2019 EXCURSION THE ARDECHE GORGES

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1 The following shore excursions are offered during the cruise. The three letter code for our Rhone cruise is LMX so all the excursions indicated by these three letters will be offered during the cruise. At the time of launching this website, the prices for 2019 were yet to be set. As soon as they have been established, DTC will include the prices with each tour. Like on the River Douro cruise, there will be possible to purchase a Shore Excursion Package at an advantageous price. THE ARDECHE GORGES CHA - LMX - LYL - ROD Our guide will pick us up by coach. We ll leave for a panoramic coach tour of the Ardeche Gorges, a territory brimming with treasures of authenticity. You will find yourself gobsmacked by the impressive deep valleys, the dense vegetation and the granitic and volcanic rocks spread out before your eyes. We ll then continue on to the Pont d'arc, a natural arch almost 100-feet high carved out by the Ardèche River. We ll take pictures from the belvedere before our panoramic tour takes us to the Madeleine Cave where we ll mark a stop. This cave was born from the effects of groundwater on the rocks and is one of the most surprising examples of such wonders of nature. At the end of our visit, we ll return to the ship by coach. As a warning for those suffering from travel sickness, the route during the panoramic tour includes many twists and turns. If the minimum of 25 participants is not reached, the excursion may be either cancelled or proposed at another rate, depending on the number of participants (to be paid for on board). The excursions on the first evening and the morning following boarding are only guaranteed for the passengers who have booked the excursion before the cruise.

2 ARLES approx. 2:00 CHA - LMX - LYL - ACV_PP Departure on foot for our guided tour of Arles. With its two thousand years of history, Arles has preserved an exceptional monumental heritage, making it a true open-air museum and one of the most important tourist and cultural sites in France. During the course of this guided tour you will see the Roman Amphitheatre (the "Arènes"), the Ancient Roman Theatre and the Place St Trophime with its cloister and church. These are part of the Arles route, one of the three pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. We will continue our visit with Place du Forum and finally, the Thermae of Constantine. Return to the boat on foot. If the minimum of 25 participants is not reached, the excursion may be either cancelled or proposed at another rate, depending on the number of participants (to be paid for on board). HIKE THROUGH THE ALPILLES MOUNTAINS AND THE VILLAGE OF BAUX-DE-PROVENCE CHA - LMX - ACV_PP You'll be taken by coach to the starting point of a hike in the Alpilles Mountains to the village of Bauxde-Provence. This exceptional area is framed by limestone formations, vineyards and olive orchards. You ll have a great view of the legendary village and the surrounding valley. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes (2 walking hours) AVIGNON AND THE PAPAL PALACE approx. 3:00 ANT - CHA - LMA - LMX - LSR - LYL - ROD - ACV_PP - LON (included)

3 We ll set out on foot with our guide for the center of Avignon, first stopping at the Place de l Horloge. This square has always been the beating heart of the city as revealed by the remains of the Roman forum, still visible amidst the numerous cafés and restaurants that have since taken up its former social function. We ll continue on to the Place du Palais for our visit to the Papal Palace, the most important monument in the city. The two parts that make up the Palace were built by Pope Benedict XII ( ) and his successor Pope Clement VI ( ). Our visit will take you through the staterooms where numerous ceremonies and feasts took place, the chapels, the Pope s private apartments and the terraces which offer a wonderful panorama on Avignon and the Rhône River. It is forbidden to take pictures inside the Papal Palace. "SAFARI" IN THE CAMARGUE ANT - CHA - LMA - LMX - LYL - LSR Far from the tourist traps, discover the Petite and Grande Camargue from the back of a jeep with local guides who will share their enthusiasm for this legendary area. You ll cross the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, a nationally designated protected area with ponds and marshes that are home to waders, pink flamingoes, egrets, herons, etc. Join us for another way to get up close to nature. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. TOURING THE CAMARGUE AND VISITING A MANADE ANT - CHA - LMA - LMX - LSR - LYL - LON (included) Enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the Camargue. Sit back and admire the rivers, marshes, ponds, pink flamingoes, black bulls and the famous, indigenous Camargue horses. Discover the salt and rice fields that make the area so well known. We ll visit a manade and learn about the work of a manadier as we watch a demonstration of how they work with the animals they raise. Our visit will include a cocktail on the patio. At the end of our visit, we ll return to the ship in Arles.

4 GUIDED TOUR OF LES BAUX DE PROVENCE LMX - LON (included) Meet up with your guide and set off on a guided tour of Les Baux de Provence, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Located at the heart of the Alpilles on a rocky plateau, the village overlooks breathtaking landscapes over Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles. This gorgeous and impressive stone fortress is definitely a must-see. Tourism developed in this region after World War II with the arrival of Raymond Thuillier who contributed to the worldwide popularity of the Baux with the opening of the gastronomic restaurant "Oustau de Baumanière" where celebrities and political figures would often dine. In 1966, André Malraux issued a decree putting the village under protection of the Ministry of Culture and the Environment. A prosperous era then started for the Baux which had been left aside since the Revolution. The restoration of the city led to its being listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France in Return on board by coach. Good walking shoes are recommended: Baux de Provence is paved and sloped. THE VERCORS CHA - LMX - LYL - ROD We ll leave by coach from La Voulte towards Die. Carved out in limestone, the Vercors Regional Nature Park extends over 186,000 ha between the Isère Valley to the north and the Diois to the south. Water has shaped deep gorges in the cliffs, majestic cirques, caves and chasms among the most famous in Europe. Wooded plateaus and valleys shaped by agriculture are home to a remarkable fauna and flora. We ll stop at the cellars of Die Jaillance to discover a true love story between man and the vine and enjoy a wine tasting session. Afterwards, we will continue by coach for a panoramic view of the Rousset Pass located in the heart of the Vercors and reaching an altitude of over 1,400 meters. The belvedere culminates at a height of 1,245 meters and from this point of view the scenery is outstanding: arid escarpments and a road with hairpin bends down the hill, which accentuates the overall impression of depth. We ll move on towards Vassieux-en-Vercors, La Chapelle-en- Vercors and Pont-en-Royans where you ll get to see the suspended houses, whose daring architecture dates as far back as the perched village itself, built in the 15 th century. Last, we ll drive through Romanssur-Isère well known for its shoe industry before returning by coach to Tain l'hermitage to board our ship. Roads are sinuous, beware of travel sickness.

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