THE BARGE: Constructed in 1889 as a canal barge hauling cargo on the Rhine Last refit in 2008 Measures 112 ft. long by 16 ft. wide Four (4) onboard cabin accommodations Eight (8) passenger capacity Onboard climate control PERSONNEL: Three (3) crew members consisting of Captain/Mechanic, Chef/Host/Owner, and Tour Guide/Matelot.  This crew combined speaks English, French, Dutch, and German. PUBLIC ROOMS: Salon/Dining Room Sun Deck ONBOARD LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT: Plunge pool HI FI system with CD player & iPod docking station Eclectic CD collection 42" plasma TV with DVD player Touring bikes Fishing rods Board games Small library of books MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Etoile has no wheelchair access. The boarding ramp has two (2) side handrails and there is a large, comfortably wide staircase with seven (7) stairs leading from the Deck to the Salon.  From the Deck to the Sun Deck, there are two (2) steps.  There are no steps from the Salon to the cabins. DECK PLAN: Guests enjoy both a comfortable vessel and the talent of their hosts who will prepare outstanding meals and serves as capable guides throughout the surrounding region.

CABINS: Etoile has four (4) cabins that are uniquely decorated, light, and airy, each with opening skylight and portholes. Their lavish bedding is indicative of the opulent charm that surrounds the entire vessel. Ample storage is available in each cabin as well as air-conditioning and fully private en suite bathroom facilities. The cabins are distinguished as follows: Chambre Rouge Chambre Bleu Chambre Provencal Studio Cabin Guests staying in La Chambre Rouge and Bleu enjoy the added amenity of an overhead skylight. CABIN SIZE: While all cabins are designed and decorated to maximize space, each cabin does vary considerably in size. The sizes listed below include bathroom area: Chambre Rouge - Approx. 116 sq. ft. Chambre Bleu - Approx. 92 sq. ft. Chambre Provencal - Approx. 88 sq. ft. Studio Cabin - Approx. 86sq. ft. BEDDING CONFIGURATION & SIZE: Each cabin has a fixed bedding configuration which is important to note prior to booking. The configuration is outlined below: Chambre Rouge - King (Bed size: 6' 11" X 6') Chambre Bleu - King (Bed size: 6' 11" X 6') Chambre Provencal - Double (Bed size: 6' 7" X 5') Studio Cabin - Twin (Bed size: 6' 11" X 2' 4") The twin configuration of the Studio Cabin features two (2) twin beds placed toe-to-toe with minimal space between each. BATHROOMS: Each cabin has a fully private en suite bathroom well-stocked with towels and bath products. Etoile also provides hairdryers for its guests. AMENITIES: Climate Control Hairdryer Storage Space Alarm Clock Bottled Water Wooden Hangers Make-Up Mirror and Full-Length Mirror Electricity (220V, French two pin plugs) Small Flashlight

Chambre Rouge Chambre Bleu Chambre Provencal Studio Cabin

SALON/DINING ROOM: The large Salon/Dining Room has plenty of natural light and is decorated in a contemporary French style. While enjoying comfortable and cozy furniture, guests are more than welcome to watch satellite TV on the 42" plasma TV,  connect their iPod via docking station to the stereo system, or help themselves to a movie from the video/DVD collection. There is central heating throughout this public forum and a marble open fireplace which gives remarkable ambiance to the cooler spring and autumn cruises. The Salon/Dining Room furniture includes: Sofa 4 Armchairs Small desk Coffee tables Wine bureau Well-stocked bar Dining table with seating for eight (8) people ON DECK: The Sun Deck is a spacious 308 sq. ft. open-air gathering area with plenty of seating for those who wish to soak up the sun. Should the weather be too warm, there is an invigorating plunge pool, six (6) lounge chairs,  and a canopy to provide abundant shade. An "al fresco" dining table makes for memorable outdoor meals any time of the day or evening. OFF BOAT: Passengers are welcome to walk or cycle using the onboard bicycles as often as they like.  Most People choose to disembark the barge at a lock to visit local villages, then return to the canal and meet the barge further along (the barge travels slowly; therefore, this is not a problem). An air-conditioned Mercedes van is also available for transfers and shore excursions.

Salon/Dining Room Sun Deck Off Boat Experiences

Etoile tours through beautiful Provence & Camargue. It is a very scenic cruise along the Mediterranean coast, where the Canal runs along the lagoons, beaches and seaside resorts, all the way to the door of the hill country of Provence. Click below for Sample Itinerary: Provence-Camargue	Highlights: Provence & Camargue: Visit of Pont du Gard, Avignon - Pope's Palace, les Baux de Provence - Saint Rémy de Provence, Arles and its Amphitheatre, walled city of Aigues Mortes, Maguelone Abbey Church. Meeting point in Avignon or Montpellier.

