Teachers resources » Pre-visit information » Organise your trip » 5. Bon Voyage
The Chateau will need your rooming list with names of pupils as well as any dietary and medical requirements. You will also need to confirm your program. All of the above are available online.
Finance: The final balance is to be made one month prior departure as per payment dates. Please REMEMBER who to make the cheque payable to (see above).
Transport: The planning is almost final but still likely to change until 2 weeks prior to departure (very minor changes). Please keep checking online or drop us a note.
Party members list: To be filled in online, this list requires names, ages, dorms, dietary requirements and grouping and needs to be available 3 weeks prior to departure.
Emergency number: Please provide us with a mobile number on your online party members list so the coach drivers can contact you during your journeys.
Your final travel itinerary will be available online with references, emergency numbers and names at the Chateau, with coach companies and ferry companies. This document will be final 2 to 3 days prior to departure as drivers names and numbers are only disclosed that late.
UK coach: Your coach will arrive at your school 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure. Should it be EXTREMELY delayed, please contact the numbers provided on your final itinerary. Your coach will help you disembark at port.
Ferry: Please provide the reference number stated on your itinerary. All of our providers work on a ticketless system where the reference number automatically generate your check-in. Usual passport control occur. If you are on a slow boat as foot passenger, a luggage cage reference will also be supplied on your travel itinerary. Please show it to the operator who will the guide you through it.
French coast: (for foot passengers only): As you disembark the craft, please go the usual passport control. As you come out of the hall, our Chateau coach will be waiting for you. Most of the coaches you will get will have a ‘Chateau de la Baudonniere’ inscription on the side of the coach.
The team will be waiting for your group and show you to the accommodation. A meal will be provided according to the time of arrival, as below:
| Arrive (or the EXPECTED arrival time) | Meal |
| BEFORE 20:00 | NORMAL EVENING MEAL or BUFFET FROID when close to 7 or 8 PM |
| BETWEEN 20:00 and 22:00 | BUFFET FROID which will include Ham, Cheese, Crisps, Bread, Butter, Fruit and Drinks (& wine for teachers)+ salads such as tuna, tomatoe...cucumber |
| AFTER 22:00 | CHOC CHAUD and CAKES/madeleines Wine for teachers... |
Please liaise with the team should any problems arise.
The Chateau team will have a meeting with all the teachers the day after to run through procedures and the programs.
The UK office will fax you a new travel itinerary with details of your driver for your return journey.
The Chateau will supply the name and number of the French driver (foot passengers only). The team will also organise a telephone appointment between you and the UK office to get feedback from your trip upon your return.
Time | Chateau | UK office |
| 12 to 6 months | - | Provisionally book Get promotion material (leaflets) Liaise regarding numbers Send first deposits |
| 6 to 3 months | Ask possible queries Inform of gender breakdown | Send second deposits Inform of gender breakdown and any number changes Receive online log-in Check transport |
| 2 months | Liaise with Chateau re program Receive rooming | Check transport online Confirm numbers if needed |
| 1 month | Confirm program Fill in forms via online booking | Final balance Send names list for transport Send emergency numbers |
| 1 week | - | Print final itinerary |
| During stay | Arrange feedback interview | Receive updated travel itinerary |
| Back to the UK | - | Feedback interview |
Castaway Travel
Preston Park Business Centre
36 Robertson Roan Brighton
BN1 5NL
Phone: 01273 202 999
Fax: 01273 560491
Chateau de la baudonniere
50320 Les Chambres
Phone: 0033 233 60 46 95
Fax: 0033 233 60 50 23