Caprice – A Charming Boutique Bike & Barge Ship
The Caprice is a small-scale and atmospheric bike & barge ship, offering an unforgettable cycling and cruising holiday in southern France. This comfortable river barge sails between Avignon and Aigues-Mortes, taking you through the lavender fields of Provence and the unique wetlands of the Camargue.
Combining active cycling with relaxed cruising, the Caprice is ideal for travellers who want to explore France’s most beautiful landscapes at a gentle pace. During the day, you cycle through vineyards, historic towns and natural reserves; in the evening, you return to the calm and comfort of the ship.
Thanks to its warm onboard atmosphere, excellent French cuisine and personal, attentive service, the Caprice is the perfect choice for travellers seeking quality, tranquillity and authentic experiences during their bike & barge holiday.
About the Caprice
The Caprice is a charming and compact ship, welcoming just 21 guests. This small scale creates a personal, peaceful and intimate atmosphere, far removed from mass tourism. The interior is warm and homely, with Provençal character, soft colours and elegant wooden details.
The Caprice is particularly suited to travellers who appreciate:
- small group travel
- personal attention and friendly service
- comfort without crowds
- scenic cycling routes through southern France
Whether you are cycling through the Provence countryside or along the waterways of the Camargue, the Caprice offers a relaxed and welcoming base for a memorable bike & barge holiday in France.
Exterior of the Caprice
Comfort and Facilities on Board
The Caprice offers everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing bike & barge holiday. Life on board is designed around ease, warmth and enjoyment after an active day of cycling through Provence and the Camargue.
On board you will find:
- a panoramic restaurant with large windows
- a cosy lounge with bar, board games and books
- a spacious sun deck with tables and chairs
- complimentary coffee, tea and water (still & sparkling)
- free WiFi in the lounge and restaurant
- secure bike storage with charging points for e-bikes
- a delicious afternoon snack after every cycling day
The sun deck is a favourite spot for many guests. It is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the views, soak up the sunshine and share conversations with fellow travellers while the ship gently cruises to the next destination.
Whether you are unwinding after a ride or enjoying a quiet moment on deck, the facilities on board create a calm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the journey.
Lounge
The lounge is the social heart of the barge. It offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, with everything you need to unwind after a day of cycling.
In the lounge you will find:
- comfortable seating areas
- board games and travel books
- a 55-inch multimedia screen
- free WiFi
- a cosy bar
Thanks to the large panoramic windows, you remain constantly connected to the surrounding landscape. Watching the countryside glide by from the lounge is part of what makes a cycling cruise in France such a special and relaxing experience.
Restaurant
Het rThe restaurant on board the Caprice offers a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience during your bike & barge holiday through Provence and the Camargue. Thanks to the large panoramic windows, every meal comes with beautiful views of lavender fields, canals, vineyards and the distinctive landscapes of southern France.
With only 21 guests on board, the atmosphere in the restaurant is personal, warm and intimate — exactly what travellers value in a small-scale bike & barge journey.
Fresh French cuisine on board
The onboard chef prepares dishes using fresh, regional ingredients, serving flavourful meals inspired by Provençal and Camargue cuisine. Each evening you enjoy a three-course dinner featuring traditional French recipes, seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs and a selection of local wines.
Included daily meals
The restaurant provides:
- an extensive breakfast buffet
- a freshly prepared packed lunch for your cycling day
- a daily three-course dinner (one free evening)
- an afternoon snack after each cycling day
- coffee, tea and water available throughout the day
This makes the Caprice an excellent choice for travellers who value comfort, quality and good nutrition during their cycling holiday.
Views and comfort
Thanks to the large windows and the cosy, homely interior, the restaurant offers:
- plenty of natural light and views over the water
- a calm and welcoming atmosphere
- air conditioning
- ample space for small groups
The restaurant on the Caprice combines French hospitality, a relaxed setting and authentic local flavours, making every meal a highlight of your bike & barge holiday between Avignon and Aigues-Mortes.
Cabins & deck
The Caprice has 11 cabins located on the lower deck, each measuring approximately 7–8 m². All cabins are comfortable and practically designed, offering a pleasant place to relax after a day of cycling. Every cabin is equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Twin cabin – lower deck
7–8 m² | 8 cabins | category B
This cabin type is ideal for friends, couples or solo travellers who are looking for a quiet, well-equipped and functional cabin during their bike & barge holiday.
Cabin features include:
- approximately 7–8 m²
- two low single beds
- private bathroom with shower and toilet
- individually adjustable air conditioning
- fixed porthole (not openable)
- safe
- ample wardrobe and storage space
- 220V power outlets (Europlug)
- hairdryer available per cabin
- bed linen and towels included
The compact layout and thoughtful facilities ensure a comfortable stay, while the small scale of the ship contributes to the calm and intimate atmosphere on board.
