Built in 1996, this Abercrombie & Kent barge is a trim 128-ft vessel traversing Provence, the Camargue and Languedoc, one of the most varied and scenic regions in France. A crew of five greets the 13 passengers with Champagne when they arrive on a Sunday from the Avignon Grand Hotel or the SNCF rail station at Agde, France.
Abercrombie & Kent has been marketing barges in France for about 40 years with no less than seven operating in Provence on different itineraries. They are all available for charter, and six operate as hotel barges for individual bookings. Cruises are offered from late March through October.
Most passengers aboard L'Impressionniste hail from North America and Britain and are looking for a relaxing, hassle-free way to travel amongst compatible company and with good food. All of the barges have bicycles on board. Bicycling is permitted on rivers when the vessel is moored; if on a canal, guests can bike alongside on the towpath as the barge moves slowly through a succession of locks. If cruisers charter a barge—reserving all of the cabins—the week can be altered to a theme, whether it be bicycle riding, golfing, winery tours, etc.
Alternate cruises in France begin at the walled city Avignon with visits to the Palais des Papes, the Papacy established outside Rome for a period, the local market and the Pont D'Avignon, famous in song. Further south, Arles was the stomping ground for artist Vincent van Gogh and has a Roman theater.
Cruising continues through the Camargue, a national park known for its wild while horses, black bulls and flocks of pink flamingoes. The barge then skirts the Mediterranean with stops at the ports of Marseillan and Sete, enters the Canal du Midi running east to west across the very bottom of France and finally ties up at Agde close to the cathedral. On alternate weeks, the itinerary operates in the opposite direction. All excursions are included in the fare.
The light, airy interiors show good fabrics and Impressionist prints reminiscent of the early 1900s, with panoramic windows in the spacious salon, a combination dining room and bar lounge. Chefs prepare tempting meals, with a midweek night set aside for dinner at a local auberge.
Passengers relax in the spa pool on the upper deck, and hot-air ballooning is arranged for a fee. The seven outside, air-conditioned cabins have twin (some at right angles) or double beds, ample stowage, central heating and toilets. One is a single. The largest are 170 sq ft.
L'Impressionniste is a wonderful barge that looks as though she floated right out of a Monet painting. She has running mates that offer different itineraries in Provence.
