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Classic
2023

French Art and History Along the Rhône River

7 Days - MML_PEAIPP
# Description

Cruise

MARTIGUES  – PORT-SAINT-LOUIS - ARLES – AVIGNON – VIIVERS - TAIN-L’HERMITAGE – LYON - MACON – LYON

Discover the Rhône through an offbeat, seven-day cruise. See each city differently as you retrace the footsteps of the artists and celebrities who influenced their cultures.
From Alphonse de Lamartine's Mâcon to the side trips to Paul Bocuse's Lyon and Van Gogh's homestead in Arles, each excursion will bring you to the core of the city and its history. 
Discover unusual sites such as the Quarries of Light in Les Baux-de-Provence and the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives.
This cruise on the Saône and Rhone Rivers overflows with the vineyard landscapes and limestone cliffs of southern France.

    Croisi +
    All inclusive on board

    THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

    • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
    • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
    • Free Wi-Fi onboard
    • Headsets are included for excursions
    • Official welcome from the captain and crew
    • Onboard activities
    • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
    • All port fees included

    CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

    • All excursions included
    • Following the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles
    • Multimedia experience at the Quarry of Lights in Les Baux-de-Provence
    • The Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives

    Route

    Day 1

    MARTIGUES(2) - PORT-SAINT-LOUIS

    Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We’ll enjoy dinner on board. The ship will sail towards Port-Saint-Louis.

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    Day 2

    PORT-SAINT-LOUIS - ARLES - AVIGNON

    This morning, we’ll leave for an excursion to the city Paul Cézanne adored, Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence was founded in 123 BC by the Romans. The city’s deep history can be seen and felt everywhere you stroll. The architecture, monuments, sites, shops, and squares simply ooze Provençal charm and allure. By following the letter “C” along the streets, you’ll walk in Cézanne’s footsteps from his birth to his death. In the older part of the city, you’ll discover the city’s prestigious past. At the end of our excursion, we’ll enjoy a tasting of the traditional Calisson d’Aix, a candied delight.  In the afternoon, join us for a visit of Arles following the footsteps of Van Gogh. Arles is an ancient Roman city whose ruins are second only to Rome and include the Antique Theater, Amphitheater, Thermes of Constantine, and the Alyscamps. Arles is also an important stop along the Way of St. James. Van Gogh, longing for the sunshine and vibrant colors of the south, came to Arles in 1888 and produced almost 300 drawings and paintings here. Our tour will retrace his steps to the different sites where he set up his easel, such as the Place du Forum, the Quai du Rhône, and Place Lamartine.

    After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship.

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    Day 3

    AVIGNON - VIVERS

    Join us this morning for a visit of Les Baux-de-Provence and the Quarry of Lights. We'll travel by coach to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence. Our tour will include seeing the exteriors of several important sites such as the château and the church. At the foot of the village lies the Val d’Enfer, a valley formed by erosion. Within the valley is a former limestone quarry that has been the inspiration or backdrop for many works, including Dante’s poem The Divine Comedy and Jean Cocteau’s Testament of Orpheus. Today, the quarry is home to a multimedia experience highlighting works by the greatest names in the history of art.

    This afternoon will be spend cuising towards Viviers.

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    Day 4

    VIVERS - LA VOUTLE - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE

    We’ll head out on an excursion this morning to the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, a monument built by a local postman from 1879 to 1912. No other building like it exists in the world, which is why it attracts the curiosity of visitors from all over. In addition to building the structure with his own hands, Ferdinand Cheval personalized the palace with poetic texts describing his feat. The idea came to Cheval one day when he was delivering his mail on foot and he spotted an unusual rock. He decided that since nature could create sculptures, he should be able to achieve the dream he harbored for years to build an “ideal palace.” And so the adventure began.

    After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Tain l'Hermitage.

