Exploring any country by river provides the traveller with extra insight, understanding and a lasting memory. This is particularly true of France where Mother Nature has provided the most perfect means of observing a great swathe of the country and as we meander along the scenic Rhone we will explore one of her loveliest corners. The Rhone, dubbed the ‘River of Angels’ by Robert Louis Stevenson, offers a passage through history past great architectural treasures, through some truly wonderful scenery and an everchanging countryside dotted with cypress, umbrella pine and vines.
Our relaxing seven night river cruise along the Rhone will introduce you to the natural and historical wonders of this corner of France through interesting onboard lectures, expertly guided shore excursions and some time at leisure to explore independently. There will also be ample time spent on board sailing, allowing you to appreciate the wonderful scenery and absorb the subtle changes in landscapes along the river. There will be the opportunity to explore France’s gastronomic capital Lyon and visit Avignon, the great City of Popes which boasts a number of splendid museums, churches and palaces and the impressive Roman amphitheatre at Arles. For lovers of the natural world we will visit the Camargue Natural Park area, located south of Arles between the Mediterranean and the two arms of the Rhone River delta, where we can witness the stunning scenery and wildlife including pink flamingos and the famous white horses. All this will be accomplished with ease from the comfort of the delightful 100-passenger MS Camargue.
Camargue
For our voyages along the Rhone we have chartered the delightful MS Camargue from our associates at Croisi-Europe. The vessel accommodates just 100 passengers and offers elegant and spacious public areas and comfortable and well appointed cabins. She is a charming vessel and joining you on board will be a Noble Caledonia team including a Cruise Director, Tour Manager and Guest Speaker.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Lyon, France.
Fly by scheduled flight. Upon arrival transfer to the MS Camargue and embark. Meet your fellow travellers this evening during welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 2 Lyon.
There will be a choice of tours this morning as we explore Lyon. Our city tour starts with a stop at the Fourviere Basilica where we can take in the breathtaking views. In 1168, a chapel was built by Olivier de Chavannes, the Saint Jean canon, over the ruins of the old Roman forum. The small chapel that was first dedicated to Saint Thomas and then to the Virgin Mary has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Its current known form dates back to 1740 and its most recent renovation was in 2008. Later, we return to Lyon’s old town where a walking tour will discover the “traboules”, types of passageways that are typical of the city. Alternatively, join a food walking tour of this “Gastronomic Capital” which stops at several eateries to taste the local cuisine. We will discover the multitude of sweets and pastries made with pink praline, a delicious local confection, whilst those with a savoury tooth can enjoy a tasting of regional charcuterie. We will return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as we cruise to Macon.
Day 3 Macon & Cluny Abbey.
From our berth in Macon we have a choice of excursion this morning. Maybe visit Cluny Abbey which was founded in 910 by William the Pious. The abbey was under the direct protection of Rome and its abbot was granted the role of mediator between the political leaders and the pope. This ancient Benedictine Abbey extended a widespread influence on all of Medieval Europe. Its church was the largest in all of West Christianity until Saint Peter’s Basilica was built in Rome. In 1798, the abbey was sold as a national asset and thus dismantled, while its church was almost completely destroyed. Alternatively, spend the morning in the charming Burgundy town of Macon which has a wide range of striking monuments and beautiful old mansions in the old town. With their unique roof tiles and brightly coloured facades the city has a Mediterranean feel. Return to the MS Camargue for lunch as we sail this afternoon.
Day 4 Vienne.
We will spend this morning in the fine Roman town of Vienne, beautifully located in the Rhone Valley and surrounded by hills. On our walking tour, we will learn about its Roman era with a visit to the Temple of Augustus and Livia and the Roman theatre which was one of the largest in the Roman Empire with a capacity for 13,000 spectators. Our final visit will be the the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral St Maurice. Relax on board this afternoon as we continue our journey south.
Day 5 Avignon & Arles for The Camargue.
The great City of the Popes boasts a number of splendid museums, churches and palaces. Our guided walking tour will include the Palais des Papes, one of the wonders of Provence and the largest and most important Medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. We will also visit the Cathedral and have time to wander in the Place De L’Horloge which is built on top of the Roman Forum and the heart of Avignon. During lunch on board we sail the short distance to Arles from where we make our way to the Camargue. Admire the scenery which is comprised of rivers, marshes and ponds, and see the pink flamingoes, black bulls and the famous, indigenous Camargue horses. We will see the renowned salt and rice fields and also also visit a manade (bull breeding farm) and learn about the work of a manadier as we watch a demonstration of how they work with the animals they raise. This evening we will enjoy some Provencal entertainment on board as we moor overnight.
Day 6 Arles & Viviers.
Spend the morning exploring Arles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arles sits on a low hill where the Rhone river branches in two parts to the sea. The town dates back to the 7th century BC and was a major Gallo-Roman city. The Roman sites are unique in that they are integrated into the houses and buildings of the town. During our walking tour we will see the huge amphitheatre and the former Cathedral of St Trophime, a Romanesque Basilica constructed in the 12th century. Afterwards we drive to a farmhouse in nearby Tarascon to learn about the cultivation of olives and a tasting of the famous Provencal olive oil. We will re-embark in Avignon where the ship will have sailed to meet us and have lunch on board as we sail to Viviers. Viviers has been a residence of bishops since the 5th century. This small town is like an open-air museum where on an evening walking tour we will find France’s smallest cathedral, the House of Knights with a superb Renaissance façade and the Tower of St Michel.
