Cruise in the South of France on the Rhone River and Canal du Rhone a Sete, on the First Class Hotel-Barge L'ETOILE
SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 7 passenger L'Etoile was built in Holland as a canal barge in 1889, and spent most of her commercial life transporting cargo on the Rhine. Now, this classic Dutch barge has been converted to a passenger barge with today's standards of hotel barge comfort. The cozy barge atmosphere makes you feel immediately at home. L'Etoile has two cabins with king-size beds, one cabin with a double bed, and one small cabin with twin beds. All cabins are light and airy, each with opening skylight and portholes. All cabins have a private ensuite bathroom. Charter for 8 is available upon request.
The large lounge and dining area has plenty of natural light and is decorated in contemporary French style. The marble fireplace gives ambiance to the cooler spring and autumn cruises. On deck there is comfortable seating and a plunge pool for cooling off. The barge is fully air-conditioned. For the use of all guests, there are bicycles, a razor-scooter, fishing rods, boules, TV, video, a home entertainment system (CD's, etc.), and e-mail facilities.
L'Etoile is owner-operated by Cobie Lagerburg. The crew is multi-lingual and speak fluent English, but if you wish, they will speak French with you.
L'Etoile cruises exclusively in Provence and the Camargue National Park. Its cruise route on the Rhone River, Petit Rhone and Canal du Rhone a Sete combines well-known sites of Provence with intimate and unusual moorings in the Camargue and on the Mediterranean for an entirely personalized experience. Highlights of the excursions include a visit to the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, Avignon and the Pope's Palace, the hilltop village of les Baux de Provence, Arles and its Café van Gogh and amphitheatre, the 13th century walled city of Aigues Mortes, the 6th century Maguelone cathedral, and a possible visit to the fishing village of Sete.
Features
- Size of barge: 111 ft by 16 ft
- Number of Passengers: 7 (charter for 8 available upon request)
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 3
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Fireplace, 8 opening windows. Comfortable sofa and armchairs; large dining table with seating for up to 8 guests. Plasma 42 inch TV, DVD player.
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Sundeck with awning. Table with seating for up to 8.
- Spa Tub: Plunge pool
- Cabin Features: La Chambre Rouge 116 sq ft. with a king size bed and skylight. La Chambre Bleu 92 sq ft. with king size bed and skylight, La Chambre Jaune 88 sq ft, with a double bed and a small twin bedded cabin at the bow 69 sq ft, each with ensuite bathroom with shower.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Mercedes Vito Air-conditioned Minivan, seating eight
- Accessibility: Steps from deck to salon. No steps from salon to cabins.
- Bicycles: 7 touring bikes for adults, one children's bike for 5 yr old, one children's bike for 9 yr old, one razor/scooter.
- Half board charter: Available (5 dinners not included)
Etoile's Deck Plan
Dining Aboard The L'Etoile:
SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST
Each morning we go to a different boulangerie to purchase an assortment of fresh bread, croissants, pains au chocolat and other specialties. Tea, coffee, fruit juice, hot chocolate, yogurt, and cereals are always offered. Boiled eggs are also available on request.
LUNCH
- Quiche Lorraine
- Minestrone soup
- Mixed salad with walnuts & Roquefort
- Charcuterie which may include rosette, sliced ham, sliced duck, saucisson, rillettes
- Assorted cheese which may include Beaufort, Conté, Brébis, Chaource, Chèvre, Brie, Fourme, St. Agur, Epoisses, Camembert
DINNER
- Puff pastry filled with shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and béchamel sauce served on a bed of greens
- Traditionally prepared chicken in a delicate wine vinegar sauce served with sautéed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables
-
Fruit tart flambéed with cognac
and served with French custard
- Coffee, assorted teas
and French chocolates
LOCAL WINES
- Costières de Nimes
-
Julienas
Cairanne
Gigondas
- Faugères
Picpoul de Pinet
-
Clairette de Bellegarde
-
Lirac
Muscat sec de Frontignan
Our five course evening meals are all accompanied by fine wines and are designed to introduce you to some of the regional dishes of the areas that we cruise. After booking, we will send you a Wine and Food Preference form. This will allow you to give us information about your preferences and restrictions. Do not hesitate to inform us of any special needs, such as low-sodium, vegetarian, or low-fat. We will be happy to accommodate them. Please consider the selections above as a sampling of what we are able to offer you. If you are interested in particular regional specialty, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Passenger Comments
An amazing, fun, relaxing, and great cultural experience. Service was impeccable, very special and tailored to our needs and requests. All requests were met with smiles and agreement, great activities were planned and executed, the boat was kept in tip- top shape. This really was a trip of lifetime, none of us had ever experienced this sort of service and attention. We whole-heartedly recommend it as a relaxing, spoiling, fabulous, gastronomically enjoyable way to experience rural France!
