Excursions on the Rhone River

12 excursions available

The Golden Hues of the Beaujolais Region

The rocky area to the south of Lyon is known for the lovely golden hues that glow differently as the sun moves across the sky. The area is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your taste buds. Join us for a tour to discover the beauty of the region. We’ll visit a local vineyard for a tasting.* PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

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A Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Pérouges

We’ll leave Belleville by coach for the medieval city of Pérouges, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Pérouges sits atop a small hill that overlooks the Ain River in the distance. The cobblestone streets and medieval homes were built over six centuries ago and truly feel like something straight out of a classic novel. The Place du Tilleul, home to a linden tree that is over 220 years old, is the quintessential spot to take in the village’s timeless charm. Tasting of local products. We’ll return on board in Trévoux. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

5h00Experience

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Guided visit of Chalon-sur-Saône

Set off on a discovery tour of Chalon sur Saône and its old town. Chalon came into being as the main port to the Eduens people during the Gaulish period and saw its glory days at the beginning of the Middle Ages as the Merovingian capital of Burgundy, and then again at the end of the same period as the site of famous international fairs. Joseph Nicéphore Niepce who invented photography was born in Chalon in 1765, one more reason to the town's fame. Today, Chalon is a city of Art and History, and as you wander around the Old Town you will be delighted by the half-timbered houses built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the restored facade of St Vincent's cathedral and fine classical mansions dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Our visit will continue downtown where you will enjoy a tasting of local specialties from Burgundy. Return on board. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

3h30Authentic

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Cirque Imagine

Cirque Imagine - Christmas Show. In a warm and magical atmosphere, you will be transported by a show combining breathtaking acrobatics, elegant aerial performances, spectacular juggling, and charming clowns. Under the twinkling lights and to the sound of enchanting music, the talented performers showcase their feats to delight the audience. Return to the boat. For those who wish, take this opportunity to explore the nearby Christmas markets, just a short walk from the boat. Return on board to prepare for the Christmas Eve dinner. At the end of the meal, you can attend the Christmas mass in Lyon (1). PLEASE NOTE (1) Transfer option: €25 per person, reservation and payment on board. The transfer is only offered when the boat is not docked near the place of worship. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h30Authentic

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Aix-en-Provence and the Wonders of Paul Cézanne

We’ll leave by coach for Aix-en-Provence. At the foot of Mount Sainte-Victoire and surrounded by impeccably preserved countryside dotted with Provençal fortified towns, lies Aix-en-Provence. Mount Sainte-Victoire itself is a symbol of the bucolic landscapes so many artists have used as inspiration. Aix-en-Provence was founded by the Romans in 123 BC and is considered the historical capital of the region. Aix today shows off its rich architectural heritage through the superbly restored and maintained bourgeois homes, small squares bursting with flowers, private mansions, and ancient fountains. Paul Cézanne, whom many consider the father of modern art, was born here. We’ll follow the footpath marked with “C” from the home where he was born to his final resting place. This tour takes you to the highlights of his childhood as well as the cafés where he found inspiration among his friends and fellow artists. At the end of our stroll, we’ll enjoy a tasting of the city’s most famous delight, the Calissons. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

5h00Experience

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Guided tour of Dole

Discover Dole, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, in the company of your guide as you follow the "trail of the Perched Cat”. This is a reference to the author Marcel Aymé, creator of the famous Contes du Chat Perché, who spent his childhood years in Dole. Perched on a limestone hillside alongside the canal, Dole was the capital of the County of Burgundy before it became part of the French kingdom in 1678. Along your tour, you will discover the many historic monuments which have granted Dole the City of Arts and History Label. You'll also get to see Louis Pasteur's birthplace which today houses a museum tracing the history of the scientist's life, the Cours Saint-Mauris, a garden where the fluid design of the lower section contrasts with the straight paths of its upper section. Enjoy the wonderful views over the Chaux forest from the garden's terrace. You will also be able to see the former Hôtel-Dieu, which was a hospital for the poor built in the 17th century. Since 2000 it has housed the town's media centre, municipal archives and Dole's Town of Arts and History heritage initiative. You will end your visit of Dole with the famous Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, built between 1509 and 1580, whose bell tower dominates the historic town center. There are many other monuments that you will be able to admire during the tour as you discover this town which is steeped in history. Afterwards, enjoy some free time before returning on board at your own pace. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended for this excursion. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

