Sunday - Visit Arles.
A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. A late afternoon cruise from Arles is your first taste of Rhône River cruising. After dinner, take a walking tour of Arles, famous for it's Roman ruins and also where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and '89 painting.
Monday - Visit St. Rémy. Cruise to Avignon.
Today, visit a traditional 18th century "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. Return to the boat for drinks on the deck, followed by a wonderful dinner.
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 free time to enjoy some shopping or perhaps, to take a drink in a pavement café and watch the world go by. Return to the barge where lunch awaits and an afternoon cruise. Visit the world famous Châteauneuf du Pape,summer home of the popes from Avignon, for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to the small village of 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. This afternoon we pass through the lock of Bollene, one of the largest locks (Ecluse) in Europe with a drop of approximately 23 metres. There's time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town.
Thursday - Visit Nyons. Lunch in Grignan. Cruise to La Voulte.
Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, set up high in the hills, 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, filled with small alley ways, famous for it's wild roses and with a medieval Château at the top of the town. 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 walks you over to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte where you have the chance to pick out some local produce to enjoy back on board during a leisurely lunch. 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. We enjoy a private tour and wine tasting just minutes from the boat. Meanwhile the chef is busy back on the boat preparing a Farewell gala dinner.
Saturday - Valence to Paris.
After breakfast disembark the Napoléon for your onward travel arrangements.
