We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
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Summary
The Rhône Croisières offered by Le Phenicien combine luxury cruising with perhaps the most varied and fascinating route of all hotel barges; great towns and cities of the Rhòne with the unique natural environment and smaller villages of the Petit Rhòne and the Camargue. She is an elegant and practical barge, ideally suited to her cruise, with classic accommodation for up to 18 guests, by cabin or charter.
The teak sun-deck features director chairs and leather benches for relaxing in the sunshine; the saloon and the bar, decorated in a modern Provençal style with paintings by local artists, offer comfortable places to relax, read and chat to other guests; large, panoramic windows ensure that you fully enjoy the wonderful views as the ship glides past vineyards, pretty villages and city quays.
Launched in Provence by the Joly family in 2000, Bertrand heads up Le Phenicien’s passionate and professional crew of five. “We have found that barge cruising is the best way to combine our love of canal and river barges with our attachment to our region, the south of France. We are all natives from here and that’s why what you experience with Le Phenicien you will find nowhere else.”
Key Features
-
- Excellence class (4*)
- River Rhône and Canal de Rhône a Sète, Provence and Camargue
- Charter and cabin bookings, 6 nights, 7 days, April to October
- 18 guests / 9 cabins with ensuite bathrooms
- Themed cruising for charters
- Queen size double or twin bed configurations
- Full board, on-board dining
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating
The Classic Cruise — Le Phenicien
Classic Cruise Itinerary
| Route | Between Avignon and Aigues Mortes, on the Rhône river and Canal Rhône a Sète |
| Pick-up | Avignon TGV station, 5pm |
| Dining | Dining programme: All inclusive | 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners on board. |
Classic Cruise Highlights
- Excursion to Le Pont du Gard, an astonishing and intact Roman aqueduct
- Visit the medieval town of Les Baux de Provence with its spectacular views over the countryside
- Arles, the site of many Roman ruins and inspiration for Van Gogh
- Visit to a working ranch complete with cowboys French style
- Discover the walled town of Aigues Mortes from which many of the crusades set off
Themed itineraries
Wine Tour
The fundamentals of oenology, an explanation of the different appellations and an introduction to tasting. Visit six excellent domains.
Family Cruise
Take the extended family on the cruise of a lifetime. Bond and enjoy all kinds of activities – a circus, the Mediterranean beaches, adventure park etc
Golf cruise
Swop two or three excursions for rounds of golf in the region’s excellent choice of courses.
- Charter only, at 600 EUR extra/person
Please enquire.
Day 1 — Sunday
Arrival in Avignon
Meet your guide at the pre-designated pick up point for a private chauffeured transfer to Le Phénicien, moored close to Avignon’s city wall and right beside the famous Pont d’Avignon of nursery rhyme fame. Meet the crew over a Champagne reception and then settle in, and then perhaps take a stroll into Avignon before the first gourmet dinner on board.
Day 2 — Monday
Cruise to Villeneuve-les-Avignon | Tour of Avignon and wine-tasting
After a leisurely breakfast with freshly baked breads and homemade confitures we’ll set off for a fascinating guided tour of Avignon, its ancient palace of the Popes, and a chance to take in the bustling authentic street life of the town centre. Then, back on board, we’ll cruise during lunch towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a guided visit and delicious wine tasting at this most famous domain. We cruise onwards to the mooring at Villeneuve lès Avignon for dinner on board.
Day 3 — Tuesday
Cruise to Vallabrègues | Excursion to Pont du Gard
Today’s excursion is to the astonishing Roman aqueduct ‘Le Pont du Gard’, still standing after 2,000 years. Its fascinating museum will show how it was built to provide water across the valley for the city of Nïmes. Lunch on board and then we sail down to Vallabrègues, our quiet and charming mooring for the night. We’ll enjoy aperitifs and perhaps a game of pétanque under the plane trees before dinner on board.
Day 4 — Wednesday
Cruise to Arles | Excursion to Les Baux de Provence
The medieval village of Les Baux de Provence will inspire us today, with stunning views of the countryside and shops and cafés to explore and perhaps you’ll purchase a keepsake or two. Then, we’ll have lunch on board and a remarkable passage through the huge 36 feet deep lock of Beaucaire, on to our mooring at the city of Arles.
Day 5 — Thursday
Cruise to Gallician | Excursion to Arles
After another leisurely breakfast we’ll take a guided tour of Arles, an ancient Roman city with a famous amphitheatre and other antiquities. We’ll learn about Van Gogh, who was inspired by the Mediterranean light to paint over 300 canvases during his year here in 1888. Leaving the Rhône river, we’ll cruise the petit Rhône and join the Canal Rhône a Sète to reach the quiet and typical village of Gallician.
Day 6 — Friday
Cruise to Aigues Mortes | Excursion to a Manade
This morning, we’ll take an excursion into the wild Camargue to visit a manade, a typical ranch, where the ‘gardians à cheval‘, the local authentic cowboys, demonstrate the herding of bulls on their superb white horses. Lunch on board and then relax on deck as we cruise through this new landscape towards tonight’s mooring at Aigues-Mortes. This 14th century walled city is almost intact and is where St. Louis set sail on two of his Holy Crusades. The sumptuous farewell dinner tonight offers a chance to reflect on your week and toast a wonderful vacation.
