Paris, Rhône Cruise & Cote d'Azur

Upon arriving in Paris, depending on your flight time, you may have the opportunity to start exploring the area before enjoying dinner at your leisure in one of Paris' many restaurants.

Today is your first full day in this romantic, inspiring, vibrant city. So what will it be? If you've never visited before, sightseeing is a must and the list is endless... Perhaps you'll make your way up the Eiffel Tower to take in views of the city or spend time in the famous Notre Dame, which has reopened its doors following a devastating fire in 2019. You could see the grand Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, which shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best.

If shopping is what you're after, visit Galleries Lafayette - the historic high-end department store - or make your way through the landmark passageways and charming streets of the deuxième - the second district - as you browse the diverse shops under the 19th-century glass-roofed covered passages, like the storied Passage des Panoramas. Or soak up the chic Parisian atmosphere in The Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement, where the echoes of old Parisian intellectual life invite you to peruse the captivating bookshops or savour a moment at a pavement café while watching the world go by.

Instead, you could explore one of Paris's world-renowned museums. Of course, the first that springs to mind is the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and so much more. If your artistic interests lean towards Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, don't miss the Musée d'Orsay. It features an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, including masterpieces by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh. Additionally, the Musée de l'Orangerie showcases Claude Monet's famous Water Lilies murals and other 20th-century masterpieces.

With around 130 museums in the French capital, there truly is something for everyone. Some unique options include the Fairground Museum, the Wine Museum, and the Paris Sewer Museum, as well as museums dedicated to the history of cinema, music, photography, and migration.

Tonight, why not take in a cabaret show Paris is so famous for? You could soak in the rich history of iconic venues like the Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse, where spectacular performances await you. With dazzling costumes, can-can dancing, and live music, these shows present a unique blend of Parisian culture, luxury, and entertainment. Often accompanied by fine dining and champagne, it's a chance to indulge in a truly glamorous night out. 

Today, you could take advantage of Paris' excellent transport links and make your way to the historic Palace of Versailles. Once a modest hunting lodge, this opulent palace transformed into the quintessential symbol of the French monarchy under the reign of Louis XIV, setting the stage for the dramatic events that would eventually lead to the French Revolution.    

As you wander through its grand halls, you'll experience the extravagant lifestyle that defined French royalty, marvelling at the artistic and cultural zenith of the 17th and 18th centuries. Admire the intricate details of the Royal Apartments, with their sweeping ceilings adorned with exquisite frescoes, and stand in awe of the iconic Hall of Mirrors, where light dances across the gilded surfaces and reflects the opulence of the era.

Or perhaps you’ll venture to the charming neighbourhood of Montmartre.  A neighbourhood perched on a high hill, Montmartre was originally its own commune before being annexed by Paris in 1860. It's kept its small-town appeal with historic architecture, including meandering streets, steep staircases, lush squares and quaint stores. Here you can visit the famous Sacré-Coeur, which stands in contrast with the bohemian lifestyle that surrounds it. If you brave the 300 spiralling steps that lead you up to the basilica's dome, you can take in the breathtaking views over Paris – it's said you can see up to 30km on a clear day. Let the artistic spirit of Picasso and Van Gogh - just some of its most famous residents - guide you through the 18th arrondissement's beautifully creative streets stopping to enjoy the musicians performing.

Experience the magic of your final night in Paris by wandering the enchanting streets of Paris and discover why it’s called the City of Lights. Or enjoy the beauty of the city from a new perspective onboard captivating nighttime cruise along the Seine, where you can witness the shimmering lights reflecting off the water. 

Say farewell to Paris this morning as we travel to our cruise ship moored in Lyon. Here we’ll join fellow explorers for a seven-night river cruise along the Rhône River.

Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed on board by our dedicated crew, who will help you settle in and discover the comforts of this luxurious floating hotel. The night before a cruise is filled with anticipation and excitement, and after a delightful dinner in the elegant restaurant, conversations revolve around the incredible adventures that await you. 

After our first splendid breakfast, we’ve a leisurely start enjoying a guided tour of Lyon, one of France’s most fascinating cities. The Rhône Valley had been the route of choice for marauding armies and peaceful traders for centuries, and Lyon’s current site, at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, cried out to be fortified.

