Child 12 to 17 yrs travelling with an adult €200 reduction
Child reductions applicable for all under 18 yrs on Charters

Rates, additional charges and conditions are subject to change, and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted

Napoleon Barge Information

The 12 passenger Napoléon 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.

was converted from the hull of a commercial freight-carrying barge built in Belgium in 1963. She was one of the last commercial barges to have been built. The hull was purchased in Belgium and converted in a small shipyard in Bruges, in the north of Belgium. The woodwork was carried out by British ship's carpenters in Belgium. The various systems incorporated in the ship come from several European countries.

Napoléon cruises the Rhône between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon; sun-drenched landscapes that inspired the great canvases of Cézanne and Van Gogh.

A region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization and ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts that continue to amaze modern engineers. The endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are synonymous with Provence.

Excursions are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the story book towns of Orange, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Pont-du-Gard and Glanum.

Napoleon is owned and operated by Afloat in France (part of the Orient-Express collection).

ITINERARY - TAIN L’HERMITAGE TO ARLES

Sunday – Paris to Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon.
You are met in Paris Gare de Lyon and issued with your 1st Class TGV train tickets from Paris to Valence. You are then met at the station and transferred to the Napoleon moored in Tain l’Hermitage or Tournon where you board the barge. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. Once settled on-board, enjoy your first wine tasting at Mr Ferraton’s winery.

Monday – Cruise to Viviers.
Shortly after today’s bread and croissants have been bought from the local bakery the barge sets off to cruise to Viviers. Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by. Once moored in 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 Provençal game “Petanque”.

Tuesday - Visit Nyons. Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.
Today your guide takes you to visit Nyons, a typical Provencal village where we visit 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 we stop at a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive mushroom. Back on board continue your cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday - Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cruise to Avignon. Visit Pont du Gard.
This morning‘s excursion is to Château la Nerthe for a tasting of the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Return to the barge for lunch while cruising to Avignon, 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 Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès 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. Return to the boat where lunch awaits. During the afternoon, the barge cruises to Arles for this evening’s mooring. Meanwhile, your guide takes you to the village of Les Baux for you to discover at your own pace.

Friday - Visit Arles. Cruise to Vallabrègues. Visit St Rémy.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Arles, best known in because Van Gogh painted here between 1888 and 1890. Lunch will be served while cruising to Vallabrègues. 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.

Saturday - Avignon to Paris.
After breakfast disembark the barge and transfer to Avignon TGV station. Board the TGV to Paris, Gare de Lyon.

This itinerary is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternative weeks.

ITINEARAY - ARLES TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE

Sunday - Paris to Avignon.
You are met in Paris Gare de Lyon and issued with your 1st Class TGV train tickets from Paris to Avignon. You are then met at the station and transferred to the Napoleon moored in Vallabregues for your cruise along the River Rhône. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. A late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles is your first taste of Rhône River cruising. After dinner, take a walking tour of Arles, where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and '89 painting.

Monday - Visit St. Rémy. Cruise to Avignon.
Today, visit a traditional 18th century “Provencal Bastide” in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch onboard. Relax during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of the Rhône Valley drift by. Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet (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 Uzès to Nîmes.

Tuesday - Cruise to St.-Etiennes-des-Sorts. Visit Avignon.
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 an afternoon cruise. Visit Chateauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday - Cruise to Viviers. Visit Orange.
This morning your guide takes you on a tour of Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe. Lunch back on board and continue the cruise to the mooring at Viviers. There's time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town.

Thursday - Visit Château de Grignan. Visit Nyons. Cruise to La Voulte.
Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, to visit 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, visit a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive and unusual mushroom. Rejoin the boat at La Pouzin, to continue the cruise to La Volte.

Friday - Cruise to Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon. Dégustation.
This morning, the 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 Côte du Rhône and has a completely different perspective. Mooring in Tain or Tournon you are escorted to Mr Ferraton's winery for your last dégustation. Farewell gala dinner on board.

Saturday - Valence to Paris.
After breakfast disembark the Napoleon and transfer to Valance TGV train station and take the TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction.