Description of Site

7/2/24 Update: Registration for the Feast in France is now at capacity.

Your brothers and sisters in Christ welcome you back to the Feast of Tabernacles at Club Miléade La Gaillarde on the beautiful French Riviera near the well-known tourist destinations of Saint-Tropez and Saint-Raphaël. We have enjoyed the Feast in this region of France for many years, and this will be our third time celebrating the Feast at this seaside location.

Located an hour south of the Nice airport, Club Miléade La Gaillarde is situated just across the street from the beautiful Mediterranean Sea with 180 degree ocean views and an underpass walkway to the well-known beach of La Gaillarde. The outdoor heated pool and children’s play area overlook the water and the hotel’s newly constructed main building has a restaurant and bar, playroom for children, as well as a spa where visitors can schedule a massage, enjoy a sauna, or relax in the indoor jacuzzi overlooking the sea. The auditorium for church services is located next to the main building and the hotel accommodations, many with ocean views, are a short walk from the main complex. The room and board package provides the opportunity to experience full-course buffet style French meals while enjoying fellowship with other brethren from around the world.

We plan to offer three afternoon excursions to nearby points of interest including a visit to a local winery and the sea-side towns of Monaco and Cannes. We also plan for several free days to enjoy activities in the area, a welcome event and an evening talent show and dance. Please see the “Activities & Excursions” section for additional information.

Average daytime highs in early October are in the upper 60s (20° Celsius) with lows in the mid 50s (14° Celsius). The Mediterranean Sea temperature is about 64° (17-18° Celsius) in October.

As with prior years, the Feast in France room and board package price includes nine nights’ lodging with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cost for two or more adults lodging together will be €690 per person and for a person lodging alone €870 per person. Children 13 and under pay a reduced rate. For pricing information, please see the “Housing” section.

Registration to attend the Feast in France includes: 1) Completing the online registration process for all attendees of any age and paying a non-refundable $40 per adult (18 years and older) administrative fee and 2) Paying for your room and board package.

We look forward to welcoming all those interested in joining the French brethren at Club Miléade La Gaillarde for the Feast this year.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT PROCESS

(Please contact [email protected] with questions)

Attending the Feast in France is a two-step process:

Step 1 – Complete the online registration for all attendees of any age starting at the “Sign Up” section below. As part of this process, you will need to pay a non-refundable $40 per adult (18 years and older) registration fee. This registration fee provides funding for many administrative functions necessary for Feast planning.

Step 2 – Make your full payment for your room and board package and excursions on the MyShopify site before the deadline of Sunday, July 14.

In addition, for those who will not be renting a car and need transportation to and from the Nice airport, you may also purchase seats on our Airport Shuttle bus. The deadline for this purchase is Friday, August 30.

Please note that payment for housing/meals, excursions and shuttles can only be made online, using a credit card or PayPal account. Prices are in Euros, with the exchange rate determined by your credit card company, or PayPal, on the date of payment. Prices for excursions are listed in the “Activities & Excursions” section.

Payment Deadlines

Registration Fee........................................................... At Time of Registration
Room and Board + Excursions ………………..……. Sunday, July 14
Airport Shuttles………............................................... Friday, August 30

Housing

There are two types of housing available at the Feast this year. One is a hotel-style room, and the other is an apartment style. The cost is the same for either, and the only selections you will need to make when paying for room and board are single occupancy vs double occupancy for anyone 14 and over, and the appropriate age-based package for anyone under 14. Housing units will be assigned closer to the Feast, with priority for apartments given to families with small children and those with special needs. Note that there is no Wi-Fi in the rooms, but there is Wi-Fi available in the main conference center a short walk from the housing units. If your cell provider offers it, you may consider adding an “international data plan” for the duration of your travels. Another option is to purchase a mobile hotspot and international data plan. One provider which several Feastgoers have used is Solis: https://soliswifi.co/?rfsn=2318081.4a2bce

Whether in a hotel room or an apartment, towels will be changed twice during your stay, and room cleaning will be provided once during your stay. If you would like your towels and sheets changed more frequently, you may request this and pay an additional fee at the front desk. Extra towels for beach or pool use are not provided, so you may wish to bring your own towels from home for this purpose.