In 43 BC the Romans founded the city, which subsequently grew in importance; the Emperor Claudius, conqueror of Britain, was born here. There are many Roman remains to see, but it was the production of silk that brought Lyon to prominence during the Middle Ages, and throughout the city you can see signs of the wealth that poured in – Renaissance buildings, imposing churches and Europe’s largest pedestrian square, Place Bellecour, with a statue of Louis XIV as its focus.

The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crammed with antique shops and intriguing traboules – narrow covered passageways enabling silk merchants to transport their wares to the river without getting wet – that today are a joy to amble through. As well as its glorious architecture, Lyon is generally acknowledged as France’s (and to locals the world’s) gastronomic capital.

In fairness it has much to commend it: nouvelle cuisine was invented near here and the city boasts a huge array of speciality food shops and eateries, including 20 restaurants with one or more Michelin stars and countless little places to eat. 

While you enjoy your first lunch the ship quietly slips its mooring. Cruising upstream, we catch the first glimpses of the vine-clad slopes of the hazy green Beaujolais hills as we approach one of the world’s most revered red-wine-producing regions. On our left we see the picturesque villages of Morgon, Fleury, Juliénas, Chénas and many more, while on the right you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mont Blanc – Western Europe’s highest mountain.

As the afternoon drifts into evening and we cruise past the town that gives them their name, the white wines of Mâcon hold sway – and what could be better than a cool, crisp glass in the lounge before enjoying this evening’s culinary delights in the restaurant, prepared by our outstanding chef. 

Rising this morning we’re berthed in Chalon, gateway to Burgundy and home of Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography. On this morning’s tour we see some of the pretty yet surprisingly small villages that produce some of the world’s most sublime wines – Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Gevrey-Chambertin and many more.

Nearby is medieval Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital, which is wonderful to wander around. At its centre is the Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu. Originally built in the 15th century as a hospital for the disadvantaged, it’s a jewel of High Gothic architecture, instantly recognisable for its colourful glazed roof tiles arranged in dazzling geometric patterns.

A prestigious annual wine auction takes place here each November, with proceeds going to benefit the Hospices and its charity work. After a guided tour you are free to explore as you wish. You can’t visit Burgundy without sampling it amazing wine, so we recommend a visit to one of the cellars for a tour and wine-tasting - after all this is Burgundy’s wine capital! Later, we’ll return to the ship for lunch.  

This afternoon, relax on board as we retrace our steps back towards Lyon where we join the river Rhône on our way to Vienne. 

Overnight the ship has cruised almost imperceptibly downstream, and we enjoy breakfast in Vienne before you are free to explore at leisure. Strikingly located in a narrow section of the Rhône where the river meanders dramatically around a steep bluff, Vienne is a treasure trove of historic remains, including the stunning Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, one of only two edifices of this type in the whole of the country.

From the ship, maybe head to the top of the city, the Mont Pipet hill, where the view onto the Rhône will inspire keen photographers. It’s also where the Romans chose to build the spectacular amphitheatre in the 1st Century AD, which could accommodate 13.500 spectators. Weaving through the charming, narrow streets of the old town, soak up the history of this fascinating place.

Wander back to the ship for another superb lunch, during which we enter perhaps the most picturesque section of the Rhône as the river squeezes and twists past Condrieu, Saint-Rambert-d’Albon and Saint- Vallier, with wooded cliffs rising high on both sides. 

Later we moor in Tain l'Hermitage, surrounded by steep vine-covered hillsides, where another of the world’s most revered wines is produced: Syrah. To find out more about the history and production of wine here, we will visit a local domain which, of course, includes the opportunity to taste their produce. After dinner in the ship's restaurant, perhaps take a stroll along the river and wander across the oldest suspension bridge in France to the pretty provincial town of Tournon on the opposite bank of the river, with its imposing castle and tree-lined avenues.

This morning, we cruise effortlessly downstream. In the distance you’ll catch glimpses of the Alps and, as we approach Valence, the landscape gradually becomes less green with more ochres and magentas, the houses have sloping terracotta roofs typical of the Mediterranean and the air carries heady aromas of pine and cypress. You can only be in the Midi or – as we call it – the south of France. It’s so relaxing to catch up on some reading or just laze in the sun.

After lunch we explore one of France’s most outstanding landscapes – the Ardèche Gorges, whose scale is a fitting reminder of Mother Nature’s awesome power. Sheer limestone cliffs plunge almost 1,000 feet to the river’s blue waters, which elegantly snake their way through stupendous rock formations, culminating in a huge natural arch, the Pont d’Arc.

