Discover a beautiful region of France as we cruise along The Rhône and The Saône, visiting Avignon, Lyon, Viviers and Tain L’Hermitage. Experience Provence and The Camargue and a once-in-a-lifetime evening at a Paul Bocuse restaurant.
Day 1 We make our way to Dover for the short Channel crossing to Calais. Once in France, we travel to our overnight hotel (half board).
Day 2 On our way south we visit Beaune, where you can explore this gorgeous cobbled walled town, and maybe have a first drop of Burgundy. We continue to Lyon to board the Rhône Princess late afternoon. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and evening entertainment. We sail during the night.
Day 3 A morning to explore Lyon or join an optional guided tour of the city including a tasting at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon, a huge three-story indoor market where close to 50 shops offer the finest gourmet food. Try wonderful local delicacies including sausage, cheese and, of course, wine! We then join the Saône River and head toward Collonges-auMont-d’Or, where we have an extraordinary gastronomic experience at Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges. Enjoy out-of-this-world courses prepared by renowned chefs in an exceptional setting, before we return on board. We then sail toward Tain L’Hermitage.
Day 4 Enjoy free time in Tain L’Hermitage or join an optional tour to the Cité du Chocolat for discovery and tasting! We spend the afternoon cruising toward Avignon.
Day 5 This morning in Avignon, there is an optional guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace, an imposing and luxurious palace, where you can explore the immense halls, beautiful chapels and papal apartments. Alternatively, there is an optional excursion to Gordes, with a tour of the Sénanque Abbey**. The cobblestone streets and dry-stone wall homes make it one of the most beautiful villages in France. The Abbey is known for its lovely lavender fields and lavender honey. Back on board, we sail toward Arles. (The overnight in Arles might be replaced by an overnight in Avignon depending on passage through the locks.)
Day 6 This morning there is an optional excursion to The Camargue, the epitome of traditional Provencal culture, an immense flatland home to exceptional wildlife and plants. Visit a manade, where bulls are raised, and horses are trained. The afternoon is spent cruising through the gorgeous French countryside, passing by Valence, dominated by its cathedral, and Montélimar, known for its famous nougat.
Day 7 This morning, an optional guided tour of Viviers, home to the smallest cathedral in France, with streets that feel like an open-air museum. In the afternoon, our optional excursion is to the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the 18-mile canyon carved by turbulent waters that left behind steep cliffs, deep valleys, dense vegetation, and stunning limestone formations. We’ll see the Pont d'Arc, the stunning natural arch almost 100-feet high. We return to the ship at La Voulte and sail toward Lyon. Tonight enjoy a Gala Dinner on board.
Day 8 Disembarking after breakfast, we make our way north to our overnight hotel (half board).
Day 9 We continue home via the motorways to Calais for our Channel crossing. We reach the local area in the evening.
Part of the CroisiEurope fleet of river cruisers, the MS Rhône Princess has only 69 cabins across two decks. The ensuite cabins have TV, hairdryer and safe. Facilities include lounge bar, comfortable restaurant (set menu) and sundeck. There is no lift and main deck cabins are accessed down stairs.
