Why We Created A Taste of Provence
Our Exclusive Hosted French Gastronomy Canal Barge Cruise with Chef Clément Chauvin
For years, France Travel Solutions has helped Australian travellers discover France beyond the usual itinerary.
We have shared the villages where locals still gather at the weekly market, the family-run wineries we would happily return to ourselves, the historic towns that reveal a different story around every corner, and the restaurants where a meal becomes one of the most memorable moments of the journey.
Over time, one idea kept returning to us.
What if we could bring everything we love about Southern France together in one intimate and exclusive experience? That idea became A Taste of Provence, our exclusive hosted French gastronomy canal barge cruise, travelling from Sète to Arles from 3 to 9 June 2027.
Created by France Travel Solutions and hosted by Michelin-trained, award-winning French Chef Clément Chauvin, this journey has been designed for travellers who want to experience Provence slowly, personally and through the flavours, landscapes and people that make the region so special.
With only 10 twin-share cabins aboard MS Anne-Marie, the cruise welcomes just 20 guests.
A journey with time to sit on deck and watch the landscape pass by
Time to enjoy a long lunch, meet local producers, explore a market, taste regional wines and understand the traditions behind what is served at the table.
Travelling by canal barge offers a wonderfully different way to experience France. Instead of packing and unpacking as you move between destinations, your boutique floating hotel travels with you.
The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is convivial and the waterways lead you through landscapes that larger vessels simply cannot reach.
Each day reveals another side of Southern France, from the Mediterranean atmosphere of Sète and the shellfish farms of the Thau Lagoon to the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes, the wild landscapes of the Camargue and the Roman heritage of Arles.
A journey that uses gastronomy to tell the story of the region
Food is not simply part of this cruise. It is at the heart of the experience.
Provence, the Camargue and the Mediterranean coast are regions shaped by their produce, seasons and culinary traditions. Seafood arrives fresh from the lagoon and coast. Local markets overflow with fruit, vegetables, herbs, cheeses, charcuterie, olives and regional specialities. Vineyards produce wines that reflect the climate, soil and character of the South of France.
Throughout the Canal Barge Cruise, You will have the opportunity to experience these flavours in the places where they are produced.
You may taste oysters harvested from the Thau Lagoon, discover local delicacies in the Camargue, enjoy regional dishes onboard and learn more about the ingredients, traditions and people behind Provençal cuisine.
Meals are designed to be enjoyed slowly, accompanied by conversation, beautiful surroundings and carefully selected wines.
Hosted by Chef Clément Chauvin
We knew that if we were going to create a journey celebrating French gastronomy, we needed a host who genuinely lives and understands it.
Chef Clément Chauvin was the natural choice.
Michelin-trained and internationally recognised, Chef Clément is known for his passion for authentic French cuisine, regional traditions and the art of bringing people together around the table.
He has been honoured with a prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Award and has built a strong reputation in Australia through his restaurants, culinary work and commitment to sharing French gastronomy.
During A Taste of Provence, Chef Clément will bring his knowledge, personality and experience to the journey in a way that feels warm, personal and approachable.
Guests will enjoy an exclusive signature dinner, a special Bistronomie presentation and opportunities to hear his stories, insights and reflections on French food and culture.
His role goes beyond preparing or presenting dishes.
He will help guests understand why certain ingredients belong to a region, how local traditions influence the way people cook and eat, and why French gastronomy is as much about generosity, sharing and conviviality as it is about technique.
Travelling with Chef Clément adds a truly personal dimension to the cruise. Guests are not simply attending a culinary event. They are sharing the journey with someone whose life and career have been shaped by French cuisine.
Welcome Aboard MS Anne-Marie: Your Boutique Hotel on the Water
MS Anne-Marie offers the perfect setting for this intimate journey. With only 10 twin-share cabins, the atmosphere onboard is relaxed and personal.
Purpose-built to navigate the historic canals linking the Mediterranean to Provence, the vessel can access picturesque waterways, locks and villages beyond the reach of larger cruise ships.
On board, enjoy refined French cuisine in the panoramic restaurant, unwind in the welcoming lounge and bar, relax in the jacuzzi, or take in the ever-changing Provençal scenery from the spacious sun deck as you cruise at the gentle pace that makes canal travel so special.
Why Stop at Seven Days?
When you’ve travelled halfway around the world to experience France, seven days can feel far too short.
That’s why we created two exclusive pre- and post-cruise extensions, designed to transform your canal barge cruise into a complete Southern France journey.
Before you even step aboard MS Anne-Marie—or after you disembark in Arles—you have the opportunity to discover another side of Provence and the French Riviera through carefully curated touring, boutique accommodation, private transfers and hand picked local experiences.
Like the cruise itself, every detail has been thoughtfully designed by France Travel Solutions, allowing you to travel seamlessly while experiencing the very best this remarkable region has to offer.
The Provence Extension
PRE & POST CRUISE – 8 GUESTS MAXIMUM
Stay in Aix-en-Provence and spend your days exploring some of the region’s most iconic villages, vineyards and landscapes. Wander colourful markets overflowing with local produce, enjoy wine tasting in the celebrated vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, cruise the spectacular calanques of Cassis, and discover the timeless beauty of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence.
This extension is an invitation to savour Provence beyond the guidebooks—its gastronomy, its wines, its villages and its unmistakable art de vivre.
Perfect for travellers who love food, wine, culture and authentic French experiences.
Begin your journey beside the sparkling Mediterranean in Nice before discovering the medieval village of Èze, the elegance of Monaco and Monte Carlo, the glamour of Cannes, the perfume capital of Grasse and the artistic charm of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Then continue into Provence, where vineyard-covered landscapes, bustling markets, picturesque villages and exceptional gastronomy offer a completely different side of Southern France.
It is the ultimate Southern France experience, bringing together spectacular coastline, world-famous destinations, remarkable wines, authentic villages in one seamless journey.
Whether you choose the hosted canal barge cruise, extend your stay through Provence, or discover the glamour of the French Riviera before or after your voyage, every moment has been thoughtfully designed to help you experience the true French art de vivre.
With only 20 guests, this exclusive departure offers a rare opportunity to slow down, savour every moment, and discover the France we know and love.
