Along the Rhône between Lyon, the Camargue and Provence, with a COMPLIMENTARY dinner at the Abbaye de Collonges ¿ Paul Bocuse (port-to-port cruise)

Departure for a visit to the Petit Palais Museum, the Louvre of Avignon! Located in the heart of the city, just steps from the Palais des Papes, the Petit Palais is one of the finest examples of 14th-century Gothic architecture. Former residence of the Archbishops of Avignon, it captivates with the elegance of its façade, its soaring towers, and its atmosphere steeped in history. Today, the Petit Palais houses a prestigious museum, recognized as one of the most important in Europe for medieval painting. Its collections feature masterpieces of Italian and Provençal painting from the 13th to 15th centuries, including many works from the papal period. Inside, you will find bright rooms arranged around inner courtyards, offering a peaceful and refined setting for contemplating the artworks. The Petit Palais is an essential cultural stop, ideal for understanding the artistic and spiritual influence of Avignon in the Middle Ages, while enjoying a place of great serenity.

PLEASE NOTE

• During the tour, photography is allowed, without flash only.
  
• Depending on the season, family workshops, themed tours, or creative activities may be available.
  
• In November, closed in the morning and on Mondays.
  

Located at the gateway to the Rhône Delta, near Arles, the Camargue Museum invites visitors to explore the unique identity of this territory shaped by water, land, and humans. Housed in a former sheepfold of the Mas du Pont de Rousty, in the heart of a preserved natural environment, it offers an authentic immersion into Camargue culture. Through modern and accessible museography, the museum traces the history of the Camargue, its landscapes, traditions, and emblematic activities: cattle and horse breeding, rice cultivation, fishing, salt production, and the life of the gardians. The collections combine everyday objects, photographs, testimonies, and interactive displays, providing a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between nature and human presence. The museum is an essential cultural stop to grasp the soul of the Camargue, before or after exploring its vast wild spaces, exceptional wildlife, and living traditions.

PLEASE NOTE

• For the interpretive trail extending the visit, please wear comfortable shoes.

During this excursion in Ardèche, set out to discover one of humanity’s greatest treasures: the Chauvet Cave. Discovered in 1994, it houses the oldest known cave paintings to date, created around 36,000 years ago. To preserve this exceptional heritage, the original cave is not open to the public, but you will visit Chauvet 2, a spectacular replica faithful down to the smallest detail. Lions, rhinoceroses, bears, and horses seem to come alive on the walls, showcasing the artistic genius of early Homo Sapiens. The immersive and carefully staged visit allows you to understand the prehistoric context, the techniques used, and the scientific importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestled in a remarkable natural setting, this site offers an emotional journey to the origins of art and humanity, making this excursion a memorable cultural highlight of your cruise.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
  
• Photography is prohibited
  

The Institut Lumière, located in the Monplaisir district of Lyon, is an emblematic site dedicated to the history of cinema. Housed in the former family home of the Lumière brothers, it retraces the birth of the seventh art and the invention of the cinematograph in 1895.

Visitors will discover exhibition rooms presenting original devices, photographs and historic films. The visit highlights the remarkable modernity of the Lumière brothers’ inventions and their lasting influence on world cinema. You will also stroll through the garden where La Sortie de l’usine Lumière, the first film in history, was filmed.

The Institut also houses an Art House cinema, perpetuating the site’s long-standing cinematic tradition. This visit immerses you in the heart of a unique cultural heritage, at the origin of a major artistic and technical revolution.

PLEASE NOTE

• On Sundays, the visit to the Institut Lumière is replaced by a visit to the Musée des Confluences.

We'll leave on foot for the Cité du Chocolat in Tain l'Hermitage. Come and explore, smell and taste chocolate in all of its forms at the Valrhona discovery center. During the tour of our virtual factory, you'll be invited to take part in short activities about chocolate, and you'll hear from the women and men who help build Valrhona's reputation. Lastly, we'll indulge in a tasting of course! We'll return to the ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

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

We'll leave on foot for the Cité du Chocolat in Tain l'Hermitage. Come and explore, smell and taste chocolate in all of its forms at the Valrhona discovery center. During the tour of our virtual factory, you'll be invited to take part in short activities about chocolate, and you'll hear from the women and men who help build Valrhona's reputation. Lastly, we'll indulge in a tasting of course! We'll return to the ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

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

You will leave the boat on foot for a guided tour of Viviers. The third largest protected sector in the Rhône Alpes regions, residence of bishops since the 5th century, Viviers, a small town with a population of 3,500 is like an open-air museum, where every stone contains a page of history. You will be able to admire France's smallest Cathedral in this sumptuous medieval town. Among other things you will see the House of Knights with its superb Renaissance facade, the Tower of St Michel, the great seminary and the Belvedere with an unobstructed view of Viviers at night. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Comfortable shoes are recommended.
• An effort is required to go up to the Belvedere.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.