WINDSOR - ENGLAND, April 30, 2003
Go Barging, the leading British luxury hotel barge owner and operator introduces a brand new itinerary for the newly renovated hotel barge, L’Impressionniste

Find out more about L'Impressionniste at the
L'Impressionniste barge page

In 2004 L’Impressionniste will cruise a unique, new itinerary from Avignon to Agde, cruising through the ever popular Provence region of France, taking in no less than six waterways including rivers, canals and lakes. The cruise begins in the historic town of Avignon in the Rhone valley, which owes its origin to the Dom’s rock

With the arrival of the popes in the 14th Century, the city became a second Rome. It was enriched by art in the 17th and 18th Centuries and remained papal property up to the French revolution. Today, Avignon enjoys a vibrant shopping area and a wealth of cultural attractions such as the Popes’ Palace and the Pont d’Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continuing down the Rhone, the itinerary allows time to explore the heart of Arles, the old capital of the Camargue and inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “Bedroom at Arles”, the Roman Arena, St. Trophime’s Basilica and the Museum of Provencal life. Continuing on to the Canal de Rhone à Sete, the next stop is the medieval walled city of Aigues Mortes, which continues to this day to be renowned for its traditional bull games.

Cruising westwards, L’Impressionniste meanders through the Camargue National Park with its wild horses, black bulls and pink flamingoes, passing very close to the Mediterranean Sea. Still further west, L’Impressionniste cruises onto the Etang de Thau, a large inland salt water lake, housing a thriving community of oyster fishermen and the Museum of the lake, showing an exhibition on oyster culture.

The itinerary also takes in 12thC Abbaye de Valmagne before continuing onto the port of Marseillan, a charming sea side resort nestled between the sea, the lagoons and the vineyards and home to the world-famous vermouth, Noilly Prat. Cruising on to the 300-year-old Canal du Midi, L’Impressionniste passes through the renowned “round lock" and finishes her voyage on the River Herault, mooring in the shadow of the Cathedral of the fishing town of Agde, built of lava blocks from the nearby Montagnes Noires (Black Mountains).

The 12 passenger L’Impressionniste hotel barge, sister ship to La Belle Époque, began life in 1960 as a cargo ship in Holland, before undergoing a complete re-fit in 1996 to transform her into the sleek canal and river cruising vessel she is today. Recently L’Impressionniste was comprehensively refurbished in preparation for cruising her new Provence itinerary.

Rates for the six-night/seven day cruises range from $2590 to $3890 per person, whole boat charter rates for up to twelve people are from $27,000. The price includes accommodation, champagne welcome, three gourmet meals a day with wine, open bar, use of all facilities on board, shore excursions, admittance fees, use of bicycles and other facilities.