French Art and History Along the Rhône River

7 days
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River Cruise
Discover the Rhône through an offbeat, seven-day cruise. See each city differently as you retrace the footsteps of the artists and celebrities who influenced their cultures. From Alphonse de Lamartine's Mâcon to Marcel Pagnol's Marseille, with side trips to Paul Bocuse's Lyon and Van Gogh's homestead in Arles, each excursion will bring you to the core of the ...
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$2,982
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS All excursions included: Mâcon, birthplace of Alphonse de Lamartine
    • Medieval Pérouges
    • Lyon and Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse
    • The Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives
    • Multimedia experience at the Quarry of Lights in Les Baux-de-Provence
    • Following the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles
    • Aix-en-Provence and the wonders of Paul Cézanne

What's this trip about?

    Discover the Rhône through an offbeat, seven-day cruise. See each city differently as you retrace the footsteps of the artists and celebrities who influenced their cultures. From Alphonse de Lamartine's Mâcon to Marcel Pagnol's Marseille, with side trips to Paul Bocuse's Lyon and Van Gogh's homestead in Arles, each excursion will bring you to the core of the city and its history.  Discover unusual sites such as the Quarries of Light in Les Baux-de-Provence and the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives. This cruise on the Saône and Rhone Rivers overflows with the vineyard landscapes and limestone cliffs of southern France.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityLyon
End CityMartigues

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Family Friendly
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • France

Attractions

  • Arles
  • Avignon
  • Lyon

Activities

  • River cruise

Trip includes

    • Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - visits mentioned in the program - all onboard beverages (not including the special lists) - accommodations in a double-occupancy, climate-controlled cabin with shower in private bathroom - onboard activities - welcome cocktail - gala evening - assistance from our onboard, multi-lingual host/hostess - emergency/repatriation insurance - all port fees.

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 LYON

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 as our ship begins to cruise to Mâcon. Don’t miss Lyon lit up at night as we depart!

Day 2 MACON - LYON

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 si...

Day 2 MACON - LYON

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. Join us this afternoon for a guided tour of medieval Pérouges, which has been categorized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Our ship will cruise to Lyon.

Day 3 LYON - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE

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 loo...

Day 3 LYON - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE

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 cruise to Tain-l’Hermitage in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

Day 4 TAIN-L'HERMITAGE - AVIGNON

We’ll head out on an excursion this morning 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 bu...

Day 4 TAIN-L'HERMITAGE - AVIGNON

We’ll head out on an excursion this morning 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. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon and arrive during the evening.

Day 5 AVIGNON - ARLES

Join us this morning for a visit to 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 an...

Day 5 AVIGNON - ARLES

Join us this morning for a visit to Les Baux-de-Provence and the Quarry of Lights. We’ll return on board in Arles. This afternoon, join us for a guided tour of Arles following the footsteps of Van Gogh. Our ship will cruise to Martigues in the evening.

Day 6 ARLES - MARTIGUES

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...

Day 6 ARLES - MARTIGUES

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...

Day 7 MARTIGUES

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

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,328
Price per day$333
Last Updated: 10/2/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Standard
Availability
14 Apr 2025
21 Apr 2025
$2,982
28 May 2025
04 Jun 2025
$2,328
27 Jun 2025
04 Jul 2025
$2,328
26 Aug 2025
02 Sep 2025
$2,328

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with CroisiEurope.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

CroisiEurope Reviews & Ratings

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Other CroisiEurope Reviews

j

jcwer

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting.

Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience ab...

h

htrowland

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

Great tours and food! Exceptional customer service

As a female solo traveller, I especially appreciated CroisiEurope's summer special waiving single supplements. I am non-EU national, and very much enjoyed the intern...

B

Bronx resident

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

A memorable four nights on the Seine - Le Havre to Paris

We had never been on a European river cruise before and chose this one for its brevity, just four nights. We were very happy with our choice and heartily recommend C...

