Rhône River Cruise with Paris

Welcome to Paris! Upon arrival, transfer (independently) to our hotel near the Eiffel Tower. This sophisticated metropolis boasts an impressive array of cultural experiences, fascinating museums, stunning monuments, and grand theaters. Once settled in, get together with your Tour Director at 5:30pm for an orientation meeting and get excited for the journey ahead.

This morning, after breakfast, we head out on a tour of the Paris. Our panoramic tour offers a sweeping introduction to one of the world’s most iconic capitals, taking in many of Paris’s most celebrated monuments — the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Musée d’Orsay and many others. We will cap off our day with dinner cruise along the Seine River with the buildings beautifully illuminated at night. (B,D)

Today is yours to discover Paris at your own pace. Our hotel is close to a well-connected RER station, the city is easily within reach — whether you choose to admire the grandeur of Place de la Concorde, browse the legendary Galeries Lafayette, or lose yourself in the world’s finest Impressionist collection at the Musée d’Orsay. A leisurely stroll along the Champs-Élysées, a wander through the Tuileries Gardens, or a coffee at a pavement café are equally tempting alternatives. Romantic, vibrant and utterly unique, Paris is has it all. (B)

Today, we make our way to the train station and board the TGV for the 2 hour ride to Lyon in first class. Upon arrival, we transfer to the pier on the Saöne and board the M/S Lord Byron. Our dedicated English-speaking crew will be on hand to greet us, guiding us to your cabins and ensuring we feel right at home. Once we’ve settled into our spacious, elegantly appointed accommodation, take some time to explore and get acquainted with this remarkable floating five-star hotel. (B,D)

We cruise through the morning along the majestic Saône River gently toward Mâcon. With nothing but calm waters and scenic riverbanks to accompany you, it’s the perfect opportunity to unwind on deck and recharge before the afternoon’s adventures await.

Cluny Abbey
Our afternoon takes us on a short drive to the magnificent Cluny Abbey. Once the most prestigious monastic institution in Europe, this glorious Benedictine abbey presided over a vast network of 1,450 abbeys and 10,000 monks at its 12th-century peak. Its extraordinary wealth funded silver candelabras, gem-encrusted gold chalices, and a remarkably comfortable life for its monks — fine wines, roasted chickens, and silk vestments were all part of daily monastic life. Though much of the abbey was lost to the Revolution, a fascinating guided tour brings its rich and atmospheric history vividly to life.

Wine Tasting at a Mâcon Vineyard
Set in the heart of one of France’s most celebrated wine regions — where vines have been cultivated since Gallo-Roman times — we visit one of the area’s finest winemakers for a guided tour and tasting at a historic vineyard. Once renowned for its reds, Mâcon has seen its white wines rise to equal fame over the past century, with Chardonnay now dominating 70% of the appellation’s 53 hectares. After discovering the time-honoured traditions behind each bottle, sit back and savour a selection of the region’s finest vintages.

Back on board, we reconvene for a superb dinner as we quietly slip our moorings and sail toward the picturesque town of Chalon-sur-Saône, arriving later tonight. (B,L,D)

Waking to find ourselves berthed in Chalon-sur-Saône — birthplace of photography pioneer Nicéphore Niépce — our morning takes us through the rolling vineyards of some of the world’s most revered wine villages: Meursault, Volnay, Pommard and beyond. We then arrive in the medieval walled town of Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital, where the magnificent Hospices de Beaune takes centre stage. Built in the 15th century as a hospital for the poor, this jewel of High Gothic architecture is instantly recognisable for its spectacular glazed roof tiles laid in vivid geometric patterns. Now a museum housing works by Van der Weyden among others, it also hosts one of the wine world’s most prestigious annual auctions each November. A guided walking tour of Beaune reveals its beautiful interior and charming streets, before free time to explore at your own pace.

