French Art and History Along the Rhône River

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French Art and History Along the Rhône River



Tour Description:

Discover the Rhône through an offbeat, seven-day cruise. See each city differently as you retrace the footsteps of the artists and celebrities who influenced their cultures.
From Alphonse de Lamartine's Mâcon to Marcel Pagnol's Marseille, with side trips to Paul Bocuse's Lyon and Van Gogh's homestead in Arles, each excursion will bring you to the core of the city and its history. 
Discover unusual sites such as the Quarries of Light in Les Baux-de-Provence and the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives.
This cruise on the Saône and Rhone Rivers overflows with the vineyard landscapes and limestone cliffs of southern France.

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Dates & Pricing

Monday 14 Apr 25 — Sunday 20 Apr 25Starting at $2,982 Get a Quote
Wednesday 28 May 25 — Tuesday 03 Jun 25Starting at $2,328 Get a Quote
Friday 27 Jun 25 — Thursday 03 Jul 25Starting at $2,523 Get a Quote
Tuesday 26 Aug 25 — Monday 01 Sep 25Starting at $2,328 Get a Quote


ITINERARY

LYON
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We’ll enjoy dinner on board as our ship begins to cruise to Mâcon. Don’t miss Lyon lit up at night as we depart!

MACON - LYON
This morning, join us for a guided tour of Mâcon as seen through the eyes of French author and poet Alphonse de Lamartine. With its colored facades, Mâcon feels like it should be part of Provence. Join us this afternoon for a guided tour of medieval Pérouges, which has been categorized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Our ship will cruise to Lyon.

LYON - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE
In the morning, join us for a guided tour of the city and a tasting at Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse.(1) We’ll cruise to Tain-l’Hermitage in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

TAIN-L'HERMITAGE - AVIGNON
We’ll head out on an excursion this morning to the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, a monument built by a local postman from 1879 to 1912. No other building like it exists in the world. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon and arrive during the evening.

AVIGNON - ARLES
Join us this morning for a visit to Les Baux-de-Provence and the Quarry of Lights. We’ll return on board in Arles. This afternoon, join us for a guided tour of Arles following the footsteps of Van Gogh. Our ship will cruise to Martigues in the evening.

ARLES - MARTIGUES
This morning, we’ll leave for an excursion to the city Paul Cézanne adored, Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence was founded in 123 BC by the Romans. The city’s deep history can be seen and felt everywhere you stroll. The architecture, monuments, sites, shops, and squares simply ooze Provençal charm and allure. By following the letter “C” along the streets, you’ll walk in Cézanne’s footsteps from his birth to his death. In the older part of the city, you’ll discover the city’s prestigious past. At the end of our excursion, we’ll enjoy a tasting of the traditional Calisson d’Aix, a candied delight. In the afternoon, our ship will cruise towards Martigues. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

MARTIGUES
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.