'Napoleon'

Arles to Tain l’Hermitage, cruising on the River Rhone through Provence

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.

Tain L’Hermitage to Chalon-sur-Saône on the River Rhone and River Saône

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

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.
At Valence train station you are met by the barge guide who escorts you on your transfer to the barge for your cruise along the Rivers Rhône and Saône. A champagne reception welcomes you aboard and gives you a chance to meet the crew. Later, you are taken to a local vineyard for your first wine tasting at Mr Ferraton’s winery.

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, you visit the Roman city of Vienne. The 2,000 year old amphitheatre overlooks the town and the River Rhône and is the main venue for the Vienne Jazz Festival.

Tuesday - Cruise to Lyon. Visit Lyon.
Enjoy the cruise towards Lyon, France’s second largest city. It is a cultural, historic, gastronomic and commercial centre little known outside 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.

Wednesday - Cruise to Macon. Visit the 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 smaller and quieter than the Rhône. After lunch visit the Beaujolais vineyards for an opportunity to taste the wines.

Thursday - Visit Cluny and Cormatin. Cruise to Chalon sur Saône.
This morning visit the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Its church is a masterpiece of Romanesque art whose influence spread throughout the western Christian world. Later, tour the Chateau of Cormatin, a 17th century renaissance style chateau with elegant formal gardens. Cruise to Châlon sur Saône, a beautiful town with a fine pedestrian centre.

Friday - Cruise to St Jean. Visit Beaune.
Your final cruise takes you to Seurre. Tour Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, and visit the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Later enjoy some free time in town. The boat continues to St Jean de Losne where the chef is preparing a feast for your farewell dinner.

Saturday – Disembark.
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Dijon and your onward travel...