Burgundy & Provence River Cruise

Picture yourself gliding along the glassy waters of the Saône and Rhône rivers, a glass of Burgundy red in hand, as golden vineyards and medieval stone villages drift past your panoramic window. This is France at its most romantic and unhurried, and you will experience it all from the intimate comfort of a boutique river cruise ship designed for women who love beauty, history, and the pleasure of discovering something new every single day. From the moment you board in Lyon, every detail is taken care of so that all you have to do is soak it all in.

Each morning brings a new port of call and a new story to step into. You will wander the hidden alleyways of Lyon's Old Town, sip legendary Burgundy vintages in centuries-old cellars, stand in awe before a Roman amphitheater built two thousand years ago, and breathe in the heady perfume of lavender fields blooming under the August sun. History, wine, art, and nature weave together effortlessly along this storied stretch of southern France, creating experiences that are as nourishing for the soul as they are thrilling for the senses.

Between excursions, the ship becomes your floating sanctuary. Settle into a sun deck chair with a fresh glass of Côtes du Rhône, join a lively cheese tasting with your fellow travelers, or simply watch Provence's terracotta rooftops and silvery olive groves drift past. By the time you raise a farewell glass overlooking the Old Port of Marseille, you will have made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - BIENVENUE À LYON

Your French adventure begins as you arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, where private transportation whisks you to the port and your home for the next seven nights: a boutique river cruise ship with all the comforts you could wish for. Settle into your stateroom, open your panoramic windows to the sounds of the city, and let the excitement of arrival wash over you. As the afternoon light turns golden, gather on the sun deck with your fellow travelers for a welcome reception filled with laughter, introductions, and the first of many glasses of French wine. The evening unfolds over a beautiful multi-course dinner featuring the flavors of the region, and the ship rests quietly docked overnight in Lyon.

Meals: Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 2 - EXPLORING LYONS HIDDEN TREASURES

After a leisurely breakfast, step ashore to discover why Lyon is considered one of France's great cities. Your guide leads you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, revealing the city's famous traboules, narrow passageways that wind mysteriously between buildings and courtyards where silk weavers once hurried with their goods. You will admire the breathtaking Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière perched high above the city before descending into the vibrant Les Halles food market, where the colors and aromas of local cheese, sausage, and pastry will stop you in your tracks. Return to the ship for lunch as you set sail north along the Saône River into Burgundy's legendary wine country. The afternoon is yours to relax on the sun deck or settle into an onboard wine lecture before docking in Chalon-sur-Saône.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 3 - THE WINE CAPITAL OF BURGUNDY

Today is a dream come true for anyone who has ever fallen in love with a glass of Pinot Noir. A morning coach ride delivers you to Beaune, the beating heart of Burgundy's wine world, where your first stop is the magnificent Hospices de Beaune with its dazzling geometric tiled roof, one of the most photographed buildings in all of France. Then it is on to a prestigious family wine estate, where you descend into centuries-old cellars carved from stone and taste some of Burgundy's most celebrated vintages. Free time follows in Beaune's charming medieval streets, perfect for browsing artisan shops and perhaps picking up a bottle or two to bring home. Back on board, a festive French cheese tasting awaits before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 4 - ROMAN RUINS & RHÔNE VALLEY WINES

Wake to find the ship docked between two remarkable river towns: Vienne on one bank and Tain-l'Hermitage on the other. This morning you explore Vienne's extraordinary Roman heritage, walking through a well-preserved theater and pausing before the ancient Temple of Augustus, a monument that has stood for more than two thousand years. Then it is across the Rhône to Tain-l'Hermitage, where a celebrated winery opens its doors for a tasting of the area's bold and elegant Côtes du Rhône wines, the terraced vineyards tumbling dramatically down the hillside behind you. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of gentle cruising deeper into the Rhône Valley. An onboard lecture about Provence's Roman legacy sets the scene beautifully for the days ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 5 - THE DRAMATIC ARDÈCHE GORGES

This is the day for nature lovers and anyone who loves to feel genuinely awestruck. A scenic morning drive takes you into the Ardèche Gorges, where sheer limestone cliffs soar 300 meters above the winding river below, their pale stone glowing warm in the summer sun. You will stop at spectacular viewpoints and gaze down at the natural stone arch of Pont d'Arc, one of France's most photographed natural wonders, perfectly framing the river beneath it. Back on board after lunch, the ship continues its leisurely journey south as the landscape transforms from rugged gorges to Provence's sun-warmed fields and vineyards. This evening, a special farewell-to-Burgundy dinner brings together the wines and flavors of the regions you have spent the last several days exploring.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 6 - ARLES, VAN GOGH & THE PONT DU GARD

Few places on earth have inspired artists the way Arles inspired Vincent van Gogh, and today you walk exactly where he walked, seeing the light and color that captivated him so completely. Your guided tour visits the very spots he painted, and the warm Provencal sun makes it easy to understand his obsession. The city's Roman monuments are equally stunning: a magnificent amphitheater and ancient theater, both remarkably intact and still alive with performances today. This afternoon brings one of the true highlights of the entire journey, a visit to the Pont du Gard, the astonishing three-tiered Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon River. You can walk across the top for views that stretch across the entire Provencal countryside before returning to the ship for dinner as you sail on toward Avignon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 7 - AVIGNON, LAVENDER FIELDS & MARSEILLE

Your morning begins in magnificent Avignon, home to Europe's largest Gothic palace. Your guide brings the dramatic story of the medieval popes to vivid life as you move through room after soaring room of the Palace of the Popes, then stroll out to the famous Pont d'Avignon, its arches reaching out over the Rhône as they have for centuries. After lunch on board, a private coach carries you and your travel companions toward Marseille with a wonderful stop along the way: a fragrant lavender farm in full August bloom, the air thick with purple color and intoxicating scent. You also pause for a stroll through the elegant fountains and markets of Aix-en-Provence before arriving in Marseille in time for a farewell dinner overlooking the shimmering Old Port.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodations: Aboard Ship

DAY 8 - FREE TO DISCOVER MARSEILLE

France's great Mediterranean port city offers one last day of wandering and discovery entirely on your own terms. The historic Le Panier neighborhood rewards slow exploration with its colorful streets, artisan workshops, and the kind of genuine neighborhood energy that is impossible to manufacture. The iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica sits high above the city, and the views from its terrace are worth every step of the climb. Closer to the water, the daily fish market at the Old Port brings the salty, lively spirit of Marseille to life in the most delicious way. Lunch today is at your own leisure, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to shop, sip, and savor. This evening is yours to explore Marseille's vibrant dining scene at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast | Accommodations: InterContinental Marseille Hotel Dieu or Equivalent

DAY 9 - AU REVOIR, FRANCE

After one final breakfast together, private transportation delivers you to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) for your flight home. You leave with something more than a suitcase full of Burgundy wine and Provencal lavender: you carry the warmth of new friendships, the glow of discovering one of the world's most beautiful corners, and the quiet certainty that some journeys change you in the very best way.

Meals: Breakfast