Le Phenicien
LE PHENICIEN is a different barge, spacious, luminous and very comfortable. We can accommodate aboard up to 18 passengers in 9 cabins.
All common areas are on the main deck. You will enjoy our teak sundeck with its director chairs and its leather benches surrounding the pilot bridge. Through the large panoramic windows the sun of Provence will gently warm you up as you have a little nap or sip a drink in the vast lounge. Moving further in a modern Provencal decor with fine local art lining the walls, you will reach the bar and the dining room. A restroom is also available on the main deck, a feature that most barges of similar size lack to offer.
The lower deck shows 9 cabins separated in 3 groups of 3 cabins, each can be reached by individual staircases. 3 cabins are queen-bedded and 6 cabins can be set up as twin-bedded or king-bedded. All cabins feature the same comfortable equipments, en suite bathroom, air-conditioning with individual control, superior bedding, etc.
In short, you may let LE PHENICIEN be your floating home sweet home for a week!
All common areas are on the main deck. You will enjoy our teak sundeck with its director chairs and its leather benches surrounding the pilot bridge. Through the large panoramic windows the sun of Provence will gently warm you up as you have a little nap or sip a drink in the vast lounge. Moving further in a modern Provencal decor with fine local art lining the walls, you will reach the bar and the dining room. A restroom is also available on the main deck, a feature that most barges of similar size lack to offer.
The lower deck shows 9 cabins separated in 3 groups of 3 cabins, each can be reached by individual staircases. 3 cabins are queen-bedded and 6 cabins can be set up as twin-bedded or king-bedded. All cabins feature the same comfortable equipments, en suite bathroom, air-conditioning with individual control, superior bedding, etc.
In short, you may let LE PHENICIEN be your floating home sweet home for a week!
History, culture, gastronomy, wine, traditions, leisure, wild life, arts, sports; centres of interests and possible activities are so many in our region that we can hardly name all of them. This is why a wide choice of thematic cruises on a charter base from a minimum of 9 passengers can be suggested.
Typical itinerary Provence & the Camargue from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes or vice versa
Your cruise itinerary day by day...
Sunday
Transfer from a defined picking point to Le Phénicien which is moored close to the Avignon ramparts. It is time for a little nap or a free visit of the city. Our first dinner on board gives an indication of the high standard of cuisine that will be served during the cruise and the accompanying wines have been specially chosen from top-notch local vineyards.
Transfer from a defined picking point to Le Phénicien which is moored close to the Avignon ramparts. It is time for a little nap or a free visit of the city. Our first dinner on board gives an indication of the high standard of cuisine that will be served during the cruise and the accompanying wines have been specially chosen from top-notch local vineyards.
Monday
History and wines are our centres of interest today. We first take a guided tour to learn about the religious and artistic importance of the city’s prestigious past with the palace of the Popes' visit. Then a first nice lunch cruise takes us closer to one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we have a guided visit followed by a wine tasting. This evening we sail to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon where we will stay overnight. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines will complement your dinner!
History and wines are our centres of interest today. We first take a guided tour to learn about the religious and artistic importance of the city’s prestigious past with the palace of the Popes' visit. Then a first nice lunch cruise takes us closer to one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we have a guided visit followed by a wine tasting. This evening we sail to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon where we will stay overnight. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines will complement your dinner!
Tuesday
This morning the gigantic Roman aqueduct “Le Pont du Gard”, and an intriguing guided visit of the site and its modern museum. We rejoin the barge and sail down to Vallabrègues a quiet and charming little port where it is good to rest, have a bike ride or play the pétanque under the plane trees.
This morning the gigantic Roman aqueduct “Le Pont du Gard”, and an intriguing guided visit of the site and its modern museum. We rejoin the barge and sail down to Vallabrègues a quiet and charming little port where it is good to rest, have a bike ride or play the pétanque under the plane trees.
Wednesday
Spots of legend are many in the surroundings and after breakfast, we will visit the charming mediaeval village of Les Baux de Provence and take some time to shop around!
