Classic Rhone Cruise Tour | Great Rail Journeys

Tour Highlights

MV A-Rosa Stella
Lyon
Mâcon
Châlon-sur-Saône
Avignon
Arles & The Southern Ardèche

What’s Included (Full details)

Standard Class Rail
All Transfers Included
Optional Bag Concierge
4* Cruise Ship
Selected Excursions

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Itinerary
Ships & Trains
Optional Extras

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Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Day 1

Eurostar to Lyon

We meet at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras, travelling by Eurostar for Paris, followed by the high-speed TGV service direct to Lyon. We then transfer to our floating hotel, the A-Rosa Stella, to begin a 7-night cruise along the Rhône. The pace of your holiday is set by you alone; you may wish to take part in optional shore excursions, explore independently or simply relax, taking advantage of the superb facilities and enjoying the passing scenery from the top deck of the ship. After embarking, we take a panoramic cruise through Lyon, pausing en-route for free time to explore the city's delightful Old Town. Boasting an array of beautiful architecture, this historic area has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Set in the heart of the city, the narrow alleyways are home to more than 300 lovingly restored buildings, making it one of Europe's best preserved Renaissance complexes. Back on board, we enjoy our first dinner together.

Includes:

Dinner

Day 2

Mâcon

We arrive in Mâcon before breakfast this morning. Enjoying an attractive location near the Beaujolais hills, Mâcon is Burgundy's southernmost town and a major name in the local wine trade, thanks to the glorious expanse of nearby vineyards. You may wish to join an optional guided walking tour of Mâcon, taking in the sights of this historic town. This evening, we continue cruising through Burgundy towards Châlon-sur-Saône.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Châlon-sur-Saône

In the early hours of the morning we moor in Châlon-sur-Saône, which shot to fame in 1827, when the world's first durable photograph was produced here. You could pick up the optional excursion through Burgundy's wine towns to picturesque Beaune while you're here. Explore the medieval centre and visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, a 15th century hospital with distinctive patterned tiles adorning its roof. Otherwise you may wish to simply explore Chalon sur Saône. The beautiful town has much to recommend it; not only its attractive clutch of authentic, half-timbered houses, but also the mighty neo-classical Cathedral of St Vincent, which dominates the town's skyline. We return to the ship in time for lunch and set sail again. In the afternoon you can join an optional excursion to Dijon. The city's prosperous past is reflected in its architectural splendour.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Return to Lyon

We return to Lyon today, where you may choose to join an optional walking tour of the city. Lyon boasts a long and varied history, dating back to its inception as a Roman settlement in 43AD. Since then, the city has served as a centre for silk weaving and finance in the 14th century, gained a reputation for book printing, and later benefitted from excellent rail links as a cornerstone of the silk industry. Our optional tour takes in the city's highlights, after which we return to our ship and cruise on towards Avignon.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Avignon

This morning is spent on board as we navigate the different locks on the river. We sail into charming Avignon at lunchtime, then later in the afternoon there is an optional walking tour of the UNESCOlisted city, admiring landmarks such as Pont St Bénezet, Avignon's famous broken bridge. The four surviving arches of the medieval bridge have become an emblem of the city. During the tour, we see the spectacular Palais des Papes - Palace of the Popes - which was the seat of the Papacy for six successive Popes during the 14th century, and arguably one of the city's best known attractions. This evening, we moor in Avignon.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Avignon to Arles

Following a leisurely morning in Avignon, we cruise along the Rhône to Arles. En-route we pause for an optional excursion to the Camargue river delta this morning, where over 400 species of bird, including the flamingo, can be seen along with herds of white horses and black bulls. Home to 140,000 hectares of natural wetlands, the Camargue showcases an array of different wildlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers, and also features some unusual paddy fields which produce red rice. Later we continue on to Arles, arriving mid-afternoon. The city boasts a glorious Roman heritage, and with its grand Mediterranean-influenced houses, was the inspiration for much of Van Gogh's work.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

To the Southern Ardèche

This morning is spent on board as we sail along the Rhône, mooring in La Voulte over lunchtime. The landscape here is dominated by terraced chestnut woods and orchards, fortified villages and farmsteads. During the day you can join an optional excursion to the striking Southern Ardèche and the numerous grottoes in the area. This trip continues to a lavender producer to learn about the different types of Lamiaceae genera that grown in abundance in the area.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

The Eurostar from Paris

We head back to Lyon today, arriving early in the morning. After breakfast on board, we transfer to Paris by rail, where we connect with the Eurostar service to London. On arrival into St Pancras International, your tour concludes, and you are free to make your own way home.

Includes:

Breakfast

Please note

Optional shore excursions are not included in the price of your tour and are payable on board the ship.

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Classic Rhone Cruise

Itinerary

Ships & Trains

Optional Extras

Itinerary & Map

Eurostar to Lyon

Mâcon

Châlon-sur-Saône

Return to Lyon

Avignon

Avignon to Arles

To the Southern Ardèche

The Eurostar from Paris

Please note

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