1) Hotel rooms

Hotel rooms are arranged in pairs of two separate hotel rooms which can accommodate from two to five people. Each room has its own private locking door and private bathroom, but each pair of rooms shares a common entry door and small foyer. Each pair has one bedroom with a large bed while the second bedroom has two or three twin beds, to accommodate up to a family of five total.

Each room comes with its own bathroom and toilet, is equipped with heating and air conditioning, and has a small fridge and a TV.

The rooms on the ground floor have a small terrace; those on the first floor have a balcony.

2) Apartments

Apartments sleep up to six people. Each apartment has one private bedroom with two twin beds (can be made into a large bed). The sofa bed in the living room can sleep two and some apartments have a loft with two beds.

Each apartment has its own private bathroom and toilet, is equipped with heating and air conditioning, and comes with a TV, a fully equipped kitchenette, dishwasher, fridge, and hotplate. They are typically stocked with plates and utensils for a family of four to six along with table and chairs.

HOUSING COST:

The Feast in France room and board package includes nine nights’ lodging from check-in on Wednesday, October 16 to check-out on Friday, October 25 and includes dinner on Wednesday evening, October 16, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner from October 17 to October 24 as well as breakfast on the morning of departure, Friday October 25. Due to our contract terms, we cannot offer pricing for fewer days.

The cost for this room and board package is as follows:

Adults 14 years and older (double occupancy) - €690 per person
Adults (single occupancy) - €870 per person
Teens 11 to 13 years old - €580 per person
Children 6 to 10 years old - €495 per person
Children 3 to 5 years old - €335 per person
Children two years old and under - Free

RESORT AMENITIES:

Bar and lounge with panoramic terrace
Children’s playground
Wellness area with hot tub, steam room, sauna and solarium, massage rooms
Pétanque, multisport and tennis courts
Laundry room with iron and ironing board
Baby kit: free bathtub and baby bed on request
Heated outdoor pool, with paddling pool
Wi-Fi available in main building (lobby, bar, restaurant). No Wi-Fi in rooms.

Please note: There are NO blow-dryers in either type of housing unit, but there are hotel size bars of soap and small bottles of shampoo/body wash.

Arrivals, Departures & Shuttles

Passports: Travelers need to ensure that their passports are valid for at least three months beyond their planned date of departure out of the 26 European countries in the Schengen Area. However, please note that the U.S. State Department also advises Americans to have at least six months’ validity remaining on their passport whenever they travel abroad.

Visas: No visa is currently required for travelers from the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada to visit France if the visit is less than 90 days. For citizens of the European Union, a national ID card is all that is required. Visitors from countries other than those mentioned above should check with the nearest French consulate or embassy to verify travel formalities.

Airport Shuttle: A shuttle bus will be provided to and from the Nice airport on Wednesday, October 16, and Friday, October 25.

Feast site location: The Feast site is located at the following address:

Address: Village Club Miléade Les Issambres-La Gaillarde

La Gaillarde RD 559

83380 Roquebrune-sur-Argens

Telephone: 04 87 75 00 58

(When calling from outside of France, use +33 4 87 75 00 58)

If you will be flying into the Nice Airport and taking our provided shuttle:

Fly into the Nice airport, located about 70 km away from Club Miléade La Gaillarde (approximately a 1-hour drive). A shuttle bus will be provided to and from the Nice airport on Wednesday, October 16 for arrivals, and Friday, October 25 for departures.

If you would like to take advantage of the arrival shuttles on Wednesday, October 16, please plan to arrive before 2:30 pm. The last shuttle bus will leave between 3-3:30 pm. If you are unable to arrive before 2:30 pm, you will need to make alternate transportation arrangements to get to the hotel.

For the return shuttle on Friday, October 25, departures typically begin at 4 am and extend to noon, depending on flight departure times. We ensure adequate time for scheduled shuttle departures, so no one misses his/her flight.

For those purchasing a shuttle to and/or from the Nice airport, you will receive a questionnaire asking for your flight numbers and arrival/departure times. This questionnaire will be sent to you around Monday, September 2 to be completed by Sunday, September 15. The per person cost for an airport shuttle will be €40 each way. Infants under two are free.