Day 7 Tournon.
Spend the morning cruising to Tournon, a pretty town located in the heart of the Rhone Valley. A walking tour will include the Chateau de Tournon, a castle dating back to the 16th century which is now a museum and where there will be the opportunity to discover the permanent collection on display which highlights the history of navigation on the Rhone river. This imposing castle was built on a high granite rock overlooking the town and was the domain of the Counts of Tournon. At the foot of the castle, enjoy a pleasant walk along the streets and alleys of the historic centre which will take you back to the Middle Ages. Our visit will end with a tasting of local food and wines.
Day 8 Lyon to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £200 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 24 June to 1 July 2025 • 15 to 22 October 2025 | ||
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| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| 3 Main Deck Twin/Double | £2795 | £2595 |
| 2 Upper Deck Twin with French Balcony | £2995 | £2795 |
| 1 Junior Suite with French Balcony | £3295 | £3095 |
| 3 Main Deck Twin/Double for sole use | £3995 | £3795 |
Tour Reference Code: RCCA240625/RCCA151025
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard the MS Camargue on a full board basis • All-inclusive drinks from 10am to 11pm daily (please note premium brands & sparkling wine are not included) • Shore excursions • Cruise Director • Tour Manager • Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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All Decks
Camargue
For our voyages along the Rhone we have chartered the delightful MS Camargue from our associates at Croisi-Europe. The vessel accommodates just 100 passengers and offers elegant and spacious public areas and comfortable and well appointed cabins. She is a charming vessel and joining you on board will be a Noble Caledonia team including a Cruise Director, Tour Manager and Guest Speaker.
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Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
We are delighted you have chosen the MS Camargue for your upcoming voyage and hope this information answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 100
Cabins: 50
Length: 110 metres
Width: 10 metres
Built: 1995
Staff: 25
Refurbished: 2015
Gross Tonnage: 1309
Net Tonnage: 1070ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of an emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.
BAR/LOUNGE
All-inclusive drinks are provided on board (excluding premium brands and sparkling wine) between 10.00 am and 11.00 pm.
CABINS
All cabins feature individually controlled air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with shower, satellite television, hairdryer, closet and a safe. Category 2 and 3 cabins measure 14 square metres and the Junior Suite measures 23 square metres. All cabins have twin beds (which can be configured to a double bed – with separate mattresses and bed linen) with the exception of cabins 125 and 221 which have a fixed double bed. Cabins on the Main Deck feature large picture windows which can be opened and those on the Upper Deck feature French Balcony style (floor to ceiling) sliding windows, allowing you to admire the passing scenery from your cabin
CURRENCY
The currency on board is the Euro. While Visa and MasterCard are accepted, personal cheques and debit cards are not. Regrettably, the ship is not able to offer a money-changing service on board as this would be contravening official regulations
DAILY PROGRAMME
A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening.
DRESS CODE
Comfortable and practical attire is recommended during the day for excursions and something dressier for the evening. More formal dress is required only for the welcome and Captain’s dinner (black tie is not necessary).
ELECTRICITY
Electricity onboard is 220v with 2-pin power outlets. We recommend you take an adaptor with you.
EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
Full details of the ship’s emergency and safety procedures will be provided following your embarkation. Please note there is no doctor on board the vessel.
FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green a
FIRST AID
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Further medical assistance can be sought from one of the hospitals along the river in the event of emergency.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.
GIFT SHOP
There is a small gift shop selling various practical and souvenir items.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned once a day and you will be provided with a ‘turn down’ service at night.
KEYS TO CABIN
Each cabin will receive their own cabin key. Before leaving the ship we kindly ask all passengers to swap the cabin key with a shore pass which will be provided to you by the ship’s reception desk. After your return to the ship, please return your shore pass back to reception in exchange for your cabin key.
LAUNDRY
Please note there is no laundry facility on board.
LIFT
Please note that there is no lift on board.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed in to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave items on board the ship, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served on board. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style with hot and cold items, and dinners are a served set menu with a choice of either two main courses or a vegetarian option. Please note that due to galley restrictions, Croisi Europe is unable to offer a choice at each course. If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requests can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require, we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Chef or the Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.
MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. On occasion other river cruise vessels may be required to dock alongside our ship. This may result in restricted cabin views and may also entail us being required to embark and disembark the ship through another vessel’s public area and/or for the other ship’s passengers to do the same.
POST
The vessel’s gift shop may sell postcards and stamps for you to purchase (subject to availability) and, items can be posted on your behalf by the ship’s crew (although as they are unable to do so at every port of call, this could take longer than if you were to post yourself).
QUESTIONNAIRES
A questionnaire will be provided to all passengers towards the end of their sailing. We would be grateful for you to complete and return this
QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia has arranged for all passengers to have access to a ‘Quietvox’ audio system for shore excursions. Further details will be provided to you following your embarkation.
