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Hotel Barge L'Impressioniste
Cruise Provence and Camargue
Seven Days / Six Nights
20 July 2008-
Now save 25% per cabin*
 The
12 passenger L'Impressionniste, sister ship
to La Belle Epoque began life as a cargo
barge in Holland before undergoing a complete
transformation into the powerful canal and
river cruiser she is today.
Her light and airy interior features picture
windows and selections of prints, fabrics
and wall colorings reminiscent of the turn
of the century era after which she has been
named.
She is crewed by a knowledgeable Captain,
Mater Chef and crew of three
L'Impressionniste's classic route covers
some fine rural cruising, with plenty of
opportunity to cycle and stroll along the
tow-path and wander into nearby villages
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Cruise Highlights |
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Avignon, the Pope's
Palace, Chateauneuf du Pape wine
tasting |
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Walking tour of
Van Gogh's Arles |
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Medieval city
of Aigues Mortes |
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The wild horses,
bulls and flamingos of the Camargue
National Park |
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Marseillan's distillery
and tasting of Noilly Prat Vermouth
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Culinary Notes |
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Regional Dishes
Bouillabaisse
Bourride
Provencale oysters
Daube Provencale
Regional Wines
Picpoul de Pinet
Cotes du Roussillon
Corbieres
Regional Cheeses
Bleu des Causses
Picodons
Pelardon
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| Boat
Features |
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128 feet long |
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12 passengers |
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5 crew |
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2 suites |
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4 junior suites |
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Air-conditioned |
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Centrally heated |
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Spa-pool |
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Chart room TV/DVD |
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Fitness studio |
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12 touring bikes |
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2 air-conditioned minibuses |
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* Book
any remaining cabin on 20 July 2008 departures
and save 25%!
Junior Suite for 2 people sharing only £3225/US$5985
Suite for 2 people sharing only £3375/US$6375
Approximate saving for 2 people sharing
is
US$2000/£1000 per cabin
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Check
availability of this cruise
France Hotel
Barge Programme
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DAY 1
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Sunday
AVIGNON
Guests are met at 4pm at the delightful
Hotel Mercure Cite des Papes in Avignon
and escorted by minibus to L'Impressionniste
for a Champagne Welcome. Dine aboard
in Villeneuve-les-Avignon. |
DAY 2
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Monday
AVIGNON TO VALLABREGUES
This morning we visit Avignon and the
famous Palais des Papes, an impressive
monument to the era of the 'Other Rome',
when the popes moved to France, or enjoy
a superb wine tasting at Chateauneuf
du Pape, former vineyard of the Pope.
In the afternoon we cruise down the
mighty Rhone River, past the foothills
of the Alpilles to Vallabregues, with
a cycle or walking opportunity along
the quiet river bank. Optional early
evening tour of Tarascon with its famous
Castle of King René. Dinner on
board. |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
VALLABREGUES TO AIGUES MORTES
This morning we explore Arles. Choose
between the Roman Arena and Theatre,
St. Trophime's Basilica and the Museum
of Provencal life. We also visit some
of Vincent van Gogh's haunts on foot
through the heart of this old capital
of the Camargue before rejoining the
barge for our cruise along the Rhone.
We join the Petit Rhone and then the
Canal du Rhone-a-Sete that carries us
to our mooring beneath the medieval
fortified walls of Aigues Mortes. Dinner
ashore at a local auberge. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
AIGUES MORTES TO MAGUELONE
Stroll from L’Impressionniste
to visit the Tour de Constance, built
in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning
13th century crusaders. In the afternoon,
we cruise through the Camargue National
Park with its wild white horses and
black bulls, abundant sea bird life
and flocks of elegant pink flamingos,
to the vineyard-encircled Maguelone
Abbey, just a short stroll or cycle
from the nearby Mediterranean. Dinner
on board. |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
MAGUELONE TO MARSEILLAN
An early morning cruise brings us to
Frontignan lifting bridge. In the afternoon
we sail out onto the Thau Lake, a large,
inland salt-water lagoon with acres
of mussel and oyster beds. Miniature
sea horses can often be seen passing
on the tide. Marseillan, a beautiful
Mediterranean fishing village and home
to the famous vermoutherie of Noilly
Prat, is our visit for the day. There
is also time to explore this vibrant
small town. Dinner on board. |
| DAY 6 |
Friday
MARSEILLAN TO AGDE
In the morning we cruise to Agde, which
was settled by the Phoenicians in 2500
BC, along the tree-lined 17th century
Canal du Midi. During our tour of Agde
we encounter its cathedral built of
lava blocks from the nearby Black Mountains
and its labyrinth of narrow medieval
streets. Our afternoon excursion is
Pezenas, Versailles of the Languedoc
region and former home to the French
writer Moliere. Captain’s Dinner
on board. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
After breakfast, we transfer you
by minibus to Agde TGV station by 10am
or Montpellier airport or hotel by 11am. |
| NOTE: |
This is a sample itinerary
and is subject to change. On
alternative weeks the cruise operates
in reverse direction and the pickup
and drop off points are reversed. |
Meeting
Point |
| Sunday, 4:30pm Hotel de la Cloche, Dijon
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Alternative Itineraries |
We also offer alternative itineraries, including an art cruise, golf cruises and wine cruises.
Please contact us for more details.
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