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    Day 5

    LYON - MACON

    In the morning, join us for a guided tour of the city and a tasting at Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse.(1) We’ll cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Then, we’ll head over to Vieux Lyon to have a look at its historical homes and the bouchon restaurants that are found throughout the district. Learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street. Don’t miss the tasting of fine food at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon, a huge, three-story, indoor market where close to 50 shops offer the finest gourmet food. We’ll enjoy a snack of local sausage and cheese, topped off with a lovely glass of wine. We’ll cruise to Mâcon in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

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    Day 6

    MÂCON - LYON

    This morning, join us for a guided tour of Mâcon as seen through the eyes of French author and poet Alphonse de Lamartine. With its colored facades, Mâcon feels like it should be part of Provence. Learn more about this Burgundy city on a tour highlighting its major sites as Lamartine described them in his works. Join us this afternoon for a guided tour of medieval Pérouges and the Royal Monastery of Brou. Margaret of Austria was widowed at the young age of 24 in 1504. In her grief, she decided to build a royal monastery to house the tombs of her late husband, his mother, and herself. The complex consists of monastic buildings that were built for Augustinian monks and a beautiful church. After our tour, we’ll continue on to Pérouges. Pérouges has been categorized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. A stroll along its cobblestone streets will take you back to the time of knights and troubadours.

    After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship and cruise to Lyon in the evening. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

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    Day 7

    LYON

    Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

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    Dates & Prices

    START IN 2023
    Departure 03/28/2023
    Arrival 04/03/2023
    Sold out
    Ship : MS Camargue Ship category : PREMIUM
    Departure 04/20/2023
    Arrival 04/26/2023
    FROM $ 2,245 PP
    Ship : MS Rhone Princess Ship category : STANDARD
    Departure 06/06/2023
    Arrival 06/12/2023
    Sold out
    Ship : MS Camargue Ship category : PREMIUM
    Departure 07/14/2023
    Arrival 07/20/2023
    FROM $ 2,731 PP
    Ship : MS Van Gogh Ship category : PREMIUM
    Departure 09/29/2023
    Arrival 10/05/2023
    FROM $ 2,245 PP
    Ship : MS Rhone Princess Ship category : STANDARD

    * Price based on double occupancy

    Sales

    • Child discount (2-9 years) : - 20%
    Included :
    Not included

    Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - visits mentioned in the program - all onboard beverages (not including the special lists) - accommodations in a double-occupancy, climate-controlled cabin with shower in private bathroom - onboard activities - welcome cocktail - gala evening - assistance from our onboard, multi-lingual host/hostess - emergency/repatriation insurance - all port fees.

    Drinks from our special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - transfers to/from departure/arrival points - personal expenses.

    Shore Excursions

    Aix-en-Provence and the Wonders of Paul Cézanne

    We’ll leave by coach for Aix-en-Provence. At the foot of Mount Sainte-Victoire and surrounded by impeccably preserved countryside dotted with Provençal fortified towns, lies Aix-en-Provence. Mount Sainte-Victoire itself is a symbol of th...

    Duration 5h00 Discovery
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    Following the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles

    We’ll leave on foot for a guided tour of Arles following the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. Arles is an ancient Roman city whose ruins are second only to Rome and include the Antique Theater, Amphitheater, Thermes of Constantine, and the Alysca...

    Duration 2h00 Discovery
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    A Guided Tour of the Royal Monastery of Brou and the Medieval City of Pérouges

    We’ll leave Belleville by coach for the Royal Monastery of Brou. Discover why this Flamboyant Gothic-style church was voted the French public’s favorite monument in 2014. After the death of her beloved husband, Philibert the Handsome, Mar...

    Duration 5h00 Discovery
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    The Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval

    We’ll head out on an excursion to the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, a monument built by a postman from 1879 to 1912. No other building like it exists in the world, which is why it attracts the curiosity of visitors from all over. Cheva...

    Duration 3h30 Discovery
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    Lyon and Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

    Join us on a guided tour of Lyon. We’ll cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Then we’ll head over to Vieux Lyon to have a look at its historical homes and the &q...

    Duration 4h00 Classic
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    Following the Footsteps of Alphonse de Lamartine in Mâcon

    Alphonse de Lamartine was born in Mâcon in 1790. He was an author, poet, and statesman who had a profound impact on France during the 19th century. We’ll set out to trace his footsteps by following the bronze “Plume Trail” tha...

    Duration 2h30 Discovery
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    Les Baux-de-Provence and the Quarries of Light

    We'll travel by coach to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence, located on a plateau in the heart of the Alpilles mountain range.  The village overlooks the exceptional scenery leading to Arles, the Camargue, and...

    Duration 4h30 Discovery
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    Ships

    Several ships available for this cruise

    Valid national identity card or passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.


    For the safety of our passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary.

    (1) Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse is closed on Sunday and Monday. We will provide a tasting of local products as a substitute.

    (2) Depending on mooring availabilities, the stopover in Martigues may be replaced by Port Saint Louis du Rhône.

    Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

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