Back on board for lunch, the afternoon brings a delightful cheese tasting — a wonderful opportunity to sample a carefully selected array of local cheeses, served with freshly baked breads and an assortment of mustards.

As we cruise toward Lyon, the afternoon is yours to savor — stretch out on a sun lounger, lose yourself in a good book, or simply watch the ever-changing riverbanks glide past. Gradually, the vine-clad slopes of the Beaujolais hills come into view, their picturesque villages — Morgon, Fleurie, Juliénas and more — dotting the right bank, while on a clear day Mont Blanc’s snow-capped peak shimmers on the horizon. As the afternoon melts into evening, join your fellow travelers for an aperitif on the terrace before sitting down to tonight’s dinner. (B,L,D)

Overnight we’ve glided downstream to arrive in the magnificent city of Lyon, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC — and birthplace of Emperor Claudius — Lyon grew into one of the ancient world’s most important cities. It was silk, however, that brought it true medieval splendor, and the wealth it generated is still visible today in its grand Renaissance architecture, imposing churches, and Place Bellecour, one of Europe’s largest pedestrian squares, presided over by a statue of Louis XIV.

Lyon’s old town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a delight to wander, its Renaissance streets threaded with traboules, the narrow covered passageways once used by silk merchants to transport their wares to the river. Lyon is also widely celebrated as France’s gastronomic capital, boasting 20 Michelin-starred restaurants alongside countless neighborhood bistros, with nouvelle cuisine having been born in the surrounding region. Our city tour takes in the key sights, including a visit to the magnificent 19th-century Basilica with its sweeping views over the city, before free time to explore this extraordinary place at your leisure.

Cruise Towards Le Pouzin
Back on board for lunch, we slip our moorings and set off into a scenic afternoon on the river. Before long we pass the historic Roman town of Vienne, dramatically situated where the Rhône narrows and curves sharply around a steep bluff.

As the Rhône twists past Condrieu and Saint-Vallier, wooded cliffs rise dramatically on both sides, creating some of the journey’s most spectacular scenery. Once notorious for fierce currents, these waters are now tamed by a series of locks whose ingenious mechanisms are a spectacle in themselves. Settle onto the Sun Deck and drink it all in, before retreating to the lounge ahead of another outstanding dinner. (B,L,D)

Waking in Le Pouzin, we set off after breakfast for a spectacular drive into the breathtaking Ardèche Gorges. Sheer limestone cliffs plunge nearly 1,000 feet to the river below, the blue waters winding through extraordinary rock formations and caves before reaching their dramatic centrepiece — the Pont d’Arc, a vast natural stone arch. We then return to the gentler landscapes of the Rhône Valley, where our ship awaits in the charming medieval town of Viviers, clustered around its ancient 12th-century cathedral.

During the tour of Ardèche, you have two exciting options to choose from:

Grotte de la Madeleine
For the more adventurous, the Grotte de la Madeleine offers a remarkable detour — a prehistoric limestone cave whose winding chambers and passages are adorned with art dating back some 17,000 years. Do bear in mind that reaching it involves a demanding descent and ascent of 250 steps, so this option is best suited to those who are feeling fit and sure-footed.

OR

Lavender Museum
For a more leisurely afternoon, a visit to a beautiful local lavender farm offers a wonderfully fragrant escape. A fascinating museum walks you through the cultivation of lavender and the distillation of essential oils, while a charming boutique stocks a tempting range of lavender products to take home. A perfect option for those who prefer a gentler pace.

Cruise Towards Avignon
Over lunch we navigate the famous lock at Bollène, after which the afternoon is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace — doze in the sun or settle on deck with a cup of tea as the landscape transforms around you. The greens gradually give way to ochres and deep mauves, terracotta rooftops begin to dot the hillsides, and the air fills with the heady scent of pine and cypress. There’s no mistaking it — we’ve arrived in the south of France.

