 pinesta a L Palissade, we o return t Arles. Farewell Yes! I/we o want t join the Wild France Expedition, A dinnern i celebration of wild and prehistoric May 12-25, 2017, offeredy b AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi, ACS, France. B,L,D and The Planetary Society. Please reserve _____ space(s). X As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $______($500 per Day 14 Marseille person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Transfer to the Marseille airport for our return I

flights home. B Name(s) ______Age______•

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Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and The Planetary Society act only as agents for the Signature______Date______passenger with respect to trans­portation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. We can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident, or irregularity in Please Mail To: Wild France 2017 connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other convey­ ance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. Operation of the ship is solely Betchart Expeditions Inc. the responsibility of Skorpios Cruises, Chile. We cannot accept any responsibility for lossesr o additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, 17050 Montebello Road weather, strike, war, quarantine, acts of God, terrorism, or other causes beyond our Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 y control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to sub­ Society stitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements­ are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. ©2016 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons and Mark Walters. CST# 2036304-40 AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

FIRST CLASS

Wild & Prehistoric FRANCE! May 12-25, 2017

and guides; group entrance fees; baggage handling; COSTS & CONDITIONS leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International air Trip Fee: $3,995 per person twin share for 14 days, plus fare (quoted separately); some meals; independent airport air fare of approximately $1,995 including tax from New transfers; gratuity to expedi­tion leader; personal items York to Paris and Marseilles, round trip. such as alcoholic bever­ages, laundry, phone calls, bottled Air Fare: Air fare quoted is a special fare with Air France. water, snacks, passport, personal insurance. AIR FARES AND TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: Accommodations: Please mail a deposit of $500 per person to: Are in first class or country style hotels which reflect the Wild France 2017 charm and heritage of France, and are well situated for visits Betchart Expeditions Inc., to prehistoric sites, nature reserves, shops, and walking 17050 Montebello Road paths. We encourage singles to register on a “twin share” Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 basis. Limited singles are available for a supplement of $795. Final payment is due 60 days before departure. What to Expect: Questions: Please call Marisa Eide This expedition is planned for the travel enthusiast who at Betchart Expeditions Inc. would enjoy exploring and learning about the fascinating Phone: (800) 252-4910 heritage of France, includ­ing world renowned caves with or (408) 252-4910 prehistoric cave paintings plus wild places and birdlife of Fax: (408) 252-1444 Southern France. Email: [email protected] Travel is by motorcoach, with daily outings on foot Look on the Web: www.betchartexpeditions.com of 1 to 2 miles at a leisurely pace suitable for exploring Cancellations & Refunds: prehistoric sites, museums, medieval cities and wooded The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before footpaths. Exploration requires some walking up and departure, less a handling fee of $100 per person. There downhill. Please be prepared to actively explore is no refund for any on foot. cancellation after This expedition is a tremendous experience for travelers the0 6 day period with an appetite for adventure and discovery who would unless your space likeo t explore off- the-beaten-track locations in south central can be resold; then France with an excellent leader. (No smoking in vehicles, a $100 per person during lectures, or meals, please.) handling fee applies. Expedition Fee Includes: No refunds are made Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations for unused services. in first class and country style hotels which reflect the cultural heritage of France; most meals; tips to drivers