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
-
Sep 6, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
The MS Viva Voyage was totally renovated in 2023. Guests are welcomed on board by friendly, multilingual and international crew members who take care of guests’ well-being and comfort from morning til night. The ship’s
appointments are luxurious, yet the feeling is relaxed and easygoing. All staterooms and suites are equipped with flat screen TV, included minibar, beauty products from RITUALS®, hair dryer, safe, air conditioning and
en-suite bathrooms. The upper and middle deck staterooms and suites all have French balconies.
Aix-en-Provence
September 4 to 7, 2024 (Tour Begins: September 5)
Spend two days on our pre-tour extension exploring the beautiful medieval city of Aix-en-Provence—called the “City of a Thousand Fountains.” On a walking tour, visit the Mazarin district and Old Aix with its mansions
on Cours Mirabeau. During free time, stroll the lovely streets, savor cuisine at local cafes and engage in the exceptional people-watching! See Atelier Cézanne, the painter’s studio just outside Aix, and drive along the colorful
“Route Cézanne” to the foot of Saint-Victoire Mountain, the artist’s muse for many of his paintings. Throughout, soak in the marvelous scenery, delightful food and drink, and essence of the Provençal region.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $1,195
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,495
Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.
A non-refundable administrative fee of $300 per person will apply for all cancellations received more than 7 days after booking and before other fees take effect at 120 days:
120 days $300 per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking
120 – 91 days 25% of full invoice fare
90 – 61 days 50% of full invoice fare
60 – 31 days 75% of full invoice fare
30 – 0 days 100% of full invoice fare
Separate airfare Terms & Conditions apply
TOUR MAP

ITINERARY
-
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
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
day 9
Lyon/Disembark/ Return to Home City
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
Since 1973, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services has served travelers just like you, to help protect their travel plans