Le Phenicien
Cruising in Provence

Passengers: 18
Size: 128 feet long
Last Visited: 2006
Rating: Deluxe, A/C

2009 rates

Whole Boat Charter of 18:
$57,210 - Value Season
$64,080 - Mid Season
$72,090 - Regular and High Season
Charter rates for parties of 9 to 17 guest parties available upon request
Individuals:
$3,420 - Value Season
$3,900 - Mid Season
$4,990 - Regular and High Season
Value Season: March 29 to April 25, July 12 to August 15, November 1 to November 14
Mid Season: April 26 to May 23, June 28 to July 11, August 16 to August 29, Oct 18 to Oct 31
Regular Season: May 25 to June 27 and October 4 to October 17
High Season:  August 30 to October 3

Le Phenicien is a true French family operation besides being an intriguing and successful addition to our fleet. LE PHENICIEN was designed, decorated and now operated by the Joly family, fronted by attractive and totally bi-lingual brothers Marc and Bertrand. The vessel boasts one of the most dramatic and beautiful salons in barging with French "casual chic" decor and interesting local pottery accents and art lining the walls. Cabins are comfortable and the tile-lined baths boast full-size showers.

The Jolys call on both personal contacts and top-caliber guides to introduce the Pope's Palace in Avignon; Van Gogh's Arles; the hilltop village of Les Baux; winetasting at Chateauneuf-de-Pape and everybody's favorite excursion, the family-owned ranch in the Camargue where "French cowboys" work. Cuisine is emphasized (most notably the beautiful luncheon buffets) and a variety of regional wines introduced.

LE PHENICIEN has emerged as a top choice for three-generation family charters - such as the Stantons in 2005 and the van den Bergs in 2006. We also welcomed many groups of friends, none better to work with than the October, 2005 group organized by Dr. David Dickson. Feedback included: "Trip of a lifetime" from the Sherrins; "Relaxing, rejuvenating and a marvelous way to see Provence," from the Tweedies; and from Dr. Dickson; "More than we expected and hoped for!"

We visited LE PHENICIEN in April, 2006 and then welcomed Marc Baron-Joly to Chicago in June, 2006.

Le Phenicien
Barge Cruise Itinerary

Avignon to Aigues-Mortes
In the Provence - Camargue
Sunday
We’ll meet you in late afternoon at the announced pickup point in or near Avignon and transfer you to LE PHÉNICIEN, moored close to the Avignon ramparts. There is time to stroll in this enchanting, cobble-stoned town, enjoy a café, or join local families at the carrousel in the town square. Our first dinner on board gives an indication of the high standard of cuisine that will be served. Accompanying wines have been specially chosen from top-notch local vineyards.

Monday
History and wines are our centers of interest today. We start with a visit of one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including a wine tasting. Then it’s back to Avignon for a guided tour of the imposing and important Pope’s Palace. This afternoon, we sail down to Vallabrègues, a quiet and charming little port where you can join the locals at the game of pétanque! The wines tasted in the morning are back on the table at dinner.

Tuesday
We are now in Provence! This morning we’ll visit the charming village of Les Baux de Provence. After a short tour, there will be time to shop for souvenirs or relax in a café. After lunch we cruise down to Arles. Thanks to its wealth of Roman and medieval monuments, many of which are classified world heritage sites by UNESCO, the city could be called an open-air museum.

Wednesday
Our guided visit in Arles will delve deep into antiquity and, at the same time, unravel the joys and despair of Van Gogh who painted 300 canvases during his year here in 1888. And after lunch, it’s off to the Camargue as we head west on the Canal du Rhône à Sète. We moor in Bellegarde, a typical village proud of its bullfighting traditions.

Thursday
This morning, we’ll experience a true wonder: the 2000 year old, Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, built to carry water to Nimes. The highest bridge built by the Romans, it was constructed of enormous blocks of stone (some weighed six tons!), hauled into place with an ingenious system of pulleys and a vast force of slave labor. In the afternoon, LE PHÉNICIEN cruises to Saint Gilles, a town famous in the Middle Ages for its Christian pilgrimages.

