ESPERANCE, a light and airy deluxe barge filled with Provencal color, cruises in Provence between Avignon and Montpellier.

ESPERANCE (formerly L'Etoile II) is a deluxe contemporary barge sparkling in Provencal colors with large cabins and spacious rooms throughout. Your host, Mathias Gilles, grew up in Provence and now cruises in the area as your captain and trusted guide. Your cruise combines well-known sights of Provence with intimate and unusual moorings in the Camargue and on the Mediterranean. This is an entirely personalized experience customized just for you.

Cruise Highlights


The open kitchen on Esperance

 

 

Highlights of a Week on
Esperance in Provence

  • The Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard
  • Colorful Avignon and the Pope's Palace
  • The hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence
  • Arles of Van Gogh fame with its Roman antiquities and amphitheatre
  • 13th century walled town of Aigues-Mortes
  • 6th century Maguelone Cathedral along a canal paralleling the Mediterranean and its beautiful beaches
 Itinerary

ESPERANCE in Provence
River Rhone, Petit Rhone, Canal du Rhone a Sete

Sunday
You will be met at the location of your choice in Avignon, which is easily accessible by TGV train from Paris or Nice, or at a rental car return point. You will be transferred to your luxury barge, moored in the nearby port of Beaucaire. You will be welcomed aboard with a champagne toast and the first of many gourmet dinners.

Monday
This morning our first visit is Avignon. You will be able to tour the largest Gothic palace in Europe, the Pope's palace. You may prefer to explore the picturesque shopping area around the palace, or relax in a café on the town square …The choice is yours. You will return to the barge to have lunch and then it is off to visit the impressive Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard. A late afternoon cruise will take you though a lock on our way to Bellegarde.

Tuesday
Today, after breakfast a drive through beautiful tree lined roads will lead you to the famousA relaxing hot tub sits on the large partially covered sundeck of ESPERANCE and enchanting hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence, one of the most beautiful village in France, known for its gorgeous views over the Provencal landscape and its artisans colony. After lunch it is time to relax and enjoy a very peaceful country side cruise until our mooring for the night close to St. Gilles.

Wednesday
A very short drive will give you the opportunity to visit Arles, where Van Gogh fell in love with the lights and colors of this fascinating countryside. Heading to the heart of town we will see Les Arenes, a Roman amphitheater built in the first century AD and much more! For the rest of the day we will cruise on the Canal du Rhône a Sète through the stunningly beautiful Camargue National Park, home to various wildlife including black bulls and the beautiful white Camargue horses. Tonight we invite you to one of our favorite restaurant in 13th century walled town of Aigues-Mortes.

Thursday
Aigues-Mortes, is not only famous as an embarkation port for the Crusades but also for the salt formations that are created from the evaporated water and salt marshes in the area. There are many historical sites to visit and there will be time to climb the walls and shop for souvenirs. After lunch we set out to the most peaceful and romantic mooring of this cruise located at the 6th century Maguelone Cathedral on a peninsula with the canal on one side and the beautiful blue of the Mediterranean on the other side. A relaxing gourmet dinner will be served on board!

Friday
Today is a perfect day to go walking or biking. This site has so much to offer: the cathedral surrounded by vineyards and water, the flamingos with other wildlife, and of course the beautiful Mediterranean beaches. In the afternoon we will have a gentle cruise along peaceful lakes and ponds to our last mooring close to Frontignan festive Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday
You’ll say "Au Revoir" and depart after breakfast for transfer to Montpellier. Presently, there is a TGV train departure to Paris and Nice. If you prefer, you may also be transferred to the airport, rental car office, or hotel of your choice.

Please note: On alternate weeks this itinerary will be cruised in reverse direction. Depending on your date, this cruise will start near Beaucaire and end near Montpellier, or start near Montpellier and end near Beaucaire.

ESPERANCE is the picture of Provence with its warm decor and fun loving captain.