The cruises

Art… Roman Ruins… Walled Cities… Winetasting…

Camargue Cowboys… Medieval Castles…

A Cruise Into

Provence-Camargue on LE PHÉNICIEN

Sunday: Arrival in Avignon

You'll be met at 4:00 p.m. at the assigned pickup point in Avignon or immediate environs and transferred to LE PHÉNICIEN moored at the ramparts of Avignon. Enjoy a walk into town and perhaps an aperitif in the charming square - before the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Monday: Avignon to Vallabregues

Begin the day's sightseeing with winetasting at nearby Chateauneuf du Pape, followed by a tour of the famed Palais des Papes, built in the early 14th century to accommodate seven Popes who lived and ruled from Avignon instead of Rome. After lunch, we'll sail to Vallabregues, a quiet port. The wines tasted in the morning will be served with dinner.

Tuesday: Vallabregues to Arles

Provence is the home of many cultures and historic sites. Among these are the monumental Roman Aqueduct Pont du Gard and the charming medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, either of which may be offered for this morning's excursion. After lunch we'll cruise to Arles, which thanks to its wealth of Roman ruins and artist sites, may be considered an open-air museum. After dinner, take a walk and have a drink at Van Gogh's Café.

Wednesday: Arles to Bellegarde

Our tour of Arles will explore several themes, including the Roman history, which began in 46 B.C. - then turning to the late 19th century when Arles was one of the several haunts of artist Vincent Van Gogh, who painted many scenes of the town. Afterwards we'll begin our jouney out of Provence, west into the wild Camargue via the Canal du Rhône à Sète to Bellegarde, a typical town proud of it's bullfighting tradition.

Thursday: Bellegarde to Saint Gilles

After a guided tour of a nearby medieval castle, we'll visit the Costières du Nimes cellar for a demonstration of how the Romans made wine twenty centuries ago! We'll then moor at Saint Gilles for the night.

Friday: Saint Gilles to Aigues-Mortes

A very exciting day begins with a visit made by horse-drawn "caleche" to a ranch deep in the Camargue where we'll meet the local cowboys who tend to the herds of bulls. Then we'll cruise to Aigues-Mortes, a remarkably preserved walled town from which 14th century Crusaders departed. The Captain's dinner ends your cruise in style.

Saturday: Departure from Aigues-Mortes

You'll depart Aigues-Mortes at 9:00 a.m. and be returned to Nîmes, from where you may journey to Paris by the fast TGV train; pickup a rental car; or check into a hotel and view more Roman ruins. Breakfast is your last on-board meal. We hope to see you again on LE PHÉNICIEN.

This is sample itinerary. LE PHÉNICIEN cruises Aigues-Mortes to Avignon on opposite weeks.