2h00Authentic

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Following the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles

We’ll leave on foot for a guided tour of Arles following the footsteps of Vincent 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. Vincent Van Gogh came to Arles to escape the gray winter in Paris and the indifference he felt within the artistic milieu there. He arrived in Arles on February 20, 1888, and immediately began to produce his most prolific number of works in his career: more than 300 paintings and drawings within an 18-month period. Van Gogh crisscrossed the city and its surroundings to paint the landscapes, people, and scenes as he interpreted them. Everything around him served as inspiration for his canvases. 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. Panels at each stop compare his painting and the actual scene as it appears today. After some free time on your own, we’ll return to the ship. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

2h00Experience

Included

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Guided visit of Arles and visit to an olive oil producer

Set off on foot for a guided visit of Arles. Arles is over 2000 years old with exceptionally well-preserved ancient architectural masterpieces and is a real open-air museum. This important tourist and cultural site welcomes visitors with open arms. During the guided visit, you will see the Roman Amphitheatre (or Arena), the Theatre Antique and St Trophime Square with its cloisters and church that were part of the Arles Route, one of the three routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. We'll continue our tour with a visit to the Forum Square and finally the Roman Baths of Constantine. Next you will head off by coach for Tarascon to the Grand Servan estate, a traditional olive farm which produces the famous Provençal olive oil. Here at the foot of the Montagnette and set around a traditional Provencal farmhouse (or bastide) dating from the 18th century, the owners have planted a large orchard of some 150,000 olive trees. You will visit the estate sitting on bales of hay in trailers, pulled along by tractors. The owners will give you an explanation on how to plant and cultivate olive trees and how the Provençal "yellow gold”, or olive oil, is produced. Your visit will finish with a tasting of the products on the estate. Return to Arles by coach. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended for this excursion. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h00Authentic

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Beaujeu

We’ll set out for Beaujeu, the former capital of the Beaujolais. The departure of the Beaujolais Nouveaux wine from the Les Sarmentelles International Festival is a joyful, 30-year-old event. You’ll be able to join in on the action and discover the 12 appellations of Beaujolais while listening to great music and admiring the fantastic scenery and quaint architecture of the tiny city. In the evening, we’ll enjoy the famous “soirée prestige” in the center of it all, where cabaret shows and dinner prepared by the best chefs in the region await you under outdoor tents. At midnight, we'll set off on a torch-lit stroll to welcome Beaujolais Nouveau Day and watch a fireworks show. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

10h30Authentic

Included

Excursion to Cassis and wine tasting

We'll leave by coach for Cassis, known for its crisp, floral, and flinty wines. Cassis wine is produced in 12 vineyards, all located in the hills immediately around the little town. We'll visit one of these vineyards for a tasting.* We'll return on board after our tour. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

4h30Authentic

Included

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Gastronomic meal at Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges

We’ll leave on foot for Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges for a veritable French feast. Paul Bocuse was a three-star gourmet chef who was known for his innovative approach to cuisine and his love for fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will be a singular experience in an exceptional setting, where you’ll be able to relish in out-of-this-world courses prepared by some of the most renowned chefs. SAMPLE MENU 4-part House Cocktail Surprise (hot and cold) Traditionally prepared foie gras, chutney, and brioche toast Lobster cassolette with diced vegetables Beaujolais winegrowers’ granita Veal steak, Smitane sauce, spinach sautéed in butter Mère Richard Saint Marcellin and fresh, churned goat cheese Sweets and treats Petit fours and chocolates DRINKS INCLUDED House cocktail (Burgundy sparkling wine, blackcurrant and raspberry liqueur) Les Dames Blanches du Sud - Domaine de Grangeneuve Lubéron - Michel Chapoutier wines Mineral water PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h30Authentic

Included

Hiking through the Alpilles Mountains and Les Baux-de-Provence

The Alpilles are a small range of low, limestone mountains. Join us for a hike through the most famous hills in Provence. PLEASE NOTE Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Hike: Approx. 3 hours. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h00Authentic

Included