A PROVENCE RHONE RIVER Itinerary (between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage or reverse),
on the River Rhone
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Cruise route map
(Click to enlarge) |
The day to day itinerary described below is a sample of a typical cruise on the Napoléon. However,
on any one cruise, the moorings may change, there may be fewer or more excursions, the
places visited may vary depending on the season and the passenger preferences.
Sunday, Day 1 - Avignon
You will be met in the afternoon at the Avignon train station by the Napoléon guide. After gathering your
baggage you will be driven by mini-van to Vallabrègues for your cruise on the Napoléon. A champagne reception
welcomes you and gives you a chance to greet the crew while your luggage is brought aboard.
A late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles will be your first taste of Rhône River cruising. Once
moored in Arles and if time permits your guide will take you on a tour of Arles, best known in modern times
because Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and 89 painting here and at St. Rémy. If not, there is always tomorrow.
Dinner will be served at 8pm (but the time for meals on board can be altered to suit the passengers’
wishes during your cruise week).
Monday, Day 2 - Cruise to Avignon. Visit Les Baux, St. Rémy
Shortly after today’s bread and croissants have been retrieved from the local bakery the Napoléon will set
off for the cruise to Avignon. Today, you will visit Les Baux and St. Rémy and then rejoin the Napoléon for
lunch in Vallabrègues. The afternoon cruise to Avignon is not to be missed. Avignon, the home of the popes
from 1309-77, is magnificent in its grandeur as one cruises past Le Pont St. Bénézet (Le Pont d’Avignon) to
the evening’s mooring at the quay, facing the gate to the walled city. So, if you are up to a morning stroll it
should be an early one. This is a good time to check out the boat’s amenities, the library of books, music
and videos in the salon, the keyboard if you are musically inclined, or relax and catch up on the news in the
International Herald Tribune and, by all means, lounge on the top deck and watch the passing scenery of
the Rhône Valley.
Tuesday, Day 3 – Cruise to St. Etiennes des Sorts. Visit Avignon.
The day begins early for those who wish to accompany the chef to Avignon’s market for breakfast, a great
opportunity to sample the produce of the vendors before the market is really open for business. Following
this, a walking tour of the walled city, a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes and the Cathedral of Notre
Dame. Back down the ramparts to the Napoléon where another scrumptious lunch awaits you. The boat will
leave Avignon and cruise to Duc d’Albe, a mooring from which you will visit Château de la Nerthe for a tasting
of the wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe. Return to the boat in a happy mood for the continuation of
the day’s cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.
Wednesday, Day 4 – Cruise to Viviers. Visit Orange and Pont du Gard.
This morning‘s excursion may include a visit to Bagnols/Cèze (if the Avignon market was not visited). The
Napoléon will cruise to the lock at Bollène at which point the passengers will disembark for the tour of Orange,
an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman
monuments in Europe. The Théâtre Antique d’Orange is renowned worldwide as a site for cultural events
such as Les Chorégies d’Orange, a festival of opera, drama and ballet. We offer special opera cruises during
the festival in this remarkable open-air arena. The Arc de Triomphe celebrates Julius Caesar’s conquest
of the Gauls and victory over the Greek fleet. Lunch back on board. Time permitting you will also visit the
Pont du Gard, part of the aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to the Romans in Nîmes. Cruise
to tonight’s mooring at Viviers, a charming medieval town currently undergoing a renovation. Challenge the
crew to a game of Pétanque before dinner
Thursday, Day 5 - Cruise to La Voulte. Visit Château de Grignan.
The van will be ready early to take you to visit the Château de Grignan where the daughter of Mde. de
Sévigné resided. The separation of mother and daughter was the motivation for the famous letters of
Mde. de Sévigné. A late lunch on board the boat while cruising to La Voulte and an afternoon visit to a
local truffle farm.
Friday, Day 6 - Cruise to Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon. Dégustation.
The river valley during this part of the cruise has a completely different perspective, flanked by the
vineyards of the Côte du Rhône. Mooring in Tain/Tournon you will be escorted to a local vineyard for
your last dégustation. Meanwhile the chef is preparing a farewell feast. How about a final game of
pétanque to get you in the right mood for your farewell dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 - Disembark Napoléon.
Passengers disembark the Napoléon after breakfast and are transferred to the train station in Valence
for their onward travel.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
SOUTHERN BURGUNDY Itinerary (between Tain L’Hermitage and Chalon-sur-Saône or reverse)
on the River Rhone and River Saône
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Cruise route map
(Click to enlarge) |
The day to day itinerary described is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings
may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.
Sunday - Valence. Tain l’Hermitage.
You are met by the Napoleon guide at Valence Train Station and transferred to the Napoléon for your
cruise along the Rivers Rhône and Saône. A champagne reception welcomes you aboard and gives you
a chance to meet the crew. You are then taken to Mr Ferraton’s local vineyard for your first wine tasting.
Monday - Cruise to Condrieu. Visit Vienne.
