VIP Tour
A day in Camargue and a cruise on the Rhône river canal
Provence
Provence, in southeastern France, is bounded by the Alps and Italy to the east and the Rhône River to the west, with the Mediterranean Sea providing its southern border. It has very varied topographical feautures, ranging from fertile plains in the Rhône valley to mountains in the east, to marshlands in the south (the Camargue). It is so named because it was the first Roman province outside of the Italian region.
Regional Highlights
The Ochre of Roussillon... The Provençal Colorado. The nature sculptured a strange landscape.
Fontaine de Vaucluse. It gave the name to the Department. The most powerful and mysterious resurgence of the world ! Impressing Le Mont-Ventoux ... The Giant of Provence ! ! It culminates to 1912 m. By clear time one can see the Mediterranean Sea and the Mont-Blanc.
Les Dentelles de Montmirail.. A renowned place for the amateurs of escalation, walks and beautiful landscapes. Festivals - Film, Music, Dance & More
Lavender: The Purple Waves of Provence Lavender... the word alone brings to mind a heady perfume, fields of blue, purple rows rolling with the landscape. A perfume, a delicate flower, sachets, bath bubbles... Pictures of lavender adorn many a guide to Provence. From late June through mid- August, these fields draw us from afar.
Truffles: the Black Diamond. When living in Provence, how can one not be tempted by the winter diversion of truffle hunting, nor be left unaffected by the dramatic shift at the top restaurants to menus featuring these treasures?
Olive Oil les Baux de Provence. Though some attribute the use of olive oil to an Italian influence, in fact, olive oil has been a main source of cooking oil in Provence -- as well as oil for light and lubricating wheels -- for over two millennia now.
Cave Verger des Papes. At the top of the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are the ruins of the Chateau, and just below, the restaurant and wine cellar of the Verger des Papes.
Visit the Camargue
Shortly past the city of Arles, you'll gradually notice a change in
colors and shapes of the environment:
the light of reflected marshes on the road will at times blare your
eyesight. The vegetation becomes rare. The first ponds surrounded with
flexible cat-tails will show up. You will want to stop, to make sure
that those white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos are real...
This excursion consists of a drive across the Camargue
delta National Park, with stops in the town of Sainte Marie de la Mer
(mentioned in the best seller "the
Da Vinci code"...), visit of the fortified village of Aigues Mortes and
finally a 2 hours cruise on a barge down the Rhône river
canals to le Grau du Roi.
At the town of Saintes Maries de la Mer you will see how its Andalusian
originated gypsies made their unique rather peculiar dwellings: small one storey
huts with thatched roofs.
Lunch
Lunch in a restaurant located in a quiet 16th. century building celebrating 30 years of existence and close to the square Saint Louis in Aigues Mortes. The common cuisine with its best regional products and the inventive mind of chef Jean-Marie Mercier match to the exacting standards of gastronomy of regional specialities, grilled fish, bouillabaisse (soup of fish), tellines (seafood), meticulous cooking.
Afternoon in Aigues Mortes
The excursion continues around the wall surrounding town of Aigues Mortes. In 1240, King Louis the 9th (Saint Louis) decided to build Aigues Mortes close to his kingdom in order to have direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. In 1248 he sailed for the 7th Crusade. Seven centuries later, the fortification still dominates the Camargue as one of the most well preserved medieval French buildings.
Cruise the Rhone (3 p.m.)
After a walk around the town alleys, and visit of the ramparts and the Tour Constance, you will board on the "Bateau St. Louis" for a two hours cruise along the canals all the way down to the Grau du Roi, stopping on the way at a local ranch where you will be shown how bulls are raised and trained. Of course you'll have made sure your camera batteries are charged and you have enough space in your memory cards…
You'll be taken back to your hotel by 6 p.m., a little tired perhaps, but happy to have discovered another face of beautiful Provence, and feel that you… have fallen in love with it!
Check Availability
Cost: 895 €
Includes :- Morning Coffee Break
- Entrance Fees
- Lunch
- Afternoon Coffee Break
- Wine Aperitif