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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group River Cruise

Secrets of Provence

Seven-day barge cruise through Provence from London via Paris and rail

Illustration of Secrets of Provence

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day escorted barge cruise through southern France, departing from London St Pancras and ending in Avignon. The journey blends rail travel, river navigation, and guided exploration of the Provence region. Travellers board Eurostar and TGV trains to reach the hotel barge MS Anne-Marie in Sete, then spend six nights cruising along French waterways while visiting medieval villages, Roman archaeological sites, and Camargue wetlands. Day 2 brings a visit to a traditional manade farm for bull-sorting and produce tasting, while Day 5 features a coach excursion into the Camargue to observe wild white horses and flamingos. Day 6 includes a guided tour of Arles' Roman ruins and an olive oil tasting. All meals, drinks with dinner, rail fares, coaches, and most excursions are included. The tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and food-and-wine travellers who prefer guided comfort and no independent logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial at GBP 4,599 (approximately USD 6,140), roughly 70% higher than half the double price
  • Only four departures are confirmed (May, June, July, and September 2027); confirm current year availability before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Anne-Marie (moored at Sete)

    To Sete, where we board our ship

    Your cruise holiday begins at London St Pancras International. Meet the Tour Manager and travel group, then board the Eurostar to Paris. On arrival, continue by rail to Montpellier St-Roch. Join a coach to Sete, where the hotel barge Anne-Marie awaits. Board this evening, enjoy a welcome drink on the sun deck, settle into your cabin, and sit down to your first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Anne-Marie

    A taste of Étang de Thau and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

    Set out by coach for Étang de Thau, visiting the museum to learn about the shell-fishing trade and sampling freshly caught shellfish. Lunch is served onboard. In the afternoon, excursion by coach to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert for a guided tour of this medieval village, including its Romanesque abbey and the 11th-century Devil's Bridge. Return to the barge for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Anne-Marie (moored at Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone)

    The coastal town of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

    First cruise during breakfast, drifting toward Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or relax on the sundeck. After mooring, visit a 'manade' farm in Palavas-les-Flots for a wagon tour, bull-sorting and fresh produce tasting. Return to Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone for free time, perhaps visit the medieval cathedral or stroll along the sandy beach. Dinner served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Anne-Marie (moored at Aigues-Mortes)

    Discovering the gems of Aigues-Mortes

    Leisurely morning of sailing toward Aigues-Mortes. Guided tour of the ancient fortified city with its square medieval walls and white-washed terracotta-topped houses. Discover the nearby salt marshes by tourist train, with included admission to the Museum of Salt. Return to the ship in time for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Anne-Marie

    Admiring the wildlife in the Camargue and Sainte-Marie-la-Mer

    Cruise toward Gallician for a visit to the Camargue, 140,000 hectares of natural wetlands with wild white horses, pink flamingos and red rice paddy fields. Continue to Sainte-Marie-la-Mer for free time to explore, including the option to visit the 9th-century fortified church. Coach transfer back to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Anne-Marie (moored at Arles)

    The history and artistic allures of Arles

    Relaxed morning on the water, then a guided tour of Arles, home to some of Europe's best Roman ruins, including the Roman Amphitheatre and Romanesque architecture. Travel inland to learn about olive oil production in Provence with a tasting of local produce. Return onboard for a Gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Enjoy breakfast onboard, say goodbye to the crew and disembark the Anne-Marie. Coach transfer to Avignon, then train to Paris, switching to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. Journey concludes on arrival in London this afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit to Étang de Thau museum and tasting of freshly caught shellfish from the local fishing trade
  • Day 3Wagon tour at an authentic manade farm in Palavas-les-Flots to watch bull-sorting and taste fresh local produce
  • Day 4Guided tour of the medieval fortified city of Aigues-Mortes and tourist train through nearby salt marshes with Salt Museum admission
  • Day 5Coach visit to the Camargue Delta to see wild white horses, pink flamingos, and red rice paddy fields across 140,000 hectares of wetland
  • Day 6Guided tour of Arles covering Roman Amphitheatre and Romanesque architecture, followed by olive oil tasting at a local Provence farm

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Anne-Marie, operated by Croisi Europe
  • Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • A superb choice of excursions
  • Admission to the Salt Museum (Aigues-Mortes)
  • Guided tour of Arles
  • Guided tour of Aigues-Mortes
  • Guided tour of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
  • Visit to Étang de Thau Museum with shellfish tasting
  • Visit to 'manade' farm with wagon tour and produce tasting
  • Olive oil tasting in Provence
  • Gala dinner on final evening onboard

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Standard Class from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV Standard Class rail from Paris to Montpellier (outbound) and Avignon to Paris (return), and all coach transfers. Upgrades to Eurostar Plus Class are available for an additional charge.
What accommodation is provided?
Guests stay six nights onboard the MS Anne-Marie, a hotel barge operated by Croisi Europe, moored at different locations along the route.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London throughout the entire journey, and most stops include guided tours of local attractions.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening. A Gala dinner is served on the final night onboard.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
The tour includes guided walking tours of towns such as Aigues-Mortes, Arles, and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, as well as a wagon tour at a manade farm and a coach visit to the Camargue. Most days involve moderate walking and climbing stairs in historic sites.
What major attractions are covered?
The itinerary includes the Roman Amphitheatre and ruins in Arles, the medieval fortified city of Aigues-Mortes with its salt marshes, the Camargue wildlife area, the shellfish museum at Étang de Thau, and the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert with its Romanesque abbey.

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