Day 1
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Paris, France
(Sun.) Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine and
the "City of Light," where romance fills the air!
Day 3 Paris
(Mon.) Paris' famous sights are living history: your included
city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral ,
the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to
its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe,
Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a
structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its
colorful nightlife that includes some of the world's most famous
cabaret shows. (B)
Day 4 Paris - Beaune - Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
(Tue.) After breakfast, drive south past the forest of
Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French
kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the
Côte d'Or area - which produces the region's finest vintages
- owes
its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines.
Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity
hospital, houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement
and is one of France's architectural highlights. Enjoy a TASTING
of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saône,
where the crew of your luxurious river cruise vessel awaits to
welcome you on board. Before dinner, set sail for Tournus. (B,D)
Day 5 Tournus - Mâcon
(Wed.) Free time to explore the lovely town of Tournus. The
cloister of St. Philibert or the folklore collection of the
Burgundy Museum, located in an old family mansion, are worth a
visit. Sail to Mâcon for a guided walking tour of this lovely
town on the River Saône. Playing an important role in the wine
trade, Mâcon has a rich history. See the OLD SAINT VINCENT, the
cathedral founded in the 6th century and now a symbol of the
city; La Charité the Town Hall; and the Half-Timbered House,
dating from the 15th to 16th centuries. A number of optional
excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, are available. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Beaujolais Region - Lyon
(Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. Lyon is
France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital.
Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city's prosperity dates back
to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and
banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and
much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the
city from FOURVIÈRE HILL and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place
Terraux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the
wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the
grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the
"Beaujolais Nouveau" is tasted for the first time on the third
Thursday of November each year. An optional dinner gives
gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Lyon
(Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at
leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce
market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for
things to do. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Tournon/Tain L'Hermitage - Viviers
(Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L'Hermitage lie
nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite
slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century
castle and Roman ruins, is one of France's oldest medieval
cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its
ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of
Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Avignon
(Sun.) The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the
Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also
referred to as the "City of Popes," it was the center of the
Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is
dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the
BRIDGE of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to
Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Arles
(Mon.) On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital
of the Provence and was once known as the "Little Rome of Gaul."
See the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER, the church of St. Trophime, and "Les
Alyscamps," the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road. Vincent
Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and
spent a very productive year in Arles. The "Foundation Vincent
Van Gogh" is a tribute to the artist. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Arles
(Disembarkation) - Provence Region
(Tue.) After breakfast, disembark and follow the remaining stretch of the RheŽne
into its delta - the CAMARGUE - famous for its wild horses and pink flamingos. Visit
the city of AIGUES-MORTES with its impressive towers and defensive walls,
embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. (B)
Day 12 Provence Region
(Wed.) Your day starts with a guided tour of NÎMES, heart of the Provence region
and a city of arts and culture. Time at leisure to explore on your own. This
evening you might like to join an optional excursion to taste some of the local
specialties this region has to offer. (B)
Day 13 Provence Region - Nice
(Thu.) This morning is dedicated to AIX-EN-PROVENCE, one of France's most
elegant cities. Shaded Cours Mirabeau, colorful squares, and famous cafés and
fountains can be discovered on a stroll around the city. After lunch, head east
past Cézanne's Mount St. Victoire on the way to Nice. This evening an optional
excursion to Monte Carlo in the tiny Principality of Monaco is available. (B)
Day 14 Nice
(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
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