Day
1 - Sunday: Avignon. Late
afternoon transfer from the TGV station or a specified local hotel to the barge
moored just outside the Avignon ramparts. Time to settle into your cabin and perhaps
stroll around town. Your first dinner on board will be an introduction to the
gourmet cuisine that will be served during the cruise. The accompanying wines
will come from top-notch local vineyards.
Day
2 - Monday: Avignon to Vallabrègues.
After breakfast, introduction to the traditions of Châteauneuf du Pape.
Here the terroir is very special because of the rocks - tossed and smoothed by
the Rhône River over the centuries - that store the heat during day and
release it back to the grapes at night. Vines have been cultivated here since
the 12th century by the Templiers, and the Popes raised this viticulture to the
highest levels. Start the tour with a walk in the vineyards, discover the 13 grape
varieties used in Châteuneuf du Pape and learn some of the secrets of one
of the best French wines. You will also have an introduction to the history and
specifics of the various wines in Provence. In one of the most famous wineries
of the region, learn or review the basics of wine tasting, using some typical
wines of the appellation. This afternoon, cruise down to Vallabrègues,
a charming little port where you can rest or play pétanque (similar to
Bocce Ball). The wines tasted in the morning will be back on the table at dinner
on board the barge.
Day
3 - Tuesday: Vallabrègues to Arles. Today,
visit Les Baux de Provence - a medieval village in the Alpilles, a protected chain
of low mountains - that has become a regional center for biodynamic
viticulture. The natural site of Les Baux is well known as the most typical
of Provence. Your wine guide will take you to two wineries. The first one is close
to St Rémy de Provence in the appellation "Côteaux d'Aix."
Le Domaine d'Eole is a newer winery but already famous for its wonderful wines.
The second one is Le Château Romanin, which will welcome you in its cathedral
style cellar. After lunch, cruise down to Arles. Thanks to its wealth of Roman
and medieval monuments, many of which are classified World Heritage Sites by UNESCO,
the city is a veritable open-air museum. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
4 - Wednesday: Arles to Bellegarde.
After breakfast, your wine specialist will introduce you to the wines of the "Pays
d'Arles." At le Mas de Rey, learn more about the secrets of grape varieties
and wine-making. For two generations, the Mazzoleni family has strived for excellence.
Today their vins de pays can be compared to many AOC. Their secret? Simply
their will to produce joyful, original, healthy and well structured wines. Their
whites, rosés and reds are recognizable at the first smell. The personality
of these wines rests on a very specific selection of grape varieties. Together
with the traditional grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, merlot, and cabernet franc,
the winemaker uses four new grape varieties produced in cooperation with the agricultural
institute INRA. Next, cruise on to the Camargue, heading west on the Canal du
Rhône à Sète that links the Petit Rhône with the étangs,
those inland seas that border the Mediterranean to the south of Montpellier. Moor
for the night in Bellegarde, a typical village that is proud of its French-style
bull fight traditions. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
5 - Thursday: Bellegarde to Saint Gilles.
Today, take a big step back in time at Le Mas des Tourelles. Located on an old
Roman archeological site from the 1st and 2nd centuries, this winery shows the
first reconstruction in the world of a normal size Gallo-Roman cellar, where wine
is actually made. Scientists also study Roman wine-making techniques here. During
a Roman wine-tasting session, learn about the very early history of wine. This
afternoon continue cruising the canal down to Saint Gilles, a city famous in the
Middle Ages for its Christian pilgrimages. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
6 - Friday: Saint Gilles to Aigues Mortes.
The final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th-century walled city and the port
from which St. Louis set sail on the Crusades. In the heart of the Camargue, a
unique and protected natural space where sea and land come together, you can see
black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos. Discover an unusual but very nice
wine: les vins de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion. At Le Domaine de Jarras, taste
rosés and whites born in this region of sea and marshes. Back aboard the
barge, enjoy a party where wine is your special guest: "la Provence dans
le Verre" (Provence in your Glass). During dinner, four typical wines of
Provence - selected for their known features and famous reputation - will be introduced
in games/tasting sessions. Participants will answer questions regarding the taste
of the wines or about wine-growing in general. The results will be announced at
the end of the party over some liqueurs of Provence, and each member of the winning
team will get a bottle as a reward. Then each participant will answer a surprise
question individually and the winner will get a Magnum of wine! Cheers!
Day
7 - Saturday: Aigues Mortes to Nîmes.
After breakfast on the barge, departure to the pre-arranged transfer point.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction. This
itinerary is subject to change without notice and may be adapted to special requests
for charters.
Highlights
- Services
of a wine specialist during the entire cruise.
- Introduction
to wine tasting, viticulture and wine-making techniques.
- Introduction
to the best Provence appellations.
- 5
wine-related excursions, including 6 winery visits with your wine guide, in the
following regions: Châteauneuf du Pape, Les Alpilles/Les Baux de Provence,
Côteaux d'Aix, Pays d'Arles, Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion.
- Farewell
dinner with special games to test your knowledge of the wines of Provence.
For
additional details and registration, see the main Provence
- Camargue II cruise description.
For
a land-only tour (no boating), please see the wine
tours on our custom vacation website.
