Check-in starts at 2:00pm at the port of Lyon. At 5:00pm our ship will cast of, giving you the time to explore your floating hotel.
Sunday Chalon-sur-Saone/Macon
In the morning, your ship will dock in Chalon-sur-Saone. Optional tour to visit the famous monastery Cluny with us (tour only bookable on board). In the early Middle Ages, Cluny was the most important Monastery in Europe. It was the center, from which several hundred daughter monasteries were governed - all over Europe, scattered from Scotland to Poland. Thus, Cluny also significantly influenced Germanys cultural development. Until the construction of the Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, the abbey church in Cluny was the largest Christian church in the world, from which the French Revolution unfortunately left only a few ruins, which, nevertheless, are still an impressive sight. After the tour we meet up with the ship in Macon
Monday Macon
Macon is located on a beautiful landscape near the river Saone in the south of Burgundy.
Tuesday Viviers
In the morning your ship reaches Viviers. Accompany us to one of the most important natural sites in France during our trip to Ardeche Ravine. The Ardeche Ravine in the northern Provence is known for its incomparable scenic beauty: steep rocky slopes, basalt layers and at the bottom a blue river, embedded into this landscape. Early evening, we depart towards Arles.
Wednesday Arles
In the morning you will have the opportunity to participate in an excursion to the Camargue and Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The Camargue is the area between the two junction arms of the Rhone, which divides in the northern Arles. The biggest part of the Camargue is used agriculturally for growing vegetables, fruit and rice as well as for livestock breeding. The Camargue belongs almost entirely to the city of Arles, making it the largest community of France. The largest city is the sanctuary of Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. This city has an old fortified church from the 9th Century with the relics of the the Virgin Mary Jakoboaa and the St. Maria Salome (since 1448). There is also a theater and three museums. The Camargue is also known for its saltworks and for the extraction of the fleur de sel. On the northern edge of the Camargue lies Arles, a classic provencal city. Contemporary authors praised this city, back then counting about 100,000 inhabitants, as the Gallula Roma - the small Gallic Rome. Many magnificent buildings remind of the glorious Roman past: for example, the powerful arena and the burial ground Les Alyscamps, which once was lain at the gates of the city. We will leave Arles, the city where van Gogh used to spend a year, early afternoon and we will reach Avignon in a few hours.
Thursday Avignon
Avignon is one of the few major towns, whose medieval encircling walls have remained almost completely intact. The contractees of this impressive monument were popes, who resided in Avignon, and whose influence is well-documented with the monumental Papal Palace with its towering facade, which you will witness from outside in our city tour in the morning. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Lyon.
Friday Vienne/ Lyon
Early morning we will make a quick stop in Vienne, to give the participants of the tour to Les Halle (Market hall) and Lyon the opportunity to leave the deck. Guests, who do not participate in the excursion, stay on board and head to Lyon by boat. The city center of Lyon also offers numerous historic buildings and elegant places to visit. Especially around the centrally located Place des Terreaux wonderful buildings await you. The old town on the banks of the Saone belongs to the World Cultural Heritage since 1998. Since we have reached the endpoint of our journey in Lyon, the ship will stay here over night, which gives you the chance to walk the winding little streets or enjoy the beautiful view of the city from the hill Fourviere.
Saturday Lyon/ Departure
After breakfast - Disembark.
2010 Departures
2010 Prices
Departure Date
Cabin rates are per passenger in $USD
Lower Deck 1
Category S
Lower Deck 1
Category A
Middle Deck 2
Category C
w/french doors
Upper Deck 3
Category D
w/french doors
9/11/2010
$1,672
$2,122
$2,518
$2,698
10/2/2010
$1,798
$2,248
$2,698
$2,878
Prices Include:
• Cruise in selected cabin category
• Special shore excursion package w/English guide
• All on board meals
• Port charges and taxes
Prices Do Not Include:
• Individual arrival and departure
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities
• Other personal expenses
Excursions:
• Included Special Excursion package
*For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.
