Napoleon

In the afternoon, you will be met in the lobby of your Paris hotel by a transfer agent and chauffeured to the Gare de Lyon Train Station. Your cruise includes round trip First Class train tickets between Paris and Provence. As you alight at the Avignon TGV Station, a member of Napoleon crew will be on the platform and will chauffeur you to the barge moored at the historic gates of Avignon. Toast the start of your adventure with chilled champagne as you meet your dedicated crew. After settling into your cabin, enjoy an early evening cocktail cruise past the famous Pont (bridge) d’Avignon. Then experience your first gourmet dinner on board, a perfect blend of seasonal delicacies, irresistible wines and balmy, bucolic views.

This morning, your Tour Guide presents Châteauneuf du Pape, summer residence of the Avignon popes, but equally famous for its stunning wines. Visit a winery and taste their prestigious reds. Over lunch on board, cruise to the rural mooring of Vallabrègues. This afternoon explore the Roman heritage of Provence at the magnificent Pont du Gard, part of the aqueduct system that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes. Return to Napoléon for refreshing aperitifs and dinner on board.

After a delicious breakfast of tempting pastries and local treats, your Tour Guide escorts you on a walking tour of Arles. With extraordinary Roman ruins, shady boulevards and colourful houses baking beneath the sun, Arles famously inspired Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh, who painted hundreds of works here from 1888-9. Return to the boat for lunch as you cruise back to Avignon, mooring up close to the walled city. There is time to begin exploring this enchanting town on your own, followed by dinner in a local auberge.

This morning, join your Chef for an unforgettable culinary experience in the heart of Avignon. Explore the bustling Les Halles market as he guides you to select the most inspiring fresh produce. Back in his kitchen, you’ll learn the secrets of traditional recipes, rich in aromatic herbes de Provence and sun-ripened vegetables. Finish by savouring the fruits of your labour over a convivial lunch. Then continue your discovery of Avignon. Explore at your own pace, visiting attractions such as the magnificent Palais des Papes, head to the enticing shops, or pause to sample Avignon’s vibrant café culture. Return to Napoléon late afternoon and sail to the beautiful rural mooring of Roquemaure, where dinner is served.

Unwind on deck this morning and soak up the scenery on a cruise through the Bollène-Écluse, a lock with a 75 foot drop, one of the deepest in Europe. Linger over a lunch of seasonal delicacies on board before arriving in Viviers. Disembark with your guide for a walking tour of this tiny medieval city that brims with historic charm. Later, ignite your senses on a visit to a typical Provençal lavender farm, where the colours and scents are intoxicating. Return to Napoléon for dinner and perhaps an after-dinner soak in the hot tub – and under the stars.

Accompanied by your Tour Guide, first discover the fortified Medieval village of Grignan, famous for its antique rose gardens and 12th-century château at the top of the town. Then it’s off to a truffle farm to encounter the world-famous black diamond and enjoy a precious tasting. Lunch at a charming local restaurant before returning to Napoleon and a late-afternoon river cruise to La Voulte sur-Rhone. Meanwhile, Chef is in the kitchen preparing a Final Feast. Reminisce about the sights, tastes and scenes of your Napoleon adventure in Provence!

Checking out no later than 9:00 am, you will be chauffeured to the closest train station for your return trip to Paris. You will be provided with First Class tickets for a morning train, arriving midday at the Gare de Lyon Train Station. Upon arrival, a Napoleon representative will meet you on the platform and transfer your entire party to a single location of your party’s choice in central Paris. The services of the Napoleon end at this single location.