Alsace and Switzerland in Celebration: A Cruise Combining Exceptional Craftsmanship, Unique Flavors, and Incomparable Local Culture (port-to-port cruise)

Your visit begins at the Pharmacy Museum, located in the “Zum vorderen Sessel” house, a historic site once regularly frequented by Erasmus and Paracelsus, major figures of humanist thought and medicine. Today, the museum houses one of the world’s most important collections dedicated to the history of pharmacy and medical sciences. You will discover, among other things, a natural sciences collection dating back to the 1920s, preserved unchanged to this day, as well as remarkable testimonies of historic pharmaceutical practices: old medicines, reconstructed pharmacies, laboratory instruments, an alchemist’s laboratory, microscopes, and an outstanding collection of faience from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

The tour continues to Basel Cathedral (Münster), a true emblem of the city and a key site in its religious and political history. Built in pink sandstone, it stands out for its colorful tiled roofs and its two slender towers overlooking the Rhine. Constructed mainly in the 11th and 12th centuries, the cathedral was the seat of the famous Council of Basel in the 15th century and houses the tomb of Erasmus. From the Pfalz terrace, you can also enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Rhine and the old town.

Return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Transfer by coach to the Beyeler Foundation, a must-visit destination for lovers of modern and contemporary art. The museum houses the prestigious collection assembled by the gallerists Ernst and Hildy Beyeler, featuring major paintings and sculptures from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. During the visit, you will discover iconic works by masters such as Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Miró, Giacometti, and Rothko, offering an exceptional overview of the evolution of modern art.

Inaugurated in 1997, the Beyeler Foundation building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands out for its clean, luminous architecture, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. The large windows, zenithal lighting, and harmony between the interior and the surrounding landscaped park contribute to a particularly pleasant and contemplative visiting experience. The foundation also hosts internationally renowned temporary exhibitions, further enhancing its cultural prestige.

Return transfer to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach to Mulhouse to explore the Cité du Train, the largest railway museum in Europe and a key reference in the field of industrial heritage. This exceptional site invites visitors to immerse themselves in more than two centuries of French and European railway history.

Through an impressive collection of steam, electric, and diesel locomotives, historic carriages, and rare railway equipment, the museum traces the technical, economic, and human evolution of the train. The exhibition spaces, organized chronologically and thematically, allow visitors to understand the essential role of rail in industrial development, societal transformations, and the evolution of travel.

Visitors can admire iconic machines, relive the golden age of prestigious journeys, discover the daily life of railway workers, and explore the technological innovations that shaped railway history, from the first locomotives to high-speed trains. Immersive displays, recreated atmospheres, and interactive exhibits enrich the visit, making the experience both educational and captivating.

This immersion at the heart of railway heritage offers a true journey through time, combining memory, technical progress, and human adventure. Return by coach to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.