Camargue

The history of the MS Camargue

In 1995, the MS Camargue marked Alsace Croisières’ move onto the rivers of southern France. On February 25, it launched the company’s first Rhône cruise, sailing from Chalon-sur-Saône to Martigues. Before its maiden voyage, the ship had been brought by sea from Belgium to Marseille, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

From Chalon-sur-Saône, the vessel travelled south along the Saône to Lyon, where it joins the Rhône, then continued towards Martigues. The Saône rises near Vioménil in the Vosges and is 482 kilometres long. It is navigable from Corre in Haute-Saône, where it meets the Canal des Vosges. VNF distinguishes the Petite Saône, which runs as far as Saint-Jean-de-Losne, from the Grande Saône, which continues to its confluence with the Rhône in Lyon. According to VNF, the Petite Saône is navigable for 159 kilometres from Corre to Saint-Jean-de-Losne.

The company’s history began in 1976 with a route from Strasbourg to Plobsheim. To operate it, Alsace Croisières initially chartered a vessel from the Port of Strasbourg, offering lunch and dancing on board. In 1982, the company acquired its first vessel, the Alsace I. Later, it introduced longer river cruises to Rüdesheim. In 1984, it began offering multi-day trips from Strasbourg to the Lorelei, initially with overnight stays in hotels. When guests wanted to stay on board overnight, the first cabin ships followed: the Hansi, Kléber and Petite France. This made longer trips on the Rhine and its tributaries possible. After operating on the Rhine and its tributaries, the company began service on the Danube in 1993; two years later, the MS Camargue became its first vessel to operate on the Rhône.

Refit and a new look

Alsace Croisières was renamed CroisiEurope in 1997. In 2015, after around 20 years on the Rhône, the ship underwent a complete refit and refurbishment. It was awarded a five-anchor classification. The cabins were made considerably more spacious, and the interior design was also updated. The colours and decor were intended to evoke the atmosphere of the Provençal Rhône.