Originating in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps, the historic River Rhone meanders down through the Jura mountains to Lyon where it meets the River Saone and continues south through Provence. Perhaps more than any other region of France, Provence has experienced a truly diverse and turbulent history. Nomadic tribes and settlements can be traced back over 300,000 years and during our exploration of Provence, we will learn about the region’s history, from the Roman Empire to the feuding warlords of the Middle Ages. Provence was one of Rome’s earliest conquests outside of Italy, and few regions of the extensive Roman Empire have retained such impressive buildings.
Our unique itinerary reveals many historic highlights including the magnificent Pont du Gard which, built during the time of Emperor Claudius is the highest existing Roman aqueduct and one of the most impressive examples of Roman civil engineering, and the Maison Carree monument in Nimes, a remarkably well-preserved oblong Roman temple. We will also spend time Arles, known as the ‘Little Rome of Gaul’, with its many Roman remains including the amphitheatre and Roman Theatre. Such monuments testify to Rome’s great power and with our Guest Speaker and excellent local guides, we will visit these imposing Roman relics, learning more of Roman antiquity. 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. All this will be accomplished with ease from the comfort of the delightful 100-passenger MS Van Gogh.
Van Gogh
For our voyages along the Rhone we have chartered the delightful MS Van Gogh from our associates at Croisi Europe. The vessel accommodates a maximum of 105 passengers and offers spacious public areas and comfortable 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 Van Gogh and embark. Meet your fellow travellers this evening during welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 2 Lyon.
This morning we will discover the charming city of Lyon. Our guided city tour will begin with a stop at the Fourviere Basilica which dominates the skyline of Lyon and from where we can take in breathtaking views. The history of the basilica dates from 1168 when Olivier de Chavannes, a canon of Lyon Cathedral, founded a church over the ruins of the old Roman forum. The small chapel that was dedicated 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. We will continue to the remains of the original Roman Theatre and Odeon, which are still used today for musical performances. Later, we return to Lyon’s old town where a walking tour will discover the ‘traboules’, a type of passageway that is typical of the city. Return to the vessel for lunch and this afternoon relax on board as we sail past the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers as we make our way to Vienne.
Day 3 Vienne.
We will spend this morning in the fine Roman town of Vienne, beautifully located in the Rhone Valley and surrounded by hills. During our walking tour, we will learn about its Roman era with a visit to the Temple of Augustus and Livia, as well as the Gallo-Roman Museum which houses many artefacts from the town. During our walk we will also discover the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral St Maurice. Those who wish can ascend the hillside above the town to visit Vienne’s Roman theatre which was one of the largest in the Roman Empire with a capacity for 13,000 spectators. Relax on board this afternoon as we continue our journey south.
Day 4 Arles.
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we sail through the Provencal countryside toward the city of Arles where we will arrive over lunch. Once a major port under the Romans, the city has a unique and extensive history that can be seen plainly throughout its charming, cobbled streets which are built among and often integrate the Roman ruins. This afternoon, join a walking tour into the old town of Arles, including the famous amphitheatre, the Roman theatre, and the former cathedral of St Triomphe, a Romanesque Basilica constructed in the 12th century. Continue to the archaeological museum, where artefacts from across Arles’ long history are displayed. Due to centuries of silt build-up and shifting river courses, there are some exceptionally well-preserved artefacts that have been discovered in the Rhone, including a rare trading barge from the Roman era. Return to the ship this evening and remain moored overnight.
Day 5 Arles for Nimes.
