Summary
Short description
Luxury barging from Belmond
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Highlights
- Discover gastronomy both gourmet and traditional in 18th century olive mills and world-renowned wineries
- Explore the medieval towns that dot the Rhône's storied banks
- Stop in to see Arles' Roman ruins and leafy squares where Van Gogh painted more than 200 works
In Brief
- 1 Night Tain-l'Hermitage
- 1 Night Viviers
- 1 Night Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts
- 1 Night Avignon
- 2 Nights Arles
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Food & wine | History & culture | River cruise
With space for just 12 guests and a raft of activities that include everything from champagne receptions, lavish gala dinners and wine tastings to guided tours of fortified cities, truffle farms and olive mills, this Belmond canal cruise is among the most indulgent and exclusive ways to celebrate the beauty and bounty of southern France. You’ll sail from Tain L’Hermitage, or Tournon, via Avignon and Saint-Rémy to Van Gogh’s former home and the birthplace of Nostradamus – Arles. There’s even time for a game or two of on-deck pétanque.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Paris/Tain L’Hermitage/Tournon
Fly from the UK to Paris and transfer by train to your luxury Belmond barge, departing from either Tain L’Hermitage or Tournon. Begin life on board with a champagne reception and the chance to make the acquaintance of the crew and your fellow guests before a tasting at Mr Ferranton’s winery and the first of your on board gourmet dinners, accompanied by the region’s finest labels, of course.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Meals: D
Day
2
Viviers
Watch the riverine landscapes of the Rhône Valley drift by as you cruise to Viviers for a guided walk of its medieval centre. Then, return to the barge to try your hand at the traditional Provençal game of pétanque.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Nyons/Grignan/Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts
After a scenic drive, a tour of pretty Nyons will introduce you to its lavender distillery and 18th century olive mill. Stopping for lunch in Grignan, you’ll continue to a working truffle farm to taste this world-renowned delicacy. End the day with a cruise south to Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts, passing through the Bollène lock and its 23-metre drop.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Châteauneuf-du-Pape/Avignon
Visit the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste its acclaimed reds before an onboard lunch signals your arrival into Avignon. Take in the views of its Pont Saint-Bénezet bridge, then, moor opposite the city gates to visit the impressive Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct, returning to the barge for dinner.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Day
5
Avignon/Arles
Having kept your overnight mooring, you’ll have a full morning to explore Avignon’s medieval city walls and learn about its 13th century papal heritage. There’s also time for some shopping and a cup of coffee in one of the town’s ubiquitous pavement cafés. Return to the ship for a gourmet lunch as you cruise to Arles and the nearby village of Les Baux.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Arles/Saint-Rémy
In the late 19th century, Vincent Van Gogh painted around 200 works in Arles, and a morning tour offers the chance to explore the Roman ruins, leafy squares and sun-baked houses that he commited to canvas. A lazing lunchtime cruise brings you back towards Avignon, stopping to explore Saint-Rémy, another of Van Gogh’s former hometowns, and the birthplace of Nostradamus. As the day draws to a close, you’ll make a final stop to taste the local olive oil at an 18th century Provençal bastide before a farewell gala dinner on board.
Stay: Belmond Napoleon (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Arles/Paris/UK
Disembark in Arles and board to train to Paris to catch your connecting flight.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
7-day luxury river cruise from £5,625 pp incl. flights
Superior
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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