Burgundy to Provence

Day 1: Embarkation
Day 2: Lyon - Vienne - Andance - Tournon-sur-Rhone, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Tournon sur Rhône - Valence - Le Pouzin, 21/30/46 mi. (33/48/73 km)
Day 4: Le Pouzin - Viviers, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 5: Viviers - Roquemaure - Avignon, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Avignon - Tarascon/Arles, 31/36/44 mi. (50/58/70 km)
Day 7: Tarascon/Arles - Arles, 13/31 mi. (21/50 km)
Day 8: Disembarkation in Arles

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice,  due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc.

Day 1: Embarkation in Lyon
Check-in by 5 pm. When you arrive, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good time to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers.

During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the overall planning of the week are discussed. Instruc-
tions on cycling and safety procedures will also be given. After dinner, the tour leader will take you on a walk around the city.

Day 2: Lyon - Vienne - Andance - Tournon-sur-Rhone, 26 mi. (42 km)
Get ready for incredible scenery, tastes, and fragrances. On board, you navigate to Vienne, disembark,  and  cycle into the nature reservation Île au Beurre and experience the peace and quietness of nature. The landscape slowly changes into that of vineyards as you enter the land of the Côte Rôtie. The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. The landscape changes again, this time into the lush greenery of the Ardèche countryside. In Andance, where you will board. You will enjoy a sailing dinner this evening as the ship navigates to Tournon sur Rhône. 

Day 3: Tournon sur Rhône - Valence - Le Pouzin, 21/30/46 mi. (33/48/73 km)
There are three options for cycling today. The captain and his crew start the day early to bring you to the city of Valence, where the boat will arrive after breakfast. This town with its colorful markets and its historic “Quartiers” is the starting point of your cycling day. The short route features the typical small villages of the Ardèche, historic sites, and the green meadows of a nature reserve towards Le Pouzin in the Drôme area.

A longer route takes you inland to the Drôme region and the ancient city of Crest with its imposing defense tower that overlooks both the river and the city. 

The third option is one for more experienced cyclists and requires pre-booking. From Tournon, an old steam train takes you and your bike up to Lamastre, the starting place of the Dolce Via bike route. The next 73 kilometers you will ride along an old railway line that has been turned into a bike route. You ride through the imposing mountainous landscape of the Ardèche through tunnels and along ravines. The route is partly unpaved. 

Day 4: Le Pouzin - Viviers, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today the tour brings you past the medieval abbey of Cruas and further along you will be crossing a memorable rope bridge in Rochemaure. Though built in built by Marc Seguin in 1858, the architect was inspired by the castle ramparts. This bridge can be seen as a symbolic passing from old to new, from history to the future. At the end of the day you will be parking your bike next to the boat and you can enjoy a stroll through the historic village of Viviers.

Day 5: Viviers - Roquemaure - Avignon, 25 mi. (40 km)
After a morning sail,  the bikes will be put ashore at Roquemaure. From here you will bike straight into the village of Châteauneu-du-Pape. You might want to purchase a bottle of wine of the same name to take home!  Once you pass the hilly landscape around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you are rewarded with an almost completely flat bike path along the river. Soon you will enjoy a panoramic view of Avignon, the home of the Popes in the 14th century. In this city, you can wander the old streets, enjoy the French way of life on the squares with their terraces, and just breathe the culture.

Day 6: Avignon - Tarascon/Arles, 31/36/44 mi. (50/58/70 km)
Today offers a few choices on the ride from the ancient city of Popes to the South. The 58 km route is surprisingly the easiest and takes you on a relaxed ride along the river on the Via Rhôna. The shorter but more strenuous route is a breathtaking stage, which brings you to the Alpilles, with the perched villages of Les-Baux-de-Provence and Saint Rémy de Provence. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees will accompany the trip. For the very experienced cyclists, there is the option of a long ride inland (more than 70 km) that brings you to the best-preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe, the Pont du Gard. 

Day 7: Tarascon/Arles - Arles, 13/31 mi. (21/50 km)
For those who want to explore Arles and all the cozy corners Van Gogh once painted we have prepared a nice short route of only 21 kilometers. If you want to spend your last day cycling the longer option, you may choose the interesting ride to Camargue, the river delta of the Rhône. You might even see the famous Camargue wild horses. 

