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ForMembers of AAAS & Sigma Xi Wild &Prehistoric AAAS Travels Sigma Xi Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 FRANCE Including Lascaux II & Rouffignac FIRST CLASS May22–June 4, 2009

Dear Friends: Join Mark Walters for an extraordinary journey in France! Discover wild areas and prehistoric sites in Haute Provence, the Massif Central, and the Dordogne, including spectacular gorge country populated by raptors, Explore... remote villages, and images of the greatest Wild & Prehistoric cave paintings in Europe at Lascaux II. numerous prehistoric dolmen and stone circles. FRANCE! In Quinson in Haute Provence, explore the May 22–June 4, 2009 recently opened Musée de Préhistoire and the In the town of Roquefort, see the spectacular Gorges du Verdon. Then depart standing stone and look for blackcaps, for the Massif Central and its relatively woodpeckers, firecrests and other unexplored plateauland, Les Causses, woodland bird species. Then explore interspersed with breathtaking gorges and the Causses and the geologic wonder of Cirque de Navacelles. Learn about the griffon vulture reintroduction program at Gorges de la Jonte, and entrance fees; baggage handling; Cancellations & Refunds: The the prehistory of ancient Millau, an Costs & Conditions leadership, administration. initial deposit is refundable up to 60 (CONTINUED) important crossroads in antiquity. Expedition Fee Does Not days before departure, less a handling Include: International air fare fee of $100 per person. There is no What to Expect: This expedition is refund for any cancellation after the Explore the Vezère Valley, a hot- planned for the travel enthusiast who (quoted separately); some meals; independent airport transfers; 60 day period unless your space can spot for prehistoric finds of both would enjoy exploring and learning be resold; then a $100 per person about the fascinating heritage of gratuity to expedition leader; personal Neanderthal and Cro-magnon man. items such as alcoholic beverages, handling fee applies. No refunds are France, including world renowned made for unused services. Enjoy a picnic and walk on the Grand caves with prehistoric cave paintings laundry, phone calls, bottled water, snacks, passport, personal insurance. Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., the Randonner. See the cave paintings in plus wild places and birdlife of American Association for the Advancement of Science Southern France. Travel is by motor- Reservations, Deposits and (AAAS), and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, Lascaux II, then follow the river to coach, with daily outings on foot Payments: Please mail a deposit of act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care another spectacular cave, Rouffignac. of 1 to 2 miles at a leisurely pace $500 per person to the Wild France possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection suitable for exploring prehistoric Expedition, Betchart Expeditions with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or The trip will culminate in Provence sites, museums, medieval cities and Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility in Arles, Fontvieille, and Les Baux, wooded footpaths. Exploration Cupertino, CA 95014-5435. All for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes requires some walking up and reservations will be acknowledged in in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, a spectacular medieval town with terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes downhill. Please be prepared to the order received until the maximum beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have wonderful views across the Camargue actively explore on foot. enrollment of 24 is reached. Final pay- to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for ment is due 60 days before departure. arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the and Rhone Valley. This expedition is a tremendous right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case experience for travelers with an Questions: the entire payment will be refunded with no further Join us for an extraordinary appetite for adventure and discovery Please call Marisa Eide at obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of adventure in France! who would like to explore off- the- Betchart Expeditions Inc. the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion beaten-track locations in south central Phone: (800) 252-4910 of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is Sincerely, France with an excellent leader. (No or (408) 252-4910 based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to smoking in vehicles, during lectures, Fax: (408) 252-1444 change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the or meals, please.) Email: owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between Expedition Fee Includes: Land [email protected] the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines transport; group airport transfers; Look on the Web: concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, Margaret M. Betchart omission, or event during the time passengers are not accommodations in first class and www.betchartexpeditions.com on board their plane or conveyance. country style hotels which reflect the President, cultural heritage of France; most meals; ©2008 Betchart Expeditions Inc. For AAAS Travels All rights reserved. tips to drivers and guides; group Illustrations by April Milne. & Sigma Xi Expeditions cave and the possible damage to will look for the greater Itinerary its paintings, visitor numbers are flamingo, found in the severely restricted. We will take Camargue throughout Days 1/2 New York a train into the caves and see the the year, as well as a to Marseille prehistoric drawings, especially variety of other birds Depart from New York for Paris and of mammoths. like the European bee- take a connecting flight to Marseille. Day 10 Vezère Valley, Abri eater and little tern. We Transfer on own to the Best Western Pataud & Sarlat will also learn about the Marseille Hotel. Evening at leisure. In Paleolithic times, the limestone salt extraction industry which began in Roman Day 3 Marseille overhangs and caves were used as times. After a picnic to Quinson, shelters and burial sites by groups underneath the stone This morning we will explore Vieux hunting reindeer which migrated pines at Le Pallissade, Marseille and transfer in the early after- through the Vezère Valley. One of we return to Arles. noon to Quinson in Haute Provence, the reindeer river crossings must Farewell dinner in our first stop on the Gorges du Verdon. have been close to Les Eyzies, as celebration of wild Enjoy a welcome social and dinner at this whole area is a hot spot of pre- and prehistoric France. our small auberge, the historic finds for both Neanderthal Relais de Notre B,L,D Dame (2 nights). B,D man and Cro-magnon man, our direct ancestor. This morning visit Day 14 Marseille Day 4 Quinson, the Museum of Prehistory and learn Haute Provence Transfer to the about the many finds often spanning Marseille airport for A short walk from the hotel is the Day 6 Roquefort & Millau to the dynamic landscapes of the area. several thousand years at the same XI & SIGMA recently opened Musée de Préhistoire, our return flights Today we will explore the river valley We’ll take a short walk past stone site. Nearby is Abri Pataud, a shelter home. B designed and constructed by world- below the town of Roquefort to see the circles and a dolmen on the deserted used in Paleolithic times and focal famous architect Sir Norman Foster. standing stone placed incongruously plateauland of the Causses. B,D point for multi-disciplinary studies This state-of-the-art museum will THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY on the river bed. This will give us an Day 8 Albi, The Dordogne on early mankind, ranging from the Reservations #1077 guide us through the various periods opportunity to listen for blackcaps, study of living or fossil plant spores of prehistory in France and will also & Les Eyzies robins, woodpeckers, firecrests and We will depart this morning for the or pollen to forensic medicine. Have Yes! I/We want to join the Wild & Prehistoric France Expedition, raise the issue of conservation of other predominantly woodland bird a picnic on the banks of the Vezère May 22–June 4, 2009, offered by AAASTravels & Sigma Xi Expeditions. Paleolithic sites. After our guided Dordogne, the center of prehistory species. At the town of Roquefort we in France. Our route takes us cross- in Les Eyties. We will head to the Please reserve ______space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for tour, we will stock up with picnic will view one of the traditional caves beautifully preserved town of Sarlat $______($500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. provisions at the local epicerie and country to Albi. Like so many towns used for cheese-making. Lunch at the in the interior of France, Albi is for an evening guided tour by Trust Account. have a picnic on the leafy bank of the caves in Roquefort with an afternoon gaslight. B,L,D River Verdon. We will then explore beautifully preserved and idyllically visit to the Museum of Paleontology located on the Tarn River. Our first Name(s) ______Age ______Sex _____ the gorge—the site of so many and Archaeology. Besides the wealth Day 11 Arles, Provence visit will be to the medieval cathedral- This morning we travel southeast prehistoric finds—by boat or foot. of fossil remains, we will see signs ______Age ______Sex _____ Evening lecture. B,L,D cum-fortress of Ste Cecile towering to Arles. Commanding a strategic of continuous occupation from the impressively over the rest of the old Neolithic onwards as Millau was an point in the Rhone Valley, Arles Address ______Day 5 Les Causses, Massif town. Close to the cathedral is the flourished in Roman times and is Central & Millau important crossroads in antiquity. B,L Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Albi is the considered the heart-and-soul of City ______State______Zip ______This