An Introduction to Provence and Southern Rhône

The attractive town of Arles was both a Roman capital and medieval one. Its Roman Amphitheatre was one of the largest in Gaul (seating over 20,000 spectators) and is well preserved thanks to its transformation into a fortification during the Middle Ages. In troubled times, the arena was used as ramparts and crowded with homes. The Romanesque basilica, Église St-Trophime, is one of the most beautiful churches in the south of France. Its facade incorporates a magnificent doorway with impressive figures. From the cloister, there are excellent views of the church's splendid, three-tiered tower. Arles' Museon Arlaten is France's most famous ethnographic museum. Its founder was Nobel Prize winner, Frédéric Mistral, a champion of Provençal life and culture. The Impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh, also lived in Arles between 1888 and 1889 before entering an asylum in nearby St-Rémy.

Situated on the left bank of the River Rhône, Avignon was a papal residence in the 14th century. Palais des Papes, The Palace of the Popes, being the largest Gothic palace in all of Europe, stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century. It served as a fortress as well as a palace. When Provence was the center of the Christian world, this huge feudal structure was commissioned by Pope Clement VI and remained property of the Holy See until 1791. Its walls are 13-feet thick in some places, and its defensive towers are up to 165-feet tall. Although some original frescoes remain, much of the furniture and decoration was taken during the French Revolution.

Château de Grignan is the largest Renaissance château in southeastern France. From its position atop a rocky mound, it dominates the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views from its terraces. When the Château's 17th-century owner, Count François de Grignan, married Françoise-Marguerite, the daughter of Mme de Sévigné, the ensuing 27-year correspondence between mother and daughter created a new type of literature. These famous letters, full of keen observation and wit, were to become an important source of historical information about the age of Louis XIV. The Château has been a listed historic monument since 1993 and contains a magnificent collection of furniture, paintings, and tapestries.

The region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous of the Southern Rhône Valley and one of the most beautiful in Provence. The name literally translates to 'New house of the Pope" and the "Avignon Popes" used to have their summer residence at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The papacy while located in this region did much to promote viticulture in the surrounding area and the wines produced here became known as "Vin du Pape", subsequently, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The appellation is primarily red wine only (although some chateaux are producing whites) and is known for richly colored, full-bodied, aromatic wines. Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the first region in France to gain Appellation contrôlée status in France in 1920. The wines compliment the local Provençal cuisine laced with garlic and olive oil and herbes de Provence grown in the same soil as the grapes.

Les Baux de Provence is both a "Live City" and a "Dead City." This unique title refers to the ancient ruins that stand along side a quaint inhabited village. The provençal word baou means a prominent cliff, and the town perches on a narrow strip of land, which surges up from the valley below and is surrounded on three sides by jagged cliffs. Ancient Celtic and Roman peoples inhabited this cliffside and it had been a defensive site throughout history. The "Baux" family rose to power in the 9th century and ruled as Lords until 1426 when the last of the lords died. Baux became part of Provence and later France, in 1481. King Louis XIII destroyed the castle in 1632 to squelch a revolt and the ruined city, once inhabited by almost 6000 people, lay deserted for several hundred years. The view from the ancient citadel encompasses the Val d'Enfer below it, and extends as far away as the Mediterranean.

Ever since the Capetian kings made it their capital in the 12th century, Paris has been the center of political, intellectual, and artistic life in France. The oldest part of the city is on the Ile de la Cité, which has been occupied since the time of Caesar. By the middle ages, the town had spread onto both the left and right banks. Later periods of growth led to successive enlargements of the town walls, but real development did not begin until the time of Henry IV in the late 16th century. The museums and monuments of Paris are legendary. The 12th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame is situated on the Ile de la Cité on a site that was occupied by two earlier churches. Though it was severely damaged during the French Revolution, the Cathedral with its massive flying buttresses remains one of the most recognizable buildings in Paris. The Louvre is one of the world's best-known art galleries. Once a Royal residence, it first opened as a museum in 1793. On the opposite end of the Champs-Elysées sits the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, the largest triumphal arch in the world. It was completed in 1836 and commemorates the military glory of Napoleon. Near the Hôtel des Invalides is Paris' most famous symbol, the Eiffel Tower. It dates from 1889 when it was constructed for the Universal Exhibition.

St-Rémy-de-Provence is a country town with shady boulevards and charming old alleyways. The doctor and astrologer, Michel de Nostredame (Nostradamus), was born here in 1503, as was Frédéric Mistral, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1904. Vincent Van Gogh, who was fascinated by the quality of light and ardent beauty of the landscape, arrived here from Arles in 1889 to begin one of his most prolific periods, creating more than 150 paintings and numerous sketches in only one year. The artist left St-Rémy for Auvers-sur-Oise, where he died in 1890. The once-prosperous Greco-Roman town of Glanum, south of St-Rémy, contains the remnants of the earliest Greek houses in Provence.

Attractively situated on the River Rhône, Tournon sur Rhône has a 15th-century Château that sits atop granite rocks and a gracious, tree-lined promenade. Tain l'Hermitage, on the other side of the river, is dominated by vineyards that produce the robust Hermitage, considered to be the finest of all Côtes-du-Rhône wines. Tain is also known for its fine chocolate, which is made at its Valrhôna chocolate factory. The twin cities of Tounon and Tain are connected by two bridges.

Viviers is an unspoiled small town nestled along the Canal Donzère-Mondragon. The seat of a bishopric from the 5th Century until the Revolution. The former importance of the town accounts for its remarkable architectural heritage, which makes this a most agreeable place for an evening stroll.

SUNDAY
Meet at 11:00 am at Gare de Lyon rail station in Paris to board the TGV high-speed train for Valence. A short drive brings you to your barge at Tain l'Hermitage and an on-board welcome with champagne and canapés.

MONDAY
Today's cruise takes you through the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley with a stop for a wine tasting. At Viviers, your overnight mooring, take a walking tour through town and, time permitting, enjoy a game of pétanque with the barge crew.

TUESDAY
Visit Château de Grignan, which dominates the surrounding countryside from atop a rocky outcropping. Mentioned in the letters of Madame de Sévigné, it is the largest Renaissance château in southeastern France. Rejoin your barge this afternoon for a cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts and a visit to a local truffle farm.

WEDNESDAY
Visit Château de la Nerthe to taste the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe, followed by a leisurely lunch on board. A spectacular afternoon cruise to Avignon is followed by an excursion to Pont du Gard, part of the old Roman aqueduct, to complete a perfect day.

THURSDAY
A guided walking tour shows you Avignon's Palace of the Popes and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. After lunch on board, your barge cruises to Arles during the afternoon excursion to the cliff-top village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

FRIDAY
Take a walking tour of Arles, where Vincent Van Gogh lived in 1888 and 1889, followed by a visit to nearby St-Rémy. In the afternoon, cruise to Vallabrègues and enjoy an olive oil tasting in a traditional 18th-century, Provençal bastide (country house). Tonight, your chef prepares a special farewell dinner.

SATURDAY
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the rail station in Avignon for your return trip to Paris via TGV high-speed train.

Note: This route is run in reverse on alternate weeks.

Back to A&K CANAL & RIVER CRUISING - Menu Page

Click Here to View Our Selection of River Cruises