Christmas traditions and santons along the canals of Provence

Transfer by coach from Avignon to Aigues Mortes. Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. Enjoy a "Christmas traditions”-themed evening.

We'll spend the morning cruising to Aigues-Mortes, which we'll visit by coach in the afternoon. In the Middle Ages, the city began as a settlement of reed huts, with its inhabitants making their living from fishing, hunting and salt production from the small marshes along the shore. Much later, it became a fortified city because of its strategic location and is now one of the most beautiful historical sites in Provence. We'll finish our tour with a tasting of the traditional sweet fougasse: a delicious light, flat brioche with a subtle orange blossom flavor. Enjoy some free time to explore the town before heading back to the ship. Afternoon spent cruising towards Arles, reaching it in the evening. Enjoy a Christmas-themed evening on board.

This morning, we'll head to Le Paradou to visit a museum displaying more than 400 different santons (hand-painted nativity figurines traditional to the Provence region). La Petite Provence du Paradou is reputed to be one of the largest nativities in the world. We'll then return to Arles and visit the santon exhibition and tradeshow, displaying almost 300 years of this local tradition—from the very first models to the latest creations. After our visit, we'll return to the ship and cruise towards Tarascon. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Souleiado Museum.

We'll spend this morning cruising towards Avignon. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace. Avignon was one of the most important cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, and the official residence of nine popes in the 14th and 15th centuries. After our tour, we'll return to the ship. Tonight is our festive gala dinner and evening.

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.