Lyon to the Tip of Provence on the Rhône and Saône Rivers

Departure on foot for the guided tour of Arles. Arles with its two thousand years of history has preserved an exceptional monumental heritage, making the city a veritable open-air museum. Welcome to one of the most important tourist and cultural sites in France. During the course of this guided tour you will see the Roman Amphitheatre (the "Arènes"), the Ancient Roman Theatre, Place St Trophime with its cloister and church, which are part of the Arles route, one of the three pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. We will continue our visit with Place du Forum and finally, the Thermae of Constantine. Free time. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

You will set out on foot for the guided tour of the old town of Avignon. With the Pope's Palace, classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO and a testimony to the city's past when it was known as the capital of Christianity back in the Middle-Ages, Avignon offers an impressive array of monuments. Along the Passage de l'Oratoire, you'll be able to admire the exteriors of the chapel, classified as a historic monument, where many events take place during the famous Avignon Festival. We'll move on to St Agricol street where you'll get to see the diocesan Church, the oldest in the city. We'll then stop by the Place de l'Horloge, which has always been the beating heart of Avignon. Cafés and restaurant terraces are now spread out where the Roman forum once stood. Right across, you will see the walls of the Town Hall and the theater that was built in the 19th century. We'll continue to the Place du Palais. This square is roughly 800 ft long and 160 ft wide. To the East stands the Pope's Palace which faces the baroque sculptures of the Papal mint. A large golden Virgin seems to be watching the Notre Dame des Doms cathedral while the elegant Renaissance inspiration on the outside walls of the Petit Palais are showing further back. Then, discover the Pope's Palace, the most important monument in the city. It's made of two parts: the old Palais of Pope Benedict XII (1334 - 1342), and the new Palais of his successor Pope Clement VI (1342 - 1352). Our visit will take you through the staterooms where numerous ceremonies and feasts took place, the chapels, the Pope's private apartments and the terraces which offer a wonderful panorama on Avignon and the Rhône river. Return on board on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• It is forbidden to take pictures inside the Pope's Palace.
• It is necessary to climb up 500 steps inside the Pope's Palace.
• Bags would be left in the luggage office.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Far from the tourist traps, discover the Petite and Grande Camargue from the back of a jeep with local guides who will share their enthusiasm for this legendary area. You'll cross the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, a nationally designated protected area with ponds and marshes that are home to waders, pink flamingos, egrets, herons, etc. Join us for another way to get up and close to nature.

PLEASE NOTE

• PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE, STURDY SHOES AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the Camargue. Sit back and admire the rivers, marshes, ponds, pink flamingoes, black bulls and the famous, indigenous Camargue horses. Discover the salt and rice fields that make the area so well known. We'll visit a manade (bull breeding farm) and learn about the work of a manadier as we watch a demonstration of how they work with the animals they raise. Our visit will include a cocktail on the patio. At the end of our visit, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

This winkling city will reveal itself to you during a guided visit by coach and on foot. Our excursion will start with a stop at the Fourvière Basilica. You'll first take in the breathtaking views from the heights of the Basilica before entering it. In 1168, a chapel was built in Fourvière by Olivier de Chavannes, the Saint Jean canon, over the ruins of the old roman forum. The small chapel that was first dedicated to Saint Thomas and then to the Virgin Mary has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Its current known form dates back to 1740 and its most recent renovation was in 2008. After our visit we'll return to the coach and move on to Lyon's Old Town. You will take a walking tour with our guide and discover the "traboules”, types of passageways that are typical of the city. The first traboules are thought to have been built in the 4th century. There was a water shortage in Lugdunum (the Gallo-Roman name that was given to Lyon at the time) that led its inhabitants to settle in the "lower city” on the banks of the Saône, at the foot of the hills of Fourvière. The traboules were thus used to reach the river quickly. You'll enjoy some free time in the Saint Jean district, in the heart of the Old Town. Return on board for lunch.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please dress appropriately to enter the Basilica.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Departure by coach from La Voulte towards Die. Carved out in limestone, the Vercors Regional Nature Park extends over 186,000 hectares between the Isère Valley to the North and the Diois to the South. Water has shaped deep gorges in the cliffs, majestic cirques, caves and chasms among the most famous in Europe. Wooded plateaux and valleys shaped by agriculture are home to a remarkable fauna and flora.
We'll stop at the cellars of Die Jaillance to discover a true love story between men and the vines and enjoy a wine tasting session.* Afterwards, we will continue by coach for a panoramic view of the Rousset Pass located in the heart of the Vercors and reaching an altitude of over 1400 meters. The belvedere culminates at a height of 1245 meters and from this point of view the scenery is outstanding: arid escarpments and a road with hairpin bends down the hill, which accentuates the overall impression of depth. We'll move on towards Vassieux-en-Vercors, La Chapelle-en-Vercors and Pont-en-Royans where you'll get to see the suspended houses, whose daring architecture dates as far back as the perched village itself, built in the 15th century. Last, we'll drive through Romans-sur-Isère well known for its shoe industry before returning by coach to Tain l'Hermitage to board our ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Roads are sinuous, beware of travel sickness.
• The order of visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

Departure by coach in the company of our guide from Montmerle-sur-Saöne or Belleville to discover the Beaujolais vineyards extending on 22,500 hectares. We will pass through charming little wine-growing villages before reaching Romanèche-Thorins for a visit to the "Hameau Duboeuf ", a unique museum in Europe containing a collection of old and rare objects from over 2000 years of wine-growing history. We'll learn about the current wine-making and vine-growing processes when visiting the wine storehouse where the wines are left to age in oak barrels.
In the midst of the Beaujolais vineyards, we will discover the skills of the winemakers through exhibitions, automated puppet theaters and 3-D films. Afterwards, immerse yourself in fine aromas and delightful scents during a walk through the surprising gardens of "Oenoparc”, a true haven for wine-lovers spread out on 30,000 m² and 25 exhibition halls. Before leaving the "Hameau Duboeuf", we will, of course, enjoy a tasting* of some of the region's wines. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.