This morning we will embark on a tour to the city of Nimes, one of the finest examples of prosperous Gallo-Roman settlements in southern France. Originally named Nemausus (for the local god of spring), the city served as a regional Celtic capital. Though succumbing to Roman control in 121 BC, the city’s continued importance was assured by its location on the Via Domitia, the main Roman road between northern Italy and Spain. The best-known monument of Nimes is the Maison Carree, a remarkably well-preserved oblong Roman temple built during the 1st century AD, featuring exquisite carvings along the cornice and on the Corinthian capitals. Today, the building is a museum and contains an imposing statue of Apollo. We will enjoy lunch ashore before we continue to the scenic Gardon Gorge, an area of natural beauty around the River Gardon. See the famous Pont du Gard, an aqueduct bridge that spans the river in three tiers of arches. This exceptionally preserved bridge which was built in the 1st century AD, once provided fresh water to Nimes and remains one of the best-preserved sections of aqueduct in the world. After our visit we will rejoin the MS Van Gogh in Avignon. Alternatively, you may choose to join a half day tour to the nearby village of Les Baux-de-Provence to visit the spectacular Carrières des Lumières. Located in a former quarry, this ever-changing space displays wonderful educational light shows projected throughout the carved-out space. These shows usually focus on the life and work of famous artists, telling their stories through light and sound as you explore the space. Return to Arles and sail to Avignon, where we remain moored overnight.
Day 6 Avignon.
This morning there will be a choice of excursions. You may like to join a tour to the nearby village of Vaison la Romaine, the site of France’s most extensive archaeological site. Excavations of this sleepy village began in the early 20th century and revealed a trove of Roman ruins and artefacts. Explore the streets and foundations of a once thriving Roman town and visit the remarkably well-preserved theatre dug into the hillside. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the charming Medieval city of Avignon, the great City of the Popes which is enclosed by Medieval walls. Our guided walking tour here 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 famous Pont Benezet, a ruined bridge that once spanned the Rhone between Villeneuve les Avignon and Avignon. Return to the ship for lunch, before enjoying an afternoon at leisure in Avignon. Sail this evening.
Day 7 Tournon sur Rhone.
Arrive overnight in the town of Tournon sur Rhone, overlooked on one bank by Tournon Castle, and on the other by the terraced vineyards of Tain L’Hermitage. Today we will cross to the opposite bank of the river to visit Tain L’Hermitage. This important winemaking centre produces many excellent Côtes du Rhône wines and we will visit one of the local vineyards for a tour and a tasting. Following your visit, return to the town for a walk through the centre, admiring its Medieval church and famous school. Spend the afternoon at leisure before enjoying the farewell dinner as we sail for Lyon this evening.
Day 8 Lyon to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Lyon 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
| 7 to 14 October 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| 1 Main Deck Twin | £3395 | £3195 |
| 2 Upper Deck Twin with French Balcony | £3695 | £3495 |
| 3 Main Deck Single | £3395 | £3195 |
Tour Reference Code: RCVG071027
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard MS Van Gogh 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.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
Van Gogh
For our voyages along the Rhone we have chartered the delightful MS Van Gogh from our associates at Croisi Europe. The vessel accommodates a maximum of 105 passengers and offers spacious public areas and comfortable 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
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 Van Gogh for your upcoming journey.
We have chartered the MS Van Gogh from our associates at Croisi Europe. The vessel accommodates a maximum of 105 passengers and offers elegant and spacious public areas along with comfortable and well-appointed cabins. She is a charming vessel with a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board and you will find yourself amongst like-minded fellow guests in an English-speaking environment. The friendly onboard staff will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment throughout your journey. We hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel and wish you a pleasant voyage.
Vessel Technical Details
Passengers: 105
Cabins: 54
Crew: approx. 25
Length: 110 metres
Width: 11.4 metres
Built: 1999AIR-CONDITIONING
All cabins have individually controlled heating and air-conditioning.ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do in the event of an emergency.
BAR/BEVERAGES
All-inclusive drinks are provided on board (excluding premium brands and sparkling wine) between the hours of 10.00 am and 11.00 pm.
CABINS
There are 54 spacious and well-designed cabins on board. The cabins are arranged over two decks and all feature en-suite bathroom with shower, television, telephone, hairdryer, closet and a safe. Cabins on the Main Deck feature picture windows, and those on the Upper Deck feature French Balcony style (floor to ceiling) sliding windows. Twin cabins measure 15 square metres and have twin beds that can be positioned separately or together as a double bed, whilst single cabins measure 11 square metres.
