One Week River Cruise in Glorious Provence
This low-cost over-50s river cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers stops off at gastronomic Lyon and makes a visit to the historical Avignon. Discover a region of fine wine, culture, and medieval heritage. Experience wine tasting in the heart of Beaujolais or discover Lyon on this seven-night cruise. After a day exploring Avignon you’ll also get the opportunity to explore the Camargue Nature Park and the Ardèche Valley.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
Luggage collection and delivery service
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Assistant
Entertainment and activities on the ship
FOOD & DRINK
20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Wine with dinner
Captain's dinner and drinks reception
Day 1 UK - Lyon
Travel by rail to Lyon-Part-Dieu station (via Lille). The transfer to your ship, Amadeus Provence, is a distance of three miles and should take around 30 minutes. Please note: There is no porterage of luggage provided during your rail journey. If using the included Baggageman service your luggage will be delivered to the ship.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board before the ship begins cruising along the River Saône. During your cruise, you'll travel along two of France's mightiest rivers, the Saône and the Rhône, into the heart of Provence, one of Europe's oldest inhabited regions with a fascinating Celtic, Greek and Roman heritage.
Day 2 Mâcon
During breakfast this morning, your ship will arrive in Mâcon, which is famous for its wines and pastel-painted buildings. Optional excursions available include a visit to the world’s first Wine Theme Park. This afternoon you can join an optional visit to Cluny Abbey. Your ship departs early this evening and sails to Chalon-sur-Saone.
Day 3 Chalon-sur-Saône - Tournus
Spend the morning at leisure in historic Chalon-sur-Saône. It has an attractive old quarter of medieval half-timbered houses that surround the church of St Vincent.
Optional excursions include the ancient walled city of Beaune this morning, and an afternoon excursion to medieval Brancion and the castle of Cormatin. Sail from Chalon-sur-Saône after lunch and pause briefly in the town of Tournus to allow excursion participants to rejoin the ship. Sail overnight to Lyon.
Day 4 Lyon
Arrive in Lyon before breakfast to spend the morning in Lyon, which not only marks the meeting of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, but is also the gastronomic capital of France. Find out more on an optional sightseeing tour this morning.
During lunch the ship will depart for Avignon, cruising throughout the afternoon and overnight.
Day 5 Avignon
Your next destination is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon. You can experience the city’s highlights on an optional morning walking tour or later this afternoon you may like to join an optional excursion to see the Pont du Gard, the Roman stone-built aqueduct. As Amadeus Provence moors here overnight, there will be time after dinner to wander the narrow streets of the city’s old quarter.
Day 6 Avignon - Arles
Arrive in Arles early this morning, an attractive town which captures the true charm of Provence and which you can explore on an optional walk. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Camargue Nature Park this afternoon, a magnificent reserve, home to some 400 species of bird including flamingos.
Day 7 Viviers - Le Pouzin
Amadeus Provence pauses briefly in Châteauneuf-du-Rhone this morning to enable you to join an optional excursion to the Ardèche Valley. The ship continues to Le Pouzin, arriving at midday, where excursion participants will rejoin in time for lunch. This afternoon is spent at leisure on board as you sail towards Lyon. Later, enjoy the Captain’s gala dinner and entertainment to celebrate your final night on board.
Day 8 Lyon - UK
Amadeus Provence arrives in Lyon early this morning. You’ll disembark after breakfast on board and travel to Lyon Part-Dieu station for your return journey home.