morning, we’ll have an early Day 7 Gorges de la Jonte artist Albi’s birthplace, and the museum Provence. Lunch en route at the departure westwards towards the & Cirque de Navacelles houses the most comprehensive Canal du Midi near Carcassonne. Phone: Home (_____)______Work (_____) ______Massif Central and its relatively Today we will follow the Tarn River collection of his works and has a In the afternoon we will visit the E unexplored plateauland, Les valley northeast into the Gorges de la small prehistory section. Continue Musée de Arles Antiques, a museum Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Causses, interspersed with breath- Jonte. This is the site of a griffon vulture to Les Eyzies on the River Vezère. recently opened at the western end taking gorges, stretching across south Accommodations Preference: reintroduction program which can be Hotel des Roches (3 nights). B of the ancient Circus Maximus near xpeditions central France. Homo sapiens have viewed from Belvedere des Autours. Day 9 Lascaux II the banks of the Rhone. We will ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Twin Share with a friend or ___ assign a roommate inhabited the area since Paleolithic We will explore and learn more about Take a morning walk on a Grand view the well-displayed prehistoric times. We will focus on the curious flora and fauna of this fascinating place. ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker Randonner, one of the many sign- and Roman sections, in order to Neolithic remains dotting the land- After lunch, we’ll cross architect posted trails running through rural get a clearer idea of land use and scape, on stone circles, megalithic Norman Foster’s remarkable bridge France from Le Moustier towards settlements in ancient times. Hotel Signature: ______Date: ______dolmen, and menhir. After a light spanning the River Tarn. We then drive La Madeleine. This is an introduction Atrium (3 nights). B lunch at the ancient Roman aqueduct, past rolling fields and pastures of the to the Vezère Valley, the hot spot of Signature: ______Date: ______Pont du Gard, we will arrive in Millau Causses via Alzon to the geological Day 12 Fontvieille, Les Alpilles prehistoric settlements in Europe. and explore historic sites in the town wonder of the Cirque de Navacelles, & Les Baux Please Mail To: Wild & Prehistoric France Visit Rogue Saint Christopher, the center. Cevenol Hotel (3 nights). B,D a remarkably eroded gorge testifying Our first stop this morning is Font- Betchart Expeditions Inc. site of millenia of settlements on vieille, site of a megalithic chamber, 17050 Montebello Road limestone terraces carved by the one of many to be found in the Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Leadership River Vezère. In the afternoon, we calcareous landscape of Les Alpilles. will specialize in paleolithic cave This is also the location of Les Baux, Leading this expedition will be Mark Walters. Travel writer, university paintings and explore Lascaux II. a finely preserved medieval town Costs & Conditions lecturer, and naturalist, Mark has an MA from Cambridge University in the Ranking as number one among complete with a chateau affording Classics, Archaeology and Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental prehistoric sites in Europe, the cave wonderful vistas across the plains Expedition Fee: $3,895 per person Accommodations: Are in first class Management. He has published widely in fields ranging from linguistics to at Lascaux was discovered in 1940. of the Camargue and the Rhone twin share for 14 days, plus air fare of or country style hotels which reflect natural history and archaeology, with his most recent contributions being Although the cave has now been Valley. B,L $695 plus tax plus fuel surcharge from the charm and heritage of France, and are well situated for visits to prehistoric for Fodor’s and Time Out travel guides. He also leads historical and natural closed to the public, the facsimile Day 13 Le Pallissade, New York to Paris and Marseilles, cave reproduces two galleries from round trip. sites, nature reserves, shops, and history expeditions to Greece, Tuscany, and Sicily. Camargue walking paths. We encourage singles the upper part of the original. After Today we head south of Arles into Air Fare: Air fare quoted is a special Though currently based in southern Italy, Mark is a self-confessed our guided tour of Lascaux II we fare with Air France. Air fares and to register on a “twin share” basis. Francophile, having traveled extensively in France since the 1960’s. the Camargue, the low-lying area Should you desire single accommo- will follow the river back towards between the Grand Rhone and the taxes are subject to change. He is looking forward to sharing his love of archaeology, prehistory, Les Eyzies for another spectacular dations, the additional cost is $695. Petit Rhone, considered one of If you do not have a roommate and and nature, and his enthusiasm for French culture and language with cave, Rouffignac. Because of the the finest wetlands in Europe. Our expedition