Summary
Short description
A delightful river journey taking in the cultural, historic and gastronomic riches of Southern France
Highlights
- Gain a fascinating insight into the history of Lyon, Avignon and Arles on guided tours
- Attend a classical music concert in Avignon
- Set off on a guided hike through the vineyards of Tournon
- Enjoy superb, all-inclusive meals and complimentary beverages throughout your river cruise
- Indulge in an exclusive Provençal dining experience on your final evening onboard
In Brief
- 1 Night Lyon
- 1 Night Beaune
- 1 Night Lyon
- 1 Night Tournon-sur-Rhône
- 1 Night Viviers
- 1 Night Avignon
- 1 Night Arles
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Food & wine | River cruise
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history, rich culture and culinary delights of Southern France on this luxury, all-inclusive river cruise linking the historic towns, villages and cities of the Rhône and Saône rivers with Emerald Cruises. After visiting one of Burgundy’s most renowned wine estates in Beaune, discover the Roman heritage and gastronomic delights of Lyon on a guided tour. You’ll then visit the picturesque villages of Tournon and Viviers, before arriving in charming Avignon, home to one of the largest Gothic palaces in the world. Finally, round off your journey in Arles, another city steeped in Roman ruins, where Vincent van Gogh produced some of his most famous works. On your final night, you’ll be treated to a special Provençal dining experience, courtesy of esteemed French chef, Fabien Morreale. As well as all meals and beverages, along with cheese and olive tastings, your cruise will be brought to life by a series of guided tours and immersive experiences throughout.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Fly to Lyon
Make the most of complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight to Lyon. On arrival, you’ll be met by a member of the Emerald Cruises team and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to begin your luxury, all-inclusive river cruise through the south of France.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: D
Day
2
Chalon-sur-Saône to Beaune
Having settled into your new surroundings onboard, today you’ll explore the region around Chalon-sur-Saône, a town renowned for its attractive timber-beamed houses, Gothic cathedral and rich artistic heritage. From here, you’ll continue north to the picturesque walled town of Beaune, where you’ll enjoy a visit to Hospices de Beaune – a former hospital and charitable almshouse that now hosts one of the world’s most famous charity wine auctions.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Lyon
Today, you’ll return to Lyon, a city steeped in Roman heritage that sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers and is renowned as France’s gastronomy capital. An included guided tour will provide a fascinating introduction to Lyon’s past and present, including a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. If you’d prefer, there is also the opportunity to explore Lyon on two wheels on a guided bike tour.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Tournon
The next leg of your journey through Southern France brings you to Tournon, a pretty village fringed by terraced vineyards on the banks of the Rhône, home to an imposing 16th-century castle and a couple of ancient stone watchtowers. Enjoy a guided tour of the village or a hike through the surrounding vineyards that produce some of France’s finest wines.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Viviers
Your next stop is Viviers, a medieval village that’s home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals and narrow, cobbled lanes lined by traditional houses with terracotta-tiled rooftops. It’s a charming place to explore and soak up the history, which you’ll have the chance to do on a guided walking tour. Alternatively, you might be interested in visiting Chauvet Cave, which contains some of the best-preserved figurative cave paintings in the world.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Avignon
You’ll arrive in Avignon today, a city which served as the centre of the Roman Catholic world between 1309 and 1377. On a guided walking tour, you’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Palais de Papes, one of the largest Gothic palaces in the world, as well as Pont d’Avignon, an ancient stone bridge that once connected Avignon with the opposite bank of the Rhône. There’s also the chance to go canoeing on the river, and later on you are invited to experience a classical evening concert.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Arles
The final destination of your French river cruise is the city of Arles, which, much like Lyon, was heavily shaped by the Roman Empire, with many monuments still there today. An included tour will take you on a journey through the city’s evolution over the centuries, including a visit to the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and the chance to follow in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, who created many of his most famous works here. This evening, cap off your cruise in style with a special Provençal dining experience onboard, expertly prepared by the esteemed French chef, Fabien Morreale.
Stay: Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Return to UK
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship for a transfer to Nice or Marseille Airport in time for your flight home.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Prices
Accommodation rating:
8-day luxury river cruise
from £2,295 pp incl. flights
Save up to 30% on selected dates
Book by: 28 February 2025
Special offer:
- Save up to 30% & enjoy a free premium drinks package on selected departure dates in 2025
- Some terms and conditions apply **
- 4 October 2025 departure from just £2,295 pp
- Please call for prices for other departure dates
Includes:
- Return scheduled flights from the UK
- 7-nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 20 meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
- Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinners
- Airport transfers
- A selection of included tours led by knowledgeable, local guides
- The services of an Emerald cruise director
- Port taxes and charges
- All tipping and gratuities
Frequent departure dates from March to October. Alternate dates operate the itinerary in reverse.
Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.
** All offers are valid for new bookings only made between 19th December 2024 and 28th February 2025. Prices are based on two people sharing our lowest available cabin grade. Savings of up to 30% apply to 2025 Europe river cruises. These offers available on selected Europe itineraries, departure dates and cabin grades. Discount is applicable to the cruise element only, and are available on selected itineraries, departure dates and cabin grades. Discount is applicable to the cruise element only. Supplements apply for single travellers, upgraded cabins and other departure dates. Our offers are not combinable, and we reserve the right to withdraw our offers at any time. Best Available Fare must be paid in full 10 months prior to departure, or at the time of booking if less than 10 months prior to departure. Our itineraries, hotels, dates, and inclusions are subject to change. Airport transfers are only available on the first and last day of your journey and at times we designate. Transfers outside these times will be at your expense and must be secured by your own arrangements. In the event of suitable flights not connecting with cruise embarkation/disembarkation timings, overnight accommodation may be required at an additional cost. Flights may not be a direct service and are up to a credit amount of £500pp dependent on itinerary, cabin category and departure date booked. If the required air fare exceeds the set credit amount, additional charges will apply. Free Premium Drinks Package applies to on board drinks only and includes soft drinks, juices, mocktails, non-alcoholic bottled beers, house red & white wine and a selection of draft beers, all by the glass.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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