Barging is in her blood. She converted L'Etoile from a commercial river barge to an excursion vessel herself to make it a cozy and informal vessel offering a lovely French experience with French crew and fresh regional French cuisine and wines. Cobie lives year round between Burgundy and Southern France and has many interesting stories to tell about her many years of living on barges in Holland and France. Her sunny disposition means all who cruise on the Etoile are made to feel instantly at home within minutes of stepping aboard. The atmosphere on board is casual and relaxed. Cobie is also a skilled chef, and she makes every trip a treat. In the afternoons, join Cobie in the kitchen for hands-on lessons in delicious French home cooking or simply relax in the comfortable lounge with fireplace and open kitchen from where Cobie enjoys chatting with the guests while she cooks!

Gourmet cuisine onboard L'Etoile… Breakfast: Start each day with an assortment of fresh breads, croissants and sweet rolls purchased from the nearby ‘boulangerie'. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, hot chocolate, local butter and homemade jam, yoghurt and cereals are always offered. Lunch: Served buffet style and are accompanied by selected local red, white and rosé wines. A typical menu might include a homemade soup, a mixed green salad with walnuts & Roquefort, a quiche… ‘Charcuterie' is also included and could consist of smoked ham, sliced duck, or pâté and of course, a selection of cheeses. Dinner: The open kitchen allows you to watch your chef work, to share recipes or if you wish, to participate! SAMPLE BUFFET LUNCH MENU Quiche Lorraine Minestrone Soup Mixed Salad with walnuts & Roquefort Charcuterie: Rosette, Sliced Ham, Sliced Duck Saucisson, Rillettes Cheeses: Beaufort, Conté, Brébis, Chaource, Chèvre, Brie, Fourme, St. Agur, Epoisses, Camembert SAMPLE DINNER MENU: Salade Gourmande au Foie Gras Paté on a Bed of Crisp Greens Served with Toast Poularde a L'Ancienne avec Sauce au Vinaigre Traditionally Prepared Chicken in a Delicate Wine Vinegar Sauce Served with Sautéed Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Sorbet Champagne Plateau de Fromages: Brie de Meaux, St. Félicien, Epoisses, Bleu de Fourmes, Amour de Nuits, Livarot Tarte aux Fruits Flambée Fruit Tart Flambéed with Cognac Served with French Custard Café, Thé, Tisane et Petits Chocolats Coffee, Tea, Herbal Tea and French Chocolates ABOUT WINES L'Etoile gives you a real taste of France, serving wines from many different regions. In addition, your hosts take great pleasure in sharing their knowledge with their guests, teaching you about the wine growing areas, winemaking, and how to read a French wine label. Throughout your trip you will be introduced to a carefully selected local wines and premier cru wines, such as: Chassagne-Montrachet Mercurey Moulin à Vent Gigondas Faugères Sancerre Meursault Premier Cru Pouilly-Fuissé Lirac Muscat sec de Frontignan

2010 SCHEDULE

2010 PRICING

Full board price includes:

A 7-day/6-night cruise in a cabin on board L'Etoile
Transfers from Montpellier or Avignon to the barge & return
All meals
All wines with meals
Open bar
All escorted side excursions

Half board price includes:

A 7-day/6-night cruise in a cabin on board L'Etoile
Transfers from Montpellier or Avignon to the barge & return
First night's dinner and all breakfasts & lunches thereafter
All wines with lunch
Transportation to restaurants for dinners taken off-barge
All escorted side excursions

Price does not include:

Roundtrip flight to Paris & return
Transportation from Paris to Montpellier or Avignon & return
Gratuities
Specialty wines or liquors in restaurants (full board & half board)
Five (5) dinners (half board)
________________________________________________________________________

JOINING AND LEAVING THE CRUISE

	WINE You will enjoy visits to local wine cellars, a tasting lunch, lessons on wine making and how to read a French wine label. Find out more!
	FAMILY This is the perfect holiday for families with children, lots of activities, both interesting for adults and the young ones too. Find out more!
	CULINARY Your cruise combines well-known sights of Provence, open-air markets, typical Provençal recipes with intimate and unusual moorings in Camargue and on the Mediterranean.  Find out more!
	BICYCLING Your cruise combines well-known sights of Provence with intimate and unusual moorings in Camargue and on the Mediterranean - for an entirely personalized experience. Find out more!
	SHOPPING We wander the narrow streets of lovely Provençal villages and towns, visiting the many little shops where French treasures are awaiting you. Find out more!