voyage at a Glance 7 Cruise nights
Paris
SWITZERLAND FRANCE
Tain-l’Hermitage Vienne Lyon
Tournon Valence
Pont du Gard Viviers
Avignon Roussillon Arles MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Day Destination 1 Arrive Paris, Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris 2 Paris
3 TGV to Lyon / Embark Lyon 4 Lyon 5 Vienne 6 Avignon / Pont du Gard 7 Roussillon / Arles 8 Viviers 9 Tournon / Valence / Tain-l’Hermitage 10 Depart Lyon
7. PICTURE-PERFECT IN ROUSSILLON & ARLES First up today – travel to Roussillon in the Luberon region of Provence. Sitting in the middle of one of the world’s largest deposits of ochre, Roussillon is surrounded by richly colored cliffs and quarries which blaze against the azure Provençal sky. Not far away is Abbaye de Sénanque, whose austere Romanesque abbey church has stood since the 12th century; today, you’ll have views of the abbey and – depending on the time of year – the lavender fields surrounding it, tended by the monks who still live in this ancient retreat. Back in its Roman days – as the city of Arelate in Gaul – Arles was a pretty happening place. As a major cultural and religious center, it covered nearly 100 acres, had an arena, circus and triumphal arch, and served as a key port on the Rhône. In contrast, the Arles that Vincent van Gogh found in 1888 was a sleepy Provençal backwater... but with its lush fields, plentiful Roman ruins and extraordinary light, it was a perfect place to paint. Upon arrival in Arles, take a guided walking tour of this town that so inspired van Gogh with its blend of ancient and new. Tonight, your riverboat sets off for medieval Viviers. Meals BLD
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Where to eat like a gourmand With bucolic vineyards that produce a bounty of wines, lush landscapes fed by the mighty Rhône River and towns like Lyon that entice with some of the finest gourmet cuisine anywhere, the Rhône-Alpes region is renowned for its cooking schools and culinary creativity. Master chefs perform their magic... pot au feu, quintessential quenelles, salade Lyonnaise and savory coq au vin that are perfection. A trip to the local market introduces you to the vast array of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally produced cheeses, warm-from-the-oven baguettes, spicy sausages and pastries that make their way to your plate in infinitely delectable variations... made all the more memorable with a glass or two of wine this area is famous for the world over.
Tasting history along the river In addition to its rich gastronomic heritage, the Rhône River courses with ancient history that dates back to Roman times. You can find vestiges of Roman rule in the riverfront city of Vienne, a treasure trove of archaeological ruins that chronicle its glory days as Rome’s major wine port. You can explore it in the medieval Palais des Papes, reigning in the walled city of Avignon since the 1300s when popes ruled and cultivated local wine known as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, still favored today. You can see it when you dine on a Provençal-style dinner with views of the 14th-century Pont du Gard. And you can taste it in Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l’Hermitage, known for its centuries-old Côtes du Rhône vineyards and fine chocolate.
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