Sunday - Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon.
Board the barge which will be 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 - Cruise to Viviers.    
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 - Visit Nyons. Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.  
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 - Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cruise to Avignon. Visit Pont du Gard.  
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 - Tour of Avignon. Cruise to Arles. Visit les Baux.  
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 - Visit Arles. Cruise to Vallabrègues. Visit St Rémy.  
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 - Avignon.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.

Note: This day-to day-itinerary described is a typical cruise. However, on any one cruise, the moorings may change and the places visited may vary depending on the season and guest preferences.

Napoléon's Wine Discovery cruise will take guests on an insightful journey to the magnificent vineyards situated between Tain L'Hermitage and Chalon-sur-Saône in the Rhône Valley.  Those with a love of great wine will be introduced in depth to the variations of this region, the home to Côtes du Rhône, Beaujolais and Pouilly Fuisse, to name a few. While on board and admiring the incredible views en route, guests will be joined by local wine experts who will work with the chef and pair fine wines to the gourmet delicacies. On the final evening, there will be an exclusive visit to the Drouhun-Laroze estate in Gevery Chambertin where a traditional Burgundy feast will be prepared and served in the family cellar, following a private tour and introduction to the wines.

Sunday - Chalon Sur Saone to Tournus
Depart Paris by our luxury transfer service from your hotel direct to the barge moored in the scenic town of Chalon Sur Saone. On arrival you are welcomed on board by your crew with a champagne reception.  The boat will now cruise south on this beautiful river to the pretty town of Tournus, our overnight mooring for your first evening on board.

Monday - Cruise to Macon. Visit Beaune and the Route du Grand Crus
This morning visit Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy for a tour of the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospice de Beaune followed by a special wine tasting at Drouhin.  The town with its tiny centre has hardly changed through the years; a circular boulevard runs round its former ramparts, many of which still stand.  Within, there is a dense maze of narrow old streets. We return to the barge along the magnificent 'Route du Grand Crus', you will pass through Pommard, Meursault and Montrachet, before rejoining the main road to Tournus.  A late lunch is served on board while cruising to Macon.

Tuesday -  Cruise to Montmerle. Visit Pouilly Fuisse Vineyards and Wine Tasting
This morning we explore the area bordering the Maconnais wine region. We continue our journey through these ever-changing wine regions to the charming village of Pouilly Fuisse.  Under the back drop of the Rock du Solutre, this area is almost exclusively producing Chardonnay grapes; the vineyards make up part of this breathtaking landscape where limestone and heavy clay combine to create a unique 'terroir'.  We take the opportunity to taste the wonderful wine of this region with a local producer.  We return to the barge for lunch and enjoy the cruise this afternoon to Montmerle. Tonight, we invite a local wine expert to join us for dinner, he will introduce some of his favourite wines of the region and explain the importance of his choices over a special meal created around his selection of wine.   

Wednesday -  Cruise to Lyon. Beaujolais Region and Wine Tasting
Montmerle is situated in the heart of the famous Beaujolais wine region. This morning we take a very scenic drive into this wonderful wine region; rolling hills are in abundance dotted with vineyards as far as the eye can see.  We make our way towards Oingt, a cobblestone village which is listed as one of the prettiest in France where we have a wine tasting at a small traditional family winery.  Returning to the barge for lunch we set off towards the magnificent city of Lyon where we will be moored for the night.  After dinner perhaps walk over to 'Vieux Lyon', the old part of town, just a few minutes from the boat.

Thursday -  Cruise to Condrieu. Visit Lyon
Today we visit Lyon -  France's second city, dominating the centre is the splendidly ornate Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière.  Lyon's shopping facilities are renowned for their quality, including many chic boutiques. There will be free time to enjoy the many shops of this city, or to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafes and simply watch the world go by. We have a gourmet lunch in this famous city, a tasting menu with wines to match each course. Our guide will host this meal and introduce each wine.  This afternoon we leave the city of Lyon behind as we cross from the River Saône to the River Rhône; a new pace develops as the Rhône is a very busy waterway with much commercial traffic. Tonight we are moored in Condrieu - famous for its Viognier grape. The viognier grape was almost wiped out by the Phylloxera virus but now flourishes here on the slopes of the Upper Rhone valley.