members. delicate environment within the we cannot assign one, you must pay destination is Le Pallissade. Here we the single supplement. cave and the possible damage to will look for the greater Itinerary its paintings, visitor numbers are flamingo, found in the severely restricted. We will take Camargue throughout Days 1/2 New York a train into the caves and see the the year, as well as a to Marseille prehistoric drawings, especially variety of other birds Depart from New York for Paris and of mammoths. like the European bee- take a connecting flight to Marseille. Day 10 Vezère Valley, Abri eater and little tern. We Transfer on own to the Best Western Pataud & Sarlat will also learn about the Marseille Hotel. Evening at leisure. In Paleolithic times, the limestone salt extraction industry which began in Roman Day 3 Marseille overhangs and caves were used as times. After a picnic to Quinson, shelters and burial sites by groups underneath the stone This morning we will explore Vieux hunting reindeer which migrated pines at Le Pallissade, Marseille and transfer in the early after- through the Vezère Valley. One of we return to Arles. noon to Quinson in Haute Provence, the reindeer river crossings must Farewell dinner in our first stop on the Gorges du Verdon. have been close to Les Eyzies, as celebration of wild Enjoy a welcome social and dinner at this whole area is a hot spot of pre- and prehistoric France. our small auberge, the historic finds for both Neanderthal Relais de Notre B,L,D Dame (2 nights). B,D man and Cro-magnon man, our direct ancestor. This morning visit Day 14 Marseille Day 4 Quinson, the Museum of Prehistory and learn Haute Provence Transfer to the about the many finds often spanning Marseille airport for A short walk from the hotel is the Day 6 Roquefort & Millau to the dynamic landscapes of the area. several thousand years at the same XI & SIGMA recently opened Musée de Préhistoire, our return flights Today we will explore the river valley We’ll take a short walk past stone site. Nearby is Abri Pataud, a shelter home. B designed and constructed by world- below the town of Roquefort to see the circles and a dolmen on the deserted used in Paleolithic times and focal famous architect Sir Norman Foster. standing stone placed incongruously plateauland of the Causses. B,D point for multi-disciplinary studies This state-of-the-art museum will THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY on the river bed. This will give us an Day 8 Albi, The Dordogne on early mankind, ranging from the Reservations #1077 guide us through the various periods opportunity to listen for blackcaps, study of living or fossil plant spores of prehistory in France and will also & Les Eyzies robins, woodpeckers, firecrests and We will depart this morning for the or pollen to forensic medicine. Have Yes! I/We want to join the Wild & Prehistoric France Expedition, raise the issue of conservation of other predominantly woodland bird a picnic on the banks of the Vezère May 22–June 4, 2009, offered by AAASTravels & Sigma Xi Expeditions. Paleolithic sites. After our guided Dordogne, the center of prehistory species. At the town of Roquefort we in France. Our route takes us cross- in Les Eyties. We will head to the Please reserve ______space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for tour, we will stock up with picnic will view one of the traditional caves beautifully preserved town of Sarlat $______($500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. provisions at the local epicerie and country to Albi. Like so many towns used for cheese-making. Lunch at the in the interior of France, Albi is for an evening guided tour by Trust Account. have a picnic on the leafy bank of the caves in Roquefort with an afternoon gaslight. B,L,D River Verdon. We will then explore beautifully preserved and idyllically visit to the Museum of Paleontology located on the Tarn River. Our first Name(s) ______Age ______Sex _____ the gorge—the site of so many and Archaeology. Besides the wealth Day 11 Arles, Provence visit will be to the medieval cathedral- This morning we travel southeast prehistoric finds—by boat or foot. of fossil remains, we will see signs ______Age ______Sex _____ Evening lecture. B,L,D cum-fortress of Ste Cecile towering to Arles. Commanding a strategic of continuous occupation from the impressively over the rest of the old Neolithic onwards as Millau was an point in the Rhone Valley, Arles Address ______Day 5 Les Causses, Massif town. Close to the cathedral is the flourished in Roman times and is Central & Millau important crossroads in antiquity. B,L Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Albi is the considered the heart-and-soul of City ______State______Zip ______This morning, we’ll have an early Day 7 Gorges de la Jonte artist Albi’s birthplace, and the museum Provence. Lunch en route at the departure westwards towards the & Cirque de Navacelles houses the most comprehensive Canal du Midi near Carcassonne. Phone: Home (_____)______Work (_____) ______Massif Central and its relatively Today