RHÔNE & SAÔNE RIVER BOAT CRUISE

ITINERARY

DAY 1 (SUNDAY) 

Fly overnight to Marseilles

​

DAY 2 (MONDAY) 

Marseilles – Aix-en-Provence 

​

Welcome to the port city of Marseilles. Join our private local expert for the next 3 days as we make our way to Arles. Walking around the colorful boat lined seaport, we’ll stop for a lunch that might include a bowl of Bouillabaisse, before perhaps a visit to the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM). Continue on to Aix-en-Provence to see one of France’s most stunningly beautiful towns, known for its abundance of Roman fountains and the birthplace of Cezanne. Aix-en-Provence is a city of refined elegance on show in its constantly bustling streets and squares, now the European Capital of Culture. The tree-lined boulevard called the Cours Mirabeau is the central attraction, a pedestrian -friendly centre boasting delightful shops, lively café terraces and a thriving student population. The History here is the drama of everyday life, with its noble heritage, a drink on a terrace with beautiful architecture and a stroll around town with baroque splendor.

​

This afternoon we will see a short film about the life of the painter from Aix, Paul Cezanne, followed by a reception in the beautiful garden of the Hotel Caumont.

​

OVERNIGHT IN AIX-EN-PROVENCE (Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 3 (TUESDAY)  

AIX-EN-PROVENCE - LOURMARIN

​

This morning a market visit in Aix, enjoy walking around the local produce and products. Depart Aix at about 10:00 am for a visit of the Château La Coste Wine Estate. Before lunch walk around this 200-hectare estate that combines historical wealth and a wine-growing tradition since Roman times in a setting of vineyards, cypresses, umbrella pines, olive trees and art from many of the world’s most renowned architects and artists. Visit the cellar designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, and enjoy lunch and tastings of the Domaine's organic wines.

​

Next, we head to our hotel in Lourmarin. Listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France", Lourmarin nestles in the middle of vineyards, olive groves and almond trees. The tradition is to stroll in the small streets of the village center and to stroll in the various stores of local products (lavender, herbs of Provence...), of interior decoration and in the galleries of many artists. As you go up the lanes of Lourmarin, you’ll pass in front of the house of Albert Camus. Once at the top of the village, you are rewarded with the beautiful sight of the Lourmarin castle and the chain of Lubéron.

​

This evening is on your own to discover the restaurant that only the locals go to!

​

OVERNIGHT IN LOURMARIN (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY)  

LOURMARIN – LUBERON VILLAGES

​

After breakfast, explore the charming hilltop villages of the Vaucluse/Luberon. Roussillon, famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ochre quarries, is a favorite stop. The sudden explosion of brilliant color in the landscape - set off by green forests of pines and oaks - comes as a dramatic surprise as you drive through this area. It's still not known exactly why the geological changes should have caused these pigments precisely here and not elsewhere in the region. Some suggest a fanciful explanation: a legend involving a troubadour, a châtelaine and a doomed love affair!

​

Return to Lourmarin for the evening and dinner.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

​

DAY 5 (THURSDAY) 

LOURMARIN - ARLES. (EMBARKATION)

​

A relaxing morning in Lourmarin before continuing on to Arles in time for lunch on your boat. Consider an afternoon visit at the LUMA museum. This incredible building was designed by Frank Gehry, known for the Sydney Opera house and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Luma Arles is an arts center in Arles, France, featuring a 15,000 square meter tower building. Gehry took some of his inspiration from the post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh hoping to catch the light Dutch artist sought in the South of France, specifically as in Starry Night which was painted in Arles in 1889.

​

Say farewell to your Provence guide as we board the luxurious riverboat at noon, your home for the next 8 days! Now it is time to be pampered as the porters take your bags. In the dining room, gather for lunch prepared by the private French chef. Your Sommelier has expertly paired the perfect wines. Relax on the ship, lounge on the upper sun deck, or venture out to explore more of Arles on your own.

​

OVERNIGHT ON YOUR BOAT

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 6 (FRIDAY) 

ARLES. Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

​

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. Start your morning with a walk through Arles with your Adventure Host. For the artist in you, attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist. After lunch, join a guided walking tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city. You may consider a guided optional excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

​

Don’t forget take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon!

​

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 7 (SATURDAY) 

AVIGNON. The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

​

Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes. You may consider a guided optional excursions that include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.

​

Later, explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

​

After dinner, grab a cocktail and enjoy onboard live entertainment.

​

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 8 (SUNDAY) 

VIVIERS. World History in a Charming French Country Village

​

Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host before your exploration of the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon guided walking tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

​

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 9 (MONDAY) 

TOURNON. A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

​

For those more active, grab one of the onboard bikes and pedal along the Rhone river with your Adventure Host, or you might rather take a morning guided walking tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.

​

In the late morning cruise to Vienne.

​

VIENNE. Roman and Middle Age History

​

Guilty of 3 desserts every day? See Vienne from atop, hike up to a viewpoint with your Adventure Host. Instead, you can Join a guided walking tour of Vienne and discover this charming little town surrounded by steep hills.

​

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 10 (TUESDAY)  

LYON. Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France

​

Join a guided sightseeing tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.

​

Spend your free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.

​

Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.

​

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 11 (WEDNESDAY)  

TOURNUS–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE. Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône

​

Consider a guided optional excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin. Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship. Live entertainment will be on board to celebrate this evening.

​

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

​

DAY 12 (THURSDAY) 

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)

​

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Transfers to the airport have been arranged. Fly home or consider the optional extension on your own to Paris!

(Breakfast)

​

​