| DEPARTURE
DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| March 28 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| April 4, 11, 18, 25 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| May 2, 9 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| May 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| June 6, 13, 20, 27, |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| July 4, 11, 18 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| July 25 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| August 1, 8, 17, 22, 29 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| September 5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| October 3, 10 |
Regular |
Burgundy |
| October 17, 24, 31 |
Value |
Burgundy |
| November 7 |
Value |
6
weeks cruise |
MEETING POINT
Meeting Point: France – Dijon - Hotel de
la Cloche– 4:30pm
L'Impressionniste
Barge Information
THE 12 PASSENGER L'IMPRESSIONNISTE ....
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 Burgundian rural cruising,
with plenty of opportunity to cycle and stroll along the
tow-path and wander into nearby villages
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| Click on the thumbnail views
to enlarge |
| Cruise Highlights |
Cuisine Aboard |
- All-inclusive
open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry
fees to excursions
- Visit
16th century Chateau de Tanlay
- Tour
Chateau D'Ancy le Franc's twenty five restored
appartments
- See
the hill-top medieval stronghold of Semur-en-Auxois
- Wine
tasting at Chablis and Epineuil
- Gastronomic
dinner ashore
- Optional
Hot Air Ballooning
|
Regional
Specialities
Coq au Vin, Escargots Bourgogne,
Filet de Charolais
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Wine
Cellar
Côte St Jacques
Epineuil, Chablis,
Nuits St-Georges
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Cheese
Board
Delice de Bourgogne, Chaource,
Aisy Cendré, Epoisses
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Top of Page
Click here for Agde
to Avignon Itineraries
ITINERARY
FOR AVIGNON TO AGDE
Sunday,
Day 1
AVIGNON
Guests are met at 4pm at the delightful Mercure Hotel Cite des Papes in Avignon
and escorted by minibus to L'Impressionniste for a Champagne Welcome. Dine
aboard in Avignon.
Monday,
Day 2
AVIGNON TO ARLES
This morning we visit the Palais des Papes, a massive monument to the era of
the 'other Rome’, when the popes moved to France. After a stroll though
the vibrant shopping district of Avignon, return to the barge for lunch. In
the afternoon we cruise down the mighty Rhone River to Arles, passing the immense
citadel of King René at Tarascon, and the foothills of the Alpilles.
Dinner on board.
Tuesday,
Day 3
ARLES TO AIGUES MORTES
This morning we explore Arles, the Roman Arena and Theatre, St. Trophime's
church 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 up the Rhone. We join the Petit Rhone
and then the Canal du Rhone a Sete that carries us to our mooring beside the
medieval fortified town of Aigues Mortes. Dinner ashore at a local auberge.
Wednesday,
Day 4
AIGUES MORTES TO FRONTIGNAN
Stroll from our mooring outside the Aigues Mortes town walls to visit the Tour
de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning 13th century
crusaders. In the afternoon, we cruise the Canal du Rhone à Sete through
the Camargue National Park with its wild white horses, abundant sea bird life
and flocks of elegant pink flamingos, to the hamlet of Les Aresquiers where
we are close to the Mediterranean. Dinner on board.
Thursday
Day 5
FRONTIGNAN TO MARSEILLAN
An early morning cruise brings us to Frontignan. This is followed by a chance
to explore Sete, 'the Venice of the Languedoc', with its thriving fishing fleet
and fish market. In the afternoon we sail out onto the Thau Lake, a large,
inland salt-water lagoon full of mussel and oyster beds. The water is so clear
that you can sometimes see miniature sea horses passing on the tide. After
lunch on board we arrive in Marseillan, a beautiful Mediterranean fishing village.
Before dinner on board, you might enjoy an aperitif wine tasting in a local
Languedoc vineyard.
Friday,
Day 6
MARSEILLAN TO AGDE
Before the ship sails we have an opportunity to tour the cellars and distillery
of the world famous aperitif, Noilly Prat, followed by a tasting. Then an afternoon
cruise on the Canal du Midi, through the renowned round lock and finishing
our voyage on the River Herault. We will be moored in the shadow of the Cathedral
of the fishing town of Agde, built of lava blocks from the nearby Black Mountains.
Captain’s Dinner on board.
Saturday,
Day 7
AGDE TO PARIS
Return transfer by minibus to Agde TGV station by 10am or Montpellier TGV station,
airport or hotel by 11am.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternative weeks the cruise in reverse direction
and the pickup and drop off points are reversed.
ITINERARY
FOR AGDE TO AVIGNON
Sunday,
Day 1
AGDE
Guests are met at The Metropole Hotel in Montpellier at 4pm and escorted by
minibus to L’Impressionniste for a Champagne Welcome. Dinner is preceded
by a gentle stroll into Agde, with its cathedral built of lava blocks from
the nearby Black Mountains. Dinner aboard.
Monday,
Day 2
AGDE TO MARSEILLAN
We begin our day with a cruise along the Canal du Midi, the oldest complete
canal in France to Marseillan, a beautiful Mediterranean fishing village on
the edge of the Thau Basin. Today’s excursion is to Pezenas, a delightful
village, mostly famous for its associations with the famous French play write
Moliere, who is said to have written many plays while staying here. Dinner
on board.
Tuesday,
Day 3
MARSEILLAN TO LES ARESQUIERES
This morning we go into Marseillan where passengers can tour the cellars and
distillery of the world famous vermouth Noilly Prat, followed by a tasting
or visit the street market. Around lunchtime we sail out onto the Thau Lake
to Frontignan. The Thau Lake is a large, inland salt-water lagoon full of mussel
and oyster beds where the water is so clear that you can sometimes see miniature
sea horses passing on the tide. On arrival in Les Aresquieres we moor up for
the night. Dinner on board.
Wednesday,
Day 4
LES ARESQUIERES TO AIGUES
MORTES
Leaving Les Aresquieres we cruise the Canal du Rhone à Sete through
the Camargue National Park with its wild white horses, abundant sea bird life
and flocks of elegant pink flamingos. After lunch we arrive at our mooring
outside Aigues Mortes town walls and visit the town and its famous Tour de
Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning 13th century crusaders.
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Thursday
Day 5
AIGUES MORTES TO ARLES
We leave Aigues Mortes early and enjoy three waterways today starting with
the Canal du Rhone a Sete, then the Petit Rhone and finally the Rhone itself,
which leads us to Arles, gateway to Provence and old capital of the Camargue.
After lunch, we explore Arles, the Roman Arena and Theatre, St. Trophime's
church and the Museum of Provencal life. We also visit some of Vincent van
Gogh's haunts on foot. Dinner on board.
Friday,
Day 6
ARLES TO AVIGNON
An early start takes us along the mighty Rhone River passing the intriguing
citadel of King Rene at Tarascon and the foothills of the Alpilles to Avignon.
Here we spend an enjoyable afternoon, with a visit the Palais des Papes, an
impressive monument to the era of the 'Other Rome', when the popes moved to
France, shopping in the vibrant centre or take a trip out to Chateauneuf du
Pape for an optional wine tasting. Captain’s dinner on board.
Saturday,
Day 7
Return transfer by minibus to Avignon train station or Mercure Hotel Cite des
Papes in Avignon by about 11am.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternative weeks the cruise in reverse direction
and the pickup and drop off points are reversed.
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