6-nights all-inclusive large group cruise on the Rhone River through Provence and Camargue

Day 1-Sunday: Day of arrival, the discovery of your barge and dinner with a view on Avignon

 

• A driver will be meeting you at the Avignon train station to transfer you to the barge which is moored with a direct view of the famous "Pont d'Avignon". After our crew has taken care of your luggage and help you settle in your cabins, you will be walked around, and will discover the history of your ship!
• The owner will be waiting for you on the sun deck to introduce you to the crew! A welcome drink will be served and it will be the perfect moment to discuss the program of the week, get to know the safety rules, relax and learn about how the barge works.
• During sunset, dinner will be served and it will be your first floating experience of wine pairings. After dinner, we recommend a walk through the magnificent city of Avignon (center is 5 minutes by walk). You can also decide to enjoy the sun deck. Maybe your cruise will fall during the theatre festival, and in that case, it will be the perfect occasion to see a few plays and enjoy the unique ambiance.  

 

Day 2-Monday: Avignon guided tour, have lunch while cruising and winemaking visit 

 

• After breakfast, we will accompany you to the historical and marvelous Pope’s Palace for a cultural guided tour of 2 hours that will transport you back in time when the city was a political and religious hub. You will then have some free time to visit the city, discover local shops and boutiques, and stroll through the old streets of the historical center. 
• Then it is back on board for an amazing lunch while we navigate to Villeneuve-Les-Avignon! There, we stop at the Philippe Le Bel Tower which is the last piece of a fortress built at the end of the 13th century which task was to control the entrance of the "Pont d’Avignon" leaning both banks of the Rhone River.
• We then drive to the Domaine de Beaurenard wine, known as the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. Owned by the Coulon family for 7 generations, a visit and tasting will be organized so you discover local wines, full of character and elegance. You will have the opportunity to buy wine directly at the property, and anyway, these wines will complement one of your week's dinner.
• Back on board, our bartender will be delighted to welcome you for a drink on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, always with the freedom of nocturnal walk, and evening activities of your choice. 

 

Day 3-Tuesday: Reach the top of the aqueduct and cruise to Aramon village

 

• This morning, you will be taken to one of the most popular cultural sites in France; The Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an impressive bridge-aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century of our era. It is the highest Roman aqueduct bridge in the world (49 meters!). You will be taken to the top by our guide and will enjoy an incredible and unique view of the valley.
• We then visit the museum, which will enchant you with its very visual explanations, being the largest interpretation center in France on the Romans. You will learn its history through models, virtual reconstructions, soundscapes and more.
• The boat will be waiting for you for the next lunch-cruise towards the village of Aramon, or stop for the evening. This village spreads around its castle built on a rocky outcrop, with its port reaching its peak in the 17th century.
• From there, oil, wine, salt, cereals went to the whole of France. Historically known for its wickerwork workshops, it has retained until today its agricultural activities: fruit growing, the culture of the vineyard and olive trees. You will see many homes from the 15th to the 18th centuries. 

 

Day 4-Wednesday: Visit Les Beaux de Provence and reach Arles through the Beaucaire lock

 

• Morning departure to the village of Les Baux de Provence for a guided tour! Rich in history, it is in the top 10 most beautiful villages in France. It is unique because quite magical and eminent in this extraordinary setting. The very essence that makes the appeal and the ambiance so special of Provencal villages will be found there; small squares, shaded terraces, narrow streets, and their shops.
• Then its lunch navigation, with the passage of the impressive Beaucaire lock which measures 180 meters long and 12 meters wide, and has an impressive 15 meters waterfall. In the late afternoon, we stop in the city of Arles, our stop for the evening.
• We will be moored at the Lamartine dock, 5 minutes walk from the Roman Arena and the town center. Walk-in town, visit the handicraft shops, pedestrian streets or take a refreshing drink at the famous Van Gogh café.
• Maybe you will want to play the regional famous game of “petanque” under the shade of plane trees just in front of the mooring. You can throw a challenge to some members of the crew, who are real experts of this very popular game, across all generations.

 

Day 5-Thursday: Visit Arles, discover its history, and enter the Camargue region

 

• Your guide will pick you up to discover the historical side of the city. He will evoke various periods of the history of Arles, from the Roman time till the Renaissance, through Catholicism with St. Trophime Cathedral and talk about Vincent Van Gogh's impact.
• We will then sail up the Rhone River and take the little Rhone River through the lock of Saint Gilles and navigate the world-famous Canal de Provence.
• We will stop for the night at the port of Gallician, a little village located at the heart of the Camargue region. You can go for a bike ride or walk along the former canal towing paths 

 

Day 6-Friday: Visit a bull breeding farm, understand its races and cruise to Aigues-Mortes

 

• This morning, its the immersion in the heart of the bulls breeders local traditions. We will visit one of the most beautiful and titled "Manade" (ranch) of Camargue; Les Marquises, a property of the Laurent family since the late 1940s.
• They will help you discover and understand the breeding of bulls for Camargue bull races, Camargue horses and all the know-how that exist around this traditional sport. It will be a true immersion in the authenticity of this region of France which is also a protected natural park. It is in the midst of bulls and guardians that you will be explained the breeding of bulls and the rules of the races.
• After a local appetizer, we will return on board for lunch while cruising to the town of Aigues-Mortes, a medieval fortified city of the 14th century emerging from the sands.
• The city is touristy during peak season, but stunningly beautiful! As it is almost entirely pedestrian, the best thing to do is to wander around. It will also be time for our weekend gala dinner, that we will organize according to your preferences!

 

Day 7-Saturday: Last day onboard (or maybe not!) and drop off after breakfast

 

• This morning after breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the Nimes train station from 9 am, or to another destination depending on our agreement.