Day 1 - September 8th. We will meet at our Nice Côte d'Azur Airport accommodation and then make our way toward Avignon and to our barge which is moored with a direct view of the famous "Pont d'Avignon". We will make a few stops along the way including a stop for lunch. Once we arrive to the boat, the owner will be waiting for us on the sun deck to introduce us to the crew who will take care of our luggage and then help us settle into our cabins. After we are settled we will have a tour and discover the history of our ship! A welcome drink will be served and it will be the perfect moment to discuss the program of the week, get to know the safety rules, relax and learn about how the barge works. During sunset, dinner will be served and it will be our first floating experience of wine pairings. After dinner, we recommend a walk through the magnificent city of Avignon (center is 5 minutes by walk). You can also decide to enjoy the sun deck. Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 2 - September 9th - After breakfast, we will make our to the historical and marvelous Pope’s Palace for a cultural guided tour of 2 hours that will transport you back in time when the city was a political and religious hub. You will then have some free time to visit the city, discover local shops and boutiques, and stroll through the old streets of the historical center. Then it is back on board for an amazing lunch while we navigate to Villeneuve-Les-Avignon! There, we stop at the Philippe Le Bel Tower which is the last piece of a fortress built at the end of the 13th century which task was to control the entrance of the "Pont d’Avignon" leaning both banks of the Rhone River. We then drive to the Domaine de Beaurenard wine, known as the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. Owned by the Coulon family for 7 generations, a visit and tasting will be organized so you discover local wines, full of character and elegance. You will have the opportunity to buy wine directly at the property, and these wines will complement one of your week's dinner. Back on board, our bartender will be delighted to welcome you for a drink on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, always with the freedom of a nocturnal walk, and evening activities of your choice. Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 3 - September 10th - This morning, you will be taken to one of the most popular cultural sites in France; The Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an impressive bridge-aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century of our era. It is the highest Roman aqueduct bridge in the world (49 meters!). We will be taken to the top by our guide and will enjoy an incredible and unique view of the valley. We then visit the museum, which will enchant you with its very visual explanations, being the largest interpretation center in France on the Romans. You will learn its history through models, virtual reconstructions, soundscapes and more. The boat will be waiting for us for the next lunch-cruise towards the village of Aramon, our stop for the evening. This village spreads around the castle built on a rocky outcrop, with its port reaching its peak in the 17th century. From there, oil, wine, salt, cereals went to the whole of France. Historically known for its wickerwork workshops, it has retained until today its agricultural activities: fruit growing, the culture of the vineyard and olive trees. You will see many homes from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 4 - September 11th - Our morning departure will be to the village of Les Baux de Provence for a guided tour! Rich in history, it is in the top 10 most beautiful villages in France. It is unique because quite magical and eminent in this extraordinary setting. The very essence that makes the appeal and the ambiance so special of Provencal villages will be found there; small squares, shaded terraces, narrow streets, and their shops. Then it is lunch navigation, with the passage of the impressive Beaucaire lock which measures 180 meters long and 12 meters wide, and has an impressive 15 meters waterfall. In the late afternoon, we stop in the city of Arles, our stop for the evening. We will be moored at the Lamartine dock, 5 minutes walk from the Roman Arena and the town center. You can walk into town, visit the handicraft shops, pedestrian streets or take a refreshing drink at the famous Van Gogh café. Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 5 - September 12th - This morning our guide will pick us up to discover the historical side of Arles. He will evoke various periods of the history of Arles, from the Roman time till the Renaissance, through Catholicism with St. Trophime Cathedral and talk about Vincent Van Gogh's impact. We will then sail up the Rhone River and take the little Rhone River through the lock of Saint Gilles and navigate the world-famous Canal de Provence. We will stop for the night at the port of Gallician, a little village located at the heart of the Camargue region. For those stopping over at the village, you can enjoy an exceptional location on the Canal du Rhône à Sète , in the heart of the Petite Camargue and the Grand Site de France de la Camargue gardoise , at the foot of the Costières and their vineyards. After dinner you may want to go for a bike ride or walk along the former canal towing paths. Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 6 - September 13th - This morning we will be immersed into the heart of the bull breeders local traditions. We will visit one of the most beautiful and titled "Manade" (ranch) of Camargue; Les Marquises, a property of the Laurent family since the late 1940s. They will help us discover and understand the breeding of bulls for Camargue bull races, Camargue horses and all the know-how that exist around this traditional sport. It will be a true immersion in the authenticity of this region of France which is also a protected natural park. It is in the midst of bulls and guardians that you will be explained the breeding of bulls and the rules of the races. After a local appetizer, we will return on board for lunch while cruising to the town of Aigues-Mortes, a medieval fortified city of the 14th century emerging from the sands. The city is touristy during peak season, but stunningly beautiful! As it is almost entirely pedestrian, the best thing to do is to wander around. It will also be time for our Weekend Gala Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

