Paris & Provence Rail & Sail

Bonjour mesdames et messieurs! Are you ready to see the grand reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral? From Voltaire to Van Gogh we enjoy the best of France with our start in Paris, followed by a bullet train to Lyon, the gastronomy heart of France! Enjoy the beauty of this region with included ship shore excursions, and a special steam locomotive excursion in the Gorges du Doux valley. Avoid the “mega” river ships with our cruise tour aboard the classic river ship “Rhone Princess”. Need we mention the French chefs on board? Bon appetit! Reserve early for non-stop flights! (800) 576-4905 or RailandSail.com

Included in your escorted travels: 

· Round-trip flights to France from Seattle, SFO, LAX*

   *Other gateways by request

· 3 nights Deluxe Hotel in Paris with breakfast

· Welcome dinner in Paris

· Panoramic Paris City Tour

· Behind the scenes Notre Dame 

   with crown of thorns viewing* 

· 7 day Provence River Cruise—M/S Rhone Princess

 · Gourmet dinner event at  L'Abbaye de Collonges 

    established by the legendary Michelin star chef Paul Bocuse 

· Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner shipboard

· Included wifi onboard

· Unlimited shipboard drinks 

· All airport transfers in France

· Included ship shore excursions

· Time for personal discoveries

· Experienced USA Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

Day 1— Thursday Aug 26 — Depart for Paris! Make your way to your gateway airport. Wheels up, tray tables down, and pass that champagne all around! This is it! We are on our way, ready for croissants everyday! Sit back and relax for your flight to Paris—you deserve it my friend! Inflight meals, bubbly, and some rest before we arrive! (in-flight meals)

Day 2—Friday Aug 27 — Panoramic Tour of Paris After a skimpy breakfast and cup of bad coffee inflight, we land in Paris. Gather our belongings and head to our lovely hotel for 3 nights! Later enjoy a welcome dinner together. The evening is free for Moulin Rouge, or collapsing in bed. (In flight meals, welcome dinner).

Day 3—Saturday Aug 28 — Paris Panoramic Enjoy a panoramic visit of city sights with a few new surprises for returnees to Paris. (Lunch, Breakfast)

Day 4– Sunday Aug 29 — Paris as you wish! Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today is a free day. Your tour manager will take you anywhere you like by Metro today—Versailles? You are also free to enjoy Paris on your own as you wish... (Breakfast) 

Day 5— Monday Aug 30 — Free morning, High speed train to Lyon Enjoy a free morning, and last sights on your Paris “bucket list”. In the afternoon we depart our hotel and enjoy a high-speed rail trip to Lyon, often referred to as “Paris’ charming little sister”. A city of light, architecture and gastronomy! (breakfast, box lunch, welcome aboard reception, dinner onboard)

Day 6—Tuesday Aug 31 — Exploring Lyon, afternoon daylight cruising Enjoy our first breakfast onboard In the morning, join us for an guided tour of the city and a tasting at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon,a huge, three-story, indoor market where close to 50 shops offer the finest gourmet food. We’ll enjoy a snack of local sausage and cheese, topped off with a lovely glass of wine*.We’ll cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Then we’ll head over to Vieux Lyon to have a look at its historical homes and the “bouchon” restaurants that are found throughout the district. Learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street. Don’t miss the tasting of fine food at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon, We’ll then join the Saône River and head towards our next port of call, Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served daily onboard)

Day 7– Wed Sep 1 — Chocolate or Choo Choo?  Today we arrive in the charming village of Tain ‘L’Hermitage, famous for its chocolate and Hermitage syrah wine. Today you may choose between a beautiful steam train excursion through the gorge, or a visit to the local chocolate factory—keep your fingers crossed, we will try to do both! Rejoin our ship for lunch and an afternoon of daylight cruising. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served daily onboard)

Day 8 — Thursday Sep 2 — Avingnon This morning, join us for a guided tour of the Papal Palace, an imposing fortress and luxurious palace that symbolizes the power of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. It is one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe and the city’s most famous attraction. Take a step back in time as you stroll through the immense halls, contemplate the beauty of the chapels, and visit the papal apartments. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served daily onboard)

Day 9– Friday Sep 3 — Coastal Camargue This morning, join us for a visit to the Camargue. The epitome of traditional Provençal culture, this immense flatland is home to exceptional wildlife and plants which thrive in its marshes, ponds, and seashore. We’ll visit a manade, where bulls are raised and horses are trained, to learn about the various traditions in the area. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising through the gorgeous French countryside, passing by Valence—dominated by its cathedral—and Montélimar, known for its famous nougat. (breakfast, lunch, dinner served daily onboard)

Day 10– Saturday Sep 4 —Viviers, the medieval city in Ardèche This morning, join us for a guided tour of Viviers. This city feels like an open-air museum where the pages of history are written in stone. We’ll visit the smallest cathedral in France, the House of Knights with its superb Renaissance-style facade, Saint Michel Tower, the Great Seminary, and the overlook which gives a lovely view of Viviers. Set out on an a visit to the Gorges de l’Ardèche with us this afternoon. This panoramic tour from the comfortable seat of a coach will bring you to the heart of the treasures found in the area. The 18-mile canyon (30 km) was carved by turbulent waters that left behind steep cliffs, deep valleys, dense vegetation, and stunning limestone formations. We’ll see the Pont d'Arc, a natural arch almost 100-feet high carved out by the Ardèche River, and its namesake village, stopping at an overlook to take in the splendid views. We’ll return on board the ship in La Voulte and start sailing towards Lyon. Tonight is our festive gala evening.(breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner served onboard)

Day 11– Sunday Sep 5 —Au revoir mes amis! A hearty breakfast and café au lait before going to the Lyon airport and our swift trip home. Merci France! (breakfast, inflight meals).