If you plan to drive or take the train to Nice:

By car: Take the A8, then the exit "Le Muy" direction Roquebrune-sur-Argens then Saint-Aygulf and join the coastal road RD 559. "La Gaillarde" is a neighborhood located between Saint-Aygulf and Les Issambres. Parking is available on site.

By train: Arrive at the TGV station of Saint-Raphaël / Valescure + Correspondence by bus Varlib (n°7601), get off at the stop "La Gaillarde" in front of the Village Club Miléade (20 min bus ride). You can also take a cab to the site from the Saint-Raphaël train station.

Activities & Excursions

Group bus excursions will be offered on three afternoons during the Feast. Further details will be shared as the Feast approaches. We have left Sunday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 23 open, so you may feel free to take advantage of the onsite facilities or activities in the region.

Payment for excursions must be made online via Shopify by Sunday, July 14. Excursion buses must be reserved ahead of time, so unfortunately, your reservation is not refundable in case of cancellation. However, once at the Feast, you may be able to find someone willing to exchange or purchase your excursion tickets.

Please note:

Costs listed are per person and cover the cost of the tour buses, as well as admission to local sites where specified/applicable.
Payment deadline: Sunday, July 14

1. VISIT TO A LOCAL WINERY

Date: Friday, October 18

This excursion will be on a first come, first served basis since each winery has a capacity limit.

This tour is close to the feast site and will not have a guide on the bus.
Children under 18 will be served a non-alcoholic beverage instead of wine.

2 different options are available for the winery tours:

Visit either the Château de Saint-Martin or Château Vaudois winery (“Château” can mean castle in French, or simply estate) in the Côtes de Provence winemaking region in which the Feast site is located and experience an important part of French and Provençal culture! Although Côtes de Provence is most famous for its rosé wines, many wineries also produce red and/or white wines.

Option A – Château de Saint-Martin

Departure Time: 1:15 pm

Cost:

Visit & wine and cheese tasting:
Adults (18+): 56 €

Visit & juice and cheese tasting:
Children (9-17 years old): 37 €
Children (2-8 years old): 26 €

Children under two are free.

This winery, which has belonged to the same family since 1740, offers you a sensory experience with a walk through their 17th-century vaulted cellars, a 20 min movie presenting the history of the estate, a self-guided visit of their liquor museum, as well as a guided visit of the production site. A tasting of 4 wines paired with 4 artisanal cheeses is also included in the visit.

The group will be divided into smaller groups that will rotate through those various areas for the best experience for everyone.

Please note that this chateau does not have their vineyard close by but offers a beautiful outdoor area you can enjoy at your leisure if the weather permits.

This winery is 45-50 min away from our Feast site and people should be back on site by 6:30 at the latest. You can click on the following link for more information: https://www.chateaudesaintmartin.com

Option B – Château Vaudois

Departure time: 1:30 pm

Cost:

Visit & wine and cheese tasting:
Adults (18+): 46 €

Visit & juice and cheese tasting:
Children (2-17 years old): 28 €

Children under two are free.

This 100-hectare estate, including a 20-hectare vineyard, is dedicated to the production of elegant, refined wines. In 1988, Marie and Gérard Delli-Zotti bought a sleepy old vineyard in Roquebrune sur Argens. Their children, Christelle and Jonathan, became interested in the name of the place, "Le Vaudois", and discovered that in 1205, the Vallée du Fournel had welcomed the itinerant preachers of the Vaudois religion, founded in Lyon in 1173 by Pierre Valdès. It is believed that sabbath keepers of the true Church of God lived in the Vaudois region with Pierre Valdès as their leader. This symbolic past immediately motivated the whole family to breathe new life into this place steeped in history.

During this visit, you will discover the history of the estate and learn the secrets behind their wines on a private tour of the vineyards, production site and cellar. Enjoy their fun vineyard-themed workshops and visit the cellar for a tasting of 3 of their wines paired with cheese.

