What's the difference between pre-built and build-your-own itineraries?
Pre-built itineraries are our curated regional routes (Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Provence, etc.) — tested and refined over years of travel. Build-your-own lets you browse our destination library and create a custom itinerary with exactly what interests you. Both are $79.
How does Concierge work?
You choose one of our pre-built itineraries and give us your dates and travel profile, and we handle every reservation: hotels, restaurants, tastings, trains. We communicate directly with properties (often in French), confirm everything, and deliver a complete trip package. You just show up. If you want an itinerary drawn for you from scratch rather than chosen from the shelf, that is Concierge Complet.
What if I can’t travel on a hosted journey?
A journey is not treated like a concierge fee. Payments toward a hosted journey are non-refundable but fully deferrable — your money is not lost, it moves. What you have paid carries as a credit to a future Maison Meritage or Pas Perdu departure, and you get priority in choosing which one. We hold six seats and turn away other travellers to keep yours, which is why we can’t refund it — but we would far rather travel with you later than keep your money. Travel insurance is required for every journey, and we’ll tell you what to look for.
What happens if I have to cancel?
Tell us as early as you can and we will cancel every reservation for you — that is the part that costs you money if it is left alone, because most hotels and tables charge for a no-show. Wherever we can, we book a cancellable or refundable rate on your behalf precisely so this is painless. The service fee itself is non-refundable, whether or not the trip is taken: by the time you cancel, the itinerary has been built and the bookings have been made, and that work is what the fee pays for. What you are never left with is a stack of penalties from properties you forgot to call.
Why do you keep a card on file?
Two reasons, both told to you up front. It settles the invoice for what we book on your behalf — deposits and tickets, every confirmation number attached, credited back when you arrive. And if a table or an experience charges for a missed reservation, that no-show fee is the traveller’s to carry — we pass it through, never pad it. Nothing touches your card that you haven’t already seen in writing.
Who is Sebastian?
Sebastian is our Concierge Persona (available to you through chat or by phone) fluent in French and English. When you're traveling and hit a language barrier — a pharmacist, a mechanic, a confused hotel clerk — you call Sebastian. He translates in real-time, has conversations on your behalf and translates between you, he can even be conferenced in on a call to bridge conversations between you and French speakers.
What about destinations outside France?
Each destination determines the concierge, and once you are confirmed for travel you have access to the concierge who speaks the language (Sebastian can also speak Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and more). Travel to Turkiye and you have Elif — fluent in Turkish and English with a specific constitution to support medical tourism as well. We're building region-specific concierges so you always have a voice on your side, no matter where you go.
What is Traveler Watch?
Traveler Watch is our completely opt-in safety program for independent travelers. You choose a trusted circle — they get a private link with your position and your "I'm here" check-ins, no account needed. You set your own check-in rhythm, and if you go quiet past it, a ladder of care begins: a gentle nudge to you first, and only then an alert to us with your last-known position and the instructions you wrote before you left. It's a safety measure, and yes, a tracking one — both are true, which is exactly why it's opt-in, scoped to your journey, and off the moment you're home. The same spine protects our guides: during guide experiences, both sides check in and both sides check out.
How far in advance should I book?
For Self-Guided, you can purchase anytime. For Concierge & Concierge Complet Bookings, we recommend 60-90 days before travel to secure the best reservations. For our Guided Tours, most book 4-6 months ahead and they can fill quickly — we take six to eight guests per tour.
