General terms for Group sales

Article 1 : Reservation and option

Price terms for "groups" apply to all groups of a minimum of 20 paying participants (adults) and 10 paying visitors (for schools and leisure and holiday centres) who have made a previous reservation with our services.
Reservations are obligatory for all groups prior to the date of their visit.
The request to make a reservation must indicate the number in the group, the type of group, the date and time and type of visit (free or with teaching staff).
For any services outside the aquarium's opening hours, reservations must be made at least 7 days prior to the event with our group's department.
After having defined its requirements with our reservation staff, the client receives a contract that must be sent back to us signed and accompanied by a deposit cheque of 30% of the total amount due for the visit prior to the date of the end of the option. The option will be held up to 48 hours prior to the visit. If no news is received from the customer by this cut-off date or if no deposit has been paid, Mare Nostrum reserves the rights to cancel the option automatically, since reservation is considered to be firm on reception of the deposit,
For optimal reception comfort, compliance with the chosen time slot is essential. Where teaching workshops and "Events" evenings have been reserved any late arrival will lead to an equivalent reduction in the length of the service.
During peak times, the Mare Nostrum Aquarium reserves the right to defer or refuse entrance to groups who arrive for a visit that has not been reserved in advance.

Article 2 : Price and payment

The price for the service corresponds to the price and VAT rate in force on the date of signature of the contract.
The balance outstanding for the service is payable on site on the day of the visit and is billed based on the number of participants given by the head of the group on the date of the visit. Payment is obligatory before the visit begins and may be made by cheque, in cash, in holiday cheques or by credit card, which is accepted on site.

Article 3 : Modification and cancellation

Any reduction in numbers announced on the date of the visit, compared to the reservation contract may lead to a corresponding change in the price.
In the case of free visits, the deposit will be fully reimbursed in case of cancellation made by the customer. In the case of teaching workshops and Events evenings, the deposit will be retained in full by Mare Nostrum. In both cases the request for cancellation must be notified to Mare Nostrum by mail, fax or email at least 48 hours before the date of the service booked, as proved by the date of receipt of the request.
In case of force majeure, Mare Nostrum reserves the right to cancel the reservation contract and the customer may obtain a return of his deposit, to the exclusion of any other compensation or damage payments. Considered to be force majeure are any events of any kind whatsoever that are not under the control of Mare Nostrum such as, but without this list being exhaustive, strike, fire, flood... Mare Nostrum hereby declares that it has taken out an insurance policy and third party professional liability cover with the GAN insurance company.

Article 4 : Liability

As soon as they enter the aquarium, visitors are subject to internal regulations (health and safety rules and others ...). Those accompanying groups are responsible for the correct behaviour of their groups and for any damage caused in the aquarium or to equipment provided, even in the presence of Mare Nostrum hostesses and leaders. In case of disturbance, Mare Nostrum reserves the right to demand that the customers concerned leave the aquarium immediately.

Article 5 : Jurisdiction of the courts

Any dispute relating to performance or interpretation of these general sales terms will fall within the sole jurisdiction of the Montpellier courts.