A Visit to Southern France, Itinerary

Wednesday, July 11th

Depart US for southern France.

Thursday, July 12th

Arrive Marseille Airport. Motor coach transportation to Saint-Remy-de-Provence. After checking into your hotel, your afternoon is free to explore town. Optional visits in town include the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh was recovering in the latter years of his life, the Roman ruins of Glanum, shop in town, or relax at a café.

Friday, July 13th

We are on the road to visit the Aqueduct known as Pont du Gard, just outside the city of Nimes. While there, we will take some time to tour the museum there as well as walk out to the site. We’ll picnic al fresco at the site.

After lunch time, we will travel back to Saint-Remy with time on the way to stop at the tiny hilltop town on les Baux. This town and castle, perched on a rocky outcrop, is worth an afternoon visit. Shop, dine, or walk to the castle to see a display of medieval siege machines. The mountaintop castle has performances many times throughout the day, including a demonstration of the trebuchet and catapult. If the show doesn’t interest you, the views from the village are great and the opportunity for photos is outstanding.

We’ll get back to Saint Remy just before dinner time and an opportunity to sample the Provincial cuisine that evening.

Saturday, July 14th Bastille Day

The French “Fourth of July”, commemorating the storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789. In France, it is more formally known as La Fete Nationale or The National Celebration, and is a huge celebration across the country. There will be fireworks, dancing, picnics, bullfights, and parades.

Before all this takes place, we will be traveling out to a local market to give you a taste of a Marche Provencal. We’ll then journey to Chateauneuf to visit a wine maker and olive oil producer. We’ll sample the wares at both places before returning to Saint Remy for the evening celebration.

Sunday, July 15th Boarding the Viking Europe

We are under 60 minutes from the river pier in Avignon. After a leisurely morning in Saint Remy, well depart about noon for the boat. We will board the boat a little after lunch time. We begin our cruise in the university town of Avignon, which will be hosting their annual arts festival. You’ll find an abundance of live entertainment, plays, street performers, great food and drink.

From Avignon, the boat departs late in the afternoon, cruising south to the town of Arles, home to many painters from the Impressionist School.

Monday, July 16th

Arrive during breakfast and take a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trôphime, completed in the 15th century. Return aboard for lunch followed by an afternoon on your own to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served as you depart.

Tuesday, July 17th

We turn 180 degrees and travel back upriver toward the north. This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture, which served as papal residence, fortress, church, and palace. After the tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Avignon. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Arrive after dinner in Viviers, a quaint town in a mountainous setting. Join your Program Director for an evening stroll through the Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Enjoy free time before retiring for the evening.

Wednesday, July 18th

After a scenic morning cruise and lunch aboard, take a tour through Tournon to Tain l’Hermitage, a region known for its wine and gourmet chocolate. During a guided tour of the area, learn about the region’s winemaking traditions and taste some famous regional red wines. Then visit the Musée de Tain l’Hermitage, located in the oldest house in the region. Dine aboard and cruise through the evening.

Thursday, July 19th

This morning, take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town with an ancient Roman past. Visit the Temple of Augustus & Livia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice; then spend some time discovering more of this charming riverside town on your own. Return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon departure. Later, this afternoon, arrive in Lyon. Enjoy free time to explore this remarkable 2,000-year-old city in the heart of France. Dinner is served aboard and your ship remains docked overnight, so you may choose to take an evening stroll.

Friday, July 20th

After breakfast, tour Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive through town past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Then take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), with free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world-famous. Return to your ship for an afternoon departure.

Saturday, July 21st

After breakfast, take a scenic drive along France’s Burgundy wine route through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. Arrive in Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy, for a guided tour of beautiful Hôtel Dieu, founded as a hospice in 1443. Learn about local viticulture and enjoy a wine tasting at one of Beaune’s famous cellars. Return to your ship, which is docked in Chalon-sur-Saône, for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore this quaint town on the scenic Saône River. The boat remains docked in Chalon, providing an opportunity to enjoy late night entertainment in town.

Sunday, July 22nd

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Lyon airport for your return flight. Guests extending on their own, or with the group to Paris, will board a motor coach to drive about an hour to the rail hub of Dijon to catch a high-speed train to the French capital.

Sunday, July 22nd

Our TGV Train will arrive at Gare de Lyon in Paris at 12:30pm. Since hotels don’t usually allow check in until 3:00 pm, we will board a coach with the bags for a two hour orientation/sightseeing tour of the city before arriving at our Left Bank hotel. This evening is free to explore the neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the Paris Metro.

Monday, July 23rd

You have all day today to utilize your Paris Museum Card, which grants you free entry into most of the museums in the city. You not only have admission paid in advance, but your pass allows you to bypass any lines you may encounter. This evening, we will experience Paris by night with dinner on one of the Seine river cruises.

Tuesday, July 24th

Another day on your own in Paris. It’s not possible to list all the things you can fill your day with in this city. This is a short list, many of which I have had the pleasure of doing. Tour the Paris catacombs: Paris has thousands of miles of tunnels, sewers, catacombs, and quarries crisscrossing the city. Dark, damp, and a little spooky, this former quarry now holds the bones of thousands of Parisians. It’s worth the 60 minute tour to get a different historical perspective of the city.

Wednesday, July 25th

Our airport transportation departs from the hotel with a two-hour advance check-in in mind. These times will be announced closer to the event.

Updated: Tuesday, February 7, 2012