Cruise the River Rhône in Provence between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage, gazing at the very sun-drenched landscapes that inspired the canvases of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Time will melt away as you contemplate unsurpassed views of the French countryside. Endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are all synonymous with Provence, a region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization. Its ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts continue to astound modern engineers to this day. As the boat glides past pretty towns and whitewash farmsteads with roofs of terracotta tiles, savour the scenes while peacefully lounging on deck. Gently peddle to a nearby country market on one of the bikes stored onboard. Excursions are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the storybook towns of Orange, Avignon and Arles. Visits to St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus, and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Pont-du-Gard and Glanum will also be a part of your action-packed agenda.

With your own private crew, including a chef who delights in nothing more than creating some fantastic regional dishes for your gourmet meals on board, to your attentive and knowledgeable guide, you will be well looked after from start to finish.

Enjoy time in the beautiful Camargue area just south of Arles before boarding your barge - western Europe's largest river delta, with exceptional biological diversity, and home to unique breeds of horses and bulls, and to more than 400 species of birds including pink flamingos. Spend your last few days discovering the gastronomic city of Lyon and explore the bucolic countryside before departing for home.

The barge is available on a charter basis as well as a cabin only basis (subject to availability) from April - October.

Arles is in the south of France, in Provence. The Rhône river forks into two branches just upstream of Arles, and the city gained prominence in ancient times as a river port. Arles has important remains of Roman times, which have been listed as World Heritage Sites, including; Roman theater, arena or amphitheater, Alyscamps (Roman necropolis), and Thermae of Constantine. The town also has an outstanding museum of ancient history.

Enjoy a private transfer from Marseille to Arles today as you are brought to the beautiful Mas de Peint property in the company of a private driven air conditioned vehicle and driver.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Mas de Peint is an absolute gem of a property located in the heart of the wild horse country of the Camargue - about 20km south of Arles. The elegant 17th century building offers an oasis of warm hospitality in a 1,300 acre estate. The individually designed guestrooms and suites combine traditional elegance and modern comfort while the restaurant offers a cosy and personalised atmosphere where you will be sure to discover some inventive and flavourful delights. Relax in the restful gardens by the outdoor swimming pool, succumb to a relaxing massage or enjoy a cocktail by the fireplace - this is a place that you will truly feel at home in!

Overnight at Mas de Peint (4*).

The Camargue is a very special place and is western Europe's largest river delta, with exceptional biological diversity, and home to unique breeds of horses and bulls, and to more than 400 species of birds including pink flamingos. During your time at the luxurious and expansive estate of Mas de Peint, you may like to consider an excursion to discover the beautiful area that is the Camargue - either by jeep or horseback. Alternatively, consider realxing by the outdoor pool, have a massage or hop on a bike and enjoy an easy ride in the environs. Speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like any activities arranged prior to your arrival.

Overnight at Mas de Peint (4*).

You will be transfered from your hotel in Arles to your awaiting river barge.

After settling into your cabin and familiarizing yourself with the barge, enjoy a champagne reception onboard and meet the crew. Your guide will discuss with you the programme for the week and will try to accommodate any special interests you may have into the visits. The daily excursions are fully escorted by the experienced onboard guide and you are transported each day in an air-conditioned minibus.

A sun deck with Jacuzzi and exercise equipment is located on the top deck. The main deck contains the salon, dining room and one state cabin, while on the lower deck you will find the remaining five guest cabins. The boat is air conditioned throughout and facilities include Games, BOSE ipod docking station, Bicycles and maps, Tennis rackets and balls, Hifi/Stereo (in salon), Intercom, Piano (keyboard), Shaver socket 110-220V (converter available), Hairdryer, Television (in cabin), DVD (in cabin), Writing desk, and Guest computer with Internet access (in salon).

Sit back and relax onboard and enjoy a late afternoon cruise from Arles to get your first taste of Rhône River cruising.

After dinner, take a walking tour of Arles, famous for its Roman ruins and also where Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and '89 painting.

Enjoy a gourmet five course candlelit dinner onboard this evening. The table d’hôte menus are of the very highest quality and include many of the chef's original recipes as well as regional specialties and seasonal delicacies unique to the area and are matched with fine wines.

Avignon city is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a square of the same name. Nearby, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century.

This morning, visit a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting.

Sample some regional produce over a relaxing lunch on board today.

Relax during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of the Rhône Valley drift by. Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay facing the gate to the walled city.

Visit the Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Return to the boat for drinks on the deck, followed by a wonderful dinner.

A walking tour this morning introduces you to the walled city of Avignon, home of the Popes from 1309-77. A guided tour of the Palace of the Popes is followed by free time to enjoy some shopping or perhaps, to take a drink in a pavement café and watch the world go by. Return to the barge where lunch awaits and an afternoon cruise.

Visit the world famous Châteauneuf du Pape, summer home of the popes from Avignon, for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to the small village of St. Etienne des Sorts.

Enjoy dinner onboard your cruise ship.

