Colours of Provence

Board your cruise in Lyon. Gather this evening on board for a Welcome Dinner.

Today, you will visit Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. After some free time to see Notre Dame Basilica and take in majestic views of Lyon, you will join a panoramic tour that will take you past the Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi’s Fountain and the Town Hall. Later, enjoy a walking tour of Old Lyon. The afternoon is free to enjoy however you wish.

This morning’s tour will take you through the enchanting Beaujolais wine region, also known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones,” named for the richly colored limestone used to build local homes and castles. You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt as well as the home of a local vintner who will invite you for a wine tasting and vineyard tour as he shares the history of the region’s wine production. Return to the ship in the afternoon and continue cruising towards Vienne. Upon arrival, make the most of your free time and venture about on your own or simply unwind on board.

Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne’s Roman past can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. This morning, choose from one of three options to explore Vienne this morning. Your first option is to take a walking tour and see an ancient Roman temple, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval Abbey Church of St. Pierre, today an Archaeological Museum. Your second option is a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. Your third option is a guided hike from the ship up to the Monastery at Mount Pipet and back. Your ship departs at midday for Tournon.

You have one of three options in which to enjoy your morning in Tournon. Your first option is an exciting ride in a panoramic train car as you discover the magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux. After riding through the gorge, you will stop at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where you can watch the train maneuver in preparation for its return journey. Your second option is a visit to Le Chateau de Tournon for a very special presentation and tasting with a local expert on the paring of red wine and chocolate. Your third option is a hike followed by a wine tasting in the village of Tain Hermitage

This morning, you’ll have a choice of one of three different activities. Your first option is to travel by motor coach to Avignon, site of the bridge made famous by the French children’s song “On the Bridge of Avignon.” Seven popes once resided in the magnificent Papal Palace, which you will visit during your walking tour. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your second option is to take an excursion to the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This morning, you will arrive in Arles and board a motor coach for an excursion to the village of Les Baux de Provence. The village’s castle has a fascinating exhibit of medieval weapons. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. Alternatively, take the Artist Experience tour to the the Carrières de Lumières, a stone quarry that projects artwork on its walls, and then Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as The Irises and Starry Night. Later this afternoon, you have your choice between a city tour of Arles that will show you the city’s top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater, or a guided bike tour through to the Roman ruins. The ship moors overnight in Arles.

Disembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight.

Board your cruise in Arles. This evening, meet your fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner

This morning, board a motor coach for an excursion to the village of Les Baux de Provence. The village’s castle has a fascinating exhibit of medieval weapons. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. Alternatively, take the Artist Experience tour to the the Carrières de Lumières, a stone quarry that projects artwork on its walls, and then Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as The Irises and Starry Night. Later this afternoon, join a city tour of Arles that will show you the city’s top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater. Early this evening cruise to Avignon. As your ship docks, look for the illuminated Avignon Bridge made famous by the French children’s song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” (“On the Bridge of Avignon”)

This morning, you have your choice of two different activities in Avignon. Your first option is a walking tour of the magnificent Papal Palace, where seven popes once resided. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your second option is to take an excursion to the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight the ship cruises to Viviers.

After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, a magnificent hilltop village surrounded by lavender fields. The village’s Renaissance castle provides a commanding view of the area’s beautiful countryside. Enjoy some free time to explore local shops for confections, homemade lavender soaps and other crafts. You will also have the opportunity to visit a truffle farm and learn about truffle harvesting. The ship will then cruise to Tournon, arriving early this evening.

You have one of three options in which to enjoy your morning in Tournon. Your first option is an exciting ride in a panoramic train car as you discover the magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux. After riding through the gorge, you will stop at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where you can watch the train maneuver in preparation for its return journey. Your second option is a visit to Le Chateau de Tournon for a very special presentation and tasting with a local expert on the paring of red wine and chocolate. Your third option is hike followed by a wine tasting in the village of Tain Hermitage. After lunch, the ship sails to Vienne, situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, arriving early evening.

Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne’s Roman past can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. You have three options in which to explore Vienne this morning. Your first option is to take a walking tour and see an ancient Roman temple, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval Abbey Church of St. Pierre, today an Archaeological Museum. Your second option is a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. Your third option is a guided hike from the ship up to the Monastery at Mount Pipet and back. After lunch, your ship will depart for Lyon. Upon arrival, you may choose to join a city tour and visit Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. After some free time to see Notre Dame Basilica and majestic views of Lyon, you will join a panoramic tour that will take you past the Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi’s Fountain and the Town Hall. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of Old Lyon. Alternatively, visit Les Halles market for a tasting of various meats, cheeses, wine and pastries. The ship moors overnight in Lyon.

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Lyon before the ship departs in the early afternoon. Cruise to Collonges for your excursion through the Beaujolais wine region, the Pays d’Or (“land of the golden stones,” named for the ochre limestone used to build local homes and castles). You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt and the home of a local vintner, where you will enjoy a wine tasting and vineyard tour, and learn about the history of wine production in the region.

Disembark your cruise in Lyon.

Enjoy a morning tour of Paris, taking in all its iconic sites.  visit Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist’s enclave, aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Discover Montmartre’s most recognisable landmark the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur, which sits at the highest point in the city. After your visit to Montmartre, you’ll be taken on an illumination tour, discovering why Paris is know as the city of light.  Housed in the train station buliding constructed by Victor Laloux for the 1900 World fair, explore one of the world’s most renowned museums, the Musee d’Orsay. Continue your journey by TGV train through the French countryside to Lyon, France’s culinary capital where you’ll enjoy an exclusive hands on cooking lesson. Prices from £845 per person *this option is available post cruise for itineraries departing from Arles.

Explore Nimes, a delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman building in France before boarding the TGV high speed train to the city that inspired Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona. Visit Montjuic Hill and see some of Antoni Gaudi’s architectural creations, including Casa Mila and La Sagrada Familia.  Tour the Gothic quarter in the medieval city and walk the city’s famous Las Ramblas. You’ll see several landmarks including Christopher Columbus monument, Barcelona’s grand opera theatre and the spectacular La Boqueria Market. Join an excursion to Montserrat, which is home to the Benedictine Monestry of Santa Maria de Monserrat.  Once there you can experience and indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape from the top of the mountain and see the famous Black Madonna Sculpture.