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Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence River Cruise

Resort:Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence River Cruise
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: Europe, France
Price From: £1599.00

From the lush slopes of the scenic winelands to the sun-baked hills of Provence and the wild beauty of the Ardeche Gorges to the medieval splendour of Avignon, enjoy a fascinating cruise to one of the most picturesque corners of France. We start in Frances gastronomic capital and explore the beautiful Saone and Rhone rivers, the preferred route of traders and invaders alike since the dawn of recorded history. Everywhere there are reminders of the Romans and the greatest empire of the ancient world.

You will be staggered by the engineering genius of the staggering amphitheatre at Arles and the huge aqueduct at the Pont du Gard. Avignon was the seat of the Papacy during medieval times, heralding a century of greatness crowned by the absorbing Papal Palace and its stunning renaissance art collection. Van Gogh created arguably his greatest works in Provence and all this is set in some of Frances most stunning natural beauty all waiting to be discovered on this wonderful cruise.


Day 1: Arrival in Lyon

Arrive for your flight to Lyon, Marseille or Montpellier, or take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, where you will be met by a guide and escorted on a coach transfer to Gare de Lyon to board a high-speed TGV to Lyon. On arrival, we transfer by coach to our ship moored in Lyons historic centre. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you onboard and help you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, theres time to familiarise yourself with this five-star floating hotel.

Lyon at night

Day 2: Lyon

After our first splendid breakfast, we have a leisurely start enjoying a guided tour of Lyon, one of Frances most fascinating cities. The Rhne Valley had been the route of choice for marauding armies and peaceful traders for centuries, and Lyons current site, at the confluence of the Rhne and Sane Rivers, cried out to be fortified. In 43 BC the Romans founded the city, which subsequently grew in importance; the Emperor Claudius, conqueror of Britain, was born here. There are many Roman remains to see, but it was the production of silk that brought Lyon to prominence during the Middle Ages, and throughout the city, you can see signs of the wealth that poured in Renaissance buildings, imposing churches and Europes largest pedestrian square, Place Bellecour, with a statue of Louis XIV as its focus. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crammed with antique shops and intriguing traboules narrow covered passageways enabling silk merchants to transport their wares to the river without getting wet that today are a joy to amble through. As well as its glorious architecture, Lyon is generally acknowledged as Frances (and to locals the worlds) gastronomic capital. In fairness it has much to commend it: nouvelle cuisine was invented near here and the city boasts a huge array of speciality food shops and eateries, including 20 restaurants with one or more Michelin stars and countless little places to eat.

While you enjoy your first lunch the ship quietly slips its mooring. Cruising upstream, we catch the first glimpses of the vine-clad slopes of the hazy green Beaujolais hills as we approach one of the worlds most revered red-wine-producing regions. On our left, we see the picturesque villages of Morgon, Fleury, Julinas, Chnas and many more, while on the right you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mont Blanc Western Europes highest mountain. As the afternoon drifts into evening and we cruise past the town that gives them their name, the white wines of Mcon hold sway and what could be better than a cool, crisp glass in the lounge before enjoying this evenings culinary delights in the restaurant, prepared by our outstanding chef.

Htel-Dieu, Beaune

Day 3: Chalon & Beaune

Rising this morning were berthed in Chalon, a gateway to Burgundy and home of Nicphore Nipce, the inventor of photography. On this mornings tour we see some of the pretty yet surprisingly small villages that produce some of the worlds most sublime wines Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Gevrey-Chambertin and many more. Nearby is medieval Beaune, Burgundys wine capital, which is wonderful to wander around. At its centre is the Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Htel-Dieu. Originally built in the 15th century as a hospital for the disadvantaged, its a jewel of High Gothic architecture, instantly recognisable for its colourful glazed roof tiles arranged in dazzling geometric patterns. A prestigious annual wine auction takes place here each November, with proceeds going to benefit the Hospices and its charity work. Of course, you cant visit Burgundy without sampling its amazing wines, so we visit the cellars of a leading traditional winemaker for a tour and tasting before returning to the ship for lunch.

Tournon

Day 4: Vienne & Tournon

Overnight the ship has cruised almost imperceptibly downstream and we enjoy breakfast in Vienne before our guided tour. Strikingly located in a narrow section of the Rhne where the river meanders dramatically around a steep bluff, Vienne is a treasure trove of historic remains, including the stunning Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, one of only two edifices of this type in the whole of the country. From the ship, a little train will take you to the top of the city, the Mont Pipet hill, where the view onto the Rhne will inspire keen photographers. Its also where the Romans chose to build the spectacular amphitheatre in the 1st Century AD, which could accommodate 13.500 spectators. As the train weaves through the charming, narrow streets of the old town, soak up the history of this fascinating place.

We wander back to the ship for another superb lunch, during which we enter perhaps the most picturesque section of the Rhne as the river squeezes and twists past Condrieu, Saint-Rambert-dAlbon and Saint- Vallier, with wooded cliffs rising high on both sides. Later we moor in the pretty provincial town of Tournon, with its imposing castle and tree-lined avenues on one side of the river, while on the other are the steep vine-covered hillsides of Hermitage, where another of the worlds most revered wines is produced a fitting view as we enjoy another exquisite dinner.

