Little Boats & Trains Of Provence

Itinerary

Holiday Highlights

• Hotel for 6 nights with buffet breakfast
• Porterage at main hotel
• Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast
• Set dinner in the main hotel on the first and last night with 1/4l wine & 1/2l water
• Visits to Saintes Maries de la Mer, Avignon, Cévennes National Park & Aigues-Mortes
• Service of local guide for 4 days
• 90-min boat trip through the Camargue
• Road train tour in Avignon
• Rhône River cruise in Avignon
• Return steam train Anduze – St Jean du Gard
• Lunch cruise with welcome drink in Aigues-Mortes
• Road train tour of Salt Marshes
• Guided walking tour of Arles and Aigues-Mortes

Discover the Essence of Provence

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Then continue via the French auto-route network to your overnight hotel in central France. BB

Day 2 – Head South today on the way to your holiday base at the centrally located 4* Mercure Arles Arenes Hotel. Porters will take your luggage to your room as you settle in for your 6-night stay in Provence. Set menu dinner with 1/4l house wine and 1/2l mineral water pp is included at the hotel on the first and last nights of your stay. On the remaining nights, you are at leisure to explore the many restaurants and cafes within walking distance of your hotel

Day 3 - 7 – At leisure in Arles with four included excursions and one full free day

Arles, gateway to the Camargue, is a city rich in history and remains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was nicknamed the Little Rome of the Gauls. From historic monuments to art exhibitions and local crafts, Arles has a vast cultural heritage to discover. The Arles Arenes, the amazingly well-preserved Roman amphitheatre built in the 1^st century, was used for games, fights and performances (approx. 10 – 15 mins walk from the hotel). Older still than the Arenes, the nearby Ancient Theatre still displays part of its stands and its orchestra (combined entrance ticket to the amphitheatre and ancient theatre – approx. €11 pp in 2025). You may also like to visit the ‘Fondation Vincent Van Gogh’, a contemporary art museum dedicated to the work and legacy of Vincent van Gogh who lived and painted in Arles for over a year (entrance approx. €10 pp in 2025). The Arles Tourist Information Office is almost directly opposite the hotel

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Camargue Natural Park & Arles (escorted by a local guide)
The Camargue is a vast plane covering 132 sq km from Arles to Saintes Maries de la Mer, from the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea. It comprises wetlands, lagoons, islands, salt flats and peninsulas and is a haven for birdlife, particularly flamingos. The famous white Camargue horse is the traditional mount of the ‘gardians’, the Camargue riders (a kind of local cowboy!) who herd the black Camargue bulls. (NB due to the terrain, there may be mosquitoes)

Today you will head to Saintes Maries de la Mer for a 90-minute trip on a paddle-wheel boat, through the wild heart of the Camargue, discovering landscapes accessible only by water. The on-board commentary is in French, but leaflets are provided in English and your guide will assist with translation. There’s plenty to see from the fauna (bulls, horses, egrets, bee-eaters etc) to the flora (marshes, pine forest, samphire, etc). After some time in Sainte Maries itself, head back to Arles this afternoon where your guide will show you some of the highlights and give you an insight into the city’s fascinating history on a brief walking tour (no entrances included).

Avignon by Petit Train & Boat (escorted by a local guide)
Today’s destination is the beautiful medieval city of Avignon on the banks of the Rhône with dramatic views of its 800-year-old medieval ramparts surrounding the magnificent Palais des Papes. It was the seat of the Catholic popes and remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791. The famous Pont d'Avignon of nursery rhyme fame sits majestically halfway across the Rhône and the city is bursting with cobbled streets, quaint boutiques and leafy squares filled with cafes. Take a memorable 40-minute sightseeing tour around the city on the Petit Train (road train with commentary available in English) before enjoying some leisure time to explore on your own. Later a gentle cruise on the Rhône River gives you a different perspective on majestic Avignon.

Cévennes Steam Train (escorted by a local guide)
Discover the Cévennes National Park between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard on a timeless journey aboard a vintage steam train! Start in the pretty town of Anduze on the Gardon River at the foot of two mighty hills with time to explore. The town is known for its pottery and artisans still craft vases, urns and jars using traditional methods. Then it’s full steam ahead via viaducts and tunnels along the Gardon Valley on a nostalgic rail trip through the great natural beauty of the Cévennes. After 13km of stunning scenery (approx. 40 mins), arrive in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, the ‘Pearl of the Cévennes. At the station there is an exhibition telling the story of the preservation of the Cévennes Steam Train. There will be time to explore the town over lunchtime before stepping back onboard for the return trin journey to Anduze and then onward by coach to Arles

Aigues-Mortes(escorted by a local guide)
Head to the old, fortified town of Aigues-Mortes located in the midst of the marshlands and lagoons of the Camargue. It is truly a remarkable place marked by the crusades and Templar Knights of the past. As you enter this little walled town, it’s like stepping back in history and for those feeling energetic, a walk along the 1,600m perfectly preserved city walls, marked by majestic towers such as the Tower of Constance, will reward you with stunning views of the salt marshes and the landscapes of the Camargue. Take a cruise (3h 30m) along the Rhône-Sète canal where the crew will greet you with a welcome drink and lunch will be served on board as you enjoy the sights of medieval Aigues-Mortes and its ramparts as well as the canal landscapes and photogenic salt flats. Afterwards take a stroll through the town with your guide before visiting the amazing salt marshes on a land train which takes you through the pink salt lakes (or ‘salins’). The pink colour comes from a type of algae which thrives in the high salinity of the water, and which is a source of food to the flamingos often seen in the area.

Day 8 – It’s Au Revoir Provence as you head northwards to the final stop in the Central France area. BB

Day 9 - After breakfast, travel back through France to Calais for the return to England

Accommodation

4* Hotel in Centre of Arles

Mercure Arles Centre Arenes (formerly Hotel Atrium)

Recently fully renovated and refurbished, 4* Mercure Arles Centre Arenes is located in the heart of the historic centre. The Roman amphitheatre is just a 10-15 minute walk away from the hotel and there are many local restaurants nearby.

This modern hotel has a small roof top swimming pool and sun terrace and there is bar as well as a bistro-style restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine.

Guestrooms feature air conditioning, flat screen TV, WiFi, safe and hairdryer. Many rooms have walk-in showers and singles are doubles / twins for sole use.

There is a lift