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Vistas, Villages and River Cruising the Best of Provence
September 29 ~ October 12, 2006

"Greetings, empire of the sun, bordered like a silver edge by the glistening Rhône! Empire of pleasure and of joy, Wondrous empire of Provence, who enchants the world with your name alone."

Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914)

Our Program

  • 5 nights - Aix-en-Provence with daily sightseeing excursions
  • 7 nights - cruising the Rhône and Saône Rivers through Provence and Southern Burgundy

Sept/ 29
Overnight travel to Marseille, France - we would be happy to assist with air arrangements to meet up with our transfer service.

Sept.30 Aix-en-Provence

Thermal fountain on Cours Mirabeau

Arrive Marseille and transfer to Aix-en-Provence. Aix was founded as a military camp under the name of Aquae Sextiae (the Waters of Sextius) in 123 BC, on the site of its thermal springs which still flow. The city reached its zenith as a centre of art and learning under the enlightened Renaissance King René, a brilliant polyglot who brought painters to his court from all around Europe. It still maintains one of France's finest universities (established in 1409) and is the home of the "Félibrige" movement created by the poet, Frédéric Mistral. He often met with other writers and notables in the Café deux Garçons on the Cours Mirabeau.

We will stay 5 nights right in the centre of this "city embodying grace and gentility", enjoying its amenities in the evenings and visit some of Provence's most beautiful and diverse sights each day from this base.

Oct. 01 Aix-en-Provence (The City of a Hundred Fountains)

Today we will tour on foot this city of history and art. Unlike the large commercial centres of the Riviera, Aix-en-Provence is very comfortable in its skin. It is proud of its glorious and glamorous past and shows it off beautifully to all who visit her. Aside from the cafés lining the shaded Cours Mirabeau, its beautiful Renaissance quarter and its fascinating medieval quarter, Aix is the perfect centre point for us to live in and travel from each day to discover the many diverse areas of the best of Provence.

Oct. 04 Gorge of Verdon

Today we venture into the amazing panorama of Provence - our destination is the spectacular Verdon Gorge "This wild region of Gorges, guards in its gigantic geological chaos the record of the birth and history of our world".

We will travel first to the lovely picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie - a place of poetry, art and legend. At the entrance to 'the gorge', the village seems to tumble from between two lofty and craggy cliffs. This ancient village has a wonderful story to tell from Grand Pilgrimages to the production of porcelain, famous in the 17th century and stemming from quality pottery workshops from the century before. After lunch, we will travel the 'Corniche Sublime' - a route along the rim showing off this fantastic gorge. Later in the afternoon we return to Aix.

Oct. 03 Cassis and Crête Road

I always love the drive down from Aix to the sleepy fishing village of Cassis on the rugged Mediterranean coast. It shows off the Mediterranean just as we picture it in our mind - sparkling and brilliantly blue as it contrasts with the sun-baked white of the limestone fingers that reach into the sea and shelter pockets of sand beaches between them. The wide semi-circular quay is a delight to stroll, with shops and restaurants on one side and bobbing sailboats from everywhere around the world on the other.

After free time for a leisurely lunch along the quay or an optional boat ride to view the amazing 'calanques', we will leave the village and travel the 'Route des Crêtes' offering a Mediterranean view that you will always remember. We will return to Aix-en-Provence in the direction of Mount Ste Victoire, made famous by Cézanne.

Oct. 04 Villages of the Luberon

Today we travel north of Aix and up onto the Luberon Plateau. Here are the timeless villages kept secret until the book, "A Year in Provence". Just as Peter Mayle tells it these tiny villages, dotted sparsely over the plateau, have a timeless quality. Everyone who explores them will come away with an idea of what the Provençal are about. The legendary potent herbal brew "pastis" came from these villages. It is known locally as the "good-natured thirst quencher". We will visit three of these lovely villages, spend time in a Wednesday morning market, go over a true Roman bridge, and admire a fortified castle in the middle of a village perched like a broach on the Luberon slope, before returning to Aix late in the afternoon.

