6 Night Cruise sailing from Arles to Tain aboard Napoleon.

The 12 passenger Napoleon 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. On the middle deck you will find an air conditioned bar, dining area and saloon with piano. The roof top sun deck features comfortable seating, a spa pool and exercise equipment, the perfect place to watch the scenery pass by as you enjoy your cruise.

The six air conditioned suites each have en-suite facilities and the six crew are always ready to cater for your every need. This barge is perfect for larger groups who want a top range barge.

***NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Please check at time of enquiry/booking ***

Sunday, Day 1 Arles

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. Remy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch aboard. Relax during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of the Rhone Valley drift by. Cruise past Le Pont St. Benezet (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 Uzcs 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

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 Cote du Rhone, 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 degustation. Farewell gala dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Tain

After breakfast, guests disembark.