Bathroom
Double cabin – lower deck
7–8 m² | 2 cabins | category C
This cabin type is perfect for couples who prefer a cosy and comfortable cabin to share during their bike & barge holiday.
Cabin features include:
- approximately 7–8 m²
- one double bed
- en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet
- air conditioning
- porthole
- safe
- storage cabinets
The double cabins offer a warm and intimate atmosphere, providing a pleasant and practical space to relax after a day of cycling and cruising.
Bathroom
Single cabin – lower deck
7–8 m² | 1 cabin | category A
This cabin is the ideal choice for solo travellers who value privacy and comfort during their bike & barge holiday.
Cabin features include:
- approximately 7–8 m²
- one low single bed
- private bathroom with shower and toilet
- air conditioning
- safe
- porthole
- towels and bed linen included
The single cabin offers a quiet and comfortable space to unwind after a day of cycling and cruising through Provence and the Camargue.
Bathroom
The photos shown illustrate the general comfort level of the cabins on board the Caprice. As the ship offers different cabin types and minor layout variations, the allocated cabin may differ slightly in appearance. However, the facilities and comfort level will always be equivalent to the category booked
Deck plan Caprice
View the deck plan of the Caprice to see the layout of the cabins and onboard facilities:
Bike & Barge Holiday in Provence & Camargue
The Caprice is an ideal ship for a bike & barge holiday in Provence and the Camargue, one of the most beautiful cycling and cruising routes in southern France. During the day, you cycle through a varied landscape of vineyards, Rhône canals, medieval villages, salt flats and nature reserves inhabited by flamingos and other wildlife. Along the way, you discover charming towns such as Avignon, Arles and Aigues-Mortes, rich in Roman history, art and Provençal character.
After each cycling day, you return to the comfort of the Caprice, where a personal atmosphere awaits you along with comfortable cabins, a welcoming restaurant, a cosy lounge and a spacious sun deck. The ship follows the cycling route along rivers and canals, allowing you to start and end each day in the same comfortable cabin.
Thanks to its small-scale character, calm sailing itinerary and excellent onboard service, the Caprice is a perfect choice for travellers who want to combine active cycling with relaxed cruising through the landscapes of Provence and the natural beauty of the Camargue.
Technical Details – Caprice
Below you will find the key technical specifications of the Caprice, a small-scale and atmospheric river barge that is perfectly suited for bike & barge cycling holidays in Provence and the Camargue.
The Caprice is a small-scale, traditional river barge with a compact design, making it ideal for bike & barge holidays in Provence and the Camargue. Thanks to its personal service, peaceful atmosphere and cosy character, this comfortable ship is perfect for travellers who appreciate authentic charm and relaxed cruising.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Length | 39 metres |
| Beam (width) | 5.05 metres |
| Draft | approx. 1.20 metres |
| Year built | Originally early 1900s (renovated in 2018, with several refurbishments since) |
| Number of cabins | 11 |
| Maximum passengers | 21 |
| Crew | approx. 4–6 |
| Classification | Comfort / Silver Category |
| Flag | France |
| Type | Classic Dutch barge (single hull) |
FAQ about the Caprice
Barge Caprice is a small and atmospheric Dutch barge, specially designed for bike and barge holidays in southern France. The barge offers 11 cabins, a cosy restaurant, a lounge, a sun deck, and storage space for e-bikes and batteries.
With a maximum of 21 guests on board, the atmosphere is personal and relaxed.
Yes, Barge Caprice is specially designed for bike and boat holidays in Provence and Camargue. The barge follows the route along the canals and the Rhône while you cycle during the day. At the end of each stage, you return to the same cabin on board.
Barge Caprice offers:
- 8 twin cabins with low beds (approx. 7–8 m²)
- 2 double cabins with one double bed
- 1 single cabin
All cabins have a private bathroom, air conditioning, storage space, and a fixed porthole.n.
Yes, every cabin on board Barge Caprice has individually controlled air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable temperature at all times — especially during the warm summer months in southern France.
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in the lounge and common areas on board Barge Caprice. Please note that connections may be slower in rural areas of France.
No, Barge Caprice is not wheelchair accessible. There are stairs between the decks, and the cabins with portholes are located on the lower deck.
Barge Caprice does not offer large-scale entertainment, but on board you can enjoy:
pleasant evenings with fellow travellers
quiet moments and nature on the sun deck
board games
books and travel guides
a television in the lounge
No, personal bikes are not allowed on board Barge Caprice due to limited storage space and safety regulations.
Reliable trekking bikes and e-bikes are available for rent, including insurance.
