Barge cruise in Provence
The Untamed Spirit of the Camargue
Saroche Provence cruise in the South of France, from Avignon along the river Rhone, through the Camargue and to the town of Sete on the Canal du Midi.
For people seeking gourmet cuisine, quality wines, historical interest and beautiful countryside, Saroche offers the best choices.
Beaucaire to Sète
River Rhone and the Canal du Midi
Cruise Duration : Six Nights / Seven Days
Sunday Afternoon - Beaucaire
Guests are greeted at the pre-designated meeting point and escorted to Saroche in Beaucaire. After settling in you are invited to join the captain for a champagne Reception and cruise safety briefing. Enjoy your pre-dinner aperitifs during an early evening cruise from Beaucaire port into the countryside.
Monday - Cruising : Beaucaire to Saint Gilles
A morning excursion to Avignon for a guided tour of the Palace of
the Popes and the famous Pont d'Avignon followed by some free time
to explore the town before returning to Saroche for lunch. The afternoon
cruise begins by passing through the only lock on the canal and
then continues through the lush vegetation of the Rhône valley to
overnight mooring spot in the country where frogs and nightingales
sing the night away..
Excursion : The magnificent city of Avignon.
Tuesday - Cruising : Saint Gilles to Arles
Your morning cruise is to the Provençal city of Arles. A walking
tour of Arles to visit the Roman arena and some of Van Gogh favourite
haunts before returning to Saroche for a relaxing afternoon cruise
through the reed beds of the Camargue where reed cutters work, black
bulls and white horses graze, and birds of prey soar over Europe's
largest wetland wilderness, to our overnight mooring at the village
of Franquevaux.
Excursion : Visit Arles and the Roman arena and
theatre - walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and maybe take a drink
in the Starry Nights Café made famous by his painting.
Wednesday - Franquevaux toAigues-Mortes
A morning cruise to Aigues-Mortes, 'the jewel of the Camargue' built
by Louis IV as a departure port for his Crusades, stands boldly
on the salt flats guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean. Visit
the colourful morning street market and enjoy the shopping, galleries
and sightseeing, or walk the ramparts of this medieval town...
Excursion : Village and vineyards of Châteauneuf
du Pape. Lunch at a selected Restaurant, followed by a tasting of
the world famous red wine. The return trip to Saroche takes in the
2000 year old Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, one of the treasures
Thursday - Cruising : Aigues-Mortes to Maguelone
After your morning excursion time to relax on an afternoon cruise
through the inland lakes teeming with bird life, to Maguelone, an
ancient settlement on a pine clad hill by the sea - its cathedral
dating back to the sixth Century. Watch the nesting colonies of
bee-eaters and white egrets along the canal banks and the flocks
of hundreds of flamingos gracefully wading through the etangs.
Excursion : Today's excursion is a visit to Saintes
Maries-de-la-Mer with its fortified church and magical stories or
visit the world famous Perrier source and bottling plant.
Friday - Cruising : Maguelone to Sète
The last days cruising takes you to the bustling Port of Sète,
France's second largest sea port. The picturesque town is criss-crossed
by small canals which link the Mediterranean with the inland lake
the 'Etang de Thau'. The captain's farewell dinner this evening
is on a canal front restaurant where fish comes directly into the
kitchen from the fishing boats moored at the quay. Local Mediterranean
dishes are a specialty.
Excursion : The afternoon excursion of Sète
includes a trip to the hilltop for breath-taking panoramic views
of the town and surrounding waters, followed by a stroll through
Saturday - Sète
Time after breakfast for one last chance to sit on deck before your departure from Saroche.
The cruise is from Sète to Beaucaire on alternate weeks
This itinerary details the cruise route and gives examples of the
visits which may be made from the vessel.
It is our aim to provide a cruise tailored for you,
wherever possible we will adjust the cruise to fit in with your
requirements.
Activities such as riding, tennis, hot air ballooning and golf can
be organised on request.
Bicycles and boules are available on board.
History of the Camargue
The boundaries of the Camargue differ depending on to whom you talk. In my opinion the Camargue runs from the River Rhone west to the hills that run down to the Mediterranean at the port of Sete. The southern border is the sea and to the North the cities of Nimes and Montpellier. The national park of the Camargue is the area which lies between the rivers of the Petite Rhone and the Grand Rhone.
The Camargue was named after the Roman Governor of the region, Cam……, Cam……, developed the area and its natural resources and believed that the city of Nimes could become the next Rome.
The impressive Pont du Gard was built to bring fresh water to the growing population already 200,000 strong. Huge arenas in Nimes and Arles were built and agriculture and viniculture were developed. Roman history litters the landscape of the Camargue.
The small fishing village of Saint Maries de la Mers is the site of the Gypsy festival which draws travelling people from around the globe. It is on this spot that it is believed the Holy Mary's were washed ashore after being set adrift from the Holy land on a raft. With the Mary's was the black slave girl Sarah. Sarah has been adopted by the gypsies as their patron saint and each year there is a festival of dance and music and a blessing in the Mediterranean of the effigy which is normally kept in the crypt in the church.
Throughout the year there are local bull festivals, bulls are run though the streets of villages, corralled by the Gardiens, the name for the local cowboys. Young men prove their manhood by risking life and limb in the 'course Camargue' games, a bull fight where the bull is not injured but the human participants are at great danger.
This is the spirit of the Camargue. It is the strong north wind, the Mistral that blows though the reeds, it is the hot sun that bakes the salt lakes in the summer, the patois of the Gardiens, who still use the old Provencal language.
