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France & Benelux
River CruiseRiver Cruise

Provence and The Elegant Rhône

 
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202520262027
Duration
8 days
From per person
$3,295 $2,995
Tour code
LRR26
Mobility Rating 2
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Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Discover the timeless elegance of France's Rhône and Saône Rivers, cruising in luxury while admiring beautiful Southern France

 The timeless destinations and renowned beauty of Southern France beckons on this cruise journey. Join the luxurious MS Amadeus Provence to uncover a tapestry of experiences while cruising along the Rhône and Saône Rivers, with a unique focus on the region's culinary prowess.

Indulge in the finest Burgundy wines in Beaune, savor the gastronomic pleasures of Lyon and explore the City of Popes, Avignon. From the nostalgic steam-powered Train de l'Ardèche to touring the enchanting landscapes of the Ardèche Gorge, each experience promises a new perspective on this picturesque region.

Unforgettable Experiences

Touring medieval Beaune, the “Capital of Burgundy wine”
Touring medieval Beaune, the “Capital of Burgundy wine”
 Discover the ancient city walls and historical architecture of Beaune on a guided tour that concludes with a tasting of authentic Burgundy wine. 
Visiting one of France’s culinary epicenters, Lyon
Visiting one of France’s culinary epicenters, Lyon
Embark on a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Lyon, which sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers.
Riding aboard the charming Train de l'Ardèche
Riding aboard the charming Train de l'Ardèche
 Journey through the breathtaking Gorges du Doux region aboard the Train de l’Ardèche, a steam-powered train that reveals unique panoramas exclusive to the route.
Marveling at the Ardèche Gorge
Marveling at the Ardèche Gorge
 Spend time in “Europe's Grand Canyon,” the Ardèche Gorge, touring its most scenic points and looking upon its rivers, forests and deep gorges.
Visit the Camargue Delta or Pont du Gard
Visit the Camargue Delta or Pont du Gard
 While moored in Arles, choose from two memorable excursions: one to the beautiful Camargue Delta, where wildlife like horses and flamingos roam freely, and another to the historic Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1 Boarding our luxurious ship in Lyon

 Your cruise vacation begins today as you meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London St. Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. As we arrive in the French capital, we switch trains and continue onward on the regional service, with our destination set as the picturesque city of Lyon.

On arrival this afternoon, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious ship, the MS Amadeus Provence, awaits. We have time to settle into our cabins before we enjoy a welcome cocktail, which you could take on the sun deck while admiring Lyon's colorful townhouses and cosmopolitan streets. Later, we enjoy our first five-course dinner together, complete with drinks package, before setting sail for Chalon-sur-Saône. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2 Arriving in the lush Burgundy wine region

Wake to new surroundings this morning as we arrive into Beaune. Deep in the heart of France's Burgundy wine region, Beaune is a classic medieval destination with impressive town walls, terracotta roofs and fascinating historical buildings. We have breakfast onboard before disembarking for a guided city tour that allows us to discover the sights and wander the enchanting streets.

As our tour comes to an end, we enjoy a tasting of some of the wines that make this town, and the Burgundy region as a whole, so famous. Beaune is one of France's most important wine centers and is surrounded by fields bedecked with vineyards growing pinot noir, pinot blanc and chardonnay grapes.

We return to the ship in time for lunch and settle in for a leisurely afternoon and evening cruising back to Lyon. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY3 France’s gastronomic center, Lyon

Mooring in Lyon over the night, we step ashore this morning after breakfast for a guided tour. Lyon is one of France's iconic cities and sits at the meeting point of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers.

On our tour, we explore some of Lyon's highlights and extensive history. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city was historically renowned for its silk weaving industries. However, Lyon has reinvented itself as the capital of French gastronomy. Lyon is perfectly placed at the center of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, providing access to incredible local produce. We get a taste of the culinary offerings as we conclude our tour with a praline tasting.

