8-day Bike & Barge Tour Avignon to Aigues Mortes

Avignon.

Individual arrival and boarding after 6 p.m. in Avignon. Your mooring place is in Quai de la Ligne next to the famous Pont St. Bénezet.

Avignon, round tour (30 km)

Today we’ll get to the other side of the river Rhone by crossing the island - Île de la Barthelasse and we’ll ride in the typical garrigue landscape, between vineyards and orchards. Before going back we’ll visit Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known to be the town of the cardinals. In the afternoon a guided visit will let us discover the historic centre of Avignon.

Avignon – Aramon (40 km).

In the morning we sail to the town of Aramon, where the bikes are available for you to start pedalling. The ride today will bring you to the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe -Pont du Gard -very spectacular. Overnight stay in Aramon with a beautiful view over the Mont Ventoux.

Aramon – Vallabrègues (35 km).

You start your day sailing to Vallabrègues, pretty Provençal village on the banks of the Rhône. Along country roads you will arrive to Barbentane with its castle at the confluence of the Rhone and Durance rivers. You will cycle to the magnificent Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigulet and afterwards down to the medieval village of Boulbon. Overnight in Vallabrègues.

Vallabreguès – Arles (55 km).

This part of the tour brings you to Saint Remy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus. This village is also famous for having hosted Van Gogh in the days of his mental illness. In the end you move onto the Alpilles, with Les-Baux-de-Provence, a village lodged in the rock itself. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees accompanies your journey.

Arles – Aigues-Mortes (25 km).

Today the whole morning is dedicated to visiting Arles - the ancient capital of Gaul with some beautiful Roman ruins. You will also be welcome by a professional guide who will accompany you around the best places to see of the town. After lunch you reach the lock of Saint Gilles and from there you will sail to Aigues Mortes for the overnight stay.

Aigues-Mortes, round tour (55 km).

Going through small country lanes of Camargue between canals, lagoons and small villages you will reach, in the afternoon, the charming fishermen’s village Le Grau-du-Roi. Possibility of a refreshing swim on the beach.

Aigues-Mortes.

Disembarkation after breakfast, end of services. Possibility to book extra nights.

The program has been planned to feature navigation along the Rhone River and Canal Rhone-Sète. Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the boat’s captain.