Sailing Through Southern France: The Rhone & Saone
Rich in history and once independent in the early Middle Ages, this captivating region offers a culture and character unlike anywhere else in France.
France
Sailing Through Southern France: The Rhone & Saone
About this holiday
This is your chance to experience a truly special side of southern France. History and authenticity will be on the program throughout your cruise on the Rhone. You will discover cities with rich historical and cultural pasts such as Lyon with its famous 'traboules' - secret passages. Visit the Cluny Abbey, which has had an exceptional political, artistic and religious influence on Europe, then admire the castle of Tournon which stands upright on its majestic rock in the heart of the town and houses a museum labeled "Museum of France" since 1927.
Rich in history and once independent in the early Middle Ages, this captivating region offers a culture and character unlike anywhere else in France. From charming hilltop villages to relaxed alfresco dining and warm Mediterranean light, Provence delivers the perfect blend of discovery and indulgence - an unforgettable escape that feels a world away from the everyday.
What’s included
Holiday Highlights
All inclusive holiday
No single supplement
Transfers & Luggage included as standard
Lyon - An included half-day tour of France's celebrated culinary capital
Avignon and the Camargue - Two included tours in one day from a magnificent Medieval Papal Palace to the wild flamingo-filled Camargue region
Vienne and Arles - Included guided tours of two of the region's finest Roman and Medieval cities
Cluny Abbey and Tournon-sur-Rhone - Explore the remains of Europe's once-largest monastery plus a castle visit and tasting of local wines and delicacies
Day by day
Itinerary
Depart from London Heathrow bound for Lyon, then board the MS Rhone Princess for a 7-night all-inclusive river cruise. Settle in with a 'meet the crew' welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner and evening entertainment.
The morning is devoted to a guided half day tour of Lyon, France's second largest city and its undisputed gastronomic heartland. After lunch, we set sail for the first time, heading towards Macon along the Saone river.
We head ashore this morning to explore the remarkable ruins of Cluny Abbey, once the largest monastic complex on the continent and a site of immense historical importance. The afternoon brings a leisurely sail south to Vienne, on the Rhone.
Our included excursion this morning takes us through Vienne, once a thriving Roman regional capital, before we cast off and cruise downstream along the Rhone in the direction of Avignon.
For roughly a century, Avignon served as the seat of the Medieval Papacy in one form or another, leaving behind a stunning papal palace and a circuit of grand Medieval ramparts, both featured on our morning tour. Following lunch, a second excursion takes us into the nearby Camargue, a wild and distinctive landscape renowned for its free-roaming horses, cattle, flamingos and rice paddies. After dinner, traditional Provencal entertainment rounds off the evening.
Arriving in Arles, the day opens with a tour of this once-great city's remarkable Roman and Medieval landmarks. We then turn northwards, sailing back up the Rhone to reach Viviers, a captivating medieval hilltop town that feels untouched by time.
A final morning cruise along the Rhone brings us to the charming riverside town of Tournon-sur-Rhone, where we explore its castle, built across several centuries between the 10th and 16th, and enjoy a tasting of regional wines and local specialities. This evening the MS Rhone Princess hosts its gala dinner and begins making its way back to its home port of Lyon.
Transfer to Lyon airport for connecting flights back to the UK.
Where you stay
Accommodation
MS Rhone Princess
The MS Rhône Princess offers an intimate and stylish setting, welcoming just 138 guests across 69 well-appointed cabins. Each is designed in warm, inviting tones with rich wood finishes, creating a comfortable home-from-home as you cruise through France.
Dining is a highlight, with refined cuisine served in the elegant upper-deck restaurant, where panoramic windows ensure the ever-changing scenery is always in view. Nearby, a relaxed lounge bar and dance floor provide the perfect space to unwind in the evening, while the open sun deck invites you to stretch out on a lounger, soak up the sunshine, and watch the French countryside glide gently past.
Year of construction: 2001 Length: 110 meters Year of renovation: 2011 Width: 11.40 meters Number of decks: 2 Number of cabins: 69 Crew members: 25 Number of passengers: 138
Hotel features
Hairdryer
Free Wifi
TV
Safety Deposit Box
Sun Deck
Reviews
average review score
“Ship was lovely, staff perfect.”
Marisa G
“All of it! New friends, a new style of holiday and comfort!”
Gillian A
“Fabulous holiday. Great trips.”
Jenny B
“Joao, as always, is the perfect guide. Very responsive, helpful and always goes that extra mile.”
Tracy M
“Definitely had a wonderful time!”
Anne W
“A lovely way to travel through France. Very attentive, helpful staff on the ship.”
Pamela R
Gallery
A look at the trip
Availability
Dates & Prices
DepartReturnPriceOfferSoloBooking
Depart13 Jul 2027 Return20 Jul 2027 PriceFrom £2499 No Single Supplement
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