Cruising the Vallée du Rhône is a delightful experience; the magnificent vineyards of the Côtes Rôtie
and the Côtes du Rhône seem to descend right into the river. After lunch, we visit the ancient city of
Vienne with its many Roman remains including an amphitheatre and aqueduct and the outstanding
temple of Augusta and Livia.
Tuesday - Cruise to Lyon Visit Lyon
Enjoy the morning’s cruise to Lyon. Today you have lunch in the centre of Lyon before exploring
France’s second city. Dominating the city is the splendidly ornate Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière.
Lyon’s shopping facilities are renowned for its quality, including many chic boutiques and a market hall
devoted entirely to antiques.
Wednesday - Cruise to Montmerle. Visit Beaujolais.
Leave the city of Lyon behind you as we cross from the River Rhône onto the River Saône, a new pace
develops as the Saône is a smaller and quieter river than the Rhône. After lunch we moor in Montmerle
where you take a drive into Beaujolais where you have an opportunity to taste the famous wine. Later,
we make a stop at an escargots farm where you can sample this local delicacy.
Thursday - Cruise to Mâcon. Visit Cluny and Cormatin.
This morning we cruise to Mâcon, a thriving market town bordering the Mâconnais wine region. After
lunch, we visit the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. The abbey church is a masterpiece of Romanesque art
whose influence spread throughout the western Christian world. Then on to Château de Cormatin, a
17th century renaissance-style château with elegant formal gardens.
Friday - Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône. Visit Beaune.
Your final cruise takes you into Chalon-sur-Saône, a beautiful town with a fine pedestrian centre. After
lunch you visit Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and visit the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospice
de Beaune and then enjoy some free time for shopping. Back on board the chef is preparing a
feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday – Disembark.
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Dijon for your onward travel.
Tain L’Hermitage to St.Jean-de-Losne
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Cruise route map
(Click to enlarge) |
The day to day itinerary described is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise the moorings
may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.
Sunday- Lyon
Board the barge moored in Lyon for your cruise up the River Saône and through Burgundy. A champagne
reception welcomes you on board and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later this evening
enjoy your first dining experience on board.
Monday - Visit Lyon. Cruise to Montmerle
Today's visit is to Lyon, the second city of France. Lyon is a cultural, historic, gastronomic, and commercial
centre, little known outside of France. Dominating the city is the splendidly ornate Basilica of
Notre Dame de Fourvière. The standard of Lyon's shopping facilities is renowned for its quality and includes
many chic boutiques and a market hall devoted entirely to antiques. There is free time for shopping
or perhaps just sit in one of the numerous pavement cafés and simply watch the world go by. After
lunch relax on the top deck and watch the passing scenery of the river Saône. Tonight we are
moored in the town of Montmerle which is set in the heart of the Beaujolais wine region.
Tuesday - Cruise to Mâcon. Visit Roche de Solutré and Pouilly-Fuissé
Cruise this morning to Mâcon. Visit the Roche de Solutre, a picturesque site with a superb view of
Mâcon, the River Saône and the vineyards. Stop along the route to enjoy a wine tasting in the village
of Fuissé, where the vines grow right up to the village walls. The roads actually seem to get narrower,
encroached by the vines planted as tightly as possible in every available space. The mooring this evening
is Mâcon, a thriving market town bordering both the Mâconnais and the Beaujolais vineyards.
Wednesday - Cruise to Tournus. Visit Abbey of Cluny
After breakfast, relax on board and savour the beauty of Burgundy and Beaujolais as you cruise the
River Saône to Tournus. The afternoon's visit is to the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny, for centuries the
largest church in the world. The abbey church is a masterpiece of Romanesque art whose influence
spread throughout the western Christian world. Our mooring this evening is in the pretty town of Tournus.
Thursday - Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône. Visit Beaune
This morning we cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône before enjoying lunch at the famous Relais et Chateaux
hotel in Levernois. After a stroll around the grounds In the afternoon your guide escorts you to
Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and a visit to the famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de
Beaune. You will have the chance to explore Joseph Drouhin's cellar, where the King of France and the
Duke of Burgundy used to store some of their wines. The town itself has hardly changed in appearance
throughout the years; it's tiny centre is a dense maze of narrow old streets with a circular boulevard
running round it's former ramparts, many of which still stand. Our mooring tonight is is Chalon-sur-
Saône, the last of the Burgundian style river towns, and one of the major cities of the Saône valley.
Friday - Visit Châlon market and Dijon. Cruise to St. Jean de Losne
This morning you may take a walking tour of the pedestrian area of Chalon-sur-Saône. As it is market day
you should enjoy the wonderful atmosphere in the cathedral square with stallholders busy selling their locally
produced cheeses, pates and delicacies. Continue the cruise up the River Saône to St Jean de Losne.
Why not take a stroll over to the port and see the many working and pleasure barges. Back on board the
chef is preparing a feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday - Disembark.