Day 8: Disembarkation
All good things must come to an end. Check out after breakfast, no later than 9 a.m.

Day 1: Embarkation at Arles
Day 2: Arles - Tarascon/Arles, 21/50 km
Day 3: Tarascon/Arles - Avignon, 31/36/43 mi. (50/58/70 km)
Day 4: Avignon - Roquemauare - Viviers, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Viviers - Le Pouzin, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 6: Pouzin - Valence - Tournon sur Rhône, 20/36 mi. (33/58 km)
Day 7: Tournon sur Rhône - Andance – Vienne - Lyon, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 8: Disembarkation

Day 1: Embarkation at Arles
Check-in by 5 pm. When you arrive, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good time to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers.

During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the overall planning of the week are discussed. Instruc-
tions on cycling and safety procedures will also be given. After dinner, the tour leader will take you on a walk around the city.

Day 2: Arles - Tarascon/Arles, 21/50 km
Get ready for incredible scenery, tastes, and fragrances! For those who want to start easy with this trip, or stay a bit more in Arles to explore all the cozy corners Van Gogh once painted, we have prepared a nice short route of only 21 kilometers. If you want to spend your first day cycling and seeing some unique nature, the option is to have an interesting ride into to Camargue, the river delta of the Rhône. You might even see the famous Camargue wild horses. 

Day 3: Tarascon/Arles - Avignon, 31/36/43 mi. (50/58/70 km)
Today offers a few choices on the ride to the ancient city of Popes, Avignon. The longer and surprisingly easier route takes you on a relaxed ride along the river on the Via Rhôna. 

The shorter but more strenuous route is a breathtaking stage, which brings you to the Alpilles, with the perched villages of Les-Baux-de-Provence and Saint Rémy de Provence. A landscape of limestone cliffs and olive trees will accompany the trip. The very experienced cyclists have the option of a long ride inland (more than 70 km) that brings you to the best-preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe, the Pont du Gard. 

Day 4: Avignon - Roquemauare - Viviers, 25 mi. (40 km)
You start the day with a ride on an almost completely flat bike path along the river. From here you gradually climb into the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You might want to purchase a bottle of wine of the same name to take home! Once you pass the hilly landscape around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you are rewarded with a ride down to the river and to the village of Roquemaure. Here the bikes will be put on board for the cruise to Viviers. 

Day 5: Viviers - Le Pouzin, 26 mi. (42 km)
The first part of the ride takes you to the city of Montélimar, the city of nougat. From here you ride to Rochemaure where you will be crossing a memorable rope bridge. Though built by Marc Seguin in 1858, the architect was inspired by the castle ramparts. This bridge can be seen as a symbolic passing from old to new, from history to the future. 

Later in the day, the tour brings you past the medieval abbey of Cruas. At the end of the day, you will be parking your bike again on the boat for a leisurely cruise to the village of Le Pouzin. 

Day 6: Le Pouzin - Valence - Tournon sur Rhône, 20/36 mi. (33/58 km)
On the short route today you have a nice ride featuring the typical small villages of the Ardèche, historic sites, and the green meadows of a nature reserve towards Valence. In this city with its colorful markets and its historic “Quartiers”, you will meet the barge. 

The long route takes you inland to the Drôme region and the ancient city of Crest with its imposing defense tower that overlooks both the river and the city. 

From the mooring site in Valence, the captain and his crew end the day with a sailing diner to bring you to Tournon-sur-Rhône. 

Day 7: Tournon sur Rhône - Andance – Vienne - Lyon, 26 mi. (42 km)
The boat takes you from Tournon to Andance. From here, you'll bike ride through the green landscape of the Ardèche countryside. The landscape slowly changes into that of vineyards as you enter the land of the Côte Rôtie. The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Later on, you bike into the nature reservation Île au Beurre, where you can enjoy the peace and quietness of nature before entering the very nice town of Vienne where the barge is moored. During dinner, the ship will navigate to our final destination, Lyon. 

Day 8: Disembarkation
All good things must come to an end. Check out after breakfast, no later than 9 a.m.