Caves, grottoes and natural sculptures create marvellous views at every turn before we return to the gentler slopes of the Rhône Valley, where our ship is moored in charming Viviers, a medieval town clustered around its 12th-century cathedral.  

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

You could explore the beautiful Lavender farm, which includes a fascinating museum where you can learn all about the process of cultivating lavender and the distillation of essential oils. In addition to the museum, there’s a boutique where you can purchase various lavender products. This option allows for a leisurely experience, perfect for anyone interested in the art and science of lavender.

Or, if you're up for a challenge, you can visit the Grotte de la Madeleine. A prehistoric cave composed of limestone, with a complex network of chambers and passages that contains a collection of fascinating art, dating back to around 17,000 years ago. Please note that this option involves a demanding trek with 250 steps down and then back up, so it's best suited for those who are physically prepared for the hike.

We slip our mooring and proceed through the famous lock at Bollène, one of the deepest in France, as you relax over dinner.

After dinner, delight in a ballroom dancing performance in the lounge with the opportunity to learn some basic steps of a French madison line dance!

You awake under the azure skies of deepest Provence and amid the warm stone colours of Arles, many of whose historic monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This morning, you'll have a couple of guided tours to choose from, each led by a knowledgeable local guide.

You can choose to learn about Arles’ Roman history.  Although small in size, it was the key stronghold on the Roman road to Spain, one of the empire’s richest possessions. Seagoing ships could reach here, and the city became a regional capital, briefly ruling over Gaul, Spain and Britain. Our guided tour will help you appreciate the finer points of Arles’s magnificent Roman remains, including the splendid amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world, the earlier theatre built during the reign of Augustus and the Alyscamps, the ancient necropolis with its extraordinary atmosphere.

Alternatively, if you are interested in art - especially Van Gogh - you can opt for a tour of Arles, where you learn about his life and work. The disturbed but great genius of an artist Van Gogh lived in Arles for just over a year, from February 1888. It was his most prolific period and, inspired by Arles and the light and beauty of the Provençal countryside, he produced around 300 works, including The Night Café, The Sower and, of course, Sunflowers.  

After lunch we visit the amazing Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, one of the wonders of the ancient world. No amount of fame can diminish the first sight of this 2,000-year-old structure, which was the highest bridge built in the Empire –the Romans themselves considered it the most important testimony to their greatness. Its statistics are staggering - over 900 feet long and almost 160 feet high, with its stones each weighing up to six tons.

To put this in perspective, the span of the Pont du Gard is greater than the width of the River Thames at London Bridge – and no mortar was used in its construction! The situation is lovely too, with pine- and cypress-covered hills adding to the harmonious setting. Re-joining the ship, we cruise along the Rhône and, during dinner, pass the imposing 15th-century castle at Tarascon standing guard on the riverbank. 

The light catching the red roofs of Avignon’s majestic skyline is a sight to behold over breakfast, after which we embark on a guided tour of one of the most extraordinary and intriguing cities in France. Avignon’s destiny changed during the 14th century, when the Pope’s court moved here to avoid strife in Rome. Igniting a century of prosperity, the Pontiff commissioned a host of ambitious building projects, and today the city is immaculately preserved, nestling behind its almost-intact 14th-century walls and boasting more remarkable monuments, superbly decorated buildings, churches, chapels and convents than you can possibly count. Most important is the stunning Popes’ Palace, made up of two buildings that together form the largest Gothic palace in the world. With turrets, towers, parapets and other fortifications, its exterior resembles a mighty fortress, while the interior is a tour de force of medieval architecture and ornamentation, adorned with priceless frescoes, Gobelin tapestries and graceful sculptures. The ceremonial hall, chapels, cloisters and private apartments are all unmissable. But to truly embrace the feel of papal Avignon, imagine yourself here during the Middle Ages amid the Palace’s rich furnishings and extravagant decoration, with cardinals, princes and ambassadors milling about its candle-lit halls and corridors, while in the streets below countless pilgrims eagerly anticipate benediction. This was Avignon’s brief golden age when it was truly the centre of Christendom.

This morning, you’ll have a couple of exciting options to choose from. You can embark on a guided tour of the charming city of Avignon, exploring the Pont Saint-Bénézet, a stunning medieval bridge spanning the Rhône River, followed by an inside tour of Pope’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Please note that this visit includes uneven terrain and many steps inside the palace.