As dusk falls and dinner draws to a close, Avignon’s majestic skyline emerges on the horizon as we glide into this legendary city. The evening ends on a perfect note with a nightcap in the lounge, accompanied by the charming sounds of a local accordionist playing traditional French melodies. (B,L,D)

The sight of Avignon’s red rooftops glowing in the morning light over breakfast is a perfect introduction to what lies ahead. Our guided tour reveals one of France’s most extraordinary cities, its medieval heart immaculately preserved behind almost-intact 14th-century walls. When the Pope’s court relocated here in the 14th century to escape turmoil in Rome, it sparked a century of extraordinary prosperity and ambitious construction. At its heart stands the magnificent Popes’ Palace — two buildings forming the largest Gothic palace in the world, its fortress-like exterior giving way to a breathtaking interior of frescoes, Gobelin tapestries and graceful sculptures. To walk its ceremonial halls, chapels and private apartments is to step back into Avignon’s golden age, when this remarkable city was the very centre of Christendom.

The rest of the morning is yours to explore freely — perhaps wandering to the nearby Petit Palais, former residence of Avignon’s archbishops, where a remarkable collection of over 300 medieval and Renaissance works awaits, including paintings by Botticelli and Carpaccio.

Pont du Gard
After lunch we visit the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard, one of the ancient world’s finest surviving Roman monuments. Set against a backdrop of pine and cypress-covered hills, this 2,000-year-old aqueduct never fails to astonish — over 900 feet long and nearly 160 feet high, its massive stones, each weighing up to six tons, were assembled without a drop of mortar. The Romans considered it the greatest testament to their civilisation, and standing before it today, it’s not difficult to see why.

Uzès
We continue to Uzès, one of the south of France’s most beguiling towns, where a walking tour leads us through shady cobbled streets lined with pale limestone buildings, elegant wrought iron balconies and characterful shutters — all blissfully free of traffic. The impressive cathedral with its distinctive Pisa-like tower is a highlight, as is the Duke’s Palace, built on the site of a Roman camp, its grand Renaissance façades concealing fine art, beautiful furniture and a cellar stocked with champagne. France’s first Duchy, established in 1632, the palace is still home to the Duke and Duchess each summer. Climb the tower for sweeping panoramic views over olive groves, vineyards and the wild garrigue stretching into the distance. (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning, you have a choice of tours into the Camargue.

Camargue & Ornithological Park
Fringing the Mediterranean coastline, the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue has been a protected wetland since 1970, and few corners of France are quite so wild or captivating. Sun-baked prairies carpeted with fragrant sea lavender give way to salt-marshes, lagoons and remote sandy beaches, all teeming with wildlife. Famous for its wild white horses, black bulls and extraordinary birdlife, it’s a paradise for birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, with cycling, hiking and pony-trekking all on offer.

During spring and autumn, the park’s wetlands become a vital stopover for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds. Our tour takes us on a scenic drive to the Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau, where colonies of resident species — including the park’s iconic pink flamingos — can be observed up close. After a short guided introduction, the park is yours to explore freely at your own pace.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
We then drive to the lively seaside town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the Camargue’s charming capital. A short orientation tour takes in the key sights — including the ancient Romanesque church of Notre Dame de la Mer and the old town hall — before free time to wander at leisure, soaking up the town’s distinctive character, before returning to the ship in Arles for lunch.

Alternatively, you may wish to linger longer in the Ornithological Park and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, exploring both at your own pace. With lunch not included on this option, it’s a perfect opportunity to try the local cuisine before returning to Arles in the late afternoon.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to unwind — whether that means settling into the bar with a well-earned drink or treating yourself to a restorative session in the spa. As our ship rests overnight in Arles, the evening is brought to life with a captivating musical performance onboard by local artists. (B,L,D)

You wake to the azure skies and warm golden stones of Arles, a city whose historic monuments are celebrated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This morning, choose from one of two guided tours, each led by a knowledgeable local expert.

