Napoleon
Cruising in Provence

Passengers: 12	English Speaking Crew of: 6
Size: 129 feet long	Bicycles: 12
Last Visited: 2011	Air Conditioned: Yes
Rating: Ultra Deluxe

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, transfers via First Class TGV train from Paris to the barge and return (These tickets are part of the cruise package; they are non-changeable and non-refundable.), all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from France, cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)

2013 Rates

Whole Boat Charter of 8: $59,400
Whole Boat Charter of 9: $62,700
Whole Boat Charter of 10: $66,000
Whole Boat Charter of 11: $69,300
Whole Boat Charter of 12: $72,600
Individuals: $6,050 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $3,630

2013 available dates

June 30 - July 6	August 4 - 10	August 25 - 31	October 20 - 26
July 14 - 20	August 11 - 17	September 29 - October 5	October 27 - November 2
July 21 - 27	August 18 - 24

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2014 Rates

Whole Boat Charter of 8: $59,400
Whole Boat Charter of 9: $62,700
Whole Boat Charter of 10: $66,000
Whole Boat Charter of 11: $69,300
Whole Boat Charter of 12: $72,600
Individuals: $6,050 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $3,630

2014 dates

March 30 - April 5	May 25 - 31	July 20 - 26	September 14 - 20
April 6 - 12	June 1 - 7	July 27 - Aug 2	September 21 - 27
April 13 - 19	June 8 - 14	August 3 - 9	September 28 - October 4
April 20 - 26	June 15 - 21	August 10 - 16	October 5 - 11
April 27 - May 3	June 22 - 28	August 17 - 23	October 12 - 18
May 4 - 10	June 29 - July 5	August 24 - 30	October 19 - 25
May 11 - 17	July 6 - 12	August 31 - September 6	October 26 - November 1
May 18 - 24	July 13 - 19	September 7 - 13

Napoleon

Provence-Camargue

Barge Cruise Itinerary

Arles to Tain L'Hermitage
On the River Rhone in Provence

Sunday: Paris to Arles
Welcome Aboard Cruise!
At 12 noon, you will be picked up in the lobby of your hotel by Paris Holt Welcome Service and be chauffeured to the Gare de Lyon Train Station.  Your cruise includes round trip First class train tickets from Paris to Arles. (Train tickets are purchased in advance by the barge owner and are non-changeable and non-refundable.) As you alight, a member of Napoléon crew will be on the platform and will chauffeur you to the barge moored at Vallebregeus. 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, famous for it's Roman ruins and also where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and '89 painting.



Monday: Arles to Avignon
Olive Oil Tasting at a Family Owned Bastide
Today, visit a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch on-board. 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. Return to the boat for drinks on the deck, followed by a wonderful dinner.

Tuesday: Avignon to St.-Etiennes-des-Sorts
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Winetasting
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 free time to enjoy some shopping or perhaps, to take a drink in a pavement café and watch the world go by. Return to the barge where lunch awaits and an afternoon cruise. Visit the world famous Châteauneuf du Pape, summer home of the popes from Avignon, for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to the small village of St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday: St.-Etiennes-des-Sorts to Viviers
Fantastic Roman Monuments
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. This afternoon we pass through the lock of Bollene, one of the largest locks (Ecluse) in Europe with a drop of approximately 23 metres. There's time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town.

Thursday: Viviers to La Voulte
Romantic Chateau and Truffle Farm
Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, set up high in the hills, 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, filled with small alley ways, famous for it's wild roses and with a medieval Château at the top of the town. 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: La Voulte to Tain/Tournon
Relax Through the Rhone River Valley
This morning, the chef walks you over to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte where you have the chance to pick out some local produce to enjoy back on board during a leisurely lunch. 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. We enjoy a private tour and wine tasting just minutes from the boat. Meanwhile the chef is busy back on the boat preparing a Farewell gala dinner.

Saturday: Return to Paris
A Sad Farewell
In the morning after breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the Valence Train Station, and provided with First Class tickets to a late morning train back to the Paris Gare de Lyon Train Station. As you alight, a representative of Napoleon will be on the platform and will help you to the taxi line or to your pre-arranged private transfer. Estimated arrival time back to Paris is 2:00 pm.  We hope to welcome you back to another Orient Express barge in the future!

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.

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Tain L'Hermitage to Arles
On the River Rhone in Provence


Sunday: Paris to Tain L'Hermitage
Welcome Aboard!
At 12 noon, you will be picked up in the lobby of your hotel by Paris Holt Welcome Service and be chauffeured to the Gare de Lyon Train Station.  Your cruise includes First Class tickets to Valence.  (Train tickets are purchased in advance by the barge owner and are non-changeable and non-refundable.) As you alight, a member of Napoléon crew will be on the platform and will chauffeur you to the barge moored at either Tain l'Hermitage or Tournon. 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 just steps from where the boat is moored.