Alternatively, after the visit to the bridge, you can take a captivating ride on the petit train through Avignon. The choice is yours!

After lunch you’re free to explore as you wish, perhaps visiting the nearby Petit Palais, the former home of the archbishops of Avignon, to cast a critical eye over the remarkable collection of over 300 paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including works by Botticelli and Carpaccio. Or take a stroll on the iconic Pont d’Avignon, which, dramatically, ends halfway across the river, made famous by the melody we all recall from our first French lessons.

It’s our final afternoon so you may wish to do some shopping or just find a charming café in a shady Provençal square to watch the world go by. Perhaps though, return to the luxurious surroundings of our ship, finding a quiet spot to contemplate the many wondrous places you’ve seen and experienced over a cup of tea!

This evening, we enjoy the sumptuous Chef’s Dinner, featuring some of their signature dishes - a truly memorable experience. Afterwards, sit back and relax to the sounds of a talented local pianist who'll entertain us with French songs on board. 

Disembarking the ship this morning, we make our way to Nice, on the Côte d'Azur – or French Riviera – for a three-night stay in Nice.

The rest of the day is at leisure to settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner independently.  

Nestled on the stunning French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), Nice captures the essence of a destination cherished since the days of the historic Grand Tour. With its remarkable blend of beauty, history, architecture, and natural wonders, the city proudly holds a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list as the Winter Resort Town of the Riviera. You have two days to enjoy its charm and find out why.

You could begin your adventure in Vieux, the enchanting old town, where a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets beckons exploration. As you stroll past towering tenement houses and along narrow shadowed streets, you'll discover a treasure trove of restaurants, shops, and galleries showcasing local artists. It’s the perfect setting to find Provencal spices and handcrafted jewellery. Place Massena, the heartbeat of Nice, is graced by neoclassical buildings and crowned with the magnificent Fontaine du Soleil, adorned with statues of the planets and Apollo. Consider visiting the Cathedral of St. Reparata, home to a reliquary containing the remains of Saint Reparata, the city’s beloved patron. This 17th-century cathedral impresses with its lavish decorations, including a breathtaking dome and intricately designed side altars. Or perhaps explore Lascaris Palace, a museum nestled in an aristocratic villa filled with old instruments. As you exit the old town through the elegant False Gate (la Porte Fausse), take a moment to admire its marble and ceiling, which seems to shimmer with gold.

Standing high above the shimmering Mediterranean, Castle Hill (Colline du Château) offers a serene escape from the city's bustling streets. Once the site of a medieval fortress, it now enchants visitors with lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping views that stretch from the terracotta rooftops of Old Nice to the infinite blue of the Côte d’Azur. Whether you take the scenic staircase or the convenient lift, the reward at the top is a mesmerizing blend of history, nature, and unparalleled vistas - it's not to be missed! 

Today is your last day in Nice a perfect opportunity to unwind with a stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais. This seven-kilometres-long seaside pathway provides uninterrupted views of the azure waters, and invites you to admire the vibrant art-deco and belle-époque buildings, along with the palm trees that ooze Mediterranean charm. Stop to dip your toes in the warm waters of the Mediterranean or savour a tranquil afternoon swim on the local beaches. Though they are primarily pebbled, these shores offer a perfect sanctuary to unwind with a captivating book.

If you've ever dreamt of telling your friends 'I picked this up in Nice', head to the Cours Saleya market, tucked behind the seafront. Here, you can explore stalls brimming with flowers, fresh produce, local cheeses, honey, saucisson, olive oil, crafts, and exquisite artwork. It's the ideal place to find souvenirs of your time away.

Foodies will know that Nice is the birthplace of the Niçoise salad Nissarde cuisine, is a revelation, celebrating fresh local ingredients like eggs, olives, mushrooms, and the bountiful deep-sea fish like tuna and sardines.  Across the city, many restaurants proudly showcase Nissarde dishes, so why not seek out the best traditional dishes with a leisurely afternoon meal? We recommend daube - beef stew made with red wine and Mediterranean herbs; trouchia - a tasty frittata layered with baby Swiss chard; or merda de can - green gnocchi topped with pistou, a pesto made without pine nuts. 

For guests who have booked flights and transfers with us, your journey concludes with a smooth, private transfer to your chosen airport—ensuring a relaxed and stress-free departure.