L.M., Australia, June, 2012
This was a wonderful trip. The L'Etoile experience is informal and intimate, which was perfect for us. The cruise route is lovely. Aigues-Mortes was a surprising little treat of a town. We especially enjoyed the personal nature of our excursions. We felt that we were being escorted by a French friend rather than a tour guide. The crew service was extraordinary! Cobie and her staff were attentive and pro-active. There was nothing that we could have wanted that she did not anticipate. They were cheerful and warm and flexible to our needs. Accommodations were small but very comfortable and efficient. The cabin was well planned to provide convenient storage in a small space. The bathroom was very clean and, again, efficient for such a small space. Our meals were delicious and beautifully presented. The wines were good and Cobie described each wine well before each meal. We cannot praise Cobie and her staff enough, we will definitely recommend this cruise to friends.
D & D B., IL, USA, May 2011
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Provence/Camargue:
Rhone River, Canal du Rhone a Sete
Villeneuve les Avignon to Aigues Mortes
Highlights: Visit of Pont du Gard, Avignon - Pope's Palace, Chateauneuf du Pape - winetasting, Les Baux de Provence, Arles- Café van Gogh - Amphitheatre, walled city of Aigues Mortes.
Sunday - Villeneuve les Avignon. Welcome Aboard!
You'll be met at 4:00pm at the front door of the Avignon TGV Station or other designated location. Then you'll be chauffeured to L'Etoile, moored at Villeneuve-les-Avignon. After a festive welcome drink there is time to settle into your cabins, relax on deck, or go for a walk in the city of Villeneuve-les-Avignon. Dinner will be served, accompanied by carefully chosen wines from local vineyards.
Monday - Cruise to Avignon past Avignon's Famous Bridge!
In the morning, take a short cruise to Avignon for one of the highpoints of the week: A tour of the large Palais de Papes, from which a rival papacy was established in the 14th century. This building, along with the historic center of Avignon, is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is time to stroll and shop, followed by lunch on board. Our second excursion of the day takes us to nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape for wine tasting. Then it's back on board for a late afternoon cruise past the famous and unfinished Pont d'Avignon bridge, which almost - but not quite - spans the River Rhone!
Tuesday - Avignon to Vallabrègues - Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct
This morning, visit Pont du Gard, an incredible aqueduct built to carry water to the important Roman city of Nimes. It was constructed entirely without mortar - using stones weighing many tons! After experiencing this monument, why not add to your knowledge at the on site museum. Then it's back to L'Etoile for lunch and in the afternoon cruise to the tranquil mooring of Vallabregues. This typical Provencal village gives you an opportunity to walk, take a bike ride or why not do as the French, play "boules" on the town square, while sipping a Pastis.
Wednesday - Vallabrègues to Arles - Hilltop Village of Les Baux - Take in the gorgeous views!
After breakfast we bring you the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence, known for its gorgeous views over the Provencal landscape and its artisan's colony. Optional, but strongly recommended, is a visit to the Cathedral of Images, a former stone quarry, now used as a three-dimensional screening room. Or take the time to shop for souvenirs in charming shops which line the cobblestoned streets. Lunch will be ready on the barge. Later this afternoon, we continue our cruise on the Rhone River, and pass a high Rhone lock to moor at Arles, the town where van Gogh fell in love with the lights and colors of this fascinating countryside.
Thursday - Arles to Gallician - Roman Ruins in Arles
After breakfast we propose a walking tour of Arles. Heading to the heart of town we will see les Arènes, a Roman amphitheater built in the first century AD. There will be time for a drink in one of the outdoor cafés on the Place du Forum, where van Gogh painted his famous painting "Café van Gogh." After lunch, we will leave the Rhone River and turn into the Petit Rhone. After passing the lock of Saint Gilles, we will continue our cruise on the Canal du Rhone a Sete. Our mooring for this night is near Gallician. For wine lovers, there is a local wine shop here, where you can taste and buy the regional Costières de Nimes wines.
Friday - Gallician to Aigues-Mortes - 13th-Century Walled Town - Stroll, shop and enjoy a coffee
We start our day cruising through the stunningly beautiful Camargue National Park, home to various wildlife including black bulls and the beautiful white Camargue horses. Then moor at the gates of the amazing 13th century walled town of Aigues-Mortes, an embarkation port for the crusades. There are many historical sites to visit and there will be time to walk along the walls, shop for souvenirs or relax in one of the many outdoor cafés. A farewell dinner awaits you back on board.
Saturday - Aigues-Mortes to Montpellier - Au Revoir
After breakfast, we will say "Au Revoir" and transfer you to the Montpellier Train Station or other designated location about 10am. We hope to see you again on L'Etoile!
Note: Occasionally an itinerary will be changed due to canal closures or inclement weather. The Captain will substitute an equally interesting route. Change in itinerary will not be accepted as a cause for cancelling your cruise.
L'Etoile
2013 Season Cruise Schedule* |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Mar 31 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Apr 7 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Apr 14 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Apr 21 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Apr 28 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| May 5 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| May 12 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| May 19 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| May 26 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Jun 2 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Jun 9 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Jun 16 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Jun 23 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Jun 30 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Jul 7 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
|
| Cruise Schedule* ... continued |
| Week |
Route |
Season |
| Jul 14 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Jul 21 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Jul 28 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Aug 4 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Aug 11 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Aug 18 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Aug 25 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Sep 1 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Sep 8 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Sep 15 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Sep 22 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Sep 29 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Oct 6 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
| Oct 13 |
Aigues-Mortes-Avignon |
Regular
|
| Oct 20 |
Avignon-Aigues-Mortes |
Regular
|
|
The L'Etoile's route through the south of France, in Provence, from Avignon to Aigues Mortes on the Rhone River and the Canal du Rhone a Sete. For a more detailed look at the cruise route, view our map of the Rhone River and the Canal du Rhone a Sete.
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
L'ETOILE
2013 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS |
| ACCOMMODATION |
REGULAR
Mar 31 thru Oct 26 |
|
Stateroom (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,250 |
|
Junior Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,750 |
|
King Suite (per person, dbl occupancy) |
$4,200 |
|
Suite Single Supplement |
$1,500 |
|
Cabin Single Supplement |
$950 |
|
Charter for 4 |
$21,000 |
|
Charter for 6 |
$23,500 |
|
Charter for 7 |
$25,500 |
|
Charter for 8 |
$29,000 |
|
Half Board Charter for 4 |
$18,000 |
|
Half Board Charter for 6 |
$22,500 |
|
Half Board Charter for 7 |
$23,250 |
|
Half Board Charter for 8 |
$26,500 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from the barge pickup point in Montpellier or Avignon to the barge and return, depending on cruise direction
- For full board: all meals on board plus one in a local restaurant, beginning with dinner on Sunday, through breakfast on Saturday
- For half board: first night's dinner and all breakfast and lunches on board or in restaurants, including selected local wine with lunch. Transportation to restaurants for dinner provided
- Wines with lunches and dinners on the barge
- Open bar
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transfers from Paris to the designated pickup point and return
- For full board: special wines and liquors in restaurants
- For half board: 5 dinners (at passenger's expense), special wines and liquors in restaurants at lunch
- Entrance fees to attractions as applicable
- Suggested 5% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent euros
| Please visit our Special Offers page to see potential discounts for this barge or many others. |
 |
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For booking information,
Phone (toll-free): 1-877-64-BARGE (1-877-642-2743)
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or E-mail: info@specialplacestravel.com
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Last Update: March 28, 2013
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