Back to the barge, we pass through the huge 12 metres high lock of Beaucaire and sail down to Arles, the open-air Museum of Provence.
Spots of legend are many in the surroundings and after breakfast, we will visit the charming mediaeval village of Les Baux de Provence and take some time to shop around!
Back to the barge, we pass through the huge 12 metres high lock of Beaucaire and sail down to Arles, the open-air Museum of Provence.
Thursday
Our guided visit in Arles this morning will delve deep into antiquity and, at the same time, unravel the joys and despair of Van Gogh who painted in 1888 over 300 canvases during his stay in Arles.
The most impressive navigation is for today while heading to the Camargue! We cruise the Rhône River, the petit Rhône and the Rhône canal in Sète to reach the quiet and typical village of Gallician.
Our guided visit in Arles this morning will delve deep into antiquity and, at the same time, unravel the joys and despair of Van Gogh who painted in 1888 over 300 canvases during his stay in Arles.
The most impressive navigation is for today while heading to the Camargue! We cruise the Rhône River, the petit Rhône and the Rhône canal in Sète to reach the quiet and typical village of Gallician.
Friday
For our last day of excursion, what would you say about a nice trip to visit the wild Camargue? There we reach a "manade", a typical ranch, where the "gardians à cheval", the local authentic cowboys, show us how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses. Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape from which St Louis set sail on his Holly Crusades. The Camargue never fails to surprise and welcomes us for our farewell dinner!
For our last day of excursion, what would you say about a nice trip to visit the wild Camargue? There we reach a "manade", a typical ranch, where the "gardians à cheval", the local authentic cowboys, show us how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses. Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape from which St Louis set sail on his Holly Crusades. The Camargue never fails to surprise and welcomes us for our farewell dinner!
Saturday
After breakfast, morning departure to the defined transfer point.
After breakfast, morning departure to the defined transfer point.
| From | To | Itinerary | DBL | SGL |
| 28-Mar-10 | 03-Apr-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 04-Apr-10 | 10-Apr-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 11-Apr-10 | 17-Apr-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | Fully | booked |
| 18-Apr-10 | 24-Apr-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 25-Apr-10 | 01-May-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,075 | $7,038 |
| 02-May-10 | 08-May-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | Fully | booked |
| 09-May-10 | 15-May-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | Fully | booked |
| 16-May-10 | 22-May-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 23-May-10 | 29-May-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 30-May-10 | 05-Jun-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 06-Jun-10 | 12-Jun-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 13-Jun-10 | 19-Jun-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 20-Jun-10 | 26-Jun-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 27-Jun-10 | 03-Jul-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | Fully | booked |
| 04-Jul-10 | 10-Jul-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,075 | $7,038 |
| 11-Jul-10 | 17-Jul-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 18-Jul-10 | 24-Jul-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 25-Jul-10 | 31-Jul-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 01-Aug-10 | 07-Aug-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 08-Aug-10 | 14-Aug-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 15-Aug-10 | 21-Aug-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,075 | $7,038 |
| 22-Aug-10 | 28-Aug-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | Fully | booked |
| 29-Aug-10 | 04-Sep-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 05-Sep-10 | 11-Sep-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | Fully | booked |
| 12-Sep-10 | 18-Sep-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 19-Sep-10 | 25-Sep-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 26-Sep-10 | 02-Oct-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 03-Oct-10 | 09-Oct-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 10-Oct-10 | 16-Oct-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,642 | $8,038 |
| 17-Oct-10 | 23-Oct-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | Fully | booked |
| 24-Oct-10 | 30-Oct-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $5,075 | $7,038 |
| 31-Oct-10 | 06-Nov-10 | Aigues-Mortes/Avignon | $4,434 | $6,019 |
| 07-Nov-10 | 13-Nov-10 | Avignon/Aigues-Mortes | $4,434 | $6,019 |
Is a barge cruise aboard LE PHENICIEN comparable to a regular river cruise?
