Flavors of Burgundy (Lyon to Port of Dijon)

LYON, FRANCE – EMBARKATION. Board your ship in preparation for your 7-night Flavors of Burgundy cruise.

LYON, FRANCE. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Or get active a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. If you’re a self-described foodie, our Les Halles Market tasting tour is for you, during which you’ll have a chance to taste some of Lyon’s local delights. Later in the day, enjoy a tasting of Beaujolais wines. During the evening, enjoy a special Illuminations cruise – a highlight of your river cruise – as you enter the city of Lyon.

MÂCON – TOURNUS, FRANCE. Join a guided tour through the “South Burgundy City” of Mâcon, learning about its local vineyards, museums, historical sites and perhaps its famous son, the poet and minister Alphonse de Lamartine. Or venture somewhat off the beaten path to Cluny, known for its large abbey. Return to the ship and enjoy a scenic cruise to Tournus. Or, instead, join a guided bike tour from Mâcon to Tournus.

TOURNUS - CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE. Let your knowledgeable guide lead you through Tournus and to its magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert. Or choose instead to visit the moated Château de Cormatin, which dates back to the early 17th century and features ornate apartments as well as a beautifully manicured garden. As an alternative, venture to the medieval village of Brancion with its preserved gateway, church and market hall. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic sailing to Chalon-sur-Saône, or learn about centuries old traditions while sampling the region’s famous Chalonnaise wines. Alternatively, pedal from Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône on an exhilarating guided bike tour.

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE – SEURRE, FRANCE. Located in southern Burgundy at the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise wine region, Chalon-sur-Saône whispers the secrets of its medieval past which you will discover on your historic city tour. Or visit the storybook Château de Couches, a medieval fortress enveloped in idyllic hills and greenery that once served the Dukes of Burgundy. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic sailing to Seurre. Alternatively, visit Clos de Vougeot, a wall-enclosed vineyard and savor the flavors of the regional wines.

SEURRE – PORT OF DIJON, FRANCE. Visit the town of Beaune, a walled town nestled in the heart of Cote d’Or vineyards where you’ll stroll the cobblestone streets and take in such sights as the mosaic-tiled roof of the Hospices de Beaune, founded in the 15th century as a hospital for the less fortunate. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic sailing or opt for a more active outing with a bike tour.

PORT OF DIJON, FRANCE. Famously known as the “Birthplace of Mustard,” Dijon was the home to the four Dukes of Burgundy from 1364 to 1477. On a guided tour, explore Dijon’s medieval center which overflows with art and cultural heritage, showcased within several spectacular museums. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour along the Saône River and witness captivating sites such as the lock controlling the river’s access to the Rhone-Rhine Canal. Or choose to visit the stunning Château d’Arcelot, with elements dating back to the 13th century. The Château d’Arcelot blends medieval religious structures, neoclassical architecture, and even a Chinese pavilion into a fascinating architectural marvel.

PORT OF DIJON, FRANCE – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Dijon and prepare for your return flight home.