L'Impressionniste
South of France, Provence, Camargue and Canal du Midi

Provence, Camargue and the South of France winding through the River Rhone, the Canal du Rhone Sete and Mid Canal, passing picturesque fishing villages and the Alpilles foothills.  Experience the color and light that inspired Impressionist painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Cezanne.  Visit the Noilly Prat distillery and cruise past Chateau-du-Pape vineyards.  Our excurions to Roman and medieval sites capture the imagination and are a rewarding introduction to this region's finest treasures.

NEW ITINERARY IN BURGUNDY FOR 2009
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Sunday, DAY 1 Avignon 
You will be met at 16.00  at The Grand Hotel in Avignon and escorted by minibus to the L'Impressionniste for a Champagne Welcome. Spend the night onboard in Avignon.

Monday, DAY 2  Avignon / Arles
This morning we visit the Palais des Papes, an impressive monument to the era of the 'Other Rome’, when the popes moved to France. After a stroll though the vibrant shopping district of Avignon, we return to the barge for lunch. In the afternoon we cruise down the mighty Rhone River to Arles, passing the intriguing citadel of King René at Tarascon, and the foothills of the Alpilles.  Dinner on board.

Tuesday, DAY 3  Arles / Aigues Mortes
This morning we explore Arles, the Roman Arena, St. Trophime’s Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life.  We visit some of Vincent Van Gogh's haunts on foot through the pedestrianized heart of this old capital of the Camargue.  Then a cruise down the Petit Rhone and on to the Canal de Rhone a Sete, passing several herds of wild black bulls.  We moor at the medieval fortified town of Aigues Mortes.  Dinner on board.

Wednesday, DAY 4  Aigues Mortes / Frontignan
Stroll from our mooring outside the town walls to visit the Tour de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning 13^th century Crusaders.  In the afternoon, we cruise the Canal du Rhone à Sete through the Camargue National Park with its wild horses, abundant sea bird life and flocks of pink flamingoes, to the hamlet of Les Aresquiers where we are 200 yards from the Mediterranean.  Dinner on board.

Thursday, DAY 5  Frontignan / Marseillian
An early start to pass under the lifting Bridge at Frontignan, then we sail out onto the Etang de Thau, a large, inland, salt water lagoon full of oyster beds.  Mid-morning we stop briefly at Bouzigues to visit the Museum of the lake with its exhibition on oyster culture, which is the main activity of the many local fishermen. After lunch on board, we have a short minibus ride to the 12thC Abbaye de Valmagne with its vast Cistercian church and beautiful cloister.  Our tour ends with a chance to taste its award winning range of wines.  Returning to the barge, we have an afternoon cruise on the lake to the port of Marseillan, where we stroll into the marketplace for dinner ashore.  This gives you a chance to taste many of the local seafood delicacies.

Friday, DAY 6  Marseillian / 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. Captains Dinner on board.

Saturday, DAY 7 Agde / Montpellier
Return transfer by minibus to Beziers or Montpellier's TGV Station, Montpellier Airport or Montpellier's Metropole Hotel.

 Individual Bookings: Child 12 to 17 years traveling with an adult $300 reduction
Charter bookings: Child reduction of $300 applicable for all children aged 0-17 years.

-        All cruises require a minimum of 2 passengers to guarantee departures.

-        Golf Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $400 per person. Please contact us for itinerary. (non golfers in the group do not pay supplement)

-        *Art Workshop Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $4000 per charter. Please contact us for itinerary.

-        *Wine Appreciation Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $5000 per charter. Please contact us for itinerary.

-        Family Cruises are available for charter groups.  Please contact us for itinerary.  No supplement applies.  

Impressionniste 2009

Ouche Valley

DIJON to ESCOMMES

Sunday, DAY 1   Dijon
You are met at the meeting hotel in Dijon at 4.30pm and transferred to the elegant L’Impressionniste moored in the Port of Dijon for your cruise through Burgundy. A Champagne reception welcomes you on board and provides you with a chance to meet the crew. Enjoy a stroll into Dijon before Dinner aboard.

Monday, DAY 2  Dijon / Fleurey sur Ouche.
This morning experience your first day’s cruise along this enchanting canal, which also promises a walk or cycle along an ever present towpath, as we ascend gradually to the canal summit, past sleepy villages and pretty lock houses. Leaving Dijon, we pass Lake Kir and cruise by the limestone escarpments which feed the nearby vineyards. After lunch we visit  Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, who award every year a special prized label to the finest Cote d‘Or vintages. We offer a private tasting of Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin, Cote de Nuits and Nuits-St-Georges at the family run Domaine Jafflin in the heart of Nuits-St-Georges on the route des Grands Crus. Our excellent relationship with the Jafflin family goes back over 20 years.  Dinner aboard. 

Tuesday, DAY 3  Fleurey sur Ouche / Gissey sur Ouche.
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of old Dijon including a visit to the vivid flower and produce market, mustard shops and the flamboyant 14^th century Ducal Palace  (or enjoy some excellent shopping time). Return to the boat for lunch and leisurely afternoon cruise to Gissey sur Ouche.  Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, DAY 4  Gissey sur Ouche / La Bussiere.
This morning we visit the moat - encircled 13^th century Chateau de Commarin.  Going back 26 generations, the de Vogue family ownership portrays an insight into the glamorous lives of the French aristocracy as well as showing off the Chateau, stables and landscaped gardens. After lunch we cruise to La Bussiere, passing grazing white Charolais cattle, rolling hills and picturesque villages.  Dinner aboard.

Thursday, DAY 5   La Bussiere / Crugey
Early morning cruise and exclusive tour of the magnificent 12^th century Abbaye de la Bussiere.  The ornamental gardens and lake, wine press, crypt and cellars are interwoven with ancient colonnades, stone staircases and huge stained glass windows. After a Kir Royale aperitif in the private music room, the former chapel, we enjoy the gastronomic delights of Master Chef Olivier Elzer in the vaulted Michelin starred restaurant whilst enjoying the sommelier’s choice of local burgundies.  This afternoon we continue to the mediaeval village, craft shops and castle of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, once an outpost of the Dukes of Burgundy and offering a fine overview of the feeder lakes, canal and surrounding countryside. Dinner aboard. 

Friday, DAY 6   Crugey / Escommes
Our last day’s leisurely cruise takes us to the canal summit, 1250 feet above sea level, just before the Pouilly tunnel. In the afternoon we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15^th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit Maison Champy, Beaune’s oldest winery established in 1720 with even older cellars.  Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard

Saturday, DAY 7  Dijon
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Dijon station by 9.00 or Dijon Centre. (Suggested train to Paris TGV 6710 departing Dijon at 9.57 and arrive in Paris, Gare de Lyon at 11.37am).

Itinerary is subject to change.  On alternative weeks, the cruise is in reverse direction.

 Individual Bookings: Child 12 to 17 years traveling with an adult $300 reduction
Charter bookings: Child reduction of $300 applicable for all children aged 0-17 years.

-        All cruises require a minimum of 2 passengers to guarantee departures.

-        Golf Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $400 per person. Please contact us for itinerary. (non golfers in the group do not pay supplement)

-        *Art Workshop Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $4000 per charter. Please contact us for itinerary.

-        *Wine Appreciation Cruises are available for charter groups at a supplement of $5000 per charter. Please contact us for itinerary.

-        Family Cruises are available for charter groups.  Please contact us for itinerary.  No supplement applies.