PROVENCE RIVER CRUISE - FROM AVIGNON TO AIGUES MORTES
Peaceful and picturesque, the inland waterways of Provence and the Camargue are the most enchanting way to savour the cultural inheritance and culinary traditions of southern France. Our study cruise aboard the majestic Phénicien – renowned across the Rhône for its refined ambience and superior cuisine – will call at small Provençal villages and great centres of civilisation as we head towards the Camargue, where land, lake and lagoon merge into the Mediterranean.
We join the Phénicien in Avignon, the 14th century capital of Christendom, in the very shadow of the celebrated Pont d’Avignon. As well as visiting the lavishly-decorated Palais des Papes, an outstanding example of Gothic artistry, we will look behind the scenes at the Petit Palais, home to a fine collection of Italian painting.
The Roman antiquities in the former provincia of Gallia Narbonensis outdo even the “court of splendour and magnificence” of the Avignon popes. The triple-tiered Pont du Gard and the 350-ft long façade of the theatre at Orange are technological and aesthetic chefs d’oeuvre, whilst Arles, with its vast Flavian amphitheatre and Augustan theatre, was grand enough to be considered a Gallic Rome. The city walls of Arles – once home to van Gogh – also give shelter to the Cathédrale St Trophîme, where the 12th century portal is one of the crowning achievements of the Romanesque style.
Just beyond the ancient fortifications of Aigues Mortes, a 13th century Crusader stronghold, lies the Camargue, remarkable for the diversity of its flora and fauna, notably the pink flamingo. We will make a private visit to a traditional ranch, where the delta’s gardians – local herdsmen – still ride the region’s distinct Camargue horses and raise fighting bulls.
The Phénicien:Serene, light and spacious, the 130-ft long Phénicien accommodates a maximum of 16 participants with a crew of six. The Phénicien’s teak sun-deck, furnished with leather benches and director chairs, is the perfect spot to sip a drink or two and watch the Provençal countryside unfold. The upper deck also boasts an expansive open-plan lounge, dining area and bar, all lined with panoramic windows and decorated in charming Provençal style.
The Phénicien’s 8 passenger cabins are housed on the lower deck. All cabins have a porthole window and en suite facilities; five have double beds and three have twin beds. The Phénicien is air-conditioned throughout.
Thierry, the Phénicien’s French chef, is an expert in the culinary traditions of Provence with, as he puts it, “my own personal twist”. Thierry devises all the menus himself from fresh, local ingredients, and guests are invited to watch – and take home any tips – as he prepares the evening meal on board.
The quality of the Phénicien’s wines matches the quality of the five-star cuisine: we will taste more than 20 whites, reds and rosés, each specially selected from the best vineyards in the Rhône Valley, Provence and Languedoc.
In keeping with the sumptuous surroundings of the Phénicien, our first night will be spent at the luxurious Hôtel La Magnaneraie in the historic village of Villeneuve lès Avignon high above the Rhône. We will dine in the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant, where the chef is a noted maître cuisinier de France.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart London St Pancras 0955 on Eurostar for Lille, then by TGV to Avignon, arriving 1710. Transfer to Hôtel La Magnaneraie, Villeneuve lès Avignon, for overnight. Evening: welcome reception.
Day 2Avignon: Palace of the Popes (huge 14th century papal residence), Petit Palais (outstanding art collection), walk through vieux quartier, Musée Calvet (including école d’Avignon) then Musée Pierre de Luxembourg (16th and 17th Provençal painting). Evening: embark Phénicien for six nights. Overnight at Villeneuve lès Avignon.
Day 3Villeneuve lès Avignon: Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction (France’s largest Carthusian monastery) then return to Phénicien for lunch and cruise to Châteauneuf du Pape (guided tour and wine tasting at one of region’s finest cellars) then on to Orange (1st century AD Roman amphitheatre). Overnight at Villeneuve lès Avignon.
Day 4Excursion to Pont du Gard then return to Phénicien for lunch and afternoon cruise to charming small port of Vallabregues. Overnight at Vallabregues.
Day 5Morning cruise through lock of Beaucaire and past dramatic castle of Tarascon to Arles. Afternoon: historic centre of Arles including St Trophîme (one of greatest French Romanesque churches), 1st century BC amphitheatre. Overnight at Arles.
Day 6Excursion to fortified village of Les Baux de Provence followed by Notre Dame de Montmajour (fortified Benedictine monastery) then return to Phénicien for lunch and cruise down Grand Rhône, Petit Rhône and Rhône to Sète Canal. Overnight at village of Gallician.
Day 7Excursion through Camargue (wetlands, pastures, dunes and salt flats) with private visit to working ranch (Camargue horses and bulls) and St Gilles (Romanesque church and sculptures). Afternoon: return to Phénicien for lunch and cruise to Aigues Mortes for walk around old town and ramparts. Overnight at Aigues Mortes with farewell dinner.
Day 8Disembark Phénicien and transfer to Nîmes for 1050 TGV to Paris, then by Eurostar to St Pancras, arrving 1735.
Cost includes: Cost of £2690 includes: return travel, accommodation in a twin or double bedded cabin, full board whilst on Phénicien (including complimentary bar), wine tasting, breakfast & dinner elsewhere, shore excursions & admissions, crew gratuities.
Not included: Not Included: travel insurance, single cabin supplement on request.
