The Picture Perfect Week aboard Napoléon, for up to twelve guests, will depart Tain l'Hermitage in the Rhône Vallée and head towards Arles in the region of Provence.

Highlights of the trip include the Lock of Bollene, one of the largest drops in Europe, a visit to Châteauneuf du Pape and time to discover Arles. Van Gogh painted his famous ‘Starry Night’ in this picturesque town and David will encourage guests to create their own masterpiece in the same spot.


Sunday - Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon
Board the barge which will be moored at either Tain l'Hermitage or Tournon. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. Once settled on-board, enjoy your first wine tasting at Mr Ferraton's winery just steps from where Napoleon is moored.

Monday - Cruise to Viviers: Painting at Viviers
Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by as the barge cruises down stream towards Viviers. Mid-afternoon, the boat moors in this charming medieval town. We find a wonderful position just down river from where the Napoleon will moored, this site looks up on to the village and then finally to the Cathedral on the top of the hill. The sun light in Provence is perfect for painting, and today is a perfect place to start your first lesson.

Tuesday - Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts: Painting at Grignan
After breakfast, we take a very scenic drive through the countryside to Grignan. Here, we spend the morning painting, from a position that over looks the entire town. Grignan is famous for its fields of purple lavender, which are so picturesque to paint. Lunch is taken at a local wonderful restaurant, we then return to painting this afternoon. We return to the barge and continue our journey south, this afternoon we pass through the Lock (Ecluse) of Bollene, which has one of the largest drops in Europe, measuring over 23 meters. Tonight we moor in the very quiet village of St. Etienne des Sorts.

Wednesday - Cruise to Avignon: Painting at Avignon.
This morning we continue our cruise towards Avignon.We stop on route to visit Chateauneuf de Pape for a wine tasting at the magnificent Chateau la Nerte. We return to the boat for a lunch cruise into Avignon. A walled city of great beauty. We cruise alongside the Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay opposite the gate to the walled city. We then transfer across the river to the Ile de la Barthelasse, for an amazing view of the Popes Palace and the Pont St. Bénézet for an afternoon of painting. There is simply an unbeatable view of this wonderful town and with David's assistance - you are sure to paint a truly stunning picture from this location.

Thursday - Cruise to Arles: Visit les Baux
During the morning, the boat continues to cruise south towards the Roman city of Arles, after lunch you are transferred to the hill top village of Les Baux de Provence, set in the heart of Provence. This is an outstanding village; with the beautiful church of St Vincent and a hill top Chateau overlooking the valley towards the Mediterranean Sea. There are pictures to be painted at every corner. We return to the boat, which has now moored in Arles. This is the place that Van
Gogh painted his famous 'Starry Night' picture, perhaps take the same position by the wall, and recreate your own 'Starry night' painting!

Friday - Cruise to Vallebregues: Visit Arles and Painting at a Provencal Bastide
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Arles, best known because Van Gogh painted here between 1888 and 1890. Lunch will be served while cruising to Vallabrègues. Later that afternoon we visit a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" where 15,000 olive trees are growing. There are plenty of scenes to paint here, perhaps the beautiful property or simply a single olive tree. Meanwhile the chef is busy back on board preparing your Farewell gala dinner.

Saturday - Avignon
After breakfast, disembark the barge and continue with your onward journey.


Note: This is a sample itinerary and subject to change.