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Day 7 - September 14th - This morning after breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye as our driver will meet us in Nimes to take us on the rest of our adventure. It will be a very long day on our way to Albi, so we will break it up with a stop at the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. Carcassonne is also of exceptional importance because of the lengthy restoration campaign undertaken by Viollet-le-Duc, one of the founders of the modern science of conservation. We will have a tour where we enter through the main entrance, known as Porte Narbonnaise, to the medieval city and learn about the fortifications built by the Romans. We will visit the museum inside the castle to learn about the Trencavel family that defended the Cathars during the Albigensian Crusade. We will walk along the top of the wall, crossing both medieval and Roman towers as we head towards the Gothic church and see the beautiful stained glass windows, built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Then we walk through the streets of the ancient religious quarter and learn about the inquisition in Carcassonne. You can find some lunch here before we continue on to our accommodation at Albi. Dinner and Overnight Albi. (B,D)

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Day 8 - September 15th - As we are about half way through the tour the day will be spend entirely at your leisure in Majestic Episcopal City of Albi also known as the Brick City. You will be captivated by its exceptional heritage, the southern light and unique character, a warm sense of hospitality and conviviality. You may want to take a guided tour, visit the lively market in the heart of the historic center, or take a quiet stroll through the gardens. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is well known for its majestic cathedral, its renowned Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, its picturesque red-brick streets, and its warm atmosphere. Visiting Albi also means taking an interest in a very fine range of museums and galleries presenting exhibitions. There is something for all tastes and all audiences. The Toulouse-Lautrec museum is the largest public collection in the world dedicated to the famous painter from Albi.Albi is not just visited, it is experienced. Get rested up for the second half of the tour and make the most of your day here in Albi. Overnight Albi. (B)

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Day 9 - September 16th - Today we make our way north to just near Domme in the Dordogne Region of France where we spend the next 5 nights. Our days will be spent in taking in the lovely villages, quaint towns and beautiful cities of the Lot and Dordogne. We will make a few stops along the way including Cordes-sur-Ciel, a city perched above the clouds and 'One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France'. Cordes-sur-Ciel with it is 800 years of history is considered one of the first 'Bastides' in the region with its official date of November 4, 1222 declared by the young Count of Toulouse, Raymond VII. On the trampled cobblestones, you discover a high place of European heritage where you only have to raise your head to see the sculpted facades, magnified by time and Gothic art. But to gain height's perspective, you will have to climb! Fortunately, the galleries and craftsmen's workshops will make you forget this detail, until you reach the highest point before you know it. The beauty of the place will be matched only by the time spent wandering where art and culture mingle with the history of a rich past. We will make a lunch stop and then visit the important prehistoric site of Peche-Merle situated in Cabrerets in the peaceful Célé valley. This decorated cave was discovered in 1922 and opened to the public in 1926. It contains remarkable cave paintings in numerous concretions. It is in a magnificent place surrounded by stalactites, stalagmites and draperies so much that you will be amazed by all these natural wonders and incredible series of prehistoric artworks, such as drawings, paintings and silhouette engravings of humans, horses, mammoths, bulls and bears. Then we get settled into our Dordogne home before dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Domme in the Dordogne. (B,D)

