France L'Estello

The Barge

About the barge

L’Estello sails between Avignon and Aigues Mortes, with the Provençal landscape and the protected wilderness of the Camargue providing the backdrop.

This river boat is a classic Dutch barge built in 1937 and then renewed in 2018. It is the ideal accommodation to spend a pleasant bike and boat vacation in nature and relaxation.

• where: France
• barge size: 39 m long and 5.05 m wide
• cabins: 10
• capacity: 20 guests in low beds
• air conditioning in the whole barge
• WiFi available in common areas
• comfort Silver

About the navigation

The barge L’Estello sails near the mouth of the Rhône River, where there are no water problems. Since the beginning of our operations, we have never had a day’s stop due to drought. Sometimes during winter time (when there are no scheduled trips), there could be some flooding issues.

Charter Request this barge exclusively for you group Get a quote

Cabins

Layout

Cozy and typical wooden furniture design.

10 cabins:

• 9 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
• 1 lower deck double cabin 7-8 sq.m (C)

Features

• Comfortable low beds (single: 1.90 m x 0.80 m | double: 1.90 m x 1.40 m)
• En-suite facilities
• Fixed portholes (forced ventilation)
• Individually controlled air conditioning
• Safe deposit box
• Ample closet space in the cabin for storing luggage
• Sheets and towels
• Hair dryers (one in each cabin)
• Courtesy kit with eco solid soaps (hand + body + shampoo) and shower cap
• Mid-week cabin cleaning service and towel change
• Schuko bipolar sockets (220V – 50Hz, Europlug and other plugs compatible)

Common areas

Restaurant and lounge

You can enjoy breakfasts and dinners in the cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows.

A lounge area is available for relaxation with a wide selection of board games, books and travel guides, a 55” multimedia screen, and free WiFi.

Both restaurant and lounge are air-conditioned.

Sundeck

The sundeck with tables and chairs is the perfect spot to enjoy sailing and chatting with your new travel companions.

Bike storage

The bikes are stored in a separate part of the sundeck and are available to passengers at all times. E-bikes can be recharged here.

Food and beverages

Onboard kitchen

Fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes are prepared by the chefs with care and passion (very limited use of frozen and industrial food).

A selection of French wines accompanies the courses, and the wait staff will be able to advise you on the best pairing.

And as well as the wine, the coffee is also carefully selected: a professional machine, running h24, serves guests a blend of artisanal coffee (50% Robusta, 50% Arabica) sourced from Italian roasters. Produced according to the ancient Neapolitan tradition, the blend is packaged by Cooperativa Lazzarelle, a women-only cooperative established in 2010 inside the largest women’s prison in Pozzuoli (Naples).

 

Breakfast

rich buffet

sweet and salty

coffee and hot drinks

juices

fresh fruit

Lunch

packed lunch prepared by you

fresh ingredients

Afternoon snack

a yummy snack, like a slice of cake or fruit

coffee or tea

Dinner

3 course

typical dishes of the traditional French cuisine

fresh ingredients

selection of French wines

 

If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant or allergic to some specific ingredients/substances please indicate it at the moment of booking.

Non-contamination during the preparation of meals cannot be guaranteed.

Amenities

Included in the price

WiFi in common areas (limited quality depending on the 4G/5G connection. We suggest to buy one of these popular international weekly e-sim: Airalo, Holafly, Maya Mobile…)

Air conditioning in the whole barge

Welcome drink

Coffee and tea and other hot drinks on board

Water on board is drinkable and there is a still and sparkling water dispenser (room temperature or cold water)

Ice dispenser

Board games

Books and travel guides

A 55” multimedia screen

On request for groups or charters

Private transfers by bus

Cooking classes

Wine tastings

Open bar

Events on board

Not included in the price

Drinks, such as wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase on board (only cash payments are accepted)

There is no laundry service on board

To discover

Natural landscapes

Unspoiled nature and fairytale sceneries: Provence is one of the best-loved areas of France thanks to a fascinating landscape and numerous relics from Roman times, like the Pont du Gard. On top of that, the little towns give the region a unique touch.

The provençal landscape invites slow travel by boat, but also by bike, thanks to the many bike paths that flank rivers and canals.

Characteristic villages and art cities

Picturesque villages with typical French character are scattered throughout the region: Villeneuve Les Avignon, once known as the city of the cardinals; the pretty Vallabrègues on the banks of the Rhone where local women craft traditional wicker baskets, and Saint Rémy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus in 1503, and many more. Without forgetting the fascinating  Avignon and the enchanting Aigues-Mortes and Arles.

Wilderness around the corner

Just outside the inhabited places, the Camargue looks like an immense wild plain. It is dotted with ponds, where pink flamingos are busy foraging for shellfish. Here nature reigns supreme. The ponds are exploited by man only for salt harvesting, and the lands for grazing semi-sheep bulls and horses with their characteristic white coats. There are also flat lands, where rice fields and sandy-bottomed vineyards abound.

Tours

Bike and barge

From March through October you can hop aboard for weeks by Bike and Boat from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes (or vice versa). Departures every Saturday with a tour leader and international group or with the option to cycle independently following our App that contains maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks. The itinerary combines easy cycling with overnight stays on the barge.

Bike and Barge

Provence and Camargue

from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Mar, Apr

from 1190

8 days / 1 person

Tailor-made programs

In fall and winter the barge is also available for weekends and  holidays. Upon request the barge can sail, or even stay stationary as a floating-hotel. On board we have already organized corporate team-building, gala dinners, family gatherings and even weekend painting classes.