Ardche Gorges

Day 5: Ardeche Gorges

This morning we cruise effortlessly downstream. In the distance youll catch glimpses of the Alps and, as we approach Valence, the landscape gradually becomes less green with more ochres and magentas, the houses have sloping terracotta roofs typical of the Mediterranean and the air carries heady aromas of pine and cypress. You can only be in the Midi or as we call it the south of France. Its so relaxing to catch up on some reading or just laze in the sun.

After lunch, we explore one of Frances most outstanding landscapes the Ardche Gorges, whose scale is a fitting reminder of Mother Natures awesome power. Sheer limestone cliffs plunge almost 1,000 feet to the rivers blue waters, which elegantly snake their way through stupendous rock formations, culminating in a huge natural arch, the Pont dArc. Caves, grottoes and natural sculptures create marvellous views at every turn before we return to the gentler slopes of the Rhne Valley, where our ship is moored in charming Viviers, a medieval town clustered around its 12th-century cathedral. We slip our mooring and proceed through the famous lock at Bollne, one of the deepest in France, as you relax over dinner.

Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct

Day 6: Arles & Pont du Gard

You awake under the azure skies of deepest Provence and amid the warm stone colours of Arles, many of whose historic monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Although small in size, it was the key stronghold on the Roman road to Spain, one of the empires richest possessions. Seagoing ships could reach here and the city became a regional capital, briefly ruling over Gaul, Spain and Britain. Our guided tour will help you appreciate the finer points of Arless magnificent Roman remains, including the splendid amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved in the world, the earlier theatre built during the reign of Augustus and the Alyscamps, the ancient necropolis with its extraordinary atmosphere. The disturbed but great genius of an artist Van Gogh lived in Arles for just over a year, from February 1888. It was his most prolific period and, inspired by Arles and the light and beauty of the Provenal countryside, he produced around 300 works, including The Night Caf, The Sower and, of course, Sunflowers.

After lunch, we visit the amazing Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, one of the wonders of the ancient world. No amount of fame can diminish the first sight of this 2,000-year-old structure, which was the highest bridge built in the Empire the Romans themselves considered it the most important testimony to their greatness. Its statistics are staggering: over 900 feet long and almost 160 feet high, with its stones each weighing up to six tons. To put this in perspective, the span of the Pont du Gard is greater than the width of the River Thames at London Bridge and no mortar was used in its construction! The situation is lovely too, with pine- and cypress-covered hills adding to the harmonious setting. Rejoining the ship, we cruise along the Rhne and, during dinner, pass the imposing 15th-century castle at Tarascon standing guard on the river bank.

Pope's Palace

Day 7: Avignon

The light catching the red roofs of Avignons majestic skyline is a sight to behold over breakfast, after which we embark on a guided tour of one of the most extraordinary and intriguing cities in France. Avignons destiny changed during the 14th century when the Popes court moved here to avoid strife in Rome. Igniting a century of prosperity, the Pontiff commissioned a host of ambitious building projects, and today the city is immaculately preserved, nestling behind its almost intact 14th-century walls and boasting more remarkable monuments, superbly decorated buildings, churches, chapels and convents than you can possibly count. Most important is the stunning Popes Palace, made up of two buildings that together form the largest Gothic palace in the world. With turrets, towers, parapets and other fortifications, its exterior resembles a mighty fortress, while the interior is a tour de force of medieval architecture and ornamentation, adorned with priceless frescoes, Gobelin tapestries and graceful sculptures. The ceremonial hall, chapels, cloisters and private apartments are all unmissable. But to truly embrace the feel of papal Avignon, imagine yourself here during the Middle Ages amid the Palaces rich furnishings and extravagant decoration, with cardinals, princes and ambassadors milling about its candle-lit halls and corridors, while in the streets below countless pilgrims eagerly anticipate benediction. This was Avignons brief golden age when it was truly the centre of Christendom.

After lunch youre free to explore as you wish, perhaps visiting the nearby Petit Palais, the former home of the archbishops of Avignon, to cast a critical eye over the remarkable collection of over 300 paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including works by Botticelli and Carpaccio. Or take a stroll on the iconic Pont dAvignon, which, dramatically, ends halfway across the river, made famous by the melody we all recall from our first French lessons. Its our final afternoon so you may wish to do some shopping, or just find a quiet caf in a shady Provenal square to watch the world go by. Perhaps though, return to the luxurious surroundings of our ship, finding a quiet spot to contemplate the many wondrous places youve seen and experienced over a quiet cup of tea!

This evening we enjoy the sumptuous Captains Dinner, with the chef serving specialities of the regions youve visited during your voyage of discovery.

Day 8: Return Home

After breakfast, you bid farewell to the ship and her dedicated crew, before transferring to the airport for your return flight or to Avignon for your high-speed rail journey home.