Friday - Cruise to Tain L'Hermitage. Visit Mr Ferraton's winery
Cruising through the Rhone Valley is a delightful experience; the magnificent vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône seem to descend right into the river. During a delicious lunch on board we cruise through some of the most prestigious and renowned appellations in France - Côtes Rôtie is one of the oldest vineyards in France where the delightful Syrah grape grows so well. Our final mooring takes us to Tain L'Hermitage, surrounded by the sloping hills filled with grapes slowly maturing. This afternoon we visit Mr Ferraton's winery just steps from the boat for your last wine tasting of the week; this time it is for the Hermitage vintages.  Meanwhile, the chef is preparing a wonderful dinner to celebrate your week on board.

Saturday - Disembark
After breakfast disembark the barge for the transfer to Valence TGV train station and your return to Paris, where you are met by the barge representative who will assist you with your luggage.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse the week of July 1-7, 2012.
Rev 10/11 sd

The Picture Perfect Week aboard Napoléon will depart Tain l'Hermitage in the Rhône Valléy and head towards Arles in Provence. Highlights of the trip include the Lock of Bollene, one of the largest drops in Europe, a visit to Châteauneuf du Pape and time to discover Arles. Van Gogh painted his famous ‘Starry Night’ in this picturesque town and David Napp, your tutor for the week, will encourage guests to create their own masterpiece in the same spot.

Monday - Cruise to Viviers. Painting at Viviers
Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by as the barge cruises down stream towards Viviers. Mid-afternoon, the boat moors in this charming medieval town. We find a wonderful position just down river from where the Napoleon will moored; this site looks up on to the village and then finally to the Cathedral on the top of the hill. The sunlight in Provence is perfect for painting, and today is a perfect place to start your first lesson.

Tuesday - Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts. Painting at Grignan
After breakfast, we take a very scenic drive through the countryside to Grignan. Here, we spend the morning painting, from a position that over looks the entire town. Grignan is famous for its fields of purple lavender, which are so picturesque to paint. Lunch is taken at a wonderful local restaurant. We then return to painting this afternoon. We return to the barge and continue our journey south. This afternoon we pass through the Lock (Ecluse) of Bollene, which has one of the largest drops in Europe, measuring over 23 meters. Tonight we moor in the very quiet village of St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday - Cruise to Avignon. Painting at Avignon.
This morning we continue our cruise towards Avignon. We stop en route to visit Chateauneuf de Pape for a wine tasting at the magnificent Chateau la Nerte. We return to the boat for a lunch cruise into Avignon, a walled city of great beauty. We cruise alongside the Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay opposite the gate to the walled city. We then transfer across the river to the Ile de la Barthelasse for an amazing view of the Popes Palace and the Pont St. Bénézet for an afternoon of painting. There is simply an unbeatable view of this wonderful town and with David's assistance you are sure to paint a truly stunning picture from this location.

Thursday - Cruise to Arles. Visit les Baux
During the morning, the boat continues to cruise south towards the Roman city of Arles. After lunch you are transferred to the hill top village of Les Baux de Provence, set in the heart of Provence. This is an outstanding village; with the beautiful church of St Vincent and a hill top Chateau overlooking the valley towards the Mediterranean Sea. There are pictures to be painted at every corner. We return to the boat, which has now moored in Arles. This is the place that Van Gogh painted in his famous 'Starry Night' picture. Perhaps take the same position by the wall, and recreate your own 'Starry night' painting!

Friday - Cruise to Vallebregues. Visit Arles and Painting at a Provencal Bastide
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 we visit a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" where 15,000 olive trees are growing. There are plenty of scenes to paint here, perhaps the beautiful property or simply a single olive tree. Meanwhile the chef is busy back on board preparing your Farewell gala dinner.

Saturday - Avignon
After breakfast, disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Rev 10/11 sd