Terms and Conditions
1. Purpose and Scope
These terms and conditions ("Terms") govern the sale of package holidays and, where applicable, travel services offered by ESCALE to its travelling clients. They complement pre-contractual information, the quotation, the program, any special conditions and any other document given to the traveller before the contract is concluded. In case of conflict, the special conditions expressly accepted for the travel concerned prevail, subject to mandatory legal provisions.
2. Organizer identification
ESCALE, SASU with share capital of €7,500, registered office at 19 rue Béranger, 75003 Paris, RCS 103 745 261, registered as a travel operator under number IM075260048. Contact: contact@escale.vip - +33 6 20 47 57 97. ESCALE acts, depending on the offer, as organiser or retailer within the meaning of the French Tourism Code. The exact status and identity of other professionals involved are specified in the contractual documents.
3. Pre-contractual information and contract formation
Before the traveller is bound by the contract, ESCALE provides clear, understandable and prominent information required by articles L.211-8 and R.211-4 of the French Tourism Code and the regulatory information form applicable to the proposed service. The quotation specifies the destination, itinerary, dates, transport, accommodation, meals, visits and other included services, group size when relevant, total price and payment terms, minimum participant requirements if any, cancellation conditions, border formalities and insurance information. The contract is formed when the traveller accepts the proposal and pays the deposit or, when departure is less than 30 days away, the total price.
4. Price
The price is the one stated in the quotation or accepted contract. It specifies included services and, where applicable, those not included. Personal expenses, tips, optional insurance, passport or visa fees and services not expressly included are payable by the traveller. Price revisions provided for in the contract may only occur in cases authorized by article L.211-12 of the Tourism Code.
5. Payment
Unless otherwise stated, a deposit of 30% is payable when the contract is concluded. The balance is due no later than 30 days before departure. For bookings made less than 30 days before departure, the total price is due on booking. In case of non-payment, ESCALE may, after formal notice, terminate the contract under the legal and contractual conditions.
6. Non-refundable or specially conditioned services
Some services may be subject to restrictive issuance, modification or refund conditions imposed by suppliers. ESCALE informs the traveller of these conditions before the contract is concluded when they affect cancellation or modification terms.
7. Cancellation by the traveller - cancellation fees
The traveller may cancel the contract at any time before the start of the trip. Except in exceptional unavoidable circumstances entitling to cancellation without charge, ESCALE applies the standard cancellation scale depending on the notice period (e.g. 15% >60d, 30% 60-31d, 50% 30-15d, 75% 14-8d, 100% 7d or less).
8. Transfer of the contract
The traveller may transfer the contract to a person meeting all applicable conditions, provided ESCALE is informed on a durable medium and real transfer costs are covered. The transferor and transferee remain jointly liable for payment of the balance and any additional costs.
9. Modifications requested by the traveller
Any modification after conclusion of the contract is subject to ESCALE's agreement and supplier availability; fees may be charged.
10. Contract modification by ESCALE
Before departure, ESCALE may make a minor modification if allowed by the contract and the traveller is informed. In case of a significant modification the traveller benefits from rights under the Tourism Code, including accepting the change or terminating without charge.
11. Termination by ESCALE
ESCALE may terminate the contract and refund the traveller without additional compensation where the minimum participant numbers are not met or in case of exceptional unavoidable circumstances preventing performance.
12. Liability and performance of the package
When ESCALE is organiser or retailer, it is liable for proper performance of the services included in the contract under article L.211-16 of the Tourism Code. The traveller must report any non-conformity during the service so it can be remedied.
13. Assistance to the traveller
ESCALE provides appropriate assistance to travellers in difficulty, including information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance, and helps with communications or finding alternative services.
14. Administrative, health formalities and fitness to travel
Information on passports, visas and health formalities is given before contract conclusion. The traveller remains responsible for validity of personal documents and must inform ESCALE of any particular circumstances affecting formalities.
15. Optional insurances
Unless expressly stated, travel price does not include cancellation, assistance, repatriation or baggage insurance. ESCALE informs the traveller of the possibility to subscribe to optional insurance when offered.
16. Financial guarantee
ESCALE benefits from a financial guarantee with APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme), in accordance with articles L.211-18 and R.211-26 of the Tourism Code.
17. Professional civil liability
ESCALE is insured for professional civil liability with Hiscox SA. The current certificate covers the period indicated and provides the coverage limits set out in the certificate provided to ESCALE.
18. Complaints
Any complaint concerning the performance of the contract must be sent to ESCALE as soon as possible with supporting documents to: ESCALE, 19 rue Béranger, 75003 Paris - contact@escale.vip. Travellers should report any non-conformity immediately during the trip so that a solution can be sought on site.
19. Consumer mediation
After submitting a written complaint to ESCALE and if no satisfactory response is given within 60 days, the consumer traveller may refer the matter free of charge to the Mediation Tourisme et Voyage (MTV). Details are available at www.mtv.travel.
20. Personal data
ESCALE processes personal data necessary for quotations, bookings, payments, performance of the trip and customer relations. Data may be transferred to suppliers when necessary, including outside the EEA, in compliance with applicable rules. Details on purposes, legal bases, retention periods and rights are provided in ESCALE's privacy policy.
21. Governing law and dispute resolution
These Terms and any contracts with ESCALE are governed by French law. Parties are encouraged to seek an amicable solution prior to legal proceedings, including using complaint handling and, where appropriate, consumer mediation.
22. Durable medium, evidence and retention
Electronic communications, quotations, confirmations, invoices and any other documents sent on a durable medium may be kept by ESCALE as evidence in accordance with applicable rules. Travellers are advised to keep all contractual documents provided.
23. Entry into force
These Terms enter into force on the date indicated on the first page. The applicable version is the one provided to the traveller before contract conclusion. Subsequent changes do not affect existing contracts except as legally permitted.
Annex
- Identity and contact details of ESCALE and, if applicable, the other organiser or retailer.
- Destination, itinerary, dates, duration and number of nights.
- Transport: characteristics, places, dates and times when known.
- Accommodation: location and main characteristics.
- Meals, visits and other services included.
- Total price, taxes, deposit and payment schedule.
- Cancellation conditions and identification of non-refundable services.
- Passport/visa formalities and health information.
- Information on optional or mandatory insurance.
- Complaint procedure and consumer mediator.