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Sunday Paris/Avignon D
You will be met at 16.00 at Montpellier Metropole Hotel in Montpellier
and escorted by minibus to the L'Impressionniste for a Champagne
Welcome. Spend the night onboard in Avignon.
Monday Avignon/Arles BLD
This morning we visit the Palais des Papes, a massive monument
to the era of the 'other Rome, when the popes moved to France.
After a stroll though the vibrant shopping district of Avignon,
return to the barge for lunch. In the afternoon we cruise down
the mighty Rhone River to Arles, passing the immense citadel of
King Reni at Tarascon, and the foothills of the Alpilles. Dinner
on board
Tuesday Arles/Aigues Mortes BLD
This morning we explore Arles, the Roman Arena, St. Trophimes
Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life. We visit some of Vincent
Van Gogh's haunts on foot through the pedestrian-ised heart of
this old capital of the Camargue. Then a cruise down the Petit
Rhone and on to the Canal de Rhone a Sete, passing several herds
of wild Black bulls. We moor at the fortified town of Aigues Mortes.
Dinner on board
Wednesday Aigues Mortes/Frontignan BLD
Stroll from our mooring outside the town walls to visit the Tour
de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse and since used as
a prison. Then in the afternoon we cruise the Canal du Rhone `
Sete through the Camargue National Park with its wild horses,
black bulls and pink flamingos, to the hamlet of Les Aresquiers
where we are 200 yards from the Mediterranean. Dinner on board
Thursday Frontignan/Marseillan BLD
An early start to pass under the lifting Bridge at Frontignan,
then we sail out onto the Etang de Thau, a large, inland, salt
water lagoon full of oyster beds. Mid-morning we stop briefly
at Bouzigues to visit the Museum of the lake with its exhibition
on oyster culture, which is the main activity of the many local
fishermen. After lunch on board, we have a short minibus ride
to the 12thC Abbaye de Valmagne with its vast Cistercian church
and beautiful cloister. Our tour ends with a chance to taste its
award winning range of wines. Returning to the barge, we have
an afternoon cruise on the lake to the port of Marseillan, where
we stroll into the marketplace for dinner ashore. This gives you
a chance to taste many of the local seafood delicacies.
Friday Marseillan/Agde BLD
Before the ship sails we have an opportunity to tour the cellars
and distillery of the world famous aperitif, Noilly Prat, followed
by a tasting. Then an afternoon cruise on the Canal du Midi, through
the renowned round lock and finishing our voyage on the River
Herault. We will be moored in the shadow of the Cathedral of the
fishing town of Agde, built of lava blocks from the nearby Black
Mountains. Captains Dinner on board.
Saturday Agde/Paris B
Return transfer by minibus to Beziers or Montpellier's TGV Station,
Montpellier Airport or Montpellier's Metropole Hotel
Note: Itinerary operates in reverse on alternate weeks.
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