we will follow the Tarn River collection of his works and has a In the afternoon we will visit the E unexplored plateauland, Les valley northeast into the Gorges de la small prehistory section. Continue Musée de Arles Antiques, a museum Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Causses, interspersed with breath- Jonte. This is the site of a griffon vulture to Les Eyzies on the River Vezère. recently opened at the western end taking gorges, stretching across south Accommodations Preference: reintroduction program which can be Hotel des Roches (3 nights). B of the ancient Circus Maximus near xpeditions central France. Homo sapiens have viewed from Belvedere des Autours. Day 9 Lascaux II the banks of the Rhone. We will ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Twin Share with a friend or ___ assign a roommate inhabited the area since Paleolithic We will explore and learn more about Take a morning walk on a Grand view the well-displayed prehistoric times. We will focus on the curious flora and fauna of this fascinating place. ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker Randonner, one of the many sign- and Roman sections, in order to Neolithic remains dotting the land- After lunch, we’ll cross architect posted trails running through rural get a clearer idea of land use and scape, on stone circles, megalithic Norman Foster’s remarkable bridge France from Le Moustier towards settlements in ancient times. Hotel Signature: ______Date: ______dolmen, and menhir. After a light spanning the River Tarn. We then drive La Madeleine. This is an introduction Atrium (3 nights). B lunch at the ancient Roman aqueduct, past rolling fields and pastures of the to the Vezère Valley, the hot spot of Signature: ______Date: ______Pont du Gard, we will arrive in Millau Causses via Alzon to the geological Day 12 Fontvieille, Les Alpilles prehistoric settlements in Europe. and explore historic sites in the town wonder of the Cirque de Navacelles, & Les Baux Please Mail To: Wild & Prehistoric France Visit Rogue Saint Christopher, the center. Cevenol Hotel (3 nights). B,D a remarkably eroded gorge testifying Our first stop this morning is Font- Betchart Expeditions Inc. site of millenia of settlements on vieille, site of a megalithic chamber, 17050 Montebello Road limestone terraces carved by the one of many to be found in the Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Leadership River Vezère. In the afternoon, we calcareous landscape of Les Alpilles. will specialize in paleolithic cave This is also the location of Les Baux, Leading this expedition will be Mark Walters. Travel writer, university paintings and explore Lascaux II. a finely preserved medieval town Costs & Conditions lecturer, and naturalist, Mark has an MA from Cambridge University in the Ranking as number one among complete with a chateau affording Classics, Archaeology and Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental prehistoric sites in Europe, the cave wonderful vistas across the plains Expedition Fee: $3,895 per person Accommodations: Are in first class Management. He has published widely in fields ranging from linguistics to at Lascaux was discovered in 1940. of the Camargue and the Rhone twin share for 14 days, plus air fare of or country style hotels which reflect natural history and archaeology, with his most recent contributions being Although the cave has now been Valley. B,L $695 plus tax plus fuel surcharge from the charm and heritage of France, and are well situated for visits to prehistoric for Fodor’s and Time Out travel guides. He also leads historical and natural closed to the public, the facsimile Day 13 Le Pallissade, New York to Paris and Marseilles, cave reproduces two galleries from round trip. sites, nature reserves, shops, and history expeditions to Greece, Tuscany, and Sicily. Camargue walking paths. We encourage singles the upper part of the original. After Today we head south of Arles into Air Fare: Air fare quoted is a special Though currently based in southern Italy, Mark is a self-confessed our guided tour of Lascaux II we fare with Air France. Air fares and to register on a “twin share” basis. Francophile, having traveled extensively in France since the 1960’s. the Camargue, the low-lying area Should you desire single accommo- will follow the river back towards between the Grand Rhone and the taxes are subject to change. He is looking forward to sharing his love of archaeology, prehistory, Les Eyzies for another spectacular dations, the additional cost is $695. Petit Rhone, considered one of If you do not have a roommate and and nature, and his enthusiasm for French culture and language with cave, Rouffignac. Because of the the finest wetlands in Europe. Our expedition members. delicate environment within the we cannot assign one, you must pay destination is Le Pallissade. Here we the single supplement. ForMembers of AAAS & Sigma Xi Wild &Prehistoric AAAS Travels Sigma Xi Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 FRANCE Including Lascaux II & Rouffignac FIRST CLASS May22–June 4, 2009