Important Information

VISAS: Currently, a visa is not required for American, Australian, British, and Canadian citizens travelling to France for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.

CULTURE SHOCK: Tourism in France is highly developed and you will be able to enjoy all of the luxuries of home. Pickpocketing and petty scams are common in Paris, especially around tourist hotspots. Not everyone you encounter will speak English, so we recommend you relax, have a sense of humour, and take it easy.  

LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: France is a very welcoming country with strong anti-discrimination laws. Same-sex marriage and adoption are legal and changing your gender doesn’t require surgery. Most French cities have at least one LGBTQ+ bar, but the largest and best-known Village is the Marais in Paris. Bonjour, Folks!

WEATHER: June in France is quite pleasant with daytime highs hovering around 25C (77F), however, on occasion temperatures can soar during heatwaves. There is a chance of light rain, so we recommend packing an umbrella and a raincoat.

VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements for France, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations. 

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type E sockets. Visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/france/ for more information.

CONNECTIVITY: You will have Wi-Fi access through the trip, although onboard our barge, network speeds can be slow. We recommend purchasing an international data package if you must be connected. Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home. They might be a tad jealous!

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded folks. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

For everyone’s peace of mind, travel insurance is mandatory for all Out Adventures tours. This insurance must include medical coverage and emergency repatriation/evacuation. For more details on our requirements and guidance on obtaining coverage, please click here. In addition to meeting our minimum requirements, we strongly recommend insuring the total cost of your trip with cancellation coverage and selecting a policy that covers all activities included in this tour.

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $100 – $120 total for the cruise coordinator and barge crew…they’ll certainly appreciate it!

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room.

Breakfast daily, 5 Lunches and 7 Dinners are included on this trip.

Hôtel Duo

11 Rue du Temple
Paris, France
+33 1 42 72 72 22

Standard check-in time is 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

Paris, France 

The exact docking location in Paris will be provided with your trip documents. A complimentary departure transfer will be provided if you are departing from the barge, or to the Out Adventures finishing point hotel. 

Do not book your departing flights until you receive your trip confirmation email with details on the departure day’s timing.

The currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Debit and credit cards should be accepted and work throughout the country. We recommend bringing about $200 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.

All gratuities for included activities and meals are included on this tour. If you’re pleased with your cruise coordinator and the ship crew, we recommended budgeting $100 – $120 USD USD for a tip.

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get heavier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.

The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.

Travel Documents

• Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
• Pre-trip packet
• Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items

• Eye mask, ear plugs
• Smartphone, camera, charging cables and travel adapters
• Daypack
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook, phrase book, reading material

Shoes

• Socks
• Walking shoes or trainers
• Sandals or water shoes
• A pair of shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Bottoms:

• Underwear
• Pants
• Shorts
• Pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Tops

• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweaters (Just in case)
• Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Jackets

• Light jacket for cool evenings
• Waterproof jacket

Other

• Sunglasses/Hat
• Small Umbrella
• Refillable water bottle
• Daypack

Health-related Items

• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
• Personal Medication
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
• Antibacterial gel/wipes
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant

We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health, and for this tour should be able to walk unassisted, and will be required to navigate stairs and cobblestone paths. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.