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Day 10 - September 17th - This morning we have a later start as we make our way to Périgueux for lunch and then a wee wander. The only main city that the L'Isle river flows through, Périgueux has a compact and mostly pedestrianized centre, filled with alleyways and narrow streets that form the main part of town on the west bank of the river. With its attractive old centre, located on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the 12th century cathedral and narrow streets beg to be explored. We then make our way to the pretty village of Limeuil, officially classified as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France' at the confluence of the two most important rivers in the region, the Dordogne and the Vézère. We will stroll along the river front, cross the road and pass through the old stone gateway into the historical old town. The village is still partly surrounded by its original fortified walls, and is a very lovely Dordogne village, with cobbled streets winding up the hill between honey-coloured houses with pretty little gardens. Next we make our way to Sarlat-la-Canéda, a town famous for its historic streets, golden stone buildings, and overall medieval atmosphere. Listed as a ‘Town of Art and History’, Sarlat’s charming medieval streets and picturesque squares attract thousands of people every year. In addition to its splendid architectural heritage, the town draws in crowds of foodies with its multiple markets, shops and restaurants putting on a fabulous spread of delicious local specialities. As modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat remains impeccably well-preserved and is considered as one of France’s best examples of a 14th century town. You will be able to find some dinner here before we make our way back home. Overnight near Domme in the Dordogne. (B,L)

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Day 11 - September 18th - This morning we visit Chateau de Beynac, sitting high above the Dordogne river, in the village of Beynac. One of the most impressive castles in the Dordogne region, a simple glance at the clifftop position is sufficient to understand the naturally defensive position occupied by the castle. Although the position was occupied even earlier, the castle we see today dates from the 12th century and is a very good example of medieval military architecture. Naturally defended by the cliffs to the south, the other sides of the castle are defended by double ramparts and a deep moat. In the 12th century, ownership of the castle passed briefly to Richard the Lionheart when the owner died without a natural heir, but the transition was shortlived since Richard the Lionheart also died soon after, as did Mercadier, his companion who was entrusted with the castle and the castle returned to the Beynacs. After a tour of the castle we visit the very attractive village of Beynac which is spread along the northern bank of the river, and then continues up the hill to the chateau perched above. Beynac is listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. While we are here you can find some lunch before visiting Domme, another of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France' and our favourite place in the Dordogne. The village is on the Dordogne River and listed as one of several 'most beautiful villages of France' in the Dordogne department. It is a very attractive bastide town, founded in 1283 and situated in an exceptional hilltop location. The town is entered by a large fortified gate at the bottom of the main street: it is unusual for a bastide town to retain its fortifications as Domme has done. The huge towers either side of the entrance called La Porte des Tours once served as prisons and you can still see the religious symbols scratched like graffiti on the walls by the Templar prisoners during the 14th century. The position of Domme at the top of a fairly steep hill is a large part of why the village is so special. There are 180 degree views across the Dordogne river and surrounding countryside from the terraced belvedere area at the top of the village, from where you can also see other picturesque villages including Beynac and La Roque Gageac. Dinner and Overnight near Domme in the Dordogne. (B,D)

