Rhone Cruise

Eurostar to Lyon

We meet at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras, travelling by Eurostar direct to Lyon. We then transfer to our floating hotel, the A-Rosa Stella. After embarking, we take a panoramic cruise through Lyon.

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. With beautiful French style squares, colourful houses and a charming riverbank, Mâcon is a delight to explore. You could take the opportunity here to sample some of the famous Mâcon wine. Much of the wine produced here is white wine, famed for its high quality and low cost.

You may wish to join the optional walking tour here which takes in the sights of this quintessentially French town.

Châlon-sur-Saône

We moor in Châlon-sur-Saône. You could pick up the optional excursion through Burgundy's wine towns to picturesque Beaune while you're here. Otherwise you may wish to simply explore Châlon-sur-Saône. A particular highlight here is the marvellous Châlon Cathedral in the heart of the city, with its tremendous neo-gothic façade.

After some time here, we continue down the Rhône. There is the opportunity, later, to join an optional excursion to Dijon, an elegant city of noble medieval architecture and Renaissance sophistication.

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. With a charming array of multicoloured town houses adorning the banks of the Rhône, there is much to see here across the squares and boulevards.

Why not try some of the excellent French cuisine in any of the cafés which line the cobbled streets here? Or perhaps you would like to see the famous Musée des Beaux-Arts with its dazzling collection of paintings and sculptures by the greatest Masters throughout history. You may also choose to join an optional walking tour which takes you through some of the finest attractions Lyon has to offer.

Avignon

We sail into charming Avignon at lunchtime, then later in the afternoon there is an optional walking tour of the UNESCO-listed city, admiring landmarks such as Pont St Bénezet, Avignon's famous broken bridge. Avignon has a prestigious history since it was once the seat of the Pope, when the residency was moved from Rome to France in the 14th century.

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. This area attracts hundreds of species of bird including the greater flamingo, flocks of which come here from Africa. You may also spot herds of Camargue horses and black bulls.

To the Southern Ardèche

This morning is spent on board as we sail along the Rhône. During the day you can join an optional excursion to the striking Southern Ardèche. This is an area of astonishing natural beauty, with millennia of erosion shaping the rocks and cliffs into all manner of interesting shapes and contortions.

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.

Please note

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

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.