2026 5★ All-Inclusive Burgundy, River Rhône & Provence

(premium class flights may be available on request)

Upon arrival, transfer to the port and embark your 5★ luxury river ship, the dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you on board and help you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, there’s time to familiarise yourself with this five-star floating hotel.

*Please note - itinerary is based on 2026 departures.*

Enjoy a guided tour of Lyon in the morning, before we start our cruise heading north on the Saône in the afternoon.

While you enjoy your first lunch the ship quietly slips its mooring. Cruising upstream, we catch the first glimpses of the vine-clad slopes of the hazy green Beaujolais hills as we approach one of the world’s most revered red-wine-producing regions. On our left we see the picturesque villages of Morgon, Fleury, Juliénas, Chénas and many more, while on the right you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mont Blanc – Western Europe’s highest mountain.

As the afternoon drifts into evening and we cruise past the town that gives them their name, the white wines of Mâcon hold sway – and what could be better than a cool, crisp glass in the lounge before enjoying this evening’s culinary delights in the restaurant, prepared by our outstanding chef. 

Awake in Chalon, from where we drive through the pretty villages of the Burgundy to Beaune to see the Hôtel-Dieu on a guided tour.

This afternoon relax on board as we retrace our steps back towards Lyon where we join the river Rhône on our way to Vienne.

Visit Vienne, then sail through a beautiful section of the Rhône Valley towards Tain l’Hermitage, where we enjoy a wine-tasting.

Wander back to the ship for another superb lunch, during which we enter perhaps the most picturesque section of the Rhône as the river squeezes and twists past Condrieu, Saint-Rambert-d’Albon and Saint- Vallier, with wooded cliffs rising high on both sides. 

Later, we moor in Tain l'Hermitage, surrounded by steep vine-covered hillsides, where another of the world's most revered wines is produced: Syrah. 

Before dinner, we'll take a playful and enlightening foray into the world of wine. Test your senses with a blind tasting of five carefully selected wines, blend local viticulture with ancient history as we reconstruct Roman wine and enjoy some friendly competition with a lively quiz.

After dinner in the ship's restaurant, perhaps take a stroll along the river and wander across the oldest suspension bridge in France to the pretty provincial town of Tournon on the opposite bank of the river, with its imposing castle and tree-lined avenues.

Cruise downstream before we tour the naturally beautiful Ardèche Gorges. After lunch we explore one of France’s most outstanding landscapes – the Ardèche Gorges, whose scale is a fitting reminder of Mother Nature’s awesome power. Sheer limestone cliffs plunge almost 1,000 feet to the river’s blue waters, which elegantly snake their way through stupendous rock formations, culminating in a huge natural arch, the Pont d’Arc.

During your tour of the Ardèche, you have two exciting options to choose from:

You could explore the beautiful Lavender farm, which includes a fascinating museum where you can learn all about the process of cultivating lavender and the distillation of essential oils. In addition to the museum, there’s a boutique where you can purchase various lavender products. This option allows for a leisurely experience, perfect for anyone interested in the art and science of lavender.

Or, if you're up for a challenge, you can visit the Grotte de la Madeleine. A prehistoric cave composed of limestone, with a complex network of chambers and passages that contains a collection of fascinating art, dating back to around 17,000 years ago. Please note that this option involves a demanding trek with 250 steps down and then back up, so it's best suited for those who are physically prepared for the hike.

We slip our mooring and proceed through the famous lock at Bollène, one of the deepest in France, as you relax over dinner.

After dinner, delight in a ballroom dancing performance in the lounge with the opportunity to learn some basic steps of a French madison line dance! 

Take a guided tour of Arles, seeing its Roman remains or learning about Van Gogh before visiting the Pont du Gard aqueduct.

Explore Avignon on a guided tour, including the stunning Pope's Palace or opt for a petit train tour, before free time to explore. 

After lunch you’re free to explore as you wish, perhaps visiting the nearby Petit Palais, the former home of the archbishops of Avignon, to cast a critical eye over the remarkable collection of over 300 paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including works by Botticelli and Carpaccio. Or take a stroll on the iconic Pont d’Avignon, which, dramatically, ends halfway across the river, made famous by the melody we all recall from our first French lessons.

This evening we enjoy the sumptuous Chef’s Dinner, featuring some of their signature dishes - a truly memorable experience. Afterwards, sit back and relax to the sounds of a talented local pianist who'll entertain us with French songs on board.