After breakfast, disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements
PROVENCE RHONE RIVER Itinerary (between Lyon and Avignon) on the River Rhone
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Cruise route map
(Click to enlarge) |
Sunday - Lyon
Board the barge moored in Lyon for your cruise along the River Rhône. A champagne reception welcomes
you and gives you a chance to meet the crew. A cocktail cruise through the center of Lyon is a wonderful
introduction to river cruising.
Monday - Cruise to Les Roches de Condrieu. Visit Lyon
Shortly after breakfast your guide will take you on a walking tour of Lyon - a cultural, historic, gastronomic,
and commercial center, little known outside of France. There is free time to enjoy the many great
shops of this famous city, or perhaps simply just sit in a pavement cafe and watch the world go by. Return
to the barge for a cruise down the river to Condrieu. The River Rhône is a fast flowing important river
where you you will see many commercial boats, private house boats and pleasure craft navigating its waterways.
Relax on the deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by.
Tuesday - Cruise to Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon. Wine Tasting
This morning enjoy a cruise down the Vallée du Rhône with the magnificent vineyards of the Côtes Rôties
that seem to descend right to the river. In the afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, just steps
from where the barge moors. Take time to explore Tain l'Hermitage which includes the famous Valrhona
chocolate shop.
Wednesday - Cruise to Viviers. Visit Château de Grignan. Lunch and truffle tasting
Visit the Château de Grignan where the daughter of Madame de Sévigné resided. The collection of letters
of the Marquise de Sévigné to her daughter is widely recognized as a masterpiece of French literature. We
have lunch today in this picturesque little town. Afterwards we visit the truffle farm to discover the delight
of these sought-after mushrooms. The boat will continue its course downstream to Viviers, a charming
medieval town.
Thursday - Cruise to St. Étienne-des-Sorts. Visit Orange
Leaving Viviers the scenery continues to change as the broad basin that is known as the ‘Fruit Basket of
France’ opens up. Lunch is served during the cruise to St. Étienne. We pass through one of the largest
locks (écluses) in Europe, with a drop of over 23 metres - a truly impressive sight. The afternoon's excursion
is to Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. This historical town contains two of the
finest Roman monuments in Europe. Tonight we moor in the small village of St Étienne des Sorts.
Friday - Cruise to Avignon. Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Avignon
Cruise to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the summer home for the Popes of Avignon, for a tour of Château la
Nerthe and a tasting of the famous wines of the region. Rejoin the barge for a lunch cruise to Avignon.
Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) to the mooring at the quay opposite the
gate to the walled city. Home of the Popes from 1309-77, Avignon is a magnificent and historical town.
Today includes a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes and afterwards there is some free time for
shopping or perhaps, just sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world go by.
Meanwhile your chef is busy back on board preparing for your Farewell gala dinner.
Saturday - Avignon.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
SPECIAL ‘GRAND CRU’ WINE CRUISE WEEK
Between Macon and St Jean de Losne on the River Saône
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Cruise route map
(Click to enlarge) |
DAY ONE—Paris to Macon
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Macon you are met by the
Barge Guide and transferred to the Napoléon for your Grand Cru cruise. A champagne cruise welcomes
you on board. Dinner on board is hosted by your resident wine expert, and accompanied by the first selection
of Grand Crus.
DAY TWO—Mooring Tournus
The morning is spent taking a Burgundy wine class as you cruise towards Tournus. After lunch on
board, explore Domaine Joseph Drouhin’s cellar where the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy
used to store wines, followed by tastings of the winemaker’s choice. Dinner on board with your afternoon’s
vineyard host and his selection of Grand Crus. Overnight on board at Tournus.
DAY THREE—Mooring Châlon
Relax during a morning cruise before lunch on board. Continue cruising before a visit to Drouhin-
Laroze estate in Gevrey Chambertin for a ‘dégustation’ followed by a Burgundian dinner off the barge
with the winemaker’s choice of Grand Crus. Later perhaps, a walk in Châlon where the Napoléon is
moored for the night.
DAY FOUR—Mooring Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
Disembark for a picnic at the ‘Clos des Mouches’ vineyard. Arrive in Beaune, capital of the wine region
of Burgundy, for a visit to the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospices de Beaune. Later visit the third of your
Grand Crus vineyards and enjoy tastings of the winemaker’s choice. Dinner on board.
DAY FIVE—Mooring Seurre
Spend the morning cruising before lunch on board. In the afternoon take your final visit to a Grand Cru
vineyard at the Domaine Ponsot for a tasting from the barrels followed by a walk in the vineyard. Dinner
onboard with the winemaker and his choice of Grands Crus. Overnight on board at Seurre.
DAY SIX—Mooring St Jean
Take a walking tour past the elegant houses of Dijon and visit the Ducal Palace, shops and the
‘Maille’ mustard shop. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure. After lunch on board, cruise to
your final mooring at St Jean de Losne. Dinner on board with your resident wine expert and the
last of the 33 Grand Crus.
DAY SEVEN—Paris
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Dijon and your return to Paris on the TGV.
On arrival you are met by the Barge Representative who will assist you with your luggage.
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