French Art and History Along the Rhône River (port-to-port cruise)

Coach transfer from Lyon to Martigues. (3) Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We’ll enjoy dinner on board. The ship will sail towards Port-Saint-Louis.

This morning, we’ll leave for an excursion to the city Paul Cézanne adored, Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence was founded in 123 BC by the Romans. The city’s deep history can be seen and felt everywhere you stroll. The architecture, monuments, sites, shops, and squares simply ooze Provençal charm and allure. By following the letter “C” along the streets, you’ll walk in Cézanne’s footsteps from his birth to his death. In the older part of the city, you’ll discover the city’s prestigious past. At the end of our excursion, we’ll enjoy a tasting of the traditional Calisson d’Aix, a candied delight.  In the afternoon, join us for a visit of Arles following the footsteps of Van Gogh. Arles is an ancient Roman city whose ruins are second only to Rome and include the Antique Theater, Amphitheater, Thermes of Constantine, and the Alyscamps. Arles is also an important stop along the Way of St. James. Van Gogh, longing for the sunshine and vibrant colors of the south, came to Arles in 1888 and produced almost 300 drawings and paintings here. Our tour will retrace his steps to the different sites where he set up his easel, such as the Place du Forum, the Quai du Rhône, and Place Lamartine.

After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship.

Join us this morning for a visit of Les Baux-de-Provence and the Quarry of Lights. We'll travel by coach to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence. Our tour will include seeing the exteriors of several important sites such as the château and the church. At the foot of the village lies the Val d’Enfer, a valley formed by erosion. Within the valley is a former limestone quarry that has been the inspiration or backdrop for many works, including Dante’s poem The Divine Comedy and Jean Cocteau’s Testament of Orpheus. Today, the quarry is home to a multimedia experience highlighting works by the greatest names in the history of art.

This afternoon will be spend cuising towards Viviers.

In the morning, our ship will sail to la Voult. In the afternoon, we’ll head out on an excursion to the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, a monument built by a local postman from 1879 to 1912. No other building like it exists in the world, which is why it attracts the curiosity of visitors from all over. In addition to building the structure with his own hands, Ferdinand Cheval personalized the palace with poetic texts describing his feat. The idea came to Cheval one day when he was delivering his mail on foot and he spotted an unusual rock. He decided that since nature could create sculptures, he should be able to achieve the dream he harbored for years to build an “ideal palace.” And so the adventure began.

After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. We’ll spend the night cruising to Lyon.

In the morning, join us for a guided tour of the city and a tasting at Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse.(1) We’ll cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Then, we’ll head over to Vieux Lyon to have a look at its historical homes and the bouchon restaurants that are found throughout the district. Learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street. Don’t miss the tasting of fine food at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon, a huge, three-story, indoor market where close to 50 shops offer the finest gourmet food. We’ll enjoy a snack of local sausage and cheese, topped off with a lovely glass of wine. We’ll cruise to Mâcon in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

This morning, join us for a guided tour of Mâcon as seen through the eyes of French author and poet Alphonse de Lamartine. With its colored facades, Mâcon feels like it should be part of Provence. Learn more about this Burgundy city on a tour highlighting its major sites as Lamartine described them in his works. Join us this afternoon for a guided tour of medieval Pérouges, which has been categorized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. A stroll along its cobblestone streets will take you back to the time of knights and troubadours.

After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship and cruise to Lyon in the evening. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.