Sunday - Tain l'Hermitage Depart Paris, Gare de Lyon, on the TGV train in the afternoon. On arrival at Valence station you are met by the Napoléon's guide and transferred to the barge 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, just steps from the boat.
Monday - Cruise to Condrieu. Visit Vienne Cruising the Vallée du Rhône is a delightful experience; the magnificent vineyards of 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. Tonight we moor in this busy town.
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 Fourviére. Lyon's shopping facilities are renowned for their quality, including many chic boutiques. There will be free time to enjoy the many shops, or perhaps to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and watch the world go by. We are moored tonight in Lyon where after dinner you may wish to walk up into Vieux Lyon, the old part of town, only a few minutes from the barge.
Wednesday - Cruise to Montmerle. Visit Château de Flèchéres 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, in the heart of the famous Beaujolais wine region, then take a short drive to the beautiful Château de Flèchéres 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, where we also moor for the night. 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. The town itself has hardly changed in appearance throughout the years; it's tiny centre is a dense maze of narrow old streets with a circular boulevard running around it's former ramparts, many of which still stand. Meanwhile the Chef is busy preparing your farewell gala dinner onboard.
Saturday - Chalon-sur-Saône After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Rates
6 Passengers
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
Vienne
No other city in the Rhône Valley offers such a concentration of architectural history as Vienne. Located in a natural basin of land between the river and the hills, this site was recognised for both its strategic and aesthetic advantages by the Romans, who vastly expanded the existing village when they invaded the area in the 1st century BC.Vienne was known in Roman times as 'Vienne the Beautiful', possibly due to the fact that its riverside position on the East bank of the Rhône made it a major port for wine. The wine in this region is outstanding and Romans may have enjoyed a glass or two while watching the evening's entertainment at one of the town's two theatres.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 25kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Roman Theatre, Temple d'Auguste et Livie, Le Palais Ideal
Lyon
Two thousand years of history have left their mark on the cityscape. Lyon's rich heritage resources reflect the different eras and tell the story of the city. Lyon's listing by UNESCO as a World Heritage site gives recognition to two exceptional features: "continuity of urban development" -the listed site covers a territory of 500 hectares (1235 acres) where the entire history of the city can be seen, from the founding of the Roman city of Lugdunum. And as "an outstanding illustration of city planning over the centuries" in this continually populated and active territory.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 7kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Lyon National Opera House, Tete d'Or Park, Fourviere Hill, Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)
Chalon-sur-Saone
Chalon is a sizeable port and bustling industrial centre on a broad meander of the Saône. Its old riverside quarter does have an easy charm, and it makes a good base for exploring the more expensive areas of the Cote d'Or. It's a thriving business centre, and trade fairs frequently take over the town, but more festive occasions are also an important part of its appeal and good reasons to stop if you're around at the right time. The pre-Lent carnival (February or March) features a parade of giant masks and a confetti battle, and there's a national festival of street artists and theatre in July.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 100kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Maison de Vins (Wine House), Niepce Museum, Chalon Rose Garden
Beaune
Beaune is the capital of Burgundy's wine country, with walled fortifications and innumerable shops, restaurants, and cafés for the hordes of tourists and oenophiles who come to savor medieval atmosphere and sample wines from the region's world-class vineyards. The city is home to the Hôtel-Dieuof theHospices de Beaune, a hospital from the Middle Ages (now a museum) that was built in 1443 to care for sick and starving residents of the town. You can still see the rooms and beds where patients received care until the 20th Century, and the building itself is a beautifully preserved Gothic masterpiece with an arcaded courtyard and a multicolored tile roof.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 132kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Musee du Vin de Bourgogne (Burgandy Wine Museum), Musee de l'Hotel-Dieu (Hospital Museum), Opera Night Disco
Afloat in France - Napoleon Barge Cabin Info
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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.
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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
