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During this cruise we visit one port  a day and you can explore small villages off the beaten track. The barge will dock when possible in the heart of town. Experience ever-changing riverside scenery and landscapes.

Cruise Route: River Rhone and River Saone

Highlights: Avignon - Pope's Palace, Orange - classical theatre, Valence, a wine tasting in Condrieu or 'le Palais Idéal by the postman Cheval, the town of Lyon, the Abbey of St. Philibért in Tournus, the riverside town of Chalon, Beaune - the wine capital of Burgundy, and a Beaujolais wine tasting in Romanèche Thorins

Sunday afternoon: You will be met at the location of your choice in Avignon, which is easily accessible by TGV train from Paris or by rental car. We will escort you to the barge where a champagne reception welcomes you and you will be able to meet the crew, followed by the first special evening dinner.

Monday: In the morning we visit the ancient town of Avignon where we can tour the Palais du Pape. We can wander the narrow streets inside the fortified walls, visiting the many little shops where French treasures are awaiting you. provencal fabrics for table cloths, place mats, curtains, lavender scent in pot pourri, lacicada pottery…. Later in the afternoon we start our cruise on the River Rhone to moor at St. Etienne des Sorts for dinner

Tuesday: This morning you visit Orange, an important roman city dating back to 100 BC. We tour the remarkable classical theatre which remains one of the most impressive monuments of antiquity.  The afternoon cruise continues to the medieval town of Viviers, we can walk around here before dinner is served on the barge.

Wednesday: Our cruise takes us to Valence, a city built on a series of terraces going down to the river. Lunch will be served on the barge while cruising. The late afternoon excursion can include a visit to the Old Valence with her picturesque sloping streets. This thriving town is facing the Ardèche cliffs. The Cathedral of St Apollinaire in Valence was founded in 1095 and rebuilt during the 1700’s. The town's museum of beaux arts contains a collection of late 18th century chalk drawings of Rome.  

Thursday: In the morning we cruise to Andance, an ancient fortified riverside town on the river Rhone passing beneath the elegant Marc Seguin bridge. Today we can go for a walking tour followed by a wine tasting in Condrieu, or alternatively, visit ‘Le Palais Idéal’. This creation by ‘le facteur Cheval’, a postman, took 33 years to build. An exotic, fanciful and wonderful stone monument to man’s eccentricity and inventiveness.

Friday: We cruise to Vienne and after lunch there will be a possibility to go on  a walking tour. Surrounded by steep hills and filled with lush gardens, Vienne is the gateway to the Lyon countryside and marketing center for the Rhône River valley's agricultural goods. Explore the town's lovely cathedral and the Cybele Garden. Picture Vienne's ancient Roman past from its Temple of Augustus and Livia. Other landmarks include the Abbey of Saint Pierre and the Church of Saint-Andre-Le-Bas. Dinner rounds out a wonderful day.

Saturday: Today we cruise past the Cote du Rhone vineyards to Lyon, nestled in the heart of France's Provence region. Lyon is a beautiful 2,000 year-old town of cobbled streets with the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral. Lunch will be served while cruising. Later this afternoon we arrive at our mooring in the town center and we will depart for a walking tour of  Lyon. ‘Le Vieux Lyon’, the oldest renaissance district in France is known as a cultural, historic and gastronomic center. Dinner will be served on board. 

Sunday: This morning you will be able to stroll the imposing market along the river bank. You can take lunch in one of the restaurants and further explore the town. You can walk the steeply-sloping streets, climb the Fourviéve hill,  providing superb views over the old town. You may consider to visit the Textile Museum, which chronicles the city's past as a silk and fabric center.

Monday: We continue our cruise on the River Saone and moor in Villefranche-sur-Saône, a town founded in 1212. It became the Capital of Beaujolais in the 14th century. After lunch we will go to the village Romanèche Thorins, to ‘the hameau en Beaujolais’ where we can learn all about the history of the Beaujolais wines, and enjoy a tasting.  Dinner will be served aboard.

Tuesday: A leisury cruise leads us to the river side town of Tournus. We will moor at the lovely tree-lined waterfront. After lunch we will visit the beautiful 10th century recently renovated Abbey of St. Philibért which dominates the town of Tournus, built right on the banks of the placid Saône. St. Philibért predates the more powerful and better known abbey at nearby Cluny. The magnificence of the abbey and the charm of the surrounding area with quaint shops makes a pleasant excursion. Dinner will be served on the barge.

Wednesday:  Our morning cruise brings us to Chalon sur Saone where we will moor in the town center. This afternoon there will be free time to explore Chalon - the birthplace of photography. In 1822 Nicephore Niepce managed to capture an image on glass; there will be time to visit the photographic museum commemorating this event which is right opposite our mooring. This afternoon you are free to browse in the picturesque shopping area for regional products (Dijon mustard, wine acutrements, and unique kitchen products) or to relax in a café on the town square.

Thursday: we will cruise Seurre, another pretty riverside town on the River Saone. After lunch we leave the barge to visit Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. The 15th century Hospital (hospital) is one of the most fascinating sites in Burgundy. Then it is wine tasting at the famous Marché aux Vins, if you wish, you can buy wine here, these experts will ship your purchases back home safely.

Friday: We will cruise to St. Symphorien sur Saone. Here we enter the Canal du Rhone Au Rhin. Lunch will be served during the cruise.We will pass several locks, if you wish, you can walk or bike along the towpath and we will moor at the end of the afternoon in Dole. You could go on a  walking tour of Dole, with its museum Pasteur. A farewell dinner rounds out a wonderful day!

Saturday morning: You'll say "Au Revoir" and depart after breakfast for transfer to The Dole station or the Dijon TGV station. If you prefer, you may also be transferred to the airport, rental car office, or hotel of your choice.

Our sightseeing schedule is flexible and can be customized to reflect your interests. Occasionally an itinerary will be changed due to canal closures or inclement weather. The Captain will substitute an equally interesting route. Change in itinerary will not be accepted as a cause for cancelling your cruise.