We return to the ship for lunch and then enjoy an afternoon at leisure as we cruise to Tournon sur Rhône. This is one of the most scenic sections of the river, with rolling hills and vineyards sitting under the gaze of châteaux and stately homes. It is well worth visiting the spacious sun deck to soak up the scenery before dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY4 The steam-powered Train de l’Ardèche

 A day of incredible scenery and steam train nostalgia lies ahead as we travel by coach to Tournon sur Rhône's railway station to board the Train de l'Ardèche. Aboard the train, we take a memorable journey through the spectacular Gorges du Doux region as the railway winds through the scenic foothills and valley. Stone bridges crisscross the brooks and rivers, which snake under the trees, and our charming train takes us to sections of the gorges only accessible aboard the Train de l'Ardèche.

Upon returning to Tournon sur Rhône by train, we reboard our ship and have lunch while proceeding along the river to the city of Avignon. Enjoy the ship's amenities or find a comfortable place on the Sun Deck to socialize or savor the views. We have another wonderful five-course dinner with drinks this evening. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5 Exploring Avignon, the “City of Popes”

 After breakfast on the ship, we set out on a guided tour of Avignon, a stately city that was the seat of the Pope in the 14th century. Le Petit Train d'Avignon greets us as we step off the ship and takes us into the center of Avignon, where our excursion begins.

The city's striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see walking through Avignon's historic center, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and a collection of holy and religious artifacts.

We take Le Petit Train d'Avignon back to the ship for lunch, and then you are free to discover Avignon at your own pace until early evening. After our five-course dinner tonight, our ship sets sail for Arles. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY6Van Gogh’s Arles and the Camargue Delta or Pont du Gard

 Following a night moored in Arles, we step ashore and begin our day with a guided tour of the city that inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings, including "Starry Night over the Rhone" and "Café Terrace at Night." On our walking tour, we wander through the pretty streets and enjoy entrance to the Arles Arenas and St. Trophyme Cathedral.

We return to the ship for lunch, and then you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is to visit the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens into the Mediterranean. This excursion is ideal for nature lovers, as the wetlands and parkland are home to wild horses and hundreds of bird species, including pink flamingos. Alternatively, you could travel by coach to the arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon River - another World Heritage site.

Later, we return to our cruise ship for dinner and drinks and an overnight sailing to Châteauneuf-du-Rhône. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7 The Ardèche Gorge, “Europe’s Grand Canyon”

A highlight of our holiday awaits today as we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of Europe." An area of snaking rivers and deep gorges, this region is a dramatic example of the natural world. Sheer cliffs rise above waterways and deep green forests. Our tour takes us to some of the most impressive sights in the gorge, including the Pont d'Arc.

We wrap up our excursion with entrance to the Lavender Museum before re-joining the ship at Le Pouzin in time for lunch. We begin our return sailing to Lyon and have a leisurely afternoon aboard the MS Amadeus Provence to soak up the scenery of southern France. This evening, we are invited to don our finest as we attend the Captain's Gala Dinner and toast to an incredible adventure during our final night on the ship. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8 Tour conclusion

 Breakfast is served onboard this morning before we say goodbye to the ship and the wonderful crew and disembark for the final time in Lyon. A coach transfer takes us to Lyon's railway station, where we board the train to Paris.

On arrival, we catch the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International, enjoying a final look at the scenery as we say au revoir to France and its splendors. Our vacation draws to a close this afternoon as our train arrives in London.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Train & Ship Information

See more details about this tour's trains and ships.

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MS Amadeus Provence Cabin DS | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck

Travel the rivers in the utmost comfort and style when you choose to stay in one of our incredible Deluxe Suites. These cabins are larger than the others on board, at 26.4 square metres, and come with additional touches that adds just that extra touch of opulence.

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MS Amadeus Provence Cabin A1 | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Stateroom - Upper Deck

With your first steps into your Deluxe Stateroom, the impressive amount space is immediately apparent, with plenty of room for luggage, clothes and souvenirs included in your 17.5 square metres.

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MS Amadeus Provence Cabin B1 | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Stateroom - Middle Deck

With your first steps into your Deluxe Stateroom, the impressive amount space is immediately apparent, with plenty of room for luggage, clothes and souvenirs included in your 17.5 square metres.

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MS Amadeus Provence Cabin C1N| Vacations by Rail
Classic Stateroom - Lower Deck

We take great pride in the quality, comfort and elegance that makes up the 16 square metres of our Classic Staterooms, which make up the majority of our on board accommodation. And we recognise the importance of having somewhere inviting to retire to after an engaging day of cruising or excursions.

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