Provence Barge River Cruise

This morning will be a tour of Arles. We’ll discover this cultural center and its Roman ruins, and then travel inland to find out about olive oil production in Provence. We’ll finish up our tour with a tasting of some local products. Afterwards, we’ll return to the ship and spend the afternoon cruising to Gallician. We’ll travel on the Rhône River and the Rhône à Sète Canal.

Set off on foot for a guided visit of Arles. Arles is over 2000 years old with exceptionally well-preserved ancient architectural masterpieces and is a real open-air museum. This important tourist and cultural site welcomes visitors with open arms. During the guided visit, you will see the Roman Amphitheatre (or Arena), the Theatre Antique and St Trophime Square with its cloisters and church that were part of the Arles Route, one of the three routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. We’ll continue our tour with a visit to the Forum Square and finally the Roman Baths of Constantine. Next you will head off by coach for Tarascon to the Grand Servan estate, a traditional olive farm which produces the famous Provençal olive oil. Here at the foot of the Montagnette and set around a traditional Provencal farmhouse (or bastide) dating from the 18th century, the owners have planted a large orchard of some 150,000 olive trees. You will visit the estate sitting on bales of hay in trailers, pulled along by tractors. The owners will give you an explanation on how to plant and cultivate olive trees and how the Provençal “yellow gold”, or olive oil, is produced. Your visit will finish with a tasting of the products on the estate.
Accommodations: MS Anne-Marie

This morning we’ll have an excursion to the Camargue. Afterwards, you can enjoy some free time in the splendid city of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer, where we recommend a visit to its fortified church. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising towards Aigues-Mortes, arriving in the early evening.

Set off on a panoramic guided tour of the Camargue. You can admire the rivers, marshland and lakes, the pink flamingos, bulls and the famous white Camargue horses. You can also admire the many salt marshes and rice fields, nowadays industries famous worldwide. A stop is planned in les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, renowned as a pilgrimage centre for gypsies from all over Europe. The town of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer acts as the capital for those who are passionate about the Camargue and are entranced by its wild, natural beauty, its culture and its lively, authentic traditions.
Accommodations: MS Anne-Marie

Today will be a tour of Aigues-Mortes. This old, fortified city with a rich heritage is located in the middle of the marshes and is one of the most beautiful sites in Provence. We’ll board a tourist train and tour the salt marches and visit the salt museum. Afterwards, we’ll return to the ship.

Set off for a guided visit of Aigues Mortes. The old walled town of Aigues-Mortes is a city with a prestigious heritage located in the middle of marshlands in one of the loveliest natural settings in Provence. You will then board a tourist train which will take you on a 90-minute journey through the salt tables, with a stop at the Museum of Salt
Accommodations: MS Anne-Marie

We will spend the morning cruising to Palavas-Les-Flots. Enjoy some free time. We’ll set out on a tour to discover a manade and the life of its herders during a visit by wagon, and take part in a bull sorting. Before returning to the boat, we’ll have a delicious snack with products coming from the farm. We’ll spend the evening cruising towards Sète.

Discover a manade and the life of its herders during a wagon tour and take part in a bull sorting. Before returning to the boat, we’ll have a delicious snack with products from the farm.
Accommodations: MS Anne-Marie

We’ll leave on an excursion to the Étang De Thau, famous for its shellfish. We’ll visit the Étang de Thau Museum, where we’ll discover the shellfish farmers and fishermen. You’ll be able to taste some of the shellfish while taking in the beauty of the basin from a terrace. The afternoon will be dedicated to a tour of Saint- Guilhem-le-Désert, one of the most beautiful villages in France. We’ll return on board for our gala dinner and evening.

We’ll depart from Sète by coach with our guide towards the Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge), located at the heart of the Hérault Gorges. We’ll then discover Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You’ll be delighted by this picturesque town and its abbey (exteriors only).
Accommodations: MS Anne-Marie