Oct. 05 Aix-en-Provence to Arles

Today we will travel toward the Rhône River on a very interesting route. We will go first to St-Rémy-de-Provence, a long established centre of the Alpilles region. Today it is a renowned centre for herbalism, focusing on a resurgence in the use of natural products produced from the abundant herbs that have always grown wild here. St-Rémy-de-Provence was the home of the astrologer Nostradamus, and the hospital where Van Gogh spent a year (May 1889 to May 1890) and produced some of his best works including 'Irises', "Cypresses", and "The Sower"

Then we continue on to the stunning rock fortress of Les Baux. An imposing outcrop at the pinnacle of the Alpilles, it has been occupied for the past 5000 years and has a colourful history through the ages of feudal lords that indulged in power and battle and patronized the troubadours - much of France's literary tradition emerged from their bloody citadel. It is now a village of winding streets, ancient stone houses, and medieval ruins, all on a perch with a breathtaking view over the valley below. Then it's on to our destination and ancient city of Arles to board our waiting ship, the "River Royale" , our home for the next 7 nights as we travel up the river, visiting more of Provence's historic sites and beauty spots.

Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale in Arles.

0ct. 06 Arles & Provence

Arles is another fascinating city bearing none of the cultured sophistication of 'Aix'. Known as 'The Little Rome of Gaul', it lives amongst its ancient history as a sacred badge to be treasured for all posterity. Our walking tour of Arles shows us the same sun-drenched vistas and ancient monuments that inspired Van Gogh and Gaugin. During our lunch back on board we cast off to cruise for the rest of the afternoon to our next destination, Avignon. For those who want to join me after our dinner on board, we can enter the great ramparts and walk into the centre of Avignon and stroll the main Avenue and square, where it seems everyone in town gathers for the evening in the many cafés.

Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale in Avignon.


14th century ramparts of Avignon built by Pope Innocent VI
'Palace of the Popes'

Oct. 07 Avignon-Viviers

Avignon

Nestled in the lush, vine-clad hills of the Rhône Valley, Avignon sparkles in the legendary light of Provence. Avignon was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, when its Palais des Papes was the equivalent of today's Vatican. Our city tour includes a visit to the Palace of the Popes and a walk through the city center to see the main square, the 12th century cathedral and the lovely 'Pont d'Avignon'

This afternoon we leisurely cruise northward. The Rhône has been one of the great "highways" of the civilized world since before Roman times. The Rhone Valley is best known for full-bodied red wines, but also produces some lovely white wines. We arrive in the town of Viviers in the early evening. Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale in Viviers.

Oct. 08 Viviers to Tournon

Viviers is the definition of 'Old World Charm' - founded in the 5th century, Viviers is full of medieval and renaissance architecture. During our walking tour of this city, we will see and feel its connection to Roman, Christian and medieval influences. We will also enjoy an organ concert in the 12th century cathedral.

Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale in Viviers.

Renaissance quarter of Lyon

Oct. 09 Tournon to Lyon

We are still cruising as we enjoy our breakfast this morning. As we will arrive around 1:00pm, we have a lazy morning to lounge on deck. We are now in the heart of the Ardeche region - a countryside of fruit trees, vines and olives dotted with 16th century castles and Roman ruins. For wine lovers, this is the mighty 'Côtes du Rhône'. We dock at Tournon, a lovely town with a 12th century château. Directly across the river, is the town of Tain' l'Hermitage with its world famous Valrhona chocolate factory. We will indulge in a chocolate and wine tasting featuring Valrhona chocolate and the wonderful Côte du Rhône wine. Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale en route to Lyon.

Oct 10 Lyon

Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, Lyon is also the city where north meets south. This morning's guided tour takes you to Fourviere Hill. Lyon has the largest intact Renaissance quarter in Europe and after walking through some of the charming old streets, you will arrive at the city's largest square, Place Bellecourt. There is free time in the afternoon to enjoy exploring the city on our own. Tonight we have dinner on shore - a gastronomic event Paul Bocuse style ! Overnight on board the River Royale in Lyon.

Oct 11 Burgundy

Today's tour takes us to Beaune, the ancient capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, and commercial center of the region's wine trade. We will drive right through some of the world's most famous wine villages, such as Chagny and Meursault. In Beaune we will visit the 15th century Hôtel Dieu Hospice, Beaune's masterpiece of Flemish-Burgundian architecture with its famous multicoloured tiled roof. Dinner and overnight on board the River Royale in Chalon.

Oct 12 Lyon

Overnight we have travelled back down from Chalon to Lyon and after breakfast, we will disembark and transfer to the airport for our flight home.


Top deck of River ship

Docked in Avnignon

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