Arles
The first option delves into Arles’ remarkable Roman past. Despite its modest size, the city was a vital stronghold on the Roman road to Spain and a regional capital that once held sway over Gaul, Spain and Britain. Your guide will bring to life its magnificent Roman remains — the splendid amphitheatre, among the best preserved in the world, the theatre built during the reign of Augustus, and the hauntingly atmospheric Alyscamps, the city’s ancient necropolis.

The second option is a must for art lovers, tracing the footsteps of Van Gogh, who lived in Arles for just over a year from February 1888. Despite the personal turmoil of that period, it proved to be his most extraordinarily prolific, with the light and beauty of Provence inspiring around 300 works — among them The Night Café, The Sower and the iconic Sunflowers.

Les Baux-de-Provence
After lunch we drive to the spectacular village of Les Baux-de-Provence, perched dramatically atop a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles mountains. Stone houses, ancient churches and fine buildings terrace the hillside beneath the ruins of a medieval castle, and its cobbled streets are a joy to wander, with breathtaking views over a quintessentially Provençal landscape of vineyards, ancient olive trees and cypress. For those keen to discover more, a visit to a local olive oil farm offers a fascinating insight into the production of this Provençal staple, rounded off with a delicious tasting accompanied by local specialities.

After dinner is served feel free to retire to the bar as we sail towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (B,L,D)

Orange & Châteauneuf-du-Pape
After breakfast we drive into the heart of the Rhône Valley, arriving in the Roman city of Orange — once a key trading post on the ancient Agrippa Road. Two magnificent UNESCO monuments await: the imposing Triumphal Arch and the Roman theatre, the best preserved of its kind in the world. Its towering 37-metre back wall, with columns and a statue of Emperor Augustus still intact, is a remarkable sight that brings the ancient world vividly to life.

From Orange we take a panoramic drive through the world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, pausing for photos before arriving in the magical hilltop village itself — an island rising from a sea of vines. Few places on earth are so completely devoted to wine; its cobbled streets lined with cellars and wine shops at every turn, each offering a taste of one of France’s most legendary vintages. The first wine-growing area to receive an appellation contrôlée, Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains subject to the strictest production standards in the country.

The region’s distinctive pebbly soil, its stones absorbing the abundant sunshine by day and releasing warmth to the vines by night, produces the rich, full-bodied reds and whites for which the appellation is celebrated. We round off our visit with a memorable tasting at one of the region’s finest wineries before returning to the ship for lunch.

Cruise Towards Lyon
We turn northward and begin our journey back upstream toward Lyon, where our cruise began. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at a gentle pace — lose yourself in a good book in the ship’s library, treat yourself to a little pampering in the spa, or simply soak up the passing scenery from the sun deck before gathering for tonight’s farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Linger over breakfast and take that second cup of tea up on deck, letting the morning breeze and passing scenery ease you gently into the day. With a morning’s sailing ahead, there’s time for one last visit to the fitness suite or a final appointment at the hairdresser before we make our stately approach into Lyon, arriving just in time for lunch.

Lyon
Your final afternoon in Lyon is yours to savour as you please. Browse the city’s superb museums — from cinema to fine art — or head to the Musée de Confluence for its fascinating evolutionary exhibits and sweeping rooftop views. The vast city park offers a peaceful green retreat with a zoo, botanical garden and wildlife-rich lake, while the elegant streets around Place Bellecour invite a spot of shopping — Lyonnais pralines make the perfect gift to take home. Or simply lose yourself in the old town’s characterful traboules, pausing at a pavement café to enjoy a pastry and soak up the atmosphere of this refined and captivating city.

The evening brings a fitting finale — the Chef’s Dinner, a memorable occasion where the ship’s chef presents his signature dishes in the elegant surroundings of the restaurant. A perfect moment to raise a glass, reflect on the extraordinary places visited and stories discovered, and celebrate the friendships made along the way. (B,L,D)

It’s time to say goodbye to the crew and start the journey home. Au Revoir!