Viviers is located in the southern-central part of the Ardeche department, a few kilometres south of Montelimar.  There is quite an extensive warren of narrow streets, with buildings that are sometimes very carefully renovated, other times rather derelict looking. All are interesting to explore, and a marked walk can be followed.  In the heart of the old town there is a particularly impressive 16th century renaissance building called the House of the Chevaliers, with a great deal of fine carving and ornamentation on the facade.  Also to discover is the town hall, previously a priest's palace dating from the 18th century; an arched bridge across the river; and the remains of the town ramparts. There are several other notable 17th-18th century grand houses around the town.

This morning your guide will take you on a tour of Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC. The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe.

This afternoon will take you from Orange to Viviers where the barge will be moored for the night. Enroute we will pass through the lock of Bollene, one of the largest locks (Ecluse) in Europe with a drop of approximately 23 metres. There is time for a leisurely storll around this charming medieval town.

Take the time to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the charming medieval town of Viviers - and remember that bikes are available for your use if you feel like venturing further afield before sitting down to dinner.

Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, set up high in the hills, to visit a working lavender distillery and tour an ancient XVIII century olive mill.

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the very scenic village of Grignan, filled with small alley ways, famous for it's wild roses and with a medieval Château at the top of the town.

In the afternoon, visit a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive and unusual mushroom. Rejoin the boat at La Pouzin, to continue the cruise to La Volte.

Enjoy dinner onboard your cruise ship.

Tain l'Hermitage, or "Tain" for short is undoubtedly the centre of the Hermitage wines and the appellation and is located just across the river Rhone from the city of Tournon which can be accessed over a pedestrian bridge.

This morning, the chef walks you over to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte where you have the chance to pick out some local produce to enjoy back on board during a leisurely lunch.

Between La Voulte and Tain l'Hermitage the river valley is flanked by the vineyards of the Côte du Rhône and has a completely different perspective. Mooring in Tain or Tournon you will be escorted to Mr Ferraton's winery for your last wine tasting. Enjoy a private tour and wine tasting just minutes from the boat.

Back on board, enjoy a final night gala night celebratory dinner as you wine and dine as the stars sparkle in the sky and you promise yourself to always remember this feeling of complete relaxation!

Lyon is one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns of Europe, immaculately preserved houses and shops line quaint cobbled streets retaining much of the atmosphere of centuries past. It's here that you can enjoy the city's famous cuisine in the lively bouchons (traditional inns) The city has a myriad of attractions apart from those related to food, not least its fabulous wealth of architecture and historical buildings. There are still Roman ruins from the ancient settlement, including a theatre on Fourvière Hill where performances are still regularly held. Lyon was at the forefront of the silk industry in the early-19th century. The weavers' houses can still be visited in the Croix Rousse district of the city, evoking a still palpable sense of the thriving industry that was once native to this area.

Enjoy your last breakfast onboard the Napoleon before bidding farewell to the crew and disembarking.

Enjoy a private train station transfer in Tain l'Hermitage.

Take the train from Tain l'Hermitage to the gastronomic city of Lyon. The short train ride is approximately one hour and there are trypically many trains running throughout the day.

Train station transfer in Lyon with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Enjoy a three hour private guided walking tour through the historical centre of Lyon with an English speaking Guide. If you would like to add the service of a car and driver, please contact your Sales Advisor.

Enjoy dinner in a great restaurant in Lyon where you are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to all things gastronomic. A 'bouchon' is a typical restaurant in Lyon offering traditional, simple and hearty meals in a convivial ambiance, while gastronomic style restaurants typically offer fine dining options. (Refer to the grid above as to what has been included in your itinerary and let your Sales Avisor if you would like to modify your restaurant style choice or number of courses).

Cour Des Loges (4*) Hotel is a unique and well-known hotel, located in the heart of the old quarter of Lyon, "le Vieux Lyon", which has been classed World Heritage site by UNESCO. The hotel complex brings together four magnificent Renaissance buildings from the 14th, 16th & 17th centuries around and inner patio. On entering the hotel one arrives in the bright inner patio in the middle of the Rennaissance houses forming the hotel. It is a place where one wants to linger to enjoy the charm of the place. A distinctive property with a prime location in the heart of the city, it is one of these special places that one will enjoy and remember, thanks to the combination of style, comfort and service.

Overnight at Hotel La Cour Des Loges (5*).

Consider a private excursion taking in the vineyards of the Beaujolais, lunch in the country, visiting charming villages such as Beaujeu - former capital of the Beaujolais and Perouges – a gem of a medieval town, the golden villages of the Beaujolais – so called because of the golden color that reflects off the stone or explore the southern Rhone valley and the Tain l’Hermitage with a private vehicle, driver and Guide. Alternatively, get in touch with your inner chef and have a fun morning enjoying a private cooking class with a local chef. Please contact your Sales Advisor If any of these suggestions are of interest.

Enjoy dinner in a great restaurant in Lyon where you are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to all things gastronomic. A 'bouchon' is a typical restaurant in Lyon offering traditional, simple and hearty meals in a convivial ambiance, while gastronomic style restaurants typically offer fine dining options. (Refer to the grid above as to what has been included in your itinerary and let your Sales Avisor if you would like to modify your restaurant style choice or number of courses).

Overnight at Hotel La Cour Des Loges (5*).

Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver in Lyon.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).