Friday
For our last excursion, what would you say about a trip in the deep heart of the wild Camargue? There we’ll tour one of the most prestigious manades, a typical ranch where the gardians à cheval - the authentic French cowboys - show us how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses. Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape. This was the port from which St. Louis set sail on his Crusades. There will be time to stroll and shop, even to walk the ramparts of this majestic town.

Saturday
After breakfast, morning departure to your transfer point in Nimes. Bon Voyage!

aigues - mortes to avignon

Sunday
We’ll meet you in Nimes in late afternoon and transfer you to LE PHÉNICIEN, moored in Aigues-Mortes. There will be time to stroll on your own – or even walk the ramparts – in this well-preserved, 14th century walled city. This was the port from which St. Louis set sail on his Crusades and it now provides us with a paradox - a perfectly preserved medieval fortress yet with a rectangular grid structure reminiscent of a new world town - the Camargue never fails to surprise. Our first dinner on board gives an indication of our high standard of cuisine. The accompanying wines have been specially chosen from top-notch local vineyards.

Monday
This morning we sail into the Camargue as we head east on the Canal du Rhône à Sète. We moor in St Gilles, a city famous in the Middle Ages for its Christian pilgrimages. What would you say about a journey further into the heart of the wild Camargue? There we reach one of the most prestigious manades, a typical ranch where the gardians à cheval, a.k.a. authentic French cowboys show us how they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses.

Tuesday
This morning, we’ll experience a true wonder: the 2000 year old, Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, built to carry water to Nimes. The highest bridge built by the Romans, it was constructed of enormous blocks of stone (some weighed six tons!), hauled into place with an ingenious system of pulleys and a vast force of slave labor. In the afternoon, LE PHÉNICIEN cruises to Bellgarde, a traditional village proud of its bullfighting traditions.

Wednesday
The most impressive navigation is for today! We cruise three bodies of water - the canal, Le petit Rhône and Le Rhône River - to reach the Roman city of Arles. Our guided visit in Arles will delve deep into antiquity and, at the same time, unravel the joys and despair of Van Gogh who painted 300 canvases during his year here in 1888.

Thursday
We’re in Provence now! Visit the charming medieval town of Les Baux de Provence. After a short tour, there will be time to shop for souvenirs or relax in a café. In the afternoon, we’ll cruise on Le Rhône River to Vallabrègues, a quiet and charming little port where we can watch the locals play the traditional game of pétanque – and even join in!

Friday
Our final destination is Avignon the walled city of the Popes. History and wines are our centers of interest today. We start with a visit of one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including a wine tasting. Then take a guided tour of the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, followed by free time to stroll, enjoy a café or shop in this enchanting cobble-stoned town.

Saturday
After breakfast, morning departure to your specified transfer point in Avignon. Bon Voyage!

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises in Provence Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Le Phenicien

Guest Book

"We want to say a word about Alex, Matthew, Thierry, Rene and Una. We could not have asked for a more friendly, efficient, cheerful, etc. etc. etc. group. Every need or want was met with a smile. There was a different napkin fold every night for dinner. Our towels were folded into animals on our last day out. Matthew patiently described every wine we drank. Thierry's meals were incredible.
We enjoyed the special tours not generally open to the public and the local guides who were so knowledgeable. For example, at Pont du Gard we were taken through locked doors (while other tourists looked on with envy) to actually walk across the top of this aqueduct built in 50 A.D. And in Arles, our guide, got permission for us to tour a hotel that has many historical excavations. At every excursion we had a private local guide so that we didn't just see a location, we experienced it. The cattle ranch in the Carmague was very special for us because we raise cattle."
-C.W. and Pat Moore, 2007

"Ellen, we had a wonderful time and you and your staff did an excellent job of planning the trip. Everyone on the cruise was well-travelled and I think I can safely say that it was one of the nicest and most relaxing trip any of us has taken."
- Brian and Gay Lees 2007

"An Outstanding crew, truly exceptional food, very friendly guests."
- Wayne and Storrow Johnson, 2007

"The Joly family has done a wonderful job with everything from the decoration of the barge to the meals to the choice of sightseeing and guides."
- Barbara Singer, 2007

Le Phenicien Floor Plan

128 Feet long
- Large and glamorous salon, bar and dining area
- Picture windows
- 9 cabins with queen or twin beds at 107 square feet
- Sundeck with deck chairs