Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Carcassonne, Châteaux & Vineyards
First Class rail escorted tour based in Carcassonne, France
7 daysfrom $2,269
29% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group River Cruise
Secrets of Provence
Marvel at ancient Arles and discover its Roman Heritage, be inspired by one of Provence's most beautiful sites on an escorted barge cruise.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