This Château is 15-20 min away from the Feast site and the visit itself should not last more than 2 hours, so we expect to return to the Feast site by 4:30 pm.

If you would like more information, you can click on the following link:

https://www.chateau-vaudois.com

2. MONACO

Date: Monday, October 21
Departure Time: Buses will depart at 12:30 pm and leave Monaco at 9:00 pm returning to the site around 10:30 pm

Please note that by participating in this excursion you will miss one dinner at the resort, for which you will not be reimbursed. However, you will have the opportunity to have an evening meal at a restaurant of your choice in Monaco at your own expense.

Per person cost (not including dinner): 40 €
Children under two are free.

Monaco, which is not actually a part of France, is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world after the Vatican. As such, Monaco is also the world’s smallest monarchy (a principality, to be exact). Monaco is not part of the EU, but because of its close ties with France, it participates in the EU customs territory. However, there are no border formalities crossing between France and Monaco. French is the official language of Monaco. This luxurious stomping ground for the well-heeled and famous possesses a rich history dating back to the 13th century.

Monaco-Ville, also known locally as “le rocher” or “the rock,” is an old fortified town and is situated on a rocky promontory, which extends into the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a guided tour through the world-famous Oceanographic Museum, which was established in 1910 by Prince Albert I, and was once under the direction of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Next-door to the Prince’s Palace is the Cathédrale de Monaco, a Romanesque-Byzantine church where Grace Kelly, Princess Grace of Monaco, is buried. There are many other interesting sites to visit including the world-famous Japanese gardens, Casino and Opera House. Despite being located in the world’s most densely populated country, Monaco-Ville is still a medieval village at heart, made up almost entirely of quiet pedestrian streets. Though innumerable people visit Monaco-Ville and the palace square, only local vehicles are allowed up to the rock. In addition to walking through the downtown shops, gardens and museums, you can also visit the Palace with an English-language audio-guide.

There is certainly more to see in Monaco than one afternoon affords, so we recommend you consider your interests and plan your afternoon there. There are many websites available that provide information on the sites and activities that Monaco has to offer. This website offers a nice overview of things to visit in Monaco: http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-to-visit/

3. CANNES

Date: Tuesday, October 22
Departure Time: Buses will depart at 1:15 pm
Cost per person: 38 €
Children under two are free.

Although famous for the international film festival held there annually, there is more to Cannes than the glitz of the silver screen, casinos, and beautiful beaches (ranked among the 5 best beaches in France by US News and World Report).

You can stroll the famous “La Croisette” promenade, walk past the Film Festival auditorium, and admire the Painted Walls of Cannes which pay tribute to the cinema industry. If you feel like tackling some stairs, walk up to the Suquet district, the old city quarter when Cannes was just a fishing village. Or, enjoy souvenir shopping or a bite to eat in one of the many shops or cafés.

A 15-minute ferry ride away from Cannes is Sainte-Marguerite Island, a haven of calm and natural beauty. It also boasts an interesting history and a former fort-turned-prison which housed the cell of the legendary Man in the Iron Mask and is now a museum.

Important Posts & Travel Info

MEALS

Meals are served buffet style with several hot and cold buffets to choose from. Seating will be available in the indoor restaurant or on the semi-open terrace with a panoramic view of the sea. Multiple buffets for salads, main dishes, cheeses, desserts, bread and wine are available, offering an abundance of choices. Gluten-free options are also available. Coffee is not included with the evening meal, but cocktails and specialty coffees may be purchased from the bar during their operating hours.

For children 2 and under, you can pick the appropriate food you want for your child from the buffet, and baby food is also available upon request. Equipment for children is available in the restaurant (highchairs, children’s dishes, microwave to warm up milk, baby food etc.)

