Itinerary
- Day 1
Embarkation
You'll board the Colors of Provence ship and get settled into your river cruise. This is where your journey through the heart of France begins, so take time to explore the ship, meet fellow travelers, and get oriented before you set sail down the Rhône River.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board the Colors of Provence ship
- Day 2
Lyon
Start in Lyon by heading up Fourvière Hill to see the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, you'll walk through the old town and St. Jean district, where you can spot the traboules, those covered walkways that make this part of the city so unique. You've got options for the rest of the day: check out Les Halles Market if you're interested in local food, take a guided bike tour, or just grab a coffee at a café and wander through one of the city's museums at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk through St. Jean district to learn about traboules
- Visit Fourvière Hill and Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica
- Free time in Lyon
Optional Activities
- Indulge in cheeses, breads and charcuterie at Les Halles Market
- Guided bike tour through Lyon
Landmarks Notre-Dame de Fourvière Fourvière Hill St. Jean District Les Halles Market - Day 3
Beaujolais
You'll travel to the Beaujolais wine region, also called the Pays d'Or because of its golden stone buildings. At a traditional winery, you'll taste some wines and learn how they work their vineyards and what makes this region's techniques so special. It's a solid introduction to the wine culture you'll see throughout this trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at a traditional winery
- Learn about winery history and vineyard techniques
Landmarks Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 4
Vienne
Vienne sits right between two wine regions, Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône, and it's full of well-preserved Roman ruins from centuries back. You can walk through the city on a guided tour and see the Augustus and Livia Temple, the Gothic Saint Maurice Cathedral that took over 500 years to complete, and St. Pierre Abbey, which is now an archaeological museum. If you want something more active, you've got a guided hike up to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a bike tour along part of the ViaRhôna route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Roman ruins including Augustus and Livia Temple
- Visit Saint Maurice Cathedral
- Visit St. Pierre Abbey and Archaeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet
- Guided bike tour along ViaRhôna bike route
Landmarks Augustus and Livia Temple Saint Maurice Cathedral St. Pierre Abbey Monastery at Mount Pipet 
- Day 5
Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage
Pick what sounds best to you this morning: take a scenic steam train through the Gorge du Doux with a stop at the charming Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, visit Le Château de Tournon for a red wine and chocolate pairing, or hike through the vineyards near Tain l'Hermitage and then tour a local winery. Later on, there's a special historical walking tour where guides and locals dressed in Renaissance period costumes reenact events and legends from the area's past. It's a unique way to connect with the region's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Historical walking tour with period costume reenactments
Optional Activities
- Steam train ride through Gorge du Doux to Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain
- Red wine and chocolate pairing presentation and tasting at Le Château de Tournon
- Hike through the vineyards of Tain l'Hermitage with local winery visit
Landmarks Gorge du Doux Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain Le Château de Tournon Tain l'Hermitage - Day 6
Avignon and Pont du Gard
Avignon was the center of the Catholic Church during the 14th century, so there's plenty of history here. For your morning, choose between a guided walking tour that covers the Papal Palace and medieval walls (both UNESCO sites), sampling regional specialties like macarons and truffles, or taking a bike tour around the city. After lunch, head to the Pont du Gard, an impressive Roman aqueduct that's also a UNESCO site, or go to the hilltop village of Grignan where you can search for black diamond truffles with a local farmer if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon including Papal Palace and medieval walls
Optional Activities
- Tasting of regional specialties including macarons, cheese, wine and tapenades
- Bike tour through Avignon
- Visit to Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct
- Truffle hunting excursion in Grignan with farmer and canine companion
Landmarks Palais des Papes Medieval Walls of Avignon Pont du Gard Grignan 
- Day 7
Arles and Les Baux de Provence
Arles has a long Roman trading history and is one of France's nicest cities to explore. You can spend time in Les Baux de Provence, a hilltop village with a ruined castle where galleries and cafes sit among the historic architecture. Check out the Carrières de Lumières, a former limestone quarry turned into an art space with light and sound projections. Visit an olive farm to taste oils and learn about local Provençal traditions, or head to Saint Rémy de Provence where Van Gogh created some of his most famous works. Back in Arles, join a guided walking tour of the Roman Amphitheater and Church of Saint Trophime, bike along the Rhône toward the Langlois Bridge that Van Gogh painted, or take a Van Gogh focused tour at the Vincent van Gogh Foundation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Les Baux de Provence hilltop village and ruined castle with time in the old village
- Experience art, sound and history presentation at Carrières de Lumières
- Visit olive farm with tasting
- Visit Saint Rémy de Provence
- Guided walking tour of Roman Arles including Roman Amphitheater and Church of Saint Trophime
Optional Activities
- Bike ride along the Rhône to the Langlois Bridge
- Special walking tour with visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation
Landmarks Les Baux de Provence Carrières de Lumières Saint Rémy de Provence Roman Amphitheater of Arles Church of Saint Trophime Langlois Bridge Vincent van Gogh Foundation 
- Day 8
Departure
You'll say goodbye to Arles and prepare for your flight home. Make sure to pack your bags and head to the airport for your departure, ending your river cruise adventure through Provence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
