PROVENCE RIVER CRUISE

FROM AVIGNON TO AIGUES MORTES

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Depart London St Pancras 0857 on Eurostar for Lille, then by TGV to Avignon, arriving 1748. Embark Phénicien for six nights at Villeneuve lès Avignon. Evening: welcome reception.

DAY 2 Villeneuve lès Avignon: Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction (France’s largest Carthusian monastery) and Musée Pierre de Luxembourg (16th and 17th Provençal painting) then continue to Avignon: Palace of the Popes (huge 14th century papal residence), Petit Palais (outstanding art collection).

DAY 3 Excursion to Pont du Gard then return to Phénicien for lunch and afternoon cruise to charming small port of Vallabregues. Overnight at Vallabregues.

DAY 4 Morning cruise through lock of Beaucaire and past dramatic castle of Tarascon to Arles. Afternoon: historic centre of Arles including St Trophîme (one of greatest French Romanesque churches), 1st century BC amphitheatre. Overnight at Arles.

DAY 5 Excursion to fortified village of Les Baux de Provence followed by Notre Dame de Montmajour (fortified Benedictine monastery) then return to Phénicien for lunch and cruise along Grand Rhône, Petit Rhône and Rhône to Sète Canal. Overnight at village of Gallician.

DAY 6 Excursion through Camargue (wetlands, pastures, dunes and salt flats) with private visit to working ranch (Camargue horses and bulls) and St Gilles (Romanesque church and sculptures). Afternoon: return to Phénicien for lunch then cruise to Aigues Mortes (walk around old town and ramparts). Overnight at Aigues Mortes with farewell dinner.

DAY 7 Disembark Phénicien and transfer to Nîmes for 0950 TGV to Paris, then by Eurostar to St Pancras, arriving 1636.