RECEPTION
Reception is staffed throughout the day and then between 10.00 pm and 7.00 am a night watchman will be on duty.
SAFE
All cabins are fitted with a safe and we recommend you place your valuables inside the safe whenever you are away from your room. Please remember to remove all items from your safe prior to you departing the vessel at the end of the cruise.
SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.
SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy. There may be times, for example at periods of inclement weather or low bridges, whereby it is necessary to close the Sun Deck. Please listen carefully to the Captain and Crew for instruction. Please also note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms.
WATER
Complimentary water is available during breakfast, lunch and dinner. A glass bottle of water will be provided in your cabin upon embarkation which you can replenish using the water dispenser in the lounge. We recommend that you bring a refillable water bottle for use whilst on board and during the excursions.
WI-FI
Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in public areas, however there may be times when the connection is slow or not available
PLEASE NOTE: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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All Decks
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All Decks
Travelling with You
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Dr Sophie Oosterwijk
Dr Sophie Oosterwijk was born in Gouda and studied English at Leiden and Medieval Studies at York before obtaining two doctorates in Art History (Leicester) and English Literature (Leiden). She is a recognised specialist in Early Netherlandish, Flemish and Dutch art and previously taught Art History at the Universities of Leicester, Manchester and St Andrews before returning to the Netherlands to take up a research post at Utrecht University.
Sophie is currently a freelance researcher and a regular guest lecturer for the University of Cambridge, NADFAS (now The Arts Society), and other organisations. She is also co-editor of the international journal Church Monuments published annually by The Church Monuments Society, and she has published widely, especially on death, the danse macabre and commemorative art. Her publications include the co-edited volumes Monumental Industry. The Production of Tomb Sculpture in England and Wales in the Long Fourteenth Century (2010) and Mixed Metaphors. The Danse Macabre in Medieval and Early Modern Europe (2011). Sophie is a lively and entertaining speaker who specialises in discussing art in its historical and cultural context.
Dr Sophie Oosterwijk will be on the following tour dates: 24 June to 1 July 2025 -
Imogen Corrigan
Imogen served for nearly twenty years in the British army, retiring in the rank of Major at the end of 1994. She then went to the University of Kent to study Anglo-Saxon and medieval history and art, graduating with 1st Class Honours. She became a freelance lecturer, running study tours for several travel companies and lecturing for the Arts Society and Noble Caledonia.
She has a wide range of lecture subjects encompassing most of Europe from the west of Ireland to Istanbul, and from North Cape to Morocco, covering 1,000 years of history. Imogen is always interested in ideas, artistic techniques and motifs travelling and especially in trying to understand the mind-set of the people who lived at that time.
Her first book: Stone on Stone: the Men who built the Cathedrals is due to be published in 2019.
Imogen Corrigan will be on the following tour dates: 15 to 22 October 2025
Tour Extensions
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If you would like to spend some time in France’s Haute-Savoie region before embarking the MS Camargue we offering a three night extension in the charming lakeside city of Annecy.
Annecy
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Annecy, France.
Fly by scheduled flight to Geneva. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to Le Pelican Hotel in Annecy. After check in enjoy free time before we meet for dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2 Annecy.
After breakfast in the hotel we will discover Annecy, the capital of Haute-Savoie and known as the “Venice of the Alps”. Stroll through the old town with its charming canals, flowery banks, adorable little bridges and beautiful houses with colourful facades. In the heart of the old town, admire the Palais de l’Île, a former prison and courthouse, and stroll along rue Sainte-Claire lined with pretty arcaded houses. Explore the quays, bridges and old pedestrian streets to discover the eventful history of the city built along the Thiou. After lunch we return to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace, you may wish to climb up to the Chateau d’Annecy for views over the town or take a wander on the lakeside. (B, L)
Day 3 Yvoire.
Depart this morning for a tour of Yvoire. On the shores of Lake Geneva, this adorable Medieval village is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. With over 700 years of history, we will see the charming ramparts, fortified gates and the impressive 14th century castle and garden. After lunch at a local restaurant, we make our way back to Annecy for a final afternoon and evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 4 Annecy to Lyon.
After breakfast in the hotel we will drive to Hautecombe Abbey located on the shores of Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake. Here we will tour the abbey and enjoy a cruise of the lake. After lunch we continue our journey to Lyon to embark the MS Camargue. (B, L)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
21 to 24 June 2025 • 12 to 15 October 2025 Category Price Twin £1395 Single £1695 Price Includes: Three nights at Le Pelican Hotel in Annecy, meals as indicated including drinks (B - Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner), tours as described, Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Also of Interest
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A journey through Belgium & the southern provinces of the Netherlands aboard the MS River Crown with Guest Speaker Brian Healey
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON
River Crown
Itinerary at a glance
- Brussels / Antwerp / Maastricht / Nuenen / Arnhem / Keukenhof Gardens / Amsterdam / Dordrecht / Kinderdijk / Rotterdam
10 nights
from
£4795
Next Departure:
27 April 2026
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000