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
During the day, comfortable and casual attire is appropriate. Evening attire is smart casual though you may like to bring something a little dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners, for example, a jacket and tie for gentlemen and occasion wear for ladies.DINING & DRINKING
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served in the restaurant on board. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style with hot and cold items and dinners are a served set menu with a choice of main course or vegetarian option. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included in your holiday price (excluding premium brands) as are tea and coffee which are available throughout the day on a self-serve basis and with meals. Certain dietary requests can be catered for (on request), however 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 requirements 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 Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.ELECTRICITY
Voltage is 220v with 2-pin power outlets. We recommend that you bring an international adaptor. For safety reasons, the use of electrical irons or other devices such as kettles, are not permitted on board.EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
In the unlikely event of an emergency during your cruise, please remain calm and follow the instructions of the crew. We request that all guests carefully review the safety instructions on the inside of their cabin door.FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers are fitted in all corridors. Should you detect fire or smoke please alert the reception desk immediately and await instructions from the crew.FIRST AID
A number of the crew members are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Should you require further medical attention, please contact the Hotel Manager or Cruise Director immediately. Further medical assistance can be sought from one of the hospitals along the river in the event of an 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 an evening ‘turn down’ service.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 are no laundry facilities on board.LIFT
Please note there is no lift on board.LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed into the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave any 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.MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. Views from cabins may occasionally be restricted. On occasion other river cruise vessels may dock alongside the ship. This may restrict cabin views, and you may find that embarking and disembarking necessitates walking through another ship’s reception area, and/or for their passengers to do the samePAYMENTS ON BOARD
The ship offers a cash-free system during your cruise and purchases are charged to your onboard account. The day before your cruise ends you will receive an itemised invoice for any onboard charges incurred. Please review the invoice carefully before settling your bill. 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.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
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you on board.QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia has arranged for all passengers to have access to a ‘Quietvox’ audio system for use during the shore excursions. Further details shall be provided to you following your embarkation.RECEPTION
Reception can be contacted 24 hours a day, except when the crew member on night watch duty is doing their intermittent security round during which a sign will be replaced at Reception.SAFE
Your cabin is equipped with a small safe for your personal use. We recommend placing valuables in the safe whenever you are away from your room.SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy. Please note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms. To ensure your safety, the Sun Deck area may be closed in the evenings and when sailing through sections of the river where bridges are low. Please listen carefully to the Captain and crew for instructions.SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and will be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.TELEPHONE
To make an internal call please dial the corresponding cabin number. To make an external call, please contact Reception who will advise of the rates.TOILETRIES
A selection of toiletries are provided including shampoo, shower gel, soap and facial tissues.WATER
Complimentary water is available during breakfast, lunch and dinner, and from the bar. 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 is available in the cabins and public areas. There may also be times when the internet connection is slow or not available such as when the ship sails through rural areas or locks.PLEASE BE ADVISED: These details should be used as guidelines only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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Travelling with You
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Dr Ross King
Dr Ross King is the author of numerous books on French and Italian art, history and architecture, including Brunelleschi’s Dome, The Judgment of Paris, and Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies. He has won both the Governor-General’s Award in Canada and the BookSense Book of the Year in the United States.
In tandem with his writing, Ross is an active fundraiser for the arts and a passionate lecturer and tour guide. He serves on the Council of Academic Advisors for Friends of Florence (FoF), the fundraising charity that ensures the survival of Florence’s art and architectural treasures. He has participated in numerous study tours throughout France and Italy. He is both a Smithsonian Expert and an Accredited Lecturer with The Arts Society. He has lectured in many American museums, including at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Frick Collection, and the National Gallery.
Tour Extensions
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If you would like to spend some time in France’s Haute-Savoie region before embarking the MS Van Gogh we are offering a three night extension in the charming lakeside city of Annecy.
Yvoire
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Annecy, France.
Fly by scheduled flight to Geneva. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to Le Pelican Hotel, located on the shores of Lake Annecy just a five minute walk from the historic centre of 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 Van Gogh. (B, L)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
4 to 7 October 2027 Category Price Classic Twin £1495 Superior Lake View £1895 Classic Single £1795 Superior Lake View Single £2195 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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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000