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Tour Operator

CroisiEurope

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Since 1976 CroisiEurope has pioneered river cruising on the most beautiful waterways in Europe, and we are Europe’s largest and most experienced river cruise line. When you sail with us, you can relax and know that you will be well taken care of.

We have been privileged to take more than 200,000 passengers to the lands of their dreams, for the times of their lives. Our fleet of 30 ships will take you to your choice of dazzling riverside cities in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium — to the romantic Rhine Valley, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine, the beautiful blue Danube, the Douro Valley, Venice, and more — where you can explore and enjoy local food, wine, history, art and culture. We have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of almost 1,000 people, whose conviviality, attentiveness and professionalism ensures that your voyage will be comfortable and pleasurable. Our staff and crews speak English, and many of them speak other major European languages as well. So you’ll be in the heart of European culture and charm, but you’ll always be able to find someone who understands you.

All our vessels are fully inspected on a regular basis, and are consistently renovated and upgraded to keep pace with safety standards as well as the needs of our customers. Our entire fleet is certified compliant with VERITAS global standards, a guarantee of safety and quality.

CroisiEurope’s headquarters is situated at the crossroads of Europe, in Strasbourg, France, near the banks of the Rhine. This historic, forward-thinking city is the perfect home us: we’re grounded in the past, and excited about the future. We’re an independent, family-owned business — so even though we’re the biggest and most experienced, we’re still small and friendly. We understand the personal touch. 

Come aboard! We can’t wait to show you the sights of Europe.

River Cruising: The Difference

Imagine gliding past quaint villages, ancient hillside castles and stone forts; past sun-drenched olive groves and vineyards, snow-capped mountains and thundering gorges; under glittering night-lit bridges in exotic cities.  Imagine eating first-class French cuisine while floating on a sparkling river, watching the gorgeous landscape pass by.

Envision your ship docking in the heart of a beautiful, historic European city:  its treasures of art, music, food, culture, and history await your leisurely exploration. 

Our trips offer you the opportunity to intimately experience the culture of a region or a country, and to visit some of Europe’s most dazzling cities and towns — in France, Spain, Italy, Germany or Belgium — in ease and comfort.

Our ship will be your floating hotel:  small enough to moor at a town or city port, but large enough to provide you every amenity.  The capacity of just 100 to 200 passengers allows a warm and convivial atmosphere on board, as well as the opportunity for quiet privacy and independence. The pace of our river cruises is relaxed and tranquil; the scenery is gorgeous and changes moment to moment.

And river cruising is smooth, so there’s no need to worry about seasickness.  Unpack your bags, and relax and enjoy the trip. 

Come sail with CroisiEurope, and discover why river cruising is the new way to travel. 

French Cuisine, European Flair

The heart and soul of CroisiEurope is European and international.

Other cruise lines may offer good food.  With CroisiEurope, you’ll cruise the rivers of Europe aboard your own French restaurant.

We carefully design and plan our cuisine and menus in the exacting tradition of fine French gastronomy.  Each meal on your cruise will give you a delightful experience of French haute cuisine.  Our chefs have worked alongside such Michelin-starred greats as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin; CroisiEurope’s head chef, Alain Bohn, was recently nominated as a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This esteemed French association, created 50 years ago, includes only 250 chefs worldwide.

A large number of our crew and staff speak many major European languages, so you may find yourself able to chat in Spanish, Italian, or Hungarian as well as French and English.

Eco-Friendliness

European countries have long been in the forefront of eco-friendly practices, and CroisiEurope is proud to have been a pioneer in this field since well before these practices became standard.  Our commitment to the environment goes far beyond legal requirements. 

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Drinks from our special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - optional excursions (must be reserved and paid for on board or at travel agency) - transfers to/from departure/arrival points - personal expenses.

Accommodation

Requirements
Valid national identity card or passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

  • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
  • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
  • Free Wi-Fi onboard
  • Headsets are included for excursions
  • Official welcome from the captain and crew
  • Onboard activities
  • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
  • All port fees included
Trip ID
croisieurope-PEI_AIPP

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