Burgundy & Provence – Arles to Lyon

Arrive at Marseille Airport and transfer to the ship docked in Arles, your home for the next eight days. Settle in and get acquainted with the S.S. Catherine as you prepare to explore the sun-drenched south of France.

Step into the world that captivated Van Gogh, who painted more than 200 works in this ancient Provençal town. Join a local expert on a walking tour past Roman ruins, the Romanesque St. Trophime Church, and the iconic yellow Café de Nuit – still the same shade Van Gogh immortalised on canvas. Free time to browse local shops, go olive tasting, or explore further.

Discover one of the most fascinating walled cities in southern France. Tour the enormous Palace of the Popes – the near-impregnable fortress that dominated medieval Avignon – and explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Alternatively, visit the remarkable Pont du Gard, a tri-level Roman aqueduct bridge constructed nearly 2,000 years ago without a drop of mortar. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Time seems to stand still in the enchanting village of Viviers, where stone-paved streets lined with sycamores wind past medieval houses so close together you can touch both sides at once. A local expert leads you through the Old Town’s fountain squares and up to the smallest cathedral in France. Meet local residents, visit a working pottery, try a glass of local wine – and try your hand at a game of pétanque before returning to the ship.

The twin villages on opposite banks of the Rhône are a paradise for wine lovers. Cross the pretty flower-decked Marc Seguin suspension bridge to Tain-l’Hermitage for a tasting of the region’s celebrated Côtes du Rhône, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage wines – produced from Syrah grapes grown on the steep slopes above the river. For the more adventurous, lace up your boots and hike the dramatic terraced Hermitage vineyards for a wine tasting with a view. Chocoholics can also visit the Valrhona factory, home to one of France’s most iconic chocolate makers.

Ancient Lyon delivers a city of fascinating contrasts – Roman ruins, Renaissance passageways, and striking modern architecture all in one place. Choose from a panoramic tour taking in the view from Fourvière Hill and the city’s famous traboules (secret silk weavers’ passageways), a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® silk weaving workshop supporting a centuries-old Lyonnais craft, or a leisurely bike ride along the Rhône and Saône riverbanks. Lunch on your own at one of Lyon’s traditional bouchons – the epicentre of French gastronomy. Tonight, the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.

Cruise into the heart of Burgundy wine country, where endless rows of vines line the hills. The day’s highlight is the medieval town of Beaune – home to the magnificent Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), instantly recognisable by its dazzling multicoloured tile roof. Founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor, it remains a working charitable institution to this day, famously funded by one of the world’s most prestigious wine auctions. Browse Beaune’s vibrant open-air farmers’ market and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

Disembark in Lyon and transfer to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for your flight home – or extend your French adventure with an optional post-cruise extension to Paris.