An Unforgettable Week Cruising!

 

Le Phenicien ExteriorLe Phenicien  

 

River Barge Golf Cruise in Provence 

 

Share our French "Art de vivre" for a while, forget the land, just relax you are now aboard our barge! Sip fine wines and enjoy our gourmet Provencal cuisine cooked by our French Chef, learn about the history and traditions of this land, remember the roman times, discover our local cow-boys on their superb white horses, enjoy being pampered by our crew and play 5 rounds of golf on marvellous courses. 

You will discover from an unusual point of view the town of Avignon and its monumental Palace of the Popes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, the Roman aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard, the Medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, the famous city of Arles, wildlife and ranches of the Camargue and the walled city of Aigues-Mortes. 

Like Queens, Kings and Nobles of the Middle Ages, travel with us in luxury and style on the waterways of southern France... 

 

Program

 

 


Avignon to Aigues Mortes

 

Note on the itinerary : The barge is sailing from Avignon to Aigues Mortes every other week (alterning with Aigues Mortes to Avignon itinerary) 

 

* Day 1 

 

Arrival - Transfer from a defined picking point to Le Phénicien which is moored close to the Avignon ramparts. Time for a little nap or a free visit to the town. Our first dinner on board will be served with wines specially selected from top-notch local vineyards. 

Avignon is world renowned for its Summer Arts Festival. Owing its origins to the Doms rock, the city became a second Rome with the arrival of the popes in the 14th Century. It was enriched by art in the 17th and 18th Centuries, and it remained papal property up until the French revolution. The Palace of the Popes, residence of the Sovereign Pontiffs during the 14th century, is the biggest Gothic palace in the world, ranked by UNESCO as Heritage for Humanity 

* Day 2 

Golf at Pont Royal golf course

 

Pont Royal Golf ClubPont Royal Golf Club

 

Pont Royal is a real championship course designed by Seve Ballesteros, and features large bunkers (ideal for long sand escape shots, one of the Spanish champion’s specialties), various water hazards, a few ravines and a hilly landscape. Pont Royal requires more strategy and accuracy rather than strength, even though long hitters have real opportunities to take risks on several holes. When the Mistral is blowing, Pont Royal becomes one of the most difficult course of continental Europe. The excellent maintenance makes Pont Royal a real gem. 

History and wines are our centers of interest today. We start with a visit of one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. After the cellar visit, a wine tasting is organized. Then we 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. This afternoon, we sail to Villeneuve lès Avignon. The wines tasted in the morning are back on the table at dinner 

 

* Day 3 

 

Golf : Grand Avignon golf course is a charming quiet golf course located 10 minutes from the “Cite des Papes” Avignon and at the foot of the famous Mont Ventoux mountain. Grand Avignon is a very nice golf course with several lakes in a Provencal landscape made of pine trees, cypress, olive trees and lavender scents. 

After golf the gigantic Roman aqueduct “Le Pont du Gard” is waiting for you.

 

Roman AqueductRoman Aqueduct

 

 

Later we will get back to the barge and sail down to Vallabrègues, a charming little port where it is good to rest and play pétanque!

 

 

VallabrèguesVallabrègues 

 

* Day 4 

 

Golf : Servanes golf course
Set at the foot of the famous Alpilles rocky chain, one of Cezanne’s favorite landscapes, Servanes is an enchanting golf course set amid cypress and plane trees. This nicely landscaped course is technically fair and will be appreciated by golfers of all levels. But beware the Mistral, a terrific wind that comes from the Northern valley and whose violent gusts can bring troubles to golfers! 

 

Golf de ServanesGolf de Servanes

 

Non golfers : 

Les Baux de Provence is a magnificent historical village, featuring an incredibly rich architectural heritage. Perched on a rocky spur, the citadel overlooks the Provencal landscape. Classified within “site remarquable du goût” and “Plus Beaux Villages de France”, Les Baux de Provence is also the site of an old castle with Sarrasine and Paravelle towers. Not to be missed is the exhibition of siege equipments (giant catapult, ballista, battering ram, etc) dating back from centuries ago. 

The Alpilles, which are dominated by the town of Les Baux-de-Provence, stretch 25 kilometers to the Northeast. These limestone hills are surrounded by sunny pleasant Provençal villages spread out among vineyards and olive orchards : Fontvieille, Paradou, Maussane, Saint- Rémy . 

Back to the barge we will sail down to Arles, the open Air Museum of Provence, passing through the larger lock of this cruise, 15 meters (45 feet) height difference 

Arles 

Arles is known as "Little Rome in Gaul", and is appreciated for the splendour of its Roman and Romanesque monuments, (the "Arena", the Roman Theater, etc), and its splendid Medieval monuments bear witness to the wealth and dynamism of the early Middle Ages. 

Arles has preserved many lovely buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, essential elements contributing to the charm of this old city. In 1986 the city (which inspired and attracted Van Gogh with its the
Provençal light), received the official French title of "City of Art and History".

The Alpilles hills also inspired Frédéric and the horizon around Arles made up of different Mistrals, the arid Crau of the shepherds, and the landscapes surrounding the city continue to fascinate visitors from all over the world.

 

 

* Day 5 

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Today you are heading for the Camargue! We cruise Le Rhône river, Le petit Rhône and the canal to reach the quiet village of Gallician

Non golfers : 

Our day excursion will lead us in the deep heart of the wild Camargue
There, we reach one of the most prestigious Manade, a typical ranch, where the horse guardians, authentic local cowboys, show how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses. 

 

Golf : Nimes-Campagne golf course, a classic golf course. This true championship course designed by Harradine & Morandi becomes an authentic challenge when the wind blows, bring strategically placed water hazards into play. From the back tees, Nimes Campagne requires both power and precision to safely reach the beautifully manicured greens. 

 

* Day 6 

 Provence & the French Riviera

 

Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city. This was the port from which St Louis set sail on his Crusades and it now provides us with a paradox - a perfectly preserved mediaeval fortress displaying a rectangular grid structure reminiscent of a new world town.

The Camargue never fails to surprise!

 

* Day 7 

 

After breakfast, depart to the defined transfer point (usually Nimes train station). 

 

Included in this package :


* Lodging in a twin bedded or double room
* Daily buffet breakfast
* 5 rounds of golf with pre-booking of tee times
* Chauffeur driven service for ground transportation during the cruise (golf, excursions for non golfers)
* All meals including drinks on board
* 1 wine tasting visit
* Meet and greet service
* All local taxes

 

Not included :


* Tips and other personal expenses * Electric golf carts rental or caddies 

 

Attention : the barge, golf courses, and visits indicated in the program are subject to availability according to the clients’ travelling time.

 

Barge Details:

Length: 127 feet
Beam: 16 feet 7 inches
Height: 16 feet 5 inches
Ceiling height: 7 feet 5 inches
Cruising weight: 250 tons
1000 square feet covered main deck
9 cabins gathered in 3 separated cells – each cabin is about 11m2 large

 

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The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golfing trip to France to suit you!

 

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