Meal times:

Breakfast ……… 7:30 am to 10:00 am

Lunch …………. 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (unless otherwise specified for a particular excursion)

Dinner ………… 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (unless otherwise specified for a particular excursion)

CHURCH SERVICES AND TRANSLATION

English speakers are welcomed and do not need to speak French. A short, opening service will be held after dinner on Wednesday, October 16 at 8:30 pm. Some of the services will be held in French and some in English, with simultaneous translation into the other language provided via translation equipment. Visitors should bring headphones with a standard jack to plug into the translation receiver which will be provided onsite.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in France is 200-220 volts, 50 cycles. This will burn out North American appliances if no transformer – may also be referred to as a converter - is used (in the past, several visitors attending the Feast in France have had "bad hair days" due to short-lived but supercharged curling irons...). Note that a transformer/converter is not the same thing as an adapter. An adapter is the plug that allows the appliance to be connected to the wall outlet. The sockets in France generally have two thin cylindrical prongs rather than the rectangular flat type found in North America. A transformer/converter is a separate item that modifies the electrical current. Many companies market travel sets including both a transformer and several European adapters. Such sets usually cost about $20 and are available at luggage shops or department stores.

PLEASE NOTE: We recommend you buy one or several adapters (depending on how many you need) to charge your phone, computer, etc. We recommend you buy a converter for appliances such as blow dryers and flat irons that are NOT dual-voltage, i.e. if they are not built to function both with 110 volts and 220 volts. Please check out the following two resources for more information:

https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/voltage-converter-vs-travel-adapter-how-do-they-work/ (article from Travel Fashion Girl)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1ZLXYuks4 (YouTube video from Trip Astute)

EXCHANGING MONEY

The currency used in France is the Euro. Exchange rates vary from day to day. As of February 1, 2024, it costs $1.08 to buy one Euro. This will most likely change before the Feast.

We recommend that visitors change at least a small amount of money before their trip to be sure some local currency is available on arrival. While traveler’s checks are a safe way to bring money since they can be replaced if lost or stolen, they are becoming more difficult and expensive to change.

Debit Cards

Many visitors use ATM cards to withdraw Euros from ATMs. A visitor’s bank account is debited in the home currency and a small fee is charged. This is very convenient and one of the least costly ways to change money, since the fee is offset by an often more advantageous exchange rate.

Banks

Banking hours in small towns and villages are typically 9:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, the best place to exchange money is at the post office, which is also a bank. Exchanging $100 bills is not practical given fraud detection requirements, and many banks no longer accept the $100 bills, so it is recommended that visitors who wish to exchange cash only bring bills in denominations of $50 or less.

Credit Cards

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in France; other credit cards (i.e. Discover or American Express) are accepted in a more limited way or not at all. It is also possible to use a MasterCard or Visa with a PIN code to obtain a cash advance (in which case visitors are charged a fee, as well as interest on the cash advance "loan" by the home bank.)

When using a credit card for purchases, you typically receive an advantageous exchange rate. Look for one which does not charge foreign transaction fees if possible. You may be asked if you would like your purchase converted to USD at the point of sale, but it is usually more advantageous to have the purchase rung up in EUR.

The bottom line: it is always a good idea to have at least two different means of procuring Euros in case there is a problem with an ATM machine or with your card.

Schedule

October 16, 8:30 pmOpening Service

Church Services 8:30 pm (Main Auditorium)

October 17, 3:00 pmFirst Day

Church Services 3:00 pm (Main Auditorium)
Welcome Drink 6:00 pm (Reception/Bar Area)
Welcome Activity 8:30 pm

October 18, 10:00 amSecond Day

Church Services 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Local Winery Excursion Excursion 1:15 pm
Teen Bible Study 8:30 pm

October 19, 10:00 amThird Day

Bible Study 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Church Services 3:00 pm (Main Auditorium)

October 20, 10:00 amFourth Day

Church Services 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Free Afternoon / Talent Show Rehearsal (Main Auditorium)

October 21, 9:00 amFifth Day

Church Services 9:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Monaco Excursion 12:30 pm

October 22, 10:00 amSixth Day

Church Services 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Cannes Excursion 1:15 pm
Talent Show & Dance 8:30 pm

October 23, 10:00 amSeventh Day

Church Services 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Free Afternoon

October 24, 10:00 amEighth Day

Church Services (AM) ) 10:00 am (Main Auditorium)
Church Services (PM) 3:00 pm (Main Auditorium)

Location Information

Location Name
Village Club Miléade La Gaillarde
Address
La Gaillarde RD 559, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 83380 FR
Directions
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