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Day 12 - September 19th - We have a late start this morning as we visit another of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', La Roque-Gageac, just a few miles south of Sarlat and on the banks of the Dordogne River. La Roque-Gageac is the third most important site of France after Mont Saint-Michele and Rocamadour! Although only a small village, little more than a row of riverside houses squeezed between the Dordogne river to the front and sheltered below the overhanging cliffs behind, it is very picturesque and set in a magnificant location! Almost all the houses in the village are built in the traditional yellow stone of the Dordogne area and with stone roofs. While here we will take a Dordogne River Cruise aboard a replica jag boat just like those who worked the river for hundreds of years. During the tour our pilot and guide will introduce us to the history and local customs basing the cultural identity of the river, its valley and the people who inhabit it. We will stop for lunch before we visit Rocamadour, perched on the side of a limestone cliff which towers majestically over the Alzou Canyon, a wild and unspoiled environment! Famous for its sanctuaries and more especially for its Black Virgin, Rocamadour attracts each year a large number of visitors and pilgrims. Moreover, the village of Rocamadour is the second most visited attraction in France after Mont-Saint-Michel! Having climbed 216 stairs of the main staircase leading to the church square, pilgrims and walkers discover the seven sanctuaries of Rocamadour, among which the Notre-Dame chapel, the Saint-Sauveur basilica and the Saint-Michel chapel. you will be very pleased to learn that you can take a funicular and then an elevator down to this same level without descending or climbing the 216 stairs! Rocamadour is full of lovely restaurants, wee shops and wonderful places to explore on foot.  We then return home before an evening outing for you to find some dinner on your own. Overnight near Domme in the Dordogne. (B,L)

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Day 13 - September 20th - This morning we visit Martel, also listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. On the borders of Quercy and Limousin, between Collonges-la-Rouge and Rocamadour, Martel has retained from the medieval period a rich heritage and the dynamism of a market town focused on local produce. Here we will explore its picturesque alleys, rich architectural heritage, and famous market hall. Martel is one of the few cities that does not owe its existence to a castrum or a religious foundation. It was born from a convergence of roads, an ancient North-South axis crossing an axis West-East where the precious salt of the Atlantic and the wine of Aquitaine transited making Martel an unmissable stopover in discovering the Dordogne Valley. Next we visit Collonges-la-Rouge where you can find some lunch before exploring another of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'. Nestled in the Limousin hills, Collonges-la-Rouge , the jewel of the Dordogne Valley in Corrèze, is a very pretty village with winding medieval streets, castles, and fortified towers earning it the nickname 'City of 25 Towers'. The distinctive red color of the houses, resulting from the presence of iron oxide in the stone, gives the village a warm and unique atmosphere. Collonges-la-Rouge is also a stop on the Rocamadour Way, a more leisurely route for those walking to Santiago de Compostela. Our last visit of the day is to Turenne, perched atop a limestone hill in southern Corrèze. The village invites you to stroll through its cobbled streets lined with old mansions adorned with turrets. The former capital of a powerful Viscounty encompassing Limousin, Périgord, and Quercy, the village bears witness to ten centuries of history. Climb up to the Château de Turenne and enjoy exceptional views of the Limousin countryside, then explore the shops and artisan workshops that keep the Corrèze region alive. We then return home to get settled in before we gather for dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Domme in the Dordogne. (B,D)

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Day 14 - September 21st - On our way toward Bordeaux this morning we stop in Eymet, founded 1270 by Alphonse of Poitiers, like many of the French Bastide towns, as part of a defensive strategy against the English. Eymet is a very attractive and unspoiled town with a thriving central square, and a pretty location on the banks of the Dropt River. As a transport link along the Dropt this enabled Eymet to flourish. We next make our way to Château Feely near Saussignac, a village located in the east side of Bordeaux. Our experience includes a one-hour guided tour of the vineyard to understand in detail the organic and biodynamic viticulture and the local terroir. Afterwards, we will be introduced to 4 of their wines with food and wine pairings around a plate of organic and local cheeses, accompanied by a selection of organic and local breads, seasonal fruits and vegetables and organic chocolate, all in the form of a picnic. Our next stop is Saint Emilion, known all around the world for its splendid wine but it is also one of the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux. Important historical monuments can be found in abundance in this medieval town, some of which date back as far as the 11th and 12th centuries. One of the most famous monuments is the 11th-century Monolithic church, carved from a limestone cliff, it’s the largest underground church in Europe. Its picturesque center, densely filled with wine shops and fancy restaurants makes this the perfect stop. Farewell Dinner and Overnight Bordeaux. (B,L,D)

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Day 15 - September 22nd - This morning we take you to the Bordeaux Airport for your journey home.

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