The 12 passenger Napoléon is a magnificent river cruiser, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambience of a country inn. She is beautifully appointed with large picture windows that provide unsurpassed views of the countryside.
Napoléon cruises the Rhône between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon; sun-drenched landscapes that inspired the great canvases of Cézanne and Van Gogh.
A region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization and ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts that continue to amaze modern engineers. The endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are synonymous with Provence.
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 and Glanum.
Cruise Highlights
Cuisine Aboard
All-inclusive open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
Tomato bisque with Avacado Cream
Avignon, the Pope's Palace, Chateauneuf du Pape wine tasting
Stuffed trout with spinach and dil
Walking tour of Van Gogh's Arles
Sauteed Guinea hen with carrots, green beans and almonds
The Theatre Antique d'Orange and the Arc de Triomphe.
Salad and cheese
Visit to lavender distillery
Melon, lemon or raspberry sorbet
Truffle tasting
Coffee, tea, and chocolates
Experience Lezignan's colorful indoor market
Accompanied by wines from the main wine regions of France
Visit Béziers cathedral and 600 B.C. L'Oppium D'Enserune
Itinerary
Sunday: Day 1 - Vallabregues to Arles
Guests will be met at a designated meeting point in Avignon on Sunday afternoon and transferred to Napoleon for the cruise along the River Rhône. A champagne reception will give you the chance to meet the crew, followed by a late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles for your first taste of River Rhône cruising. After dinner aboard, take a walking tour of Arles, where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and 1889 painting some of his finest works.
Monday: Day 2 - Arles to Avignon
Today, visit a traditional 18th century “Provencal Bastide” in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch aboard. 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. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday: Day 3 - Avignon to St. Etienne des Sorts
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 another relaxing afternoon cruise. Then there is a visit to Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting before continuing the cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts. Dinner aboard.
Wednesday: Day 4 - St. Etienne des Sorts to Viviers
This morning your guide takes you on a tour of Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 B.C. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe - The Theatre Antique d'Orange and the Arc de Triomphe. Lunch back on board and we continue the cruise to our evening mooring at Viviers. There's time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town before dinner aboard.
Thursday: Day 5 - Viviers to La Voulte
Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, to see 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, we visit a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive and unusual mushroom. After rejoining the barge at La Pouzin, we continue our cruise to La Voulte. Dinner aboard.
Friday: Day 6 - La Voulte to Tain - L'Hermitage
This morning, our 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, offering a completely different perspective. Later in the day, after mooring in Tain or Tournon you are escorted to Mr Ferraton's winery for your last dégustation. Farewell gala dinner aboard.
Saturday: Day 7 - Tain-L'Hermitage
After breakfast, guests disembark and are transferred to the local railway station.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the curise is in the reverse direction.
2009 Departure Dates
2009 Departure Dates
(Sundays)
2009 Cruise Rates
April 5, 12, 19, 26
Suite per person
$5,500
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Single Supplement
$1,375
June 7, 14, 21, 28
Charter 8 passengers whole boat
$54,000
July 5, 12, 19, 26
Charter 9 passengers whole boat
$57,000
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Charter 10 passengers whole boat
$60,000
September 6, 13, 20, 27
Charter 11 passengers whole boat
$63,000
October 4, 11, 18, 25
Charter 12 passengers whole boat
$66,000
Contact us for special pricing
Contact us now to book this cruise or for more information Contact
Prices Do Not Include: Insurance nor gratuities.
For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise line and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.
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