The Best of Provence on the Rhône Cruise Holiday

Le Bateaux Belmond

Best time to travel

Apr - Oct

Ideal Length

6 nights

Perfect for

Couples

From (incl flights)

€8,899 pp sharing

At a glance

International return flights from Dublin to Lyon and home from Marseille.
All private transfers.
6 nights on board Belmond’s Napoleon, an elegant sanctuary on the water.
Tour Arles, once Van Gogh’s home, and Saint-Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus alongside a visit to Avignon, home to the Popes of Avignon in the 1300s.
Experience gourmet meals, a visit to a truffle farm, wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape and an evening on board with a local sommelier.

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Introduction

As warm dappled sunlight makes its way through the trees and tranquil meadows drift by, sit back and take in the beauty of the Rhône as you sail from Tain L’Hermitage to Avignon aboard Belmond’s Napoleon, your villa on the water. Wake in the mornings to the gentle sounds of the water and set off on experiences designed to immerse you in the best of Provence. Scenic days are filled with exquisite cuisine, wine tastings, historic tours and indulgent luxuries. Take a bike for a cycle through the lavender feels or hop in the vehicle that accompanies Napoleon to set off for private châteaux or a hidden trails at a moment’s notice.

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Trip Overview

Arrive in Lyon.

Board the barge and settle in as you get to know your crew over a champagne reception. A local sommelier will introduce you to the Northern Rhône Valley wines before you spend your evening dining on a delicious meal accompanied by fine wines.

Cruise to Viviers.

Glide past the Rhône Valley as you traverse along the calm waters. Upon arrival in Viviers, enjoy a guided tour of the medieval town. Return to the barge and play the traditional Provencal game, pétanque.

Next stop is Grignan.

Embark on a scenic drive to this Provencal village and tour the medieval chateau. Experience the delectable flavours of Provence with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before visiting a nearby truffle farm to learn about this famous delicacy.

Cruise south towards Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts.

Indulge in a wine-tasting in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Avignon. Along the way, pass the famous bridge Pont Saint-Bénezet and visit the spectacular Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct.

Tour Avignon.

Home to the Popes of Avignon in the 1300s, stroll around the city, taking some time to peruse the shops or pause for a quiet moment of respite at a French café. After lunch on the Belmond Napoléon, cruise to Arles, the former home of renowned painter, Vincent Van Gogh.

Disembark in Avignon.

After your final breakfast on board, bid farewell to the crew as your cruise holiday comes to an end. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Arrive in Dublin.

Tailoring your holiday

OROKO Itineraries are created with you in mind and no two are the same. These can be used to help plan your trip - or we can design a completely different itinerary to suit you.

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Accommodation

Where to rest your head

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Napoléon

Your luxury villa on the water, Belmond’s Napoléon is a beacon of opulence taking guests from Tain L’Hermitage to Avignon. Each of the six generously sized cabins on board feature an en suite bathroom and a large window to watch the world go by.

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What people are saying

OROKO created the honeymoon of our dreams in South Africa. The consultation process was very laid-back and conversational. The whole process overall was really quite quick and smooth. There was no trawling through the internet for hours late at night, weighing up costs and reviews of hotels and transfer companies etc – it was all done for us based on the OROKO travel experts’ experiences – which we found to be absolutely spot on. Choosing a ‘luxury travel’ company was a little daunting: We wanted a special honeymoon without spending silly money – and OROKO worked very well with this brief. Believe me when I say our accommodation could not have been more perfect for us. It really was the holiday of our dreams.

Angharad & husband – Honeymoon 2019