Day 1Lyon
Fly into Lyon. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, take free time to explore the city’s Old Town area—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. We dine aboard and depart early this evening. (D)
Day 2Beaune & Chalon-sur-Saône
This morning we disembark at Tournus for morning excursion to Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy a guided tour of the gracious Hôtel Dieu, originally founded as a hospice in 1443, where you learn about local viticulture and sample some of the wines at one of Beaune’s famous cellars. Return aboard for an afternoon cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône, or take an optional excursion to Cluny to see the ruins of its medieval abbey. Dine aboard at Chalon; you can take a walk around this charming town before a midnight departure. (B, L, D)
Day 3Mâcon
Awaken in Mâcon, the southernmost town of the Burgundy region. With its pastel buildings and tiled roofs, Mâcon has a Mediterranean charm and, like many other towns in the region, it is best known for its local wine. From here we will tour the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions, enjoying wine tasting as we go. Return aboard for a late lunch and relaxing scenic cruising for the remainder of the day and evening. (B, L, D)
Day 4Viviers & Saint Remèze
Cruise through the morning, arriving after lunch in the quaint mountain town of Viviers. Embark on an afternoon tour of the beautiful Ardèche region on the Rhône River. Stop in Saint Remèze for a visit to the Lavender Museum, where you learn about the history and cultivation of this aromatic and versatile member of the mint family. Return aboard for dinner and then take an evening stroll through picturesque Viviers with your Program Director. (B, L, D)
Day 5Arles
Arrive during breakfast and meet your guide for a walking tour of Arles with its variety of architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and the striking quality of light that have inspired so many artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the 15th-century Church of Saint-Trôphime. Return aboard for lunch followed by afternoon free time to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts. Or, take an optional excursion to Les Baux de Provence, an ancient village set in the rocky Alpilles mountains and crowned with a ruined castle. Dinner is served as we set sail for Avignon; we arrive there late this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 6Avignon
This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture which served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine, or choose an optional excursion to Pont du Gard to see one of the world’s best-preserved Roman aqueducts. Lunch and dinner served aboard; we depart late this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7Tournon, Vienne & Lyon
Enjoy a morning of cruising through the lovely Provençal countryside, sailing past towns, villages and Roman ruins. Stop in Tournon for an early-afternoon tour of the Hermitage wine region. Continue to picturesque Vienne where you see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus and some of the town’s medieval churches and abbeys. Rejoin your ship there and enjoy a final dinner aboard as we make our way back toward Lyon, arriving in time for an evening stroll. (B, L, D)
Day 8Lyon
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your France experience with 3 romantic nights in the City of Light. (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.