Provence – Featuring Art, Cuisine & Wine
DETAILS
The elements of a quintessential Provençal experience— art, cuisine and wine—come together on an unforgettable sojourn through the wine regions of Burgundy, Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley. Cruise from the ancient city of Arles to Lyon along the fabled Rhône and Saône Rivers, taking in the best of southeast France. Highlights include the Roman amphitheatre and the pilgrimage site of the Cathédrale Saint-Trophîme in Arles; the famous wine-making village, Châteauneuf-du-Pape; the impressive altarpiece painting, The Last Judgment, at the Hospices de Beaune; and the 12th-century medieval fortress and lush vineyards of Château de Rully, where we’ll be joined by the owner.
- Pricing from
- $4,644
Reserve early and SAVE up to $2,000 per cabin!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International River Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Sep 6, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1 & 2
Depart home city/Marseille, France for Arles/Embark Boat
Arrive in Marseille and transfer to Arles to embark the Viva Voyage. Enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening
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day 3
Arles/Avignon
Take a walking tour of the coastal city of Arles, brimming with Roman ruins, colorful pastel houses and artistic inspiration. Marvel at the colossal Roman Arles Amphitheatre as you step inside. Then, visit the former Cathedral of St. Trophîme, a Romanesque basilica constructed in the 12th century. Pass by Le Café La Nuit, which inspired Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Café Terrace at Night.”
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day 4
Avignon/Pont du Gard/ Châteauneuf du Pape
The UNESCO-inscribed city of Avignon is well-known for its architectural beauty and rich cultural heritage. On a guided walking tour, at the river’s edge, see the remaining four arches of Pont d’Avignon, the only bridge built across the Rhône during the Middle Ages. Visit the grand Papal Palace, the largest château built in Europe during the Gothic era and a testament to Avignon’s golden age. Stroll past Gothic churches, beautiful townhouses and Cardinals’ palaces, and the extensive city wall. Return to the river boat for lunch. Disembark for a panoramic drive through the picturesque French countryside en route to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct that triumphs as one of Europe’s most impressive archaeological sites. Head to the historic village of Châteauneuf du Pape, where the ship is docked. This evening, explore the village on your own, if you wish. This area produces some of the most renowned wines in Provence—perhaps enjoy a tasting. Return to the ship to dine on board, or remain in town and make your own plans for dinner.
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day 5
Viviers for Orange
Travel to Orange to explore the Roman city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including a visit to the ancient Roman Theater and a stop to see the Triumphal Arch, built in the late first century as a symbol of Roman imperial glory. Return to the river boat for another delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure on board as the boat departs Viviers and sails to Lyon.
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day 6
Lyon
On a panoramic city tour, stop at the top of Lyon’s Fourvière Hill to appreciate the breathtaking views. Then, stroll the tree-lined streets of restored Old Lyon, where well-preserved Gothic and Renaissance mansions attest to the wealth of the city’s long-standing silk industry. Walk through the ancient quarter of Saint-Jean and its narrow, covered pedestrian passageways, called traboules. Return to the ship for lunch and explore more of Lyon at leisure this afternoon.
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day 7
Chalon-sur-Saône/ Beaune
Visit enchanting Beaune, founded in the fifth century B.C. Tour the magnificent 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, a former charitable almshouse established in 1443 as a hospital for the poor. Admire its imposing architecture and ornate, glazed tile roof, and view the polyptych altarpiece painting, “The Last Judgment,” by Rogier van der Weyden. Enjoy free time and an included lunch in Beaune. Then, visit the 12th-century Château de Rully, a medieval fortress set among vineyards, for a private tour by owner Count Raoul de Ternay, followed by a wine tasting in the estate’s kitchen or wine cellar.
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day 8
Mâcon/Lyon
Tour the 12th-century Romanesque Cluny Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery and one of the most significant abbeys of the Christian Middle Ages. This afternoon, travel to a local truffle farm to meet the owners—and their very important dog! Learn all about truffles and their harvest, and join in a truffle hunt yourself. This evening, bid adieu to your newfound friends during the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.
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day 9
Lyon/Disembark/ Return to Home City
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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