Provence & Camargue: Boat & Bike, guided tour

Roman, lavender and ancient glory

Your little home, the Caprice or the MS Estello, chugs leisurely across the Rhone and its side channels as you cycle through the beautiful countryside of the Camargue and Provence. Your cycle route leads through bike paths and small roads, through lonely landscapes, lavender fields, vineyards, karstic stone landscapes and pretty Provencal villages. Highlights of this bike tour are certainly such important cities as Saintes Marie de la Mer, Arles and Avignon. On the optional guided daily stages or individually you will discover a rich nature, flamingos, wild horses and will understand why Van Gogh liked to paint this landscape.

Caprice

The Caprice offers a total of 11 cabins divided into 2 double cabins (bed 1,90m x 1,40m), 8 twin cabins (beds 1,90m x 0,80m) and 1 single cabin. The 7-8 m² cabins with 3 opening portholes are all air-conditioned and have an en-suite shower room. The air-conditioned lounge is comfortably furnished with adjoining salon with nice bar. The total of 10 windows let in plenty of natural light. Here you will find free internet access. The sundeck with seats and fixed awning invites you to linger and enjoy beautiful hours on board.

L'Estello

The L'Estello offers 10 double cabins (one with a double bed and 9 cabins with separate beds). The cabins are 7-8 m² in size and have air conditioning, 2 portholes (one in the bathroom) and a private bathroom. The bed size is 1.90 m / 2 m x 0.75 / 0.80 m. The air-conditioned common area has 5 tables and can accommodate up to 23 people. The room is in a restaurant with large windows and a salon with comfortable seating. On board, you have the opportunity to use W-Lan free of charge in the residence area. Outside there is a sundeck on which you can end the day in the evening.

1. day Aigues Mortes Arrival

Individual arrival to Aigues Mortes. The Montpellier, just over 30 km away, can be easily reached by plane. Ryanair, LH or Air France offer flights from many cities. In the afternoon, marvel at the medieval and totally preserved city walls of Aigues Mortes and explore the city on your own. Embarkation is possible from 6 pm.

2. day Round tour 55 km

On this first round trip, discover the beauties of the Camargue on the first day of cycling. You cycle past numerous shallow lakes that are so typical of this region. Discover the former fishing village Le Grau-du-Roi, which today is a tourist attraction with its elegant harbor. Around the village in the many ponds are numerous wild flamingos at home. Marvel at the rich water bird world and the beautiful flowering tamarisk trees.

3. day Aigues Mortes-Arles 25 km

An exciting day awaits you. In the morning, the ship takes you relaxed to Saint Gilles. On a short bike ride you quickly reach Arles, one of the most beautiful cities in Provence. Marvel at the numerous remains of ancient splendor. You will have plenty of time to visit the former Benedictine abbey church of Saint-Trophime with its famous portal and cloister, the amphitheater built around 90 AD, which originally consisted of three 60-arcade galleries and accommodated around 25,000 spectators. the ancient Roman theater and remains of the Roman Forum. In the afternoon you will get to know Arles better with a city guide.

4. day Arles-Vallabrègues 55 km

Today you cycle to the small town of Les Baux with one of the largest castle ruins in France, which is impressively situated on a 200m high rocky plateau. Stroll through the historic center with all its many small souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. Be enchanted by the unusual landscape around Les Baux, which is characterized by the barren rocks of the region. Only a few kilometers further in Saint Remy Vincent van Gogh painted some of his masterpieces including the famous starry night. By bike, you will pass Tarascon and its 1400s castle. Past countless olive trees and fragrant lavender, you will cycle to the pretty village of Vallabrègues on the banks of the Rhône.

5. day Vallabrègues-Aramon 35 km

Enjoy a beautiful bike ride to Barbentane, with its castle between the rivers Rhone and Durance. The further route takes you to the former Benedictine monastery of Saint Michel de Frigolet and the medieval castle in Boulbon. In the afternoon you travel by ship to Aramon, today's destination. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Mont Ventoux, which is probably one of the most famous climbs in the course of the Tour de France.

6. day Aramon-Avignon 40 km

Two highlights are waiting for you today. Look forward to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct bridge of impressive height. It is one of the most important surviving Roman bridge structures in the world. After a rewarding visit, you will cycle along splendid paths to the charming old town of Avignon, with its magnificent medieval houses and imposing ramparts. Marvel at the 14th-century Gothic Pope's Palace and the famous Pont St. Bénézet Bridge, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

7. day 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 there is time to discover the historic centre of Avignon.

8. day Avignon Departure

After breakfast, your spectacular bike tour ends with disembarkation.

