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The first barge I ever
went aboard and stayed on was the gorgeous Etoile barge, owned and run by husband
and wife team Cobie and Mathias Gilles (Cobie, left) As a ‘first barging
experience’ it couldn’t be bettered...
click on pictures to
enlarge.
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Cruising in Provence, southern
Burgundy and the Canal du Midi, the Etoile can accommodate up to 7
people in the cosiest of cabins. Beds are off the floor and set into the
wall so you really do feel as if you’re in a nest! Glorious textiles
have been used to create pretty, comfortable interiors in which you
quickly feel at home and refreshing sleep is always possible. Two of the
three double cabins have king sized beds, the third is queen-sized but
still very spacious. Bathrooms are also very pretty with lots of
attention to detail and powerful, refreshing showers.
The Etoile offers ‘Barge and Cook’
cruise as well as the favourite classic barge cruises and ‘bike and
barge’ and wine cruises. See the following pages for ‘barge and Cook’
itinerary and full information. If you would like to receive other
itineraries by e-mail please contact us.
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ETOILE'S 'BARGE AND COOK' CRUISES...
A CULINARY, CRUISING WEEK WITH PERSONAL INSTRUCTION!
CALLING ALL GOURMETS!!!
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Your cruise combines well-known sights
of Provence, open-air markets, typical Provencal recipes with intimate
and unusual moorings in Camargue and on the Mediterranean – for an
entirely personalized experience This itinerary comes with a choice of
recipes you would like to learn. On L’Etoile and Etoile II the kitchen
is open to the living room and daily demonstrations are given by your
chef Cobie. At the end of this week, you will return home with all new
recipe ideas.
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Sunday:
You will be met at the location of your choice in
Montpellier, which is easily accessible by TGV train from Paris or
as a rental car return point. You will be transferred to your charming
barge home, moored near Frontignan, known for its
sweet Muscat aperitif wine. You will be welcomed aboard with a champagne
toast and the first of many gourmet dinners.
Monday:
We will cruise this morning to the most peaceful and romantic
mooring of this cruise: at the
6th century Maguelone Cathédral
on a peninsula with the Canal on one side and the
Mediterranean on the other! There is much to experience
- from a walk to this special Cathedral, a bike ride in to nearby
villages, observing flamingo’s, to an afternoon at the
beach. This afternoon, your chef Cobie will demonstrate some easy
Provencal
appetizers
for cocktail hour. There will be
time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, followed by a memorable dinner
on board in view of the Mediterranean.
Tuesday:
A morning cruise on the Canal du Rhône a Sète through the
stunningly beautiful Camargue National Park. During
this cruise we can observe the wild Camargue horses. We moor right at
the gates of the amazing 13th century walled town
of
Aigues-Mortes, an embarkation port for the Crusades. There are many
historical sites to visit and there will be time to
climb the walls, shop for souvenirs or relax in one of the many outdoor
cafés. Back on the barge for your next cooking lesson.
Dinner is on board.
Wednesday:
This morning we go to the
open-air market, just outside the
city walls of Aigues - Mortes to buy a variety of
fresh vegetables. Back on the barge, during our cruise, we will prepare
our own
summer salads
and various dressings for
our lunch. We will cruise through beautiful country side, home to
various wildlife including black bulls and the beautiful
white Camargue horses and moor in the harbour of
St. Gilles, where you
can visit the Abbey with its ‘book of stone’ façade,
and the 11th Century crypts.
This evening we dine out locally, toexperience a choice of regional recipes.
Thursday:
After visiting the lively open air-market in St Gilles, and a
visit to a nearby
‘Moulin a huile d’olive’. On our
way back to the barge, we will pick some
fresh herbs
in the fields we
are going to pass and we return to the barge for
lunch. During our afternoon cruise to our mooring in the neighbourhood
of Beaucaire, we will explain more about another
specialty of France, the
cheeses, and prepare
the starter for thisevening, with as ingredients, olive oil, fresh basil,tomatoes and goats cheese!
Friday:
In the morning you will awake with the smell of
fresh baked bread
and after breakfast, you will tour the
Palais du Pape in Avignon.
There will be
a special wine tasting, introducing
you to
the art of combination of food and wine. If you wish, there will be free time to shop and stroll in this
sophisticated town, including a visit to our preferred shop
for cookware purchases. Lunch will be ready upon arrival and we will
spend the whole afternoon to prepare all kinds of
goodies and specialties for this evening’s celebration of our wonderful
week we had all together!
Saturday:
You'll say "Au Revoir" and depart after breakfast for transfer
to Avignon. There is, at present, a TGV train departure
to Paris and a departure to Nice. You may also be transferred to the
airport, rental car office, or hotel.
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You can make a choice of recipes you would
like to
learn: (and Etoile is open to your suggestions
too!)
Starters:
Zukini soup, Cucumber soup
Minestrone soup, Pumpkin soup
Soupe au Pistou
Summer salads
Tomates au chèvre frais et au basilic
Main Courses :
Blanquette de Veau
Daube Méridionale
Poulet au whiskey
Boeuf Bourguignon
Fricassée de poisson
Pies salées :
Quiche lorraine
Tarte aux Poireaux
Pissaladière
Desserts :
Lemon soufflé
Tarte aux poires et cerises
Tarte tatin
Mousse au chocolat
Appetizers :
Poichichade
Tapenade
Saumon au pot
Pâté de foies de volailles
Guacamole
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