Monday: Tain L'Hermitage to Viviers
Relax through the Rhone River Valley
Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by as the barge cruises to 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: Viviers to St. Etienne des Sorts
Gourmet Delights: Olive oil mill and truffle farm!
After breakfast we take a very scenic drive through the countryside to visit Nyons, a typical Provencal village, 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 stop at a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive mushroom. Back on board continue the cruise south to St. Etienne des Sorts, passing through the lock (Ecluse) of Bollene, which has one of the largest drops in Europe measuring over 23 meters.

Wednesday: St. Etienne des Sorts to Avignon
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Winetasting
This morning's excursion is to the charming village of Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine-tasting. Return to the barge for lunch. Cruise to Avignon, in the afternoon, 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 magnificent Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Thursday: Avignon to Arles
Tour of Avignon
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. There will be free time to visit the many shops, or perhaps just to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafés and simply watch the world go by. Return to the boat where lunch awaits. During the afternoon, the barge cruises to Arles while your guide takes you to the village of Les Baux for you to discover at your own pace.

Friday: Arles to Vallabregues
Visit Two Enchanting Towns
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Arles, best known 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. Meanwhile chef is busy back on board preparing your farewell gala dinner.

Saturday: Return to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Napoleon will be moored in Vallabrègues, near Arles. In the morning after breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the Avignon Train Station, and provided with First Class tickets back to the Paris Gare de Lyon. As you alight, a representative of Napoleon will be on the platform and will help you to the taxi line or to your pre-arranged private transfer.  Estimated arrival time back into Paris is 1:00 pm.  We hope to welcome you back to another Orient Express barge in the future!

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

"We had a wonderful time in France. The hotels that The Barge Lady booked for us were well chosen. Both located in different areas for a different feel for the city. Both well appointed with courteous and helpful staff. The same can be said for the Napoleon. The crew was super as well as our guide who couldn’t be more accommodating and informative. The food and wine of course were not only interesting but made for superior dining experiences. Thanks for all the help you gave us in preparing for this trip."

- Bonnie and Dick Stevenson, cruised September, 2012

"Let me begin my reviewing the crew: Captain John made sure we traveled safely, and was so personable. We enjoyed hearing his Scottish accent, and his performance on the bagpipes. (He did a really good job of fooling us into believing he was really playing!) He is quite a dancer and singer also. Damien assisted the Captain, and was always busy polishing something or painting or doing some sort of maintenance (mostly out of site so as not to disturb us). I can't say enough about hostesses Kate and Sarah. We all wanted to bring them home with us. They were always so friendly - calling us by name, serving us cheerfully, cleaning our rooms - I don't know if I have ever seen anyone so willing and eager to please.

One day when they had planned lunch in the dinning room and we wanted to eat on the deck, Sarah cheerfully carried everything upstairs, and we had lunch on the deck. We always enjoyed our lunches on the deck. When my fellow travel companion Cathy said Margaritas would be good when we returned from the olive farm, Guide Louise called the boat, and we returned to delicious freshly made Margaritas. We learned that Kate had never made a Margarita before, but she found the recipe and they were perfect.

Now for our tour guide, Louise - she was wonderful!!! Very well-informed about the area and all the sights we visited. She was always so pleasant and willing to answer all our questions, no matter how trivial. She was at the train to greet us when we arrived, and made sure we were on the right train back to Paris. She is also an excellent van driver, and very knowledgeable about wines and cheeses. She is really a lovely person.

Now, on to the cruisine...Definitely EXCELLENT! Chef John did an excellent job of preparing 3 delicious meals a day. I have never experienced so many wonderful meals in one week. My husband is still talking about the leek soup with the poached egg on top. John was always willing to make a substitution if there was anything that someone did not like.Really......some of the best food ever! The transfers were arranged perfectly, and the luggage was handled without our having to lift a thing. It was truly a wonderful trip. The barge was nice, but I think it was the combination of an outstanding crew, great food and wine, interesting excursions and good friends that made is so very special. We loved every minute of it, and would recommend in to everyone.