Not really. You will cruise from 2 to 5 hours a day on river Rhône and canal of Camargue, the maximum capacity of our vessel is 18 passengers with a crew of 6, the level and quality of service is by all measures higher than on any large river cruiser. Friendly atmosphere of the board, superior Cuisine, guided tours are unique and the cruise is all-inclusive.
How long does the cruise last?
The cruise lasts for 6 nights from Sunday late afternoon to next Saturday after breakfast.
What is included?
The cruise is all-inclusive. Arrival and departure transfers, 6 night accommodation in double or twin-bedded cabin, all meals on board with beverages, all shore excursions and related transfers and entrance fees, full open bar and the use of bicycles are included
Not really. You will cruise from 2 to 5 hours a day on river Rhône and canal of Camargue, the maximum capacity of our vessel is 18 passengers with a crew of 6, the level and quality of service is by all measures higher than on any large river cruiser. Friendly atmosphere of the board, superior Cuisine, guided tours are unique and the cruise is all-inclusive.
How long does the cruise last?
The cruise lasts for 6 nights from Sunday late afternoon to next Saturday after breakfast.
What is included?
The cruise is all-inclusive. Arrival and departure transfers, 6 night accommodation in double or twin-bedded cabin, all meals on board with beverages, all shore excursions and related transfers and entrance fees, full open bar and the use of bicycles are included
What is not included?
Air and train transportation, hotel before and after, travel insurance, (all strongly recommended). Items of a personal nature such as, laundry, purchases or gratuities for the crew.
When and where will we be picked up and dropped off?
If you are an individual traveller we will pick you up in late afternoon on Sunday and drop you off on next Saturday after breakfast whether at the TGV train station or at a hotel in Avignon or Montpellier. Ask your France Tourism for exact times and locations when arranging your travel plans.
How is the cuisine on board? Will we have “strange” things?
There is a French Chef on board. His cuisine is French/Provencal with a personal twist; everything is hand-made with fresh ingredients. Luncheons usually consist of a buffet with choices of starters, main courses and desserts. We do not cook rabbit, snails, inside of animals and the like (except “Foie Gras”). In any case we are glad to accept individual culinary requests.
What about wines?
During your cruise, you will have more than 20 different wines, whites reds and rosés, all selected by ourselves from the best wineries in the Rhône valley, Provence and Languedoc. All wines are introduced before they are served.
What about cheeses?
You will have cheese at every meal, goat, ewe or cow, raw or cooked.
What about the bar?
Unless otherwise specified, your cruise includes a full open bar. Most standard alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available as cocktails with some local aperitifs.
Can we have some meals off the barge?
For individual traveller we can provide you with assistance.
Can we skip some guided tours?
Sure. You are free to manage your agenda to your liking, the only constrain is to be back on board when the barge leaves her dock!
Are there different standards of cabins on board?
3 cabins are queen-bedded, 6 are twin-bedded and can be set as king-bedded cabins on request. Please let France Tourism know about your choice at the time of booking. All cabins are about the same size and feature exactly the same equipments and decor.
How much luggage should we take?
Pack wisely! Storage space is not expandable, one average suitcase plus a hand luggage per person is reasonable.
Are bicycles available? How can we use them?
Yes 8 bicycles are available. You can always bike in a round trip from the barge when she is stationary (maps are available on board) or you may bike by the barge on the tow-path on some parts of our canal itinerary.
Is there a laundry service on board?
Yes, we provide you with an optional 24H laundry service twice a week. Price is by item.
Are children welcome on board LE PHENICIEN?
No young children on cruises for individuals.
What about disable people?
To move freely aboard LE PHENICIEN you will need to be able to walk to your cabin down short stairways, therefore people permanently requiring a wheelchair will not be able to join the cruise.
Can we tip the crew?
Traditionally happy passengers give a minimum 5% of the cruise price to the captain at the end of the cruise.
To Book or Enquire
Please call us now on +61 (0)2 9247 4233.
Alternatively, you can enquire about this holiday by clicking the button below.