Tour variation

The programme has been planned to feature navigation along the Rhone River and Rhone-Sète Canal. 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 barge’s captain.

Worth knowing about the trip "Provence-Camargue Boat &Bike"

Below you will find specific information about the tour in the Provence and Camargue. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival to Avignon or Aigues Mortes

You have access to Aigues Mortes and Avignon from the following airports by bus or taxi:

Montpellier Mediterranèe (MPL), Marseille Provence (MRS), Nîmes Garons (FNI), Lyon Saint Exupéry (LYS) and Avignon Caumont (AVN).

Guided or individual itinerary

On this tour you can decide spontaneously on board whether you want to cycle in a group or explore the region individually.
The group (international audience) is led by a trained, English speaking tour guide. If you choose an individual cycling day, you will receive a very detailed route description on board.

Condition of the bike paths

The route guidance is mainly on cycle paths and rural roads with low traffic. Short sections of the route will cycle on unpaved roads or on roads with more traffic if there is no route alternative available (for example, for entry / exit to larger cities). The routes are generally very flat, some days there are short, slightly more demanding climbs.

Available Rental Bikes

There are 27-speed unisex bikes available in different frame sizes. Each bike is equipped with a luggage bag, water bottle, bike computer and a lock. For each cabin you will receive (not in the group tour) in addition a repair kit and a handlebar bag / card holder.

In addition,  9-speed electric bikes are available on request.

The use of own bikes is not recommended for this tour, because of the limited space of the ship and the difficulty of using public transport to arrival point to drive. This possibility is still available on request.

Back transfer to the starting point of the trip

Between Avignon and Aigues Mortes are few train connections (you have to change the train in Nîmes), duration 2 hours.

Ridesharing during the bike tours

Of course, in case of emergency, a support vehicle is available, which is also used for the daily excursions, if the guests do not want to cycle. Information and programs on excursion options are available on board; Excursions are not included in the tour price and are paid locally.

Cycling in France

Cyclists are required to wear a striking dress code in France. Since October 1, 2008, you must wear a reflective reflective vest at night outside of places, as well as on days with poor visibility. Otherwise, you face a fine of up to 35 euros.

Reflective Vest

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

A fuel surcharge, which may apply due to the sharp rise in fuel prices, is not included in the cruise price and must be paid in cash on arrival on board the ship. We will inform you of the amount of the surcharge, if any, in the travel documents approx. 3-4 weeks before arrival.

MS Caprice

Deck plan MS Caprice

Salon and Restaurant MS Caprice

Twin room MS Caprice

Double Cabin MS Caprice

MS L'Estello

Deck plan MS L'Estello

Restaurant and Salon MS L'Estello

Double cabin MS L'Estello

Twin cabin MS L'Estello

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible. 

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Aigues-Mortes

Experience the cozy, medieval town of Aigues-Mortes in the Camargue. Due to the situation of the shallow water zone, the place is now about 6 kilometers away from the coast, but is connected via a channel with the Mediterranean Sea. The famous fortress town is rather simple and has hardly any special features. Visit the completely preserved city wall around the historical center.

Aigues-Mortes

Arles

Since 1981, many of the city's ancient and Romanesque monuments have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Saint-Honorat church on the Alyscamps has also been recognized since 1998 as part of the World Heritage "Way of St. James in France". Arles is the starting point of the Via Tolosana, a French section on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. The most important building in the city is the former Benedictine abbey church of Saint-Trophime with a famous portal and cloister.

Arles

Saint Rémy de Provence

Saint Rémy is the birthplace of Nostradamus (1503-1566).

The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) also spent the years 1889/90 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. He was treated here in the psychiatry of the monastery Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. During this period, a series of paintings were created, including the famous "Starry Night". Other paintings such as "The madhouse garden" in Saint-Rémy represent the sanatorium in which lived Vincent van Gogh.

Saint Rémy de Provence

Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct bridge in the south of France. The aqueduct bridge is of impressive height and contains one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts in France. The Pont du Gard is one of the most important surviving Roman bridge structures in the world and is one of the most important sites in southern France. Pont du Gard translated means bridge over the Gard, which nowadays is called river Gardon.

Pont du Gard

Bridge Pont St. Bénézet Avignon

The bridge Pont St. Bénézet is a world famous landmark of the city of Avignon and, together with the nearby Papal Palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 900 meters in length, the bridge was one of the longest in Europe. It originally consisted of 22 arches, of which four arches are still preserved today.

Pont St. Bénézet Avignon

Papal palace of Avignon

The Papal Palace of Avignon (French Palais des Papes) was between 1335 and 1430 the residence of various popes and counter-popes. The palace belongs to the old town of Avignon a World Heritage Site.

Popes Palace Avignon