Pre-trip information prepared by The Barge Lady was more than adequate. It helped in planning what to pack and what we could expect to do and see during the week. When I had a question about something, it was answered immediately by email. It was truly a wonderful trip. The barge was nice, but I think it was the combination of an outstanding crew, great food and wine, interesting excursions and good friends that made is so very special."
- Jane and Jim Sidwell, cruised May, 2012

"The cruise exceeded our expectations. The different excursions we did (visits to a truffle farm, olive oil farm, etc.) were things that I would never have experienced on my own, and I am so glad that we did! Our cabin was very clean and well maintained. The cuisine was consistently the BEST food I have ever had. . He was a magician fixing such spectacular dishes in such a small kitchen. We LOVED the barge crew. By the end of the trip, they were like family. They are all so positive, cheerful, and helpful. They were ready to make sure that all of our needs were taken care of no matter the hour. Napoleon is a solid "10". The Barge Lady was very professional and prompt!
- Kati and Jim Blalock, cruised May, 2012

"The crew was excellent and ever so helpful. The day trips were great and Guide Louise was very knowledgeable and efficient. John the chef prepared wonderful meals and was willing to adapt or prepare something to ones liking. We were all amazed he could prepare such feasts with such a small galley. The wine drinkers appreciated getting a print out of the various wines served. Sara was a perfect hostess, pitched in at all times and was very accommodating. Last but not least Kudos to the captain. The transfers to and from Paris worked our perfectly and without a hitch. The barge living area was comfortable and adequate for the twelve of us to visit and mingle. The vessel was immaculate."
- Alice and Doug Donn, cruised May, 2012

"This was a GREAT trip, probably the best vacation we've ever taken (and we travel extensively)! We've taken large ocean cruises before but now I can't imagine going on a big ship. Everything was terrific! The cabins, and especially the bathrooms, were larger than we expected. The chef did a great job, even taking us to the market and let us select foods to prepare for lunch. His grand dinner on our last evening was wonderful!

Jonathan, our guide, was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot. We did food and wine excursions and visited Roman ruins. We loved the all inclusive aspect of the trip, as we never had to think about costs or where to go. It was completely stress-free! The crew provided all top quality food and drink and were extremely accommodating. We highly recommend this cruise and look forward to another one ourselves. Thank you, Ellen, for also helping with pre- and post-cruise plans as well. You were most helpful and your suggestions were great! Merci!"

-Tom and Diane Allison, cruised September 2011

"Definitely the best crew, the best food and the best wines. Jonathan the guide was extrememly knowledgeable and fun. He arranged some hikes, bicycle rides, kayaking, swimming underneath the Pont du Gard and a nice horseback ride. He was always upbeat and very knowledgeable. The wines he chose were all we could have hoped for. The hostesses were also excellent, cheerful, accommodating and helpful. The chef tuned the meals to our likes and dislikes and made desserts for my mother who is diabetic. If you have clients who have special needs, you couldn't have a better chef. The highlights of the trip were the visits to the Pont du Gard and swimming there, the truffle farm and the theater in Orange."

- The Leeds Family, cruised July 2011

 

"Our experience aboard Napoleon was beyond all expectations. We enjoyed every minute. Every crew member was excellent and the staff worked like a well-oiled machine. Pleasant, helpful, interested in us and all were involved in meeting any needs or desires. We expected good food, but the meals were beyond excellent - extraordinary!!"

-Thomas Roberts and David McChesney, cruised June 2011

 

"The cruise absolutely met our expectations! The staff were always up and wanting to know if there was anything we needed. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was the best guide we have ever had. He led us on great, small trips as opposed to all-day trips, and allowed ample free time in the tours. All of us thought this was a great trip!"
- Ann Maguire & Harriet Gordon, cruised June, 2011

"The cruise was six days of gastronomic delight! Multi-course lunches and dinners, both paired with excellent local wines and cheeses. The barge is your own Michelin starred restaurant and hotel. The highly professional crew will do whatever it takes to fulfill your wishes. Also, the guide Jonathon was very knowledgeable, but not overbearing in his explanations, just the right amount."
- Michael and Kathryn Loebach, cruised May, 2011

"In a word - superb! The crew was fantastic, friendly and welcoming. They anticipated every need and desire, and make it seem like they were honored to serve us. They clearly enjoy what they do! Everything was 5 star - incomparable service, wonderful food that accommodated all of our "peculiarities". We will definitely barge again!
- Marlene Bellamy, cruised May, 2011

Napoleon Floor Plan

129 Feet long
One Upper Deck Cabin - 130 sq feet
-One Queen or two twin beds
-Beautiful tile bath with with shower
-Picture window in cabin
Five Lower Deck Cabins - 140 sq feet
-One Queen or two twin beds
-Beautiful tile bath with with shower
-Porthole windows in cabin and bathroom
Also in the Cabins
-DVD player
-Desk
In the Pubic Areas
-Extremely elegant salon
-Separate dining room with picture windows
-Large third story deck with canopy, dining room table, jacuzzi and exercise equipment
-On board computer with internet access
-Bose iPod docking station in the salon
-WiFi
12 Bicycles
Go Sport Crossroad model men’s and women’s bikes, ideal for road and towpath use. Fitted with 21 speeds, front suspension, and water bottle holder. Helmets provided.