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RV Da Vinci - Christmas Figurine Cruise: Christmas Traditions in the Rhône Valley
Lyon, Avignon, Arles, Tain L’hermitage & Lyon
Highlights- Unprecedented itinerary
- Discovering the Christmas traditions of the Rhône Valley and Provence
- ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
- THE ESSENTIALS:
- Les Baux-de-Provence, one of the most beautiful villages in France and its places steeped in history
- Discover Provençal traditions and taste local products
- Visit to the Popes' Palace
- The City of Chocolate and the Chapoutier house(1) in Tain l'Hermitage
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- STARTING PRICE $1020 or €915
- DURATION 4 nights
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DEPARTURE DATES
01, 02, 10, 11, 14 & 15 December 2025
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EMBARKATION PORTS
- Lyon
Send Your Request
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Day 1: LYON
Boarding at 4 p.m. in Lyon. The boat departs for Avignon. Crew introductions and welcome cocktail.
Day 2: AVIGNON
Morning sailing in the Rhône Valley.
In the afternoon, excursion included: guided tour of the Palais des Papes . An imposing fortress and sumptuous palace, it is the symbol of the power of Christianity in the Middle Ages and it hosted seven sovereign pontiffs in the 14th century. As you visit the rooms of the largest Gothic palace in the world, the tour will retrace the lives of the pontiffs, their political and religious power. You will be able to admire the great ceremonial rooms, the chapels and the private apartments of the Popes. Then free time to discover Avignon, the magic of Christmas invades the streets and the city is transformed into a magical place.
Free evening in Avignon.
Day 3: AVIGNON - ARLESMorning cruise to Arles. Conference on Christmas traditions in Provence and the famous thirteen Christmas desserts . Presentation and tasting of these sweets that crown the copious Christmas meal in Provence. Tradition dictates that the thirteen desserts are served in abundance and that each guest can taste this assortment of dishes composed of dried fruits, fresh fruits, nougats, figs, fougasse…
In the afternoon, excursion included to Les Baux-de-Provence and the village of the santons of Paradou . The village is dressed in its festive clothes at this time. Classified among the most beautiful villages in France, you will discover the charm of this medieval village, perched on the top of the rocks of the Alpilles massif, in the heart of the valley between vineyards and olive trees. You will discover the many listed monuments of this small town, patiently restored, such as the Château des Baux (exterior), the church of St Vincent (exterior) and many others. Continue to the village of Santons in Paradou. You will discover the most authentic Provençal village in the region and its life of yesteryear with the apothecary, the grinder, the Provençal market, the farandole, the mill of Alphonse Daudet... 350 santons staged on 300 m2 to introduce you to Provence at the beginning of the 19th century. These clay figures are emblematic of Provence and are staged in a picturesque setting worthy of the world of Daudet and Pagnol, who themselves would have been mistaken to find their characters as lifelike as life. You will be amazed by the authenticity of everything there and by its remarkable details. Everything is there: the houses, the santons, the animals, the objects...
Night navigation to Tain l'Hermitage.
Day 4: TAIN L'HERMITAGEMorning sailing. In the afternoon, in Tain l'Hermitage, visit included to the Cité du Chocolat and a wine cellar . This visit will allow you to discover the history and secrets of making the famous Valrhona chocolates. The interactive and multi-sensory tour will take you to the square of the senses, to the recipe counter, to the cocoa plantations, to the chocolate factory and to the chocolate workshop. And to finish you will taste these delicious chocolates. Then you will join the famous Chapoutier house(1) which has perpetuated for seven generations a traditional know-how in the production of wines with a strong character, developed according to the rules of biodynamic cultivation. You will attend a commented wine tasting to conclude this visit.
Return on board and departure of the boat towards Lyon. Gala evening.
Day 5: LYON
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembarkation at 9 a.m. End of our services.
Day 1: LYON
Boarding at 4 p.m. in Lyon. The boat departs for Avignon. Crew introductions and welcome cocktail.
Day 2: AVIGNON
Morning sailing in the Rhône Valley.
In the afternoon, excursion included: guided tour of the Palais des Papes . An imposing fortress and sumptuous palace, it is the symbol of the power of Christianity in the Middle Ages and it hosted seven sovereign pontiffs in the 14th century. As you visit the rooms of the largest Gothic palace in the world, the tour will retrace the lives of the pontiffs, their political and religious power. You will be able to admire the great ceremonial rooms, the chapels and the private apartments of the Popes. Then free time to discover Avignon, the magic of Christmas invades the streets and the city is transformed into a magical place.
Free evening in Avignon.
Day 3: AVIGNON - ARLESMorning cruise to Arles. Conference on Christmas traditions in Provence and the famous thirteen Christmas desserts . Presentation and tasting of these sweets that crown the copious Christmas meal in Provence. Tradition dictates that the thirteen desserts are served in abundance and that each guest can taste this assortment of dishes composed of dried fruits, fresh fruits, nougats, figs, fougasse…
In the afternoon, excursion included to Les Baux-de-Provence and the village of the santons of Paradou . The village is dressed in its festive clothes at this time. Classified among the most beautiful villages in France, you will discover the charm of this medieval village, perched on the top of the rocks of the Alpilles massif, in the heart of the valley between vineyards and olive trees. You will discover the many listed monuments of this small town, patiently restored, such as the Château des Baux (exterior), the church of St Vincent (exterior) and many others. Continue to the village of Santons in Paradou. You will discover the most authentic Provençal village in the region and its life of yesteryear with the apothecary, the grinder, the Provençal market, the farandole, the mill of Alphonse Daudet... 350 santons staged on 300 m2 to introduce you to Provence at the beginning of the 19th century. These clay figures are emblematic of Provence and are staged in a picturesque setting worthy of the world of Daudet and Pagnol, who themselves would have been mistaken to find their characters as lifelike as life. You will be amazed by the authenticity of everything there and by its remarkable details. Everything is there: the houses, the santons, the animals, the objects...
Night navigation to Tain l'Hermitage.
Day 4: TAIN L'HERMITAGEMorning sailing. In the afternoon, in Tain l'Hermitage, visit included to the Cité du Chocolat and a wine cellar . This visit will allow you to discover the history and secrets of making the famous Valrhona chocolates. The interactive and multi-sensory tour will take you to the square of the senses, to the recipe counter, to the cocoa plantations, to the chocolate factory and to the chocolate workshop. And to finish you will taste these delicious chocolates. Then you will join the famous Chapoutier house(1) which has perpetuated for seven generations a traditional know-how in the production of wines with a strong character, developed according to the rules of biodynamic cultivation. You will attend a commented wine tasting to conclude this visit.
Return on board and departure of the boat towards Lyon. Gala evening.
Day 5: LYON
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembarkation at 9 a.m. End of our services.
- STARTING PRICE $1020 or €915
- DURATION 4 nights
-
DEPARTURE DATES
01, 02, 10, 11, 14 & 15 December 2025
-
EMBARKATION PORTS
- Lyon
Send Your Request
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