Written on 16 July 2020.

COVID-19 - Let's explore France again taking care of each other !

We are all living in a very special time, but that shouldn't stop us from living memorable moments and experiences in the safest conditions!

Facing this health crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is hitting us all, I have put in place several health procedures on all my touristic services in order to fight against the spread of the virus and minimize the risks. I will do my best best to make sure you will be able to fully enjoy your tour in a complete sanitary safe way !
We are finally getting closer... But not too close anyway!

1) About the tours including transport in mini-van as Bordeaux wine or cognac tasting tours

Bordeaux Cognac Tour guide has officially started again its tour activities from 15 June 2020. The vehicle is a 9-seater Ford tourneo insured with Gan assurances located in Blaye. To find out more about my people mover

Before the day of the tour :

Please let me know if you suspect any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sneezing or difficult breathing) in order to consider postponing your tour. Similarly, if I have the slightest doubt about my own health, I will suggest that you postpone or cancel the tour at no charge.

In order to maintain the recommended social distancing, the number of passengers is limited to 4 - consider maximum of 5 people on board (driver-guide included).

At this time, I will offer private tours only. Ideally the payment of the service should be made in advance by bank transfer to avoid exchange on the spot.
However, a credit card payment device will be available on site.

During the tour :

A kind reminder about the barrier gestures will be made before boarding the vehicle and a laminated and disinfected sheet will be available on board.

Only the driver-guide will open and close the sliding doors of the vehicle from the outside and will disinfect his hands before each manipulation.

From the inside of the vehicle, only the customers will open and close the doors. The seat giving access to the last bench seat will be handled by the passengers as well.

You must bring your own most elegant mask and wear it on board the vehicle for the whole duration of the journey. Hands have to be washed with hydro-alcoholic gel when boarding. Likewise, the driver-guide will wear a mask for the entire duration of the journey.

It is strictly forbidden to sit in the front next to the driver.

Consumption of food and drinks is forbidden on board the vehicle.

The vehicle will be equipped with a sanitary kit : hydro-alcoholic gel, rubbish bags, tissues, disinfectant wipes...

All high touch (handles, buttons, window openings...) will be disinfected several times a day with alcohol-impregnated wipes.

In order to maintain permanent ventilation, the vehicle will always be driven with at least one window open.

After the Tour :

Please leave the vehicle with all your rubbish at the end of the tour. A rubbish bin with a plastic bag are at your disposal aboard.

The vehicle will be cleaned and disinfected according to a sanitary procedure recommended by the French authorities for Taxis and private drivers. The job description is available here.

In addition, the vehicle will have been disinfected with ozone the day before each tour and after each tour (including the air conditioning system).

About Ozone disinfection for my tourism minivan

This process is done with an OZONE GENERATOR!
It transforms oxygen O2 into ozone O3.The earth's air is composed of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen and other gases including ozone.
An ozone molecule is composed of 3 oxygen atoms instead of 2 and the bond with the 3rd atom is very unstable.
Ozone can oxidize all organic compounds, destroy bacterial and viral colonies, it has the unique property of decomposing in its original form - oxygen - without leaving any residue (this is called half-life).
Why do I use ozone in my car? Because ozone is a gas that can infiltrate into every little corner, the air and all surfaces, including the air conditioning system, can be thoroughly disinfected.

Read the sanitary protocol for touring with Bordeaux Cognac Tour Guide

2) for guided tours on foot or by motorcoach

A health charter has been published by the FNGIC (Fédération Nationale des Guides Interprètes et Conférenciers) and reinforced by the Association des Guides de Nouvelle-Aquitaine of which I am a member.

Before the Guided Tour :

Ideally the payment of the service should be made in advance by bank transfer to avoid the exchange on the spot. A credit card payment device will nevertheless be available on the spot.

During the service :

A reminder of the barrier gestures of Public Health France will be made before starting the tour. Throughout the visit, your guide will be equipped with a protective visor in e

During the whoole guided tour, I will be equipped with a protective visor outside and a face mask inside (museum, shop, vehicle...).

Only the tour guide will open and close doors, gates, museum entrance... and will disinfect his hands at each contact.

You must bring your most elegant mask with you for the tour and wear it! It is strongly recommended to wear it during the tour, especially in busy places (shopping streets, tourist spots...). It will be mandatory inside museums, exhibition areas or shops ... which will punctuate our route.

The social distances (at least 1.50 metres between people who are not from the same household) between each person must be respected.

Explanation speech will be done in appropriate places to be able maintain social distancing. The itinerary of the tours will be studied beforehand in order to avoid, as far as possible, areas densely occupied by crowds.

The number of participants will be limited to 20 people and I will give preference to private tours. Have you always wanted a tour guide just for you and your family? Your friends? Now is the time to give it a try!

The tour guide will have at your disposal a sanitary kit : hydroalcoholic gel, garbage bags, tissues, disinfecting wipes...

After the performance :

Dedicated professional equipment (CB devices, laminated visula supports...) will be disinfected.

Read the sanitary protocol for touring with Bordeaux Cognac Tour Guide

Can't wait to guide you again in Bordeaux or Cognac !

So I'm expecting many of you (not too many anyway, eh!)
to visit or rediscover the Bordeaux region, its vineyards and small villages,
the Gironde estuary or the south Charente, Cognac, Jarnac and even Saintes or Royan!

Stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones!

See you soon !