Cruising the Rhone

Our voyage begins as we sail north from Lyon up the River Saône to the small city of Mâcon from where we explore the famed vineyards of the Mâcon and Beaujolais wine regions and visit the ruins of the Benedictine Abbaye de Cluny.  Continuing to Chalon-sur-Saône, we drive along the Burgundy ‘wine route’ to Beaune to visit the magnificent 15th-century Hospices de Beaune and enjoy a wine tasting.  We then sail back to the historic city of Lyon and, after a tour of Vieux Lyon and the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, we rejoin the River Rhône and sail south to Avignon – the ‘City of Popes’. 

Here we explore the city with its narrow streets, historic pont and grandiose Palais des Papes – Medieval fortress, Papal Palace and church.  We also venture into the Provençal countryside to see the magnificent Roman aqueduct – Pont du Gard, the historic hilltop town of Uzès, the beautiful landscape of the Réserve Nationale de Camargue and Roman sites in Nîmes.  Our voyage continues to the beautiful city of Arles, a treasure trove of Roman antiquity with its magnificent amphitheatre, and the epitome of Provence.  Sailing north again, we pause in the charming Medieval town of Viviers to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Ardèche Gorges before the journey ends back in Lyon.

Day 1: Thursday, 11th October

London / Lyon / Mâcon

Depart London Heathrow on a British Airways morning flight to Lyon.  On arrival, transfer to the charming medieval walled town of Pérouges situated on a hill overlooking the Ain River valley.  The village now falls between its two medieval gates - Porte d’en Haut and Porte d’en Bas (the ‘high gate’ and the ‘low gate’) - and within its ramparts remains remarkably well preserved.  The town developed in the 14th – 15th centuries, based around the local wine and weaving industries, and contains many interesting buildings.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Pérouges.  After lunch embark on a one-hour village walking tour of Pérouges with your guide.  The tour includes its fortress-church, the house of the princes of Savoy, and the Cazin and Vernay houses.  Transfer to the Port of Lyon and board the luxury MS Amadeus Symphony and embark on a seven-night cruise on the Rhône.  Evening cocktail reception followed by dinner on board.  Depart for Mâcon.

Day 2: Friday, 12th October

Mâcon / Chalon sur Soane

Arrive in Mâcon in the early morning.  Morning city tour of Macon with its pastel buildings and tiled rooftops, Mâcon has a Mediterranean charm and, like many other towns in the region, it is best known for its local wine.  Continue to Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions and visit the vineyards including Georges Duboeuf’s Hameau du Vin.  Finally there will be a wine tasting of the Beaujolais wines before returning to the boat.

Lunch on board.  Drive to the Benedictine L’Abbaye de Cluny, which was built in the Romanesque style, with three churches built in succession from the 10th to the early 12th centuries.  Founded by William I, Duke of Aquitaine in 910, he nominated Berno as the first Abbot of Cluny, subject only to Pope Sergius III.  The Abbey was notable for its stricter adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict and the place where the Benedictine Order was formed, whereby Cluny became acknowledged as the leader of western monasticism.   The establishment of the Benedictine order was a keystone to the stability of European society that was achieved in the 11th century.  In 1790 during the French Revolution, the abbey was sacked and mostly destroyed and only a small part of the original building remains today.  Return to the boat.  Dinner on board.  Depart for Chalon sur Soane.

Day 3: Saturday, 13th October

Chalon Sur Saône / Tournus / Lyon

Arrive in Chalon sur Saône in the morning.  Drive along the Burgundy wine route through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault before arriving in Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy, for a guided tour of the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu.  A former charitable almshouse, it was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor and needy.  The original hospital building is one of the finest examples of 15th century French architecture, and is now a museum.  Continue to one of Beaune’s famous wine cellars for a wine tasting before returning to the boat.

Lunch on board.  Depart Chalon sur Saône for Tournus.  Drive to Brancion and visit the famous medieval village which is classified as a Historical Monument.  Continue to the stunning Castle of Cormatin which was built by the Marquises of Huxelles in the early 17th century to show their power and prestige.  Return to the boat.  Dinner on board.  Depart Tournus for Lyon.

Day 4: Sunday, 14th September

Lyon / Avignon

Arrive in Lyon in the morning.  Morning tour of Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many interesting architectural renaissance buildings and beautiful monuments.  Lyon not only marks the meeting of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, but is also the gastronomic capital of France.  Its rich ancient historical places of interest include Roman ruins and early Christian sites.  Visit the impressive Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere for a panoramic view of the entire city and Vieux Lyon with its cobbled streets and Renaissance charm.

Lunch on board.  Depart Lyon for Avignon.  Dinner on board. 

Day 5: Monday, 15th October

Lyon / Avignon

Morning scenic cruise to Avignon, arriving in the afternoon. 

Lunch on board.  Afternoon tour of Avignon, nicknamed ‘City of Popes’ because it was home to seven popes from 1309-1377.  Almost entirely enclosed by medieval walls, this ancient city boasts a number of splendid palaces, museums, late Gothic churches and of course the famous ‘Pont d’Avignon’.  A highlight will be the magnificent Palais des Papes - a rambling maze of grandiose Gothic architecture, which served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace.  Dinner on board.  The ship docks overnight in Avignon.

Day 6: Tuesday, 16th October

Avignon / Arles / Viviers

Morning excursion to the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was built by the Romans in 1 AD and was designed to carry fresh water from springs across the small Gardon river valley to the Roman city of Nîmes.  Continue to the lovely old town of Uzès, perched on top of a hill above the River Alzon, and the Camargue Nature Reserve which is home to 400 species of birds including flamingos.  Continue to Nîmes, which has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire.  Several important sites still remain including the Roman amphitheatre, dating back from 1st or 2nd century AD, which is the best-preserved Roman arena in France, and the Maison Carrée (Square House), a small Roman temple dedicated to the sons of Agrippa which was built in the 19th century BC and is one of the best-preserved Roman temples.  Return to the boat.

Lunch on board.  Depart Avignon for Arles which was once known as the ‘Little Rome of Gaul’ and is a treasure trove of Roman antiquity.  Wonder through Arles at leisure and see the magnificent ancient Roman amphitheatre, the 12th century Romanesque church of St. Trophime and the Gallo-Roman burial road.  The city’s vibrant colours and striking quality of light were also an inspiration to Vincent Van Gogh, who utilized Arles as a backdrop for many of his finest works.  Dinner on board.  Depart Arles for Viviers.

Day 7: Wednesday, 17th October

Viviers / La Voulte / Lyon

Arrive in Viviers in the morning for a brief short stop and wonder through the largely abandoned medieval town that once had more than 30,000 inhabitants.  Depart Viviers for La Voulte.  Arrive in La Voulte for another brief stop.

Lunch on board.  Depart La Voulte for Lyon.  Captain’s dinner.

Day 8: Thursday, 18th October

Lyon / London

Disembark MS Amadeus Symphony.  Transfer to Lyon airport for a morning British Airways flight to London, arriving in the early afternoon.