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Napoleon
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The Napoléon is a beautifully appointed river cruiser, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambience of a country inn. The boat can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests on three spacious decks. A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located on the top deck; the main deck contains the salon and dining room and one state cabin. The lower deck contains the remaining five guest cabins. The boat is air conditioned throughout.
 

Cruise Highlights:

Napoleon cruises through the Vallée du Rhône and Provence between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage, a region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization and ruins of fortifications, arenas
and aqueducts. The endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are all synonymous with this region. Excursions are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the story book towns of Orange, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Pont-du-Gard.

Itinerary 1 - Arles to Tain l'Hermitage

Sunday – Paris to Avignon.
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV in the afternoon. On arrival at Avignon you are met by your guide and transferred to the Napoléon and your cruise along the River Rhône. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. A late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles is your first taste of Rhône River cruising. After dinner, take a walking tour of Arles, where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and ‘89 painting.

Monday - Visit St. Rémy. Cruise to Avignon.
Today, visit a traditional 18thcentury “Provencal Bastide” in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch on-board. Relax during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of the Rhône Valley drift by. Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d’Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay facing the gate to the walled city. Visit the Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Tuesday – Cruise to St.-Etiennes-des-Sorts. Visit Avignon.
A walking tour introduces you to the walled city of Avignon, home of the Popes from 1309-77. A guided tour of the Palace of the Popes is followed by some time at leisure. Return to the barge where lunch awaits and an afternoon cruise. Visit Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday – Cruise to Viviers. Visit Orange.
This morning your guide takes you on a tour of Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe. Lunch back on board and continue the cruise to the mooring at Viviers. There’s time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town.

Thursday – Visit Château de Grignan. Visit Nyons. Cruise to La Voulte.
Today’s visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, to visit a working lavender distillery and tour an ancient XVIII century olive mill. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the very scenic village of Grignan. In the afternoon, visit a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive and unusual mushroom. Rejoin the boat at La Pouzin, to continue the cruise to La Volte.

Friday - Cruise to Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon. Dégustation.
This morning, the chef takes you to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte followed by a leisurely lunch on board. During this part of the cruise the river valley is flanked by the vineyards of the Côte du Rhône and has a completely different perspective. Mooring in Tain or Tournon you are escorted to Mr Ferraton’s winery for your last dégustation. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday – Valence to Paris.
After breakfast disembark the Napoléon and transfer to Valence railway station. Board the TGV to Paris, Gare de Lyon, where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.

Itinerary 2: Saint-Jean-de-Losne to Lyon

Sunday – Paris to Dijon.
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Dijon station you are met by your guide and transferred to the barge at St. Jean for your cruise through Burgundy and down the River Saône. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. A cocktail cruise introduces you to the delights of cruising. Later enjoy your first dining experience on board.

Monday - Visit Clos de Vougeot. Cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Visit the ‘Clos de Vougeot’, a medieval chateau and the headquarters of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, whose special label is awarded annually to the finest Côte d’Or vintages. Enjoy the opportunity to see a family run winery and to sample wines that may never reach your corner of the world. The barge continues cruising and moors in Châlon for the evening. This afternoon take a walking tour of Chalon-sur-Saône.

Tuesday - Visit Beaune. Cruise to Tournus.
Today your guide escorts you to Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, for a visit to the famous Hôtel-Dieu, Hospice de Beaune. Return to the boat for lunch and an afternoon’s cruise. Once moored at Tournus for the night, take a leisurely walk to the Romanesque church of St. Philibert on the banks of the Saône.

Wednesday – Cruise to Mâcon. Visit Cluny.
This morning’s visit is to the Abbey of Cluny, for centuries the largest church in the world. The mooring this evening is Mâcon, a thriving market town bordering both the Mâconnais and the Beaujolais vineyards.

Thursday – Visit Solutré. Cruise Montmerle. Visit the Château de Fléchères.
In the morning, visit Solutré, a typical village of the Mâconnais region. The Roche de Solutré is a picturesque site with a superb view of Mâcon, the River Saône and the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards. After lunch, visit the Château de Fléchères built in 1630 and set in 80 acres of parkland.

Friday – Cruise to Lyon. Visit Lyon.
Visit is Lyon, a cultural, historic and gastronomic 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 is renowned for its quality and includes many chic boutiques. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday – Lyon -Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to the Lyon rail station. Board the TGV to Paris, Gare de Lyon, where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.
 

Itinerary 3: Lyon to Avignon

Sunday – Paris to Lyon.
Depart Paris Gare de Lyon in the afternoon on the TGV train. On arrival at Lyon station you are met by your Guide and transferred to the barge 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. Return to the barge for a cruise down the river to Condrieu. 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 and the Côtes du Rhône that seem to descend right to the river. In the afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery and take time to explore Tain l’Hermitage which includes the famous Valrhona chocolate shop.

Wednesday - Cruise to Viviers. Visit Château de Grignan.
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. Time permitting a visit to 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. 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.

Friday –Cruise to Avignon. Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Avignon.
Cruise to Châteauneuf-du-Pape 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 magnificent. Today includes a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Avignon -Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Avignon TGV station. Return to Paris (Gare de Lyon) on the TGV.
 

Itinerary 4: Tain l'Hermitage to Chalon-sur-Saone

Sunday - Paris to Valence. Tain l’Hermitage.
Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Valence station you are met by your guide and transferred to the Napoléon for your cruise along the Rivers Rhône and Saône. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. You are then taken to Mr Ferraton’s winery 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, 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 their quality, including many chic boutiques.

Wednesday - Cruise to Montmerle. Visit Château de Fléchères.
Leave the city of Lyon behind 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 then take a short drive to the beautiful Château de Fléchères built in 1630 and set in 80 acres of parkland.

Thursday - Cruise to Mâcon. Visit Cluny.
This morning we cruise to Mâcon, a thriving market town bordering the Mâconnais wine region. After lunch, we visit the Abbey of Cluny, for centuries the largest church in the world.

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, visit Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, for a tour of the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospice de Beaune followed by a special wine tasting in Drouhin. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday – Disembark. Transfer to Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Dijon and your return to Paris on the TGV where you are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage.
 

Rates 2010:

Note: All prices are in Euro €