Provence Canal Voyage: The Flavor of France by Barge

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as an educational resource, providing expert lectures and commentary throughout the program. This is a Chartered Exclusively for Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. On these programs there will only be Road Scholar participants aboard the vessel. All port stops and field trips are subject to change as weather and river conditions may affect the itinerary. River conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Therefore, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Additionally, the time available in each port is set by the cruise line and the cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice. Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program in each port, and this may mean that free time in port is limited. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We will walk to a local restaurant and have a plated meal with beverage choices of a glass of wine, soft drink, water; other beverages available for purchase. French restaurants take pride in creating a relaxed atmosphere where patrons expect to take their time, savor every bite, and set the pace of the meal, requesting “l’addition” — the check — only when they are ready. Meals are accompanied by complimentary “pain” (bread) and “eau” or “l’eau” (water), so you need not ask for them. When wine is offered, it is customary to fill your glass only half way so the wine can breathe and to be sure everyone has a share. Servers wait until everyone at the table has finished their dish before clearing and bringing the next course. To indicate that you have finished your meal, place your utensils together on the right hand side of your plate.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as eggs, breakfast meats, cereals, cheese, yogurt, fruits, breads, jam and butter, milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.

We will check-out of the hotel in Avignon and store our luggage in a secure area of the hotel. With our Group Leader, we will set out on a walking field trip into the center of Avignon and explore the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). It was built during the so called “Babylonian Captivity” — the period from 1309-1376 when the seat of the papacy was transferred to France. The magnificent palace was constructed in only 20 years and was the largest Gothic palace in Europe. We will learn about its history from the days of grandeur to near destruction and restoration before returning to the ship.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We will return to the hotel at a designated time (our Group Leader will inform us of the meeting time at Orientation) to collect our luggage. We’ll then board a motorcoach for a field trip to Les Baux-de-Provence, officially classified as one of the “Plus beaux villages de France” — most beautiful villages in France. It has an interesting history and offers some of the most picturesque views in Provence. We will also learn about olive oil production in Provence, accompanied by a tasting of some local products. Next, we will go ride to Arles, embark the barge, and complete boarding procedures. After some time to get our cabins and freshen up, we’ll gather for a brief orientation led by the crew on vessel and safety regulations.

Aboard the barge, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of house wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, bottled mineral water included; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Spend time with fellow Road Scholars in the lounge, enjoy the Jacuzzi, or just relax.

Aboard the barge, have what you like from the breakfast buffet with beverage choices of juices, coffee, tea, water.

With its Roman and Romanesque monuments, Arles is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “Arles is a good example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. It has some impressive Roman monuments, of which the earliest — the arena, the Roman theatre and the cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries) — date back to the 1st century BCE. During the 4th century, Arles experienced a second golden age as attested by the baths of Constantine and the necropolis of Alyscamps. A Local expert will take us through the Old Town and point out a few of these special sites.

Aboard the barge, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of house wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, bottled mineral water included; other beverages available for purchase.

As we glide along the Canal du Rhône towards the village of Gallician, we’ll gather for a presentation by our Group Leader on the Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue.

Aboard the barge.

At leisure.

Aboard the barge.

From Gallician, we will board a motorcoach and ride to the Camargue, our Local Expert will tell us about the Rhône River Delta and the local ecosystem. Moving on, we will reach Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The “Marys” in the town name is plural, alluding to the local legend that Mary Magdalene, Mary-Salome, Mary-Jacob, Lazarus, and possibly other disciples landed here in 45 CE after being forced to flee the Holy Land. We will walk through the village and if possible visit its Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer church. A primitive chapel was erected here some time before the 6th century CE. The fortified structure we see today dates from the 12th century, built as a fortress to protect relics of the saints from invading Saracens.

Aboard the barge.

The barge will head towards Aigues Mortes. Along the way, we will gather with our Group Leader for a lecture on great painters who called Provence home.

Aboard the barge.

At leisure.

Aboard the barge.

We’ll set out on a walking field trip to explore Aigues-Mortes. This old fortified city — founded by King Louis IX in 1240 — is situated in a corner of the Camargue, separated from the sea by salt marshes and one of the most beautiful sites in Provence. Its medieval city walls are largely intact. We will also take a short train ride with our Local Expert to see the salt marshes and visit the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes — the Salt Museum.

