Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence

<strong>Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel.</strong>&nbsp; A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station or Gare du Nord to InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel in the heart of the city. Join us this evening for our special
welcome cocktail reception and dinner at le Fouquet's on the
Champs-Elys&eacute;es, an iconic landmark for celebrity dining for over a
century.

Enjoy a moveable feast and an introduction to the delights of Parisian cuisine today as you take a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, where you'll learn firsthand the tips of the p&acirc;tisserie trade &ndash; including how to make an original pastry followed by a food walking tour. A Paris orientation tour by coach familiarizes you with many iconic landmarks before you embark on a walking and tasting tour that inspires with the fragrances and flavors of French food. The French capital is home to the masters of the pastry universe, dating back to Marie-Antoine Car&ecirc;me, who in the early 1800's popularized elaborate confections including the millefeuille, the croquembouche, strawberries Romanov and many more. Discover the history behind some of France's beloved specialties as you "taste" your way through a local neighborhood. Tonight, enjoy free time to explore Paris on your own.
<em>Please Note: For some departures, the Le Cordon Bleu pastry class will take place on day 3. Ask at time of booking for additional details.</em>

Enjoy a morning at leisure before catching a train and enjoying the views en route to Lyon, set at the confluence of the rivers Sa&ocirc;ne and Rh&ocirc;ne. In Lyon, you'll board the riverboat for the beginning of your Rh&ocirc;ne River cruise; settle into your cabin before joining us for a briefing and welcome reception followed by a welcome dinner in The Compass Rose.&nbsp;
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Lyon is considered the "culinary capital of France," which is quite a compliment in a country famed for its cuisine and fine vintages.&nbsp;You'll discover why during a tasting at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the celebrated indoor food market that's been a fixture&nbsp;in Lyon since 1850 and offers an unbelievable array of breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, wines, chocolates... the list goes on. Everything is fresh and delicious, and it's said that the best chefs in Lyon shop here! But Lyon is also a city with a venerable history and considerable charm, as you'll discover when you also visit Vieux Lyon, the old Renaissance part of the city that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first protected historic district in France, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvi&egrave;re, built atop the ruins of an ancient Roman forum.&nbsp;This afternoon, it's off to the celebrated wine-growing region of Beaujolais for a tasting in the countryside before continuing your Rh&ocirc;ne River cruise to Viviers. Enjoy dinner in the Compass Rose tonight followed by entertainment in the lounge.

Cruise this morning to Viviers, a walled city with origins in the 5th century on the right bank of the Rh&ocirc;ne. If medieval history and authentic period architecture are your thing, Viviers is your kind of place... because it's one of the best-preserved medieval towns that you're likely to see in all of France. Its narrow streets and lanes reveal what life might have been like here in the Middle Ages. Your choices today include a walking tour of Viviers with your local guide including views of the 12th-century Cathedral of Notre Dame de Rh&ocirc;ne and the richly detailed fa&ccedil;ade of the Maison des Chevaliers, followed by a lively game of <em>petanque</em> with the locals; or a drive to Grignan for a walking tour of town and a truffle farm tour and tasting. Join us for dinner in The Compass Rose this evening as we sail for Arles in Provence.

It may seem that the Romans were everywhere along the Rh&ocirc;ne, and Arles is no exception, as is witnessed by the triumphal arch, circus and baths they left behind as you explore the city on a walking tour (or a bicycle tour) and time on your own. Do take time to look beyond the city walls at the incredible quality of the light here that so enraptured Vincent van Gogh &ndash; and the landscapes of yellow rocks, red soil and lilac mountains that inspired in the Dutch artist a newfound creativity, and led to his creating hundreds of paintings while a patient at a nearby asylum, one of the most productive periods of his short life. Lunch today is a real treat, as you visit a private ranch in La Camargue for a private banquet of farm-grown Proven&ccedil;al specialties, a musical serenade, and a chance to see the region's iconic white horses, fleet-footed <em>gardians</em> (cowboys) and famous black bulls. As you continue your Rh&ocirc;ne River cruise to Avignon this evening, try your hand at painting a chocolate art piece during an onboard demonstration before dinner aboard the riverboat.

Although the fortified city of Avignon was undoubtedly a pleasant place before they arrived, the 14th-century popes, who spent less than a century here when Rome became "tedious" for them, really put it on the map, and cultivated the local wine industry (Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape) and an appreciation for good food. This morning, choose a bicycle excursion in Avignon, a visit to the fortress-like home that the pontiffs built for themselves, the Palais des Papes, a tour of the city by mini-train, or a guided tour that brings you along the streets of Avignon for an exploration of the city's history and Jewish heritage dating back to the 13th century. Join us this evening ashore for a Tauck Exclusive event &ndash; a special evening including a tour, reception and dinner at the restored ch&acirc;teau and grounds of the medieval Duchy of Uz&egrave;s.

You have a choice of sightseeing this morning. Venture deeper into Provence today on a visit to the yellow-and-brown town of Roussillon, in the Luberon region. This place is all about color, from the ochre cliffs surrounding the town to the purple of the lavender during its blooming season and the lush, green pine forests, as you'll discover for yourself on a walking tour. Alternatively, from Avignon, journey to Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridging history and nature. Explore the impressive tiers, then visit the on-site museum to discover its engineering marvels and the daily life of those who built it. Walk shaded trails, enjoy panoramic views, and gain insight into Roman innovation through immersive exhibits and interactive displays. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a vivid connection to the past, surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Gardon River valley. Everyone returns to the riverboat to have lunch as you cruise to Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape; over 200 days of sunshine per year and rain-bearing mistral winds enable the soil to store water for the long summer, meaning that vineyards thrive here.&nbsp;Since medieval times, the life of this hillside village has centered around growing and producing wine of the same appellation; its residents have benefitted from the proceeds of flourishing vineyards as early as the 13th century, when the village was adjacent to a summer palace for the popes of Avignon. You will get an opportunity this afternoon to taste some of the area's acclaimed wines before returning to the riverboat for dinner and onboard relaxation as your cruise continues.

The riverboat docks in Tain l'Hermitage for the final day of your Rh&ocirc;ne River cruise. From here you're off on a choice of excursions; a wine &amp; cheese tasting at a local co-op, recognized for its prestigious "cru" of wines; a visit to world renowned chocolate producer, Valrhona, where you'll learn about the history of the chocolate maker, taste the difference between a few different types of chocolate and take part in a chocolate truffle making class with one of Valrhona's top pastry chefs; or, embark on an active hike through the vineyards of Tain I'Hermitage, learning about the region's rich wine history and indulging in a jaw-dropping view at the top of the hill, one that warranted a visit from future president Thomas Jefferson back in 1788. Join us aboard the ship for tonight's farewell reception followed by dinner as your riverboat returns to Lyon.

<strong>Tour ends:&nbsp;Lyon.</strong> Disembark your riverboat in Lyon no later than 8:00 AM; fly home any time thereafter. A transfer from the riverboat to Lyon Airport or Perrache or Part Dieu train station is included; allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.