Day 7 — Saturday
Departure from Nimes
After breakfast, chauffeured transfer to the designated transfer point.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary and subject to change and runs in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.
“Ruth, first off I want to thank you for your assistance, you are a true professional. The chef Jean Claude was exceptional, food, wines and cheeses were some of the best we have enjoyed on a barge. Hard to go wrong with the Provençal wines, varied and delicious. The trip to the Camargue was a major high point for all of us. Thanks for everything.”
John P party, USA | Oct 2019
“C’est magnifique! the best vacation ever!
every meal was superb! the staff was congenial and made the trip perfect! Would stay on board if we could!”
Joe & Cathy, USA
Accommodations and Facilities
- Dimensions: 127ft (38m) x 17ft (5m)
- Cabins: 107 sq ft, 6 queen-size double cabins, 3 twin-bedded cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms with toiletries and hair-dryers
- Individually controlled air conditioning and heating throughout
Other items on board
- Professional English-speaking crew of 6 – captain, tour guide, deckhand, chef, two hostesses
- Library of books
- Gorgeous 1,000 sq ft lounge
- Facilities for business meetings
- Teak sundeck with comfy chairs
- Powder room on main deck
- Defibrillator
- WiFi for use with personal devices (limited in remote areas)
- TV/DVD/CD: TV and Sound System in salon
Facilities At A Glance
Fine Wines — Fine Dining
The chef is French and the cuisine on board is French/Provençal with a personal twist. Everything is hand-made with fresh ingredients.
Lunches usually consist of an extensive buffet with a choice of starters, main courses and desserts.
Evening meals are 4 or 5 courses and always include a selection of cheeses.
Le Phénicien is of course pleased to cater for individual culinary requests and medical/allergic conditions.
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.
During your cruise you will be served over 20 different wines; whites reds and rosés, all selected from the best wineries in the Rhône valley, Provence and Languedoc. All wines are introduced before they are served.
Photo Gallery
Le Phenicien cruises through the Camargue and Provence
– [below] In the region: Sete, Mediterranean, Camargue, Van Gogh/Arles, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Aigues-Mortes –
Beach ©Les Jardins de Tivoli | Avignon ©Yann de Fareins | Aigues-Mortes ©Framepool AG | Others ©FW, wikimedia, n/a
Classic cruise rates and dates
All rates and prices will be confirmed at time of booking. Special Offers are available from time to time – contact us
What’s included
6 nights accommodation
Return transfers to the meeting point
All meals and drinks on board
Excursion fees
Tour guide and associated transport
What’s not included
Air fares and travel to the meeting point
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Crew gratuities (5-10% suggested)
Personal expenses
2023
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Regular rate weeks
March 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6, 13, 20, 27
October 22, 29
November 4
18 guestcharter: 77,985 USD
17 guestcharter: 75,520 USD
16 guestcharter: 73,055 USD
15 guestcharter: 70,580 USD
14 guestcharter: 68,105 USD
13 guestcharter: 65,620 USD
12 passengers or less: 63,155 USD
Themed charter* supplements: on application
(*Golf, Wine, Cuisine, VIP)
Prime rate weeks
April 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15
18 guestcharter: 82,090 USD
17 guestcharter: 79,495 USD
16 guestcharter: 76,900 USD
15 guestcharter: 74,295 USD
14 guestcharter: 71,690 USD
13 guestcharter: 69,075 USD
12 passengers or less: 66,480 USD
Themed charter* supplements: on application
(*Golf, Wine, Cuisine, VIP)
2024
Charter and Cabin bookings
Sunday to Saturday
Rates and dates
Regular rate weeks
March 10, 17, 24
April 7, 14, 21
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
October 20, 27
November 2
18 guestcharter: 77,985 USD
17 guestcharter: 75,520 USD
16 guestcharter: 73,055 USD
15 guestcharter: 70,580 USD
14 guestcharter: 68,105 USD
13 guestcharter: 65,620 USD
12 passengers or less: 63,155 USD
Themed charter* supplements: on application
(*Golf, Wine, Cuisine, VIP)
Prime rate weeks
April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13
18 guestcharter: 82,090 USD
17 guestcharter: 79,495 USD
16 guestcharter: 76,900 USD
15 guestcharter: 74,295 USD
14 guestcharter: 71,690 USD
13 guestcharter: 69,075 USD
12 passengers or less: 66,480 USD
Per suite: 5,000 USD per person, sharing
6,910 USD single occupation
Themed charter* supplements: on application
(*Golf, Wine, Cuisine, VIP)
Hotel Barge Enquiry
Booking a luxury barge vacation isn’t the kind of thing one does with just a mouse-click or two. It takes a little research, thought and understanding, and we hope that our pages have provided you with all the information and inspiration you need to take this next step.
Why should you book with us? Because…
We’ve explored the waterways of France on our own boat since 2003 and know each of the barges and their routes.
We’re independent, impartial and enthusiastic – and we are the only France cruising specialist that can offer you the benefits of our own in-depth cruising knowledge and experience.
We love France, we love the rivers and canals of France, we love hotel barging – and we love talking about all three!
There’s nothing like speaking to a friendly expert to help you see the wood for the trees and to make the best possible decision about the vacation cruise of a lifetime. Get in touch – we’re here to help.
We will use our unique
in-depth experience
to find you your
perfect barge cruise