Aboard the barge.

Next, the barge will head towards Maguelone. We’ll learn about the canal barging — during a lecture by our Group Leader.

Aboard the barge.

At leisure.

Aboard the barge.

We’ll explore a manade — a Camargue ranch — by wagon and learn about the life of its herders. We’ll also take part in a bull sorting and have a tasty snack with products grown on the farm.

Aboard the barge.

We’ll gather for a presentation by our Group Leader on the region’s Cathar history. The Cathars — pure ones — were a religious sect that found fertile ground in the Languedoc region of southern France during the 12th century CE. They rejected the Roman Catholic Church and established their own churches, bishops, and congregations. Among their beliefs were dedication to a simple life without accumulating material possessions, equality among men and women, reincarnation, and an ongoing battle between good and evil. They were also known as Albigensians after the town of Albi, a center of Cathar activity. The church launched a brutal military campaign to destroy them (1209-1229) that became known as the Albigensian Crusade in which tens of thousands were killed. It failed to stamp out Cathar beliefs but succeeded in annexing Languedoc to the French crown.

Aboard the barge.

At leisure.

Aboard the barge.

We’ll step off the barge in Sète and board a motorcoach for a field trip to l’Étang de Thau, a precious natural marine environment famed for seafood. We will visit the l’Étang de Thau Museum and learn about the history of fishing and shellfish farming in this community. We’ll also have a chance to taste some of the shellfish while taking in the beauty of the lagoon from a terrace.

Aboard the barge.

Next, we will ride up to Mont Saint-Clair in Sète and enjoy the exceptional panoramic view over the city, canals, and lagoon. We’ll also see the small Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette Chapel, built of stone in 1861 and decorated with imaginative frescoes. The large white stone cross is a sign of devotion as well as a landmark for fishermen sailing home.

We’ll have our last dinner aboard the barge with beverage choices of house wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea, bottled mineral water included; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation and transfer in the morning.

Aboard the barge.

We will disembark and board a motorcoach to travel away from the coast, into the hills where we will visit the Abbaye de Fontfroide that was part of the St. James pilgrimage route. A local expert will lead us through this Cistercian abbey and its roserie, followed by time for independent exploration of the other gardens.

At the abbey’s restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of a glass of wine, soft drink, water; other beverages available for purchase.

As we make our way to Narbonne, we will pass through countryside that is home to many small towns in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards. We will check in to our hotel upon arrival in Narbonne.

At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of wine, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as eggs, breakfast meats, cereals, cheese, yogurt, fruits, breads, jam and butter, milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.

This area was inhabited during the Iron Age and developed into a trading center. Rome established a colony here in 118 BCE; it later became the capital of Roman Gaul. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was conquered successively by Visigoths, Moors (Umayyad Saracens), and finally Franks who invited Jewish settlement. In fact, Narbonne became a leading center of Jewish learning and culture during the 12th century. Today it is a thriving urban environment on both sides of the Canal de la Robine — an extension of the Canal du Midi — that bisects the city. We’ll set out on foot with our Local Expert to explore historic sites and visit Les Halles. This amazing indoor market hosts bakers, bars, butchers, caterers, delicatessens, fishmongers, greengrocers, poultry merchants, and wine merchants.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of a glass of wine, soft drink, water; other beverages available for purchase.

We will set out by motorcoach to the majestic walled city of Carcassonne that was first fortified in the Gallo-Roman era, circa 100 BCE. It later became a Cathar stronghold. We will have time for independent exploration to see and do what interests each of us most in this beautiful city that inspired kings and writers. The upper “old” city is known as La Cité; the lower city — La Bastide — is also known as St. Louis. By the 19th century, it was on the verge of destruction, its stones and other materials being taken for local building projects. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) was a leading French architect who had restored a number of France’s most important monuments. With approval from Emperor Napoleon III, he began work in 1853 on saving and restoring Carcassonne, work that continued for 50 years. Carcassonne today is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, but it is thanks to Viollet-le-Duc that we see this most complete representation of a medieval fortified town. The walls extend nearly two miles (three kilometers) with 52 massive towers. Reboarding the motorcoach, we will ride to Toulouse and check in to our hotel at the airport with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel in Toulouse, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of wine, coffee, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!