Napoleon
Cruising in Provence

Passengers: 12
Last Visited: 2006
Size: 129 feet long
Rating: Ultra Deluxe, A/C

2009 Rates

Whole Boat Charter
$54,000 - 8 passengers
$57,000 - 9 passengers
$60,000 - 10 passengers
$63,000 - 11 passengers
$66,000 - 12 passengers
Individuals
$5,500 - Per person in a Twin Occupancy Cabin

Train fare to and from the cruise route is additional and must be purchased separately.  We can pre-purchase train tickets before departure.

Napoleon is now wholly owned by Orient Express, operator of luxury travel experiences worldwide.

We were thrilled with our August, 2006 cruise on NAPOLEON! And, our 2007 and 2008 guests were equally pleased with this vessel.  NAPOLEON has maintained the highest standards in crew, cuisine, and amenities and remains one of our favorite barges.

NAPOLEON is elegantly decorated and exquisitely maintained.  And the owner has continued to upgrade the excursions, looking for interesting and personalized experiences.

Napoleon is a interesting hybrid. It is both an intimate barge operated to the highest standards of the canal barge industry which nonetheless covers the kind of lengthy route (almost 200 miles) associated with much larger and more impersonal cruise ships. The resulting experience is unique not just for the level of on-board pampering but also for the broad exposure to the personalities and sights in fabulous Provence between Tain l'Hermitage and Arles on the River Rhone.

The vessel is especially spacious. The third level sun deck alone provides 800 feet of recreational space. Recline on your deck chair - soak in the hot tub - enjoy an al fresco luncheon - with vistas of the Rhone River Valley spread out before you! This is relaxation in the highest style! Exquisite French-style furnishings and accent pieces define the supremely comfortable salon, while in the dining room is perhaps the most interesting decor in all of barging: colorful murals depicting the life of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as personalities associated with Provence. Deluxe amenities abound in the modern cabins (which are completely sound proof) and large immaculately tiled baths with full size shower.

Our young, handsome guide Jonathan came from Quebec and is thus both bi-lingual and entirely at home with North American travelers. His explanations at sites which we had visited before - such as the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard and the Pope's Palace in Avignon - made them come alive. We also enjoyed an intimate visit to an olive oil farm where the owner took us into the fields and a nice wine tasting.

Napoleon

Provence-Camargue Barge Cruise Itinerary

Avignon to Tain l'Heritage
On the River Rhone in Provence
Sunday: Arles
Your departure from Paris on the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) to Avignon will be met at approximately 16:00 at the Avignon train station by the Napoléon guide, who will charter you to the barge at Vallabregues. A late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles will be your first taste of Rhône River cruising. Once moored in Arles and if time permits your guide will take you on a tour of Arles, best known because Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and 89 painting here. Dinner will be served at 20:00, it is your first of many gourmet dinners!

Monday: Arles to Avignon
Shortly after today's bread and croissants have been retrieved from the local bakery the Napoléon will set off for the cruise to Avignon. Today, you will also visit Les Baux and St. Rémy. The afternoon cruise to Avignon is not to be missed. Avignon, the home of the popes from 1309-77, is magnificent in its grandeur as one cruises past Le Pont St. Bénézet (Le Pont d'Avignon) to the evening's mooring at the quay. Lounge on the top story deck, soak in the hot tub and watch the passing scenery of the Rhône Valley.

Tuesday: Avignon to Duc d'Albe
The day begins early for those who wish to accompany the chef to Avignon's market for breakfast, a great opportunity to sample the produce of the vendors before the market is really open for business. Following this, a walking tour of the walled city, a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Back down the ramparts to the Napoléon where another scrumptious lunch awaits you. The boat will leave Avignon and cruise to Duc d'Albe, a mooring from which you will visit Château de la Nerthe for a tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe wines.

Wednesday: Duc d'Albe to Viviers
The Napoléon will cruise to the lock at Bollène from which the passengers will disembark for Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe. The Théâtre Antique d'Orange is renowned worldwide as a site for cultural events such as Les Chorégies d'Orange, a festival of opera, drama and ballet. The Arc de Triomphe celebrates Julius Caesar's conquest of the Gauls. Lunch is back on board. Time permitting you will also visit the Pont du Gard, part of the aqueduct that transported water from Uzès to the Romans in Nîmes. Cruise to tonight's mooring at Viviers, a charming Medieval town. Challenge the crew to a game of Pétanque before dinner.

Thursday: Viviers to La Voulte
The van will be ready early to take you to visit the Château de Grignan where the daughter of Mde. de Sévigné resided. The separation of mother and daughter was the motivation for the famous letters of Mde. de Sévigné. A late lunch on board the boat while cruising to La Voulte and an afternoon visit to a local truffle farm.

Friday: La Voulte to Tain/Tournon
The river valley during this part of the cruise has a completely different perspective, flanked by the vineyards of the Côte du Rhône. After mooring in Tain/Tournon you will be escorted to a local vineyard for your last dégustation. Meanwhile the chef is preparing a farewell feast.

Saturday: Return to Paris
Passengers disembark the Napoléon after breakfast and are transferred to the train station in Valence for the return to Paris on the TGV, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon approximately 12:20.

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging and river cruises in Provence Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Napoleon

Guest Book

"It was fabulous!  Staff was truly incredible.  Food was outstanding - one meal better than the next.  Little touches like the presentation blew us away!"
Richard and Terri Cohen, 2008

"We have travelled widely, taken over ten cruises, and stayed at the best resorts in the 50 states.  Never were we treated better or received the caliber of food and wine than on our recent Napoleon cruise.  The sightseeing was outstanding.  Our guide Jonathan was well-prepared and the trips comfortable in a new minibus.  He was acquainted personally with people owning the farms and vineyards we visited, and since we had a small group, the tours were very personal."
-Raul and Vera Torres, 2008

"Outstanding!  The best trip ever!  And a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary
with good friends."
-Edward and Andrea Herzig, 2008

"The barge, the wine, the cheese, the cuisine, and the staff - It truly exceeded our expectations."
- Joe and Joanna Roberts, 2007

"To say the trip was perfection is an understatement. Everything about it was just wonderful! The NAPOLEON crew was completely prepared, always gracious, and very well informed. The food, the wine, the views --superb!"
-Very Satisfied Guest, 2007

"Our trip was wonderful because of the crew. Jonathan was tremendous and so anxious to please - loved his sense of humor and grasp of history. Vanessa and Emily were incredible; their service and smiles amazing. Trevor's cuisine was fabulous and every request was honored. We miss them!"
- Tom and Mary Deighton, 2006
The Barge Lady says: Thanks, Mary!

"A wonderful balance of food, fun and fellowship! Our crew and chef were fabulous. Wines were superior and menus delicious. Jonathan was a great guide. Loved the towns, villages, tours of lavender and olive oil makers; Enjoyed two different type of wineries. Everyone we met in the villages was welcoming. A dual 25th wedding anniversary celebration couldn't have been better! "
- Lyle and Lynn Burgin, 2006

Napoleon Floor Plan

129 Feet long
-Extremely elegant salon and separate dining room with picture windows
-Five Lower deck cabins and One upper deck cabin at 130-140 square feet
-Large third story deck with canopy, dining room table, jacuzzi and exercize equipment