Question 1

Are the tours guided or self-guided?

Accepted Answer

Ophorus tours are guided: almost all experiences are led by professional driver‑guides or licensed local guides rather than being self‑guided.

Shared day tours and wine tours
Shared small‑group tours (city, sightseeing, and wine) are conducted by accredited driver‑guides, often licensed guides for cultural visits or professional wine guides in the main wine regions.

Commentary, explanations, and on‑site guiding are included throughout the tour; these are not audio‑only or “follow‑the-map” self‑guided products.

Private tours and shore excursions
Private tours include transportation plus an English‑speaking licensed guide who is also usually your driver, with the option in some cases to separate driver and guide for a more personalized service.

All shore excursions run as private guided tours tailored to your party, not as self‑guided port transfers.

Question 2

What languages are your tours offered in?

Accepted Answer

All our small group tours are offered in English and for private tours other languages are available on request

Question 3

What should I wear or bring on the tour?

Accepted Answer

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing with good walking shoes, and bring essentials like water, sun or rain protection, and your booking voucher or e-ticket.

Clothing
Choose comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as many French towns and villages have cobblestones and uneven surfaces.

Dress in layers so you can adapt to changing weather (light sweater or jacket, breathable top, seasonal outerwear).

Essentials to bring
Printed or mobile tour voucher/confirmation, ID, and any required child seats or boosters if traveling with children.

A small daypack with a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and possibly a hat for sunny days.

A compact umbrella or light raincoat, especially in spring or autumn.

Extras depending on the tour
For wine or food tours: extra cash or a card for personal purchases such as bottles of wine, snacks, or souvenirs.

For sites with religious buildings (cathedrals, abbeys): modest attire (covered shoulders, no very short shorts) is often recommended.

Question 4

How far in advance should I book a tour?

Accepted Answer

For shared group tours, it is best to book at least 24 hours in advance; for most private tours and packages, plan at least 30 days ahead, especially in peak season.

Shared small-group tours
You can often book shared semi‑private day tours up to the day before, but availability is limited in busy periods, so 2–3 days ahead is safer.

Changes or cancellations are usually free up to 24 hours before departure, which effectively makes “at least 1 day in advance” the recommended minimum.

Private tours and custom itineraries
For private day tours, Ophorus generally asks for a 30% deposit at confirmation with the balance due 30 days before arrival, so you should aim to book at least 1 month in advance.

Multi‑day packages and group programs (over 8 people) also follow a 30‑day balance deadline, and many services (châteaux, wineries, guides) require advance reservations, so earlier is strongly recommended, especially May–October.

Peak season and last‑minute bookings
In peak months such as July and August, popular tours and wine regions can sell out; booking several weeks ahead is advised to secure your preferred dates and experiences.

If you are already in France and looking for a last‑minute activity, it is still worth checking the website or app, as some tours can be booked until the previous day depending on remaining seats.

Question 5

What is your policy on photography and videos during tours?

Accepted Answer

You are welcome to take personal photos and short video clips during Ophorus tours, as long as you respect your guide, fellow travelers, and any rules set by the sites you visit.

Personal photography and filming
Casual photography for your own memories and social media is generally fine during tours and at most outdoor stops.

Please avoid filming full commentaries or an entire tour, as this can disturb the group and is treated as non‑permitted professional recording in many attractions.

Respecting sites and other guests
Some châteaux, wineries, museums, or churches restrict or ban photography in specific areas (for example, cellars, tasting rooms, or interiors), and their local rules always take priority; your guide will advise you.

Always be mindful not to block pathways, disturb tastings, or film people at close range without their consent.

Use of images by Ophorus
Photos and videos taken by Ophorus guides or staff during a tour may be used in the company’s promotional materials, website, newsletters, or social media, without separate compensation, as stated in the legal notice.

If you prefer not to appear in such images, you can tell your guide at the beginning of the tour so they can take it into account.

Question 6

Do you offer transfers to/from airports or train stations?

Accepted Answer

Homepage description explicitly mentions 'Transfers' and navigation shows 'Transfers' category as primary offering

Question 7

What is your age restriction policy for children?

Accepted Answer

Shared Semi-Private Tours
Infants under 4 years old are not accepted on any shared semi-private tours. Children aged 4 to 12 receive a reduced price on these tours, but parents must inform Ophorus of the child's age and weight in advance for the appropriate car seat or booster; failure to do so means the child and accompanying adults cannot join, with no refund.

Wine Tours
Children under 18 years old are not permitted on any wine tours, aligning with France's legal drinking age of 18. Parents or guardians are responsible for minors' conduct on vehicles during these tours.

Private Tours
Private tours can be adapted for families, including infant-friendly activities upon request. The same car seat notification requirement applies for children 4 and over

Question 8

Do you offer discounts for large groups?

Accepted Answer

Homepage shows promo code 'SPRINGVIBES26' for 10% discount on selection of tours, but group-specific discounts not explicitly mentioned

Question 9

How long are the tours?

Accepted Answer

The timing of the tours can vary from half-day 4 to 5 hours approximately and full day tours 7 to 9 hours.

Question 10

What is the best time of year to visit these destinations?

Accepted Answer

For most Ophorus destinations (wine regions, Loire Valley, Burgundy, Provence, French Riviera, Normandy, Alsace), the best overall times to visit are spring (April–June) and early fall (September), when weather is mild and crowds are lighter.

Wine regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne)
Best overall: April–June and September offer comfortable temperatures, active vineyards, and fewer peak‑summer crowds.

Harvest: Early fall (mainly September) is ideal if you want to feel the harvest atmosphere, though specific dates vary each year.

Loire Valley and châteaux regions
Best overall: April–June and September, with long days, pleasant weather, and fully open châteaux.

Gardens: May–June are particularly beautiful for landscaped gardens and floral displays.

Provence and French Riviera
Best overall: April–June and September, which balance sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and more manageable crowds and traffic.

Beach and sea: June–September is warmest for swimming and beach time, but July–August are the busiest and hottest months.

Normandy and Dordogne
Best overall: May–June and September, which combine mild weather, lush landscapes, and fewer visitors at D‑Day sites or medieval villages.

Quietest: Late fall and winter (November–March) see reduced tourism and some limited opening hours, but can suit travelers who prioritize calm over activities.

Question 11

Do you offer combination tickets or multi-day packages?

Accepted Answer

Homepage mentions 'multi day Tours' and 'Packages' category in navigation

Question 12

Do you offer private or shared group tours?

Accepted Answer

Homepage describes 'Small Groups France private or shared Transfers, Day Trips' and mentions group category

Question 13

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Accepted payment methods
Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express are accepted for shared tours, private tours, and shore excursions.

Online payment: Secure internet payment directly through the Ophorus website is supported for reservations.

Bank transfer: Payment by wire transfer is possible; bank fees are at the customer’s charge.

Fees and conditions
There is no extra processing fee for Visa and MasterCard payments.

American Express payments incur an additional 3% processing fee.

For most shared and shore excursions, full payment is required at booking; for many private tours, a 30% deposit at confirmation and balance 30 days before arrival is standard.

Question 14

What are your business hours and how can I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Schema data shows address in LE BOUSCAT, 33110 France and email contact@ophorus.com; Tawk chat widget indicates live support available

Question 15

What happens if there is bad weather?

Accepted Answer

If there is bad weather, Ophorus may adjust the itinerary, change certain activities, or in rare cases cancel specific services when conditions make travel or an activity unsafe; you will be informed as early as possible, and weather-related cancellations of certain add-on activities are refunded.

Adjustments to tours in bad weather
All semi‑private and private tours are explicitly “subject to modification of itinerary or cancellation in case of unexpected events such as bad traffic conditions, weather conditions, and any other matter that could incur a risk in driving.”

Driver‑guides or the office team will contact you and keep you updated if changes are needed to ensure the safest possible option (for example, altering routes, changing timing, or replacing an outdoor stop with a more sheltered one).

Specific weather‑dependent activities
Some experiences, like the traditional pinasse boat ride in Arcachon or helicopter flights, operate strictly under good weather conditions.

If a pinasse boat ride is cancelled by the supplier 48 to 24 hours before due to bad weather, the price of that service is fully refunded.

Helicopter flights are also subject to same‑day weather decisions; if a flight is cancelled because of weather, the flight cost is fully refunded, though any separate transfer costs are not refundable.

Tours still running in rain
Many regular sightseeing and wine tours still operate in light rain or cloudy conditions, with guides adapting the experience to keep you as comfortable and safe as possible.

You should bring appropriate clothing (rain jacket, umbrella, non‑slip shoes) as tours are not automatically cancelled for normal rainy weather.

Question 16

What are your cancellation and refund policies?

Accepted Answer

All our terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.ophorus.com/terms-sales

Question 17

How many people are typically in a group tour?

Accepted Answer

On most Ophorus shared small-group tours, you will be with a maximum of 8 other guests; in a few cases (mainly certain Bordeaux wine tours), groups can go up to 16–20 people.

Typical group sizes
Standard shared day tours and shore excursions are run in premium minivans and are limited to about 7–8 participants, depending on the vehicle.

For some of the most popular shared wine tours in Bordeaux, group size can occasionally be higher, with certain departures operating up to 16 or, in rare cases, 20 guests.

Small-group travel packages
Small-group multi‑day packages in regions such as Alsace, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, or Normandy are also based on a maximum of 8 guests per package departure, keeping the experience intimate and flexible.

Even when a 16‑seater minibus is used on a travel package, Ophorus caps the number of participants at 16, which is the company’s stated maximum for any multi‑day group program.

Question 18

What is included in the tour price?

Accepted Answer

Homepage mentions tours but specific inclusions not clearly detailed in provided content

Question 19

Do you offer transfers from Paris?

Accepted Answer

Homepage states 'Transfers...from Paris, Bordeaux, Normandy, Alsace, Champagne, Loire, Burgundy, Provence, Dordogne, French Riviera'

Question 20

Do you offer shore excursions?

Accepted Answer

Homepage clearly states 'Shore Excursions' as main offering and navigation category

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