NAPOLEON
TAIN
L’HERMITAGE TO ST JEAN LOSNE
PROVENCE & RHONE VALLEY
The
day to day itinerary described below is a sample of a typical cruise on the
Napoléon. However, on any one cruise, the moorings may change, there may be
fewer or more excursions, the places visited may vary depending on the season
and the passenger preferences.
Sunday - Paris to Valence. 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 guide
who escorts you on your transfer to the barge for your cruise along the Rivers
Rhône and Saône. A champagne reception welcomes you aboard and gives you a
chance to meet the crew. Later, you are taken to a local vineyard for your first
wine tasting at Mr Ferraton’s winery.
Monday - Cruise to Condrieu. Visit Vienne.
Cruising the Vallée du Rhône is a delightful experience; the magnificent
vineyards of the Côtes Rôtie and the Côtes du Rhône seem to descend right
into the river. After lunch, you visit the Roman city of Vienne. The 2,000
year old amphitheatre overlooks the town and the River Rhône and is the main
venue for the Vienne Jazz Festival.
Tuesday - Cruise to Lyon. Visit Lyon.
Enjoy the cruise towards Lyon, France’s second largest city. It is a
cultural, historic, gastronomic and commercial centre little known outside
France. Dominating the city is the splendidly ornate Basilica of Notre Dame de
Fourvière. The standard of Lyon’s shopping facilities is renowned for its
quality and includes many chic boutiques.
Wednesday - Cruise to Macon. Visit the
Beaujolais.
Leave the city of Lyon behind you as we cross from the River Rhône
onto the River Saône, a new pace develops as the Saône is smaller and quieter
than the Rhône. After lunch visit the Beaujolais vineyards for an opportunity
to taste the wines.
Thursday - Visit Cluny and Cormatin.
Cruise to Chalon sur Saône.
This morning visit the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Its church is a
masterpiece of Romanesque art whose influence spread throughout the western
Christian world. Later, tour the Chateau of Cormatin, a 17th century renaissance
style chateau with elegant formal gardens. Cruise to Châlon sur Saône, a
beautiful town with a fine pedestrian centre.
Friday - Cruise to St Jean. Visit Beaune.
Your final cruise takes you to Seurre. Tour Beaune, capital of
the wine region of Burgundy, and visit the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospice de Beaune.
Later enjoy some free time in town. The boat continues to St Jean de Losne where
the chef is preparing a feast for your farewell dinner.
Saturday – Disembark. Transfer to
Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Dijon and your
return to Paris on the TGV. On arrival you will be met by our
representative who will assist you with your luggage.
