L'Impressionniste - All inclusive French luxury barge cruise vacation holidays aboard L'Impressionniste cruising the Rhone River and the Carmargue, Provence France

L'IMPRESSIONNISTE - ART CRUISE

Luxury barge vacation cruises in Provence France
along the Rhone River and the Carmargue

Our Art vacations are suitable for beginners and leisure painters with some experience as well as the more accomplished artist. This delightful cruise/workshop includes two full days full instruction out on location.

The remaining days include three hours tuition on the lives, styles and history of the Impressionists with particular emphasis on Cezanne and Van Gogh, thus allowing plenty of opportunity to experience the delights of Provencale towns such as Avignon and Arles, as well as the medieval fortified town of Aiges Mortes.

Guests should note that easels, paper, brushes and a good basic selection of water colour paints are available on board, but they should also bring their own art boxes. Instruction will be mainly in charcoal, pencil and oil crayons as these are ideal for artists on the move.

You will be met at 16.00 at Montpellier Metropole Hotel in Montpellier and escorted by minibus to the L'Impressionniste for a Champagne Welcome. Spend the night onboard in Avignon.

This morning we cruise down the mighty Rhone River to Arles, passing the intriguing citadel of King René at Tarascon, and the foothills of the Alpilles. Introductory talk on Cezanne, Van Gogh and the lifestyle of the Impressionists before lunch on board. In the afternoon, instruction ashore in painting and drawing. Dinner on board.

This morning we explore Arles, with a guided tour of the Roman Arena, St. Trophime’s Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life. We visit some of Vincent Van Gogh's haunts on foot, where he painted so many of his beloved scenes, through the pedestrianized heart of this old capital of the Camargue. Partake in a session of sketching instruction on the banks of the Rhône. We then a cruise down the Petit Rhone and on to the Canal de Rhone a Sete, passing several herds of wild black bulls. We moor at the medieval fortified town of Aigues Mortes. Dinner on board.

Stroll from our mooring outside the town walls of Aiges Morte with a FULL DAY of art instruction in the medieval town built by Louis IX. Visit the Tour de Constance, built in 1248 as a lighthouse for the returning 13th century Crusaders. Late afternoon, we cruise the Canal du Rhône à Sete through the Camargue National Park with its wild horses, abundant sea bird life and flocks of pink flamingoes, to the hamlet of Les Aresquiers where we are 200 yards from the Mediterranean. Dinner on board.

An early start to pass under the lifting Bridge at Frontignan, then we sail out onto the Etang de Thau, a large, inland, salt water lagoon full of oyster beds. Mid-morning we stop briefly at Bouzigues to visit the Museum of the lake with its exhibition on oyster culture, which is the main activity of the many local fishermen. Lunch on board. This afternoon we spend painting and sketching at the 12th Century Abbaye de Valmagne with its vast Cistercian church and beautiful cloister. Our day ends with a chance to taste its award winning range of wines. Returning to the barge, we have a late afternoon cruise on the lake to the port of Marseillan, where we stroll into the marketplace for dinner ashore. This gives you a chance to taste many of the local seafood delicacies.

A short ride in the minibus this morning for a FULL DAY of art instruction in the shadows of the Cathedral of the fishing town of Agde, built of lava blocks from the nearby Black Mountains. L’Impressionniste will meet us in the port of Agde late afternoon for the Gala Farewell Dinner.

Return transfer by minibus to Beziers or Montpellier's TGV Station, Montpellier Airport or Montpellier's Metropole Hotel.

Note: This is a sample itinerary. Alternative weeks the cruise will be in reverse direction.

Theme cruises are typically for private charters and not for cabin cruise weeks, unless otherwise noted.