Sunday - Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon Board the barge which will be moored at either Tain l'Hermitage or Tournon. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. Once settled onboard, enjoy your first wine tasting at Mr Ferraton's winery just steps from where the boat is moored.
Monday - Cruise to Viviers Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by as the barge cruises to Viviers. Mid-afternoon, your guide takes you on a walking tour of this charming medieval town before returning to the boat to play the traditional Provencal game "Petanque".
Tuesday - Visit Nyons. Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts After breakfast we take a very scenic drive through the countryside to visit Nyons, a typical Provencal village, a working lavender distillery and an 18th century Olive mill. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in scenic Grignan. On the way back to the barge, stop at a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamon and taste this expensive mushroom. Back on board continue the cruise south to St. Etienne des Sorts, passing through the lock (Ecluse) of Bollene, which has one of the largest drops in Europe measuring over 23 metres.
Wednesday - Visist Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cruise to Avignon. Visit Pont du Gard This morning's excursion is to the charming village of Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting. Return to the barge for lunch. Cruise to Avignon, in the afternoon, past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring up at the quay opposite the gate to the walled city. Take an afternoon excursion to the magnificent Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzés to Nîmes.
Thursday - Tour of Avignon. Cruise to Arles. Visit les Baux Avignon was home of the Popes between 1309 and 1377 and is magnificent. Enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, including a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes. There will be free time to visit the many shops, or perhaps just to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and simply watch the world go by. Return to the boat where lunch awaits. During the afternoon, the barge cruises to Arles while your guide takes you to the village of Les Baux for you to discover at your own pace.
Friday - Visit Arles. Visit St Rémy After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Arles, best known because Van Gogh painted here between 1888 and 1890. Lunch will be served while cruising to Avignon. Later that afternoon visit the lovely town of St Rémy also synonymous with Van Gogh and the birthplace of Nostradamus. On your way back to the boat, enjoy an olive oil tasting in a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" where 15,000 olive trees are growing. Meanwhile chef is busy back on board preparing your farewell gala dinner.
Saturday - Avignon After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Special 25% reduction offer!
Cruise quiet canals and majestic rivers with the Hirondelle, Fleur de Lys and Napoleon barges, and receive a 25% discount when travelling in April 2012.
Please quote code AC50 at the time of booking to take advantage of this offer.
Offer valid until 31st March 2012 and is subject to availability. Only valid on new bookings and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Offer based on cabin only bookings for two persons sharing during April 2012.
Rates
6 Nights
2012
12 Passengers
$71,300
11 Passengers
$68,050
10 Passengers
$64,800
9 Passengers
$61,550
8 Passengers
$58,300
Individual Fare
$5,950
First class return TGV train tickets from Paris to local station,
transfers between local station and barge
Included in Charter and per person cost
* The Napoleon may be booked on a per cabin basis as a luxurious péniche-hôtel. Even on trips where unrelated people travel, there is ample opportunity for privacy. Whether in the spacious private cabins or relaxing on sun lounges beneath striped umbrellas on deck, beauty and tranquility will embrace you. However, the champagne reception is the perfect way to meet your fellow travellers and break the ice at the start of a delightful week together.
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Viviers
Viviers consists of a lower town, where tradesmen and artisans once lived, and an upper or religious town that was the seat of a bishop during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance The upper walled town is an attractive warren of narrow cobbled streets with stone houses, a cathedral, and a castle terrace that offers spectacular views of the rooftops and river below.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 85kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest The House of the Knights, Roman Bridge, The Tower of the Michaelmas
Arles
Enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine a year Arles is regarded as the land of light. Both Picasso and Cezanne tested their artistic flair in Arles but it was Vincent Van Gogh who completely fell in love with this region and created over 200 pieces in just one year. Despite Van Gogh creating so many of masterpieces in Arles none of his works have remained in the area.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 35kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Van Gogh Foundation, Bullfighting Arena, Roman Baths
Avignon
Take your time wandering about the streets of Avignon, The ancient streets, the courtyards of the private mansions, the renovated facades will all charm you! One of the most elegant streets is the rue Joseph Vernet, adjacent to the Calvet museum and the Requien Museum. Don't miss the Antiquaire quarter, the Place de l'Horloge or the Chemin de Ronde which will take you to the Rocher des Doms. From the top of the ramparts you can understand why the site was chosen for a fort: Avignon stands high above the immense plains of the Rhône River and is the strategic point of the whole valley.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 8kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest
Palace of the Popes, Opera House, Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Pont d'Avignon
Afloat in France - Napoleon Barge Cabin Info
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Cruise line info
Orient Express Trains & Cruises
Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises. A name synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and service for over 25 years, Orient-Express owns and manages hotels, trains, cruises and restaurants in some of the most magical locations our planet has to offer.
Orient-Express now encompasses myriad luxury travel experiences to suit all tastes, in settings as diverse as Peru, Botswana, Tahiti, Portugal and Australia.
Ship info
Afloat in France - Napoleon Barge
Europe's finest river cruiser, the Napoleon combines the luxury of a hotel by Orient-Express with the friendly ambience of a country inn. Voyage along the River Rhone while reclining on deck or seated in the lavish salon, then step out into sun-drenched landscapes that inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh.
Time melts away as you gaze on unsurpassed views of the French countryside. Endless vistas of tiled roofs, historic monuments, lavendar fields and olive groves are all typical of this part of Provence, a region with a sophistocated culture dating back to Roman times.
Excursions lead to the wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the delightful towns of Avignon and Arles. Visits to St Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient sites of Pont du Gard and Glanum are also part of the action packed agenda.
The Napoleon can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests on three spacious levels. A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located at the top deck. The main deck contains the salon, dining room and one state cabin. On the lower deck you will find the remaining five guest cabins. The boat is airconditioned throughout.
Facilities
Peaceful hours lounging by the sundeck can be interspersed with lively excursions ashore. Bikes are stored on board, ready for a gentle peddle to a nearby country market.
On board facilities include:
Air conditioning
Games
Bose iPod docking station
Bicycles and Maps
Tennis Rackets and Balls
Hifi/Stereo (in Salon)
Intercom
Piano (keyboard)
Shaver Socket 110-220V (converter available)
Hairdryer
Television (in cabin)
DVD (in cabin)
Writing desk
Guest computer with Internet access (in Salon)
Onboard Services
Mail Service/Stamps for sale
Newspaper
Photo film for sale
Souvenirs
Telephone
Guest Computer with Internet access (in Salon)
Safe - one central for Barge
Offboard Services
Dry Cleaning
Hair Dresser
Religious Services
Restaurants - reservations can be made
Doctor/Dentist/Nurse
