Romantic Rhone River Cruise

We travel via Dover Calais to our overnight stop in Northern France.

Today we travel to the wonderful city of Lyon to embark onboard MS Van Gogh. It’s time to sit back, relax and join the captain for a welcome cocktail.

Begin your day with a tour of Lyon, taking in panoramic views from Fourvière Hill and strolling through Vieux Lyon’s cobbled streets and secret traboules. Savor the city’s culinary soul with a tasting of fine cheese, sausage, and wine at Paul Bocuse’s famed Les Halles de Lyon. Back on board, we cruise towards Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, where an unforgettable evening awaits—dine in style at Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges and indulge in world-class cuisine before rejoining the ship for our onward journey.

Delight in a visit to Valrhona’s renowned Cité du Chocolat in Tain L’Hermitage—an immersive journey into the world of fine chocolate. Indulge your senses as you explore, inhale rich aromas, and savour exquisite tastings. Spend a tranquil afternoon gliding towards Avignon, arriving by evening to enjoy elegant onboard entertainment.

Join our excursion to the Luberon and the 12th-century Sénanque Abbey, a serene Cistercian retreat nestled among lavender fields. Explore its cloister and church before visiting Gordes, one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages,” perched on dramatic limestone cliffs.

This morning, join an excursion to the Camargue, a haven of Provençal culture and wildlife. Visit a traditional Manade to see how bulls are raised and horses trained. In the afternoon, relax as we cruise past Valence and Montélimar through the picturesque French countryside.

This morning, join a tour of Viviers, an open-air museum of cobbled streets, Renaissance facades, and France’s smallest cathedral. In the afternoon, set out on a scenic coach tour of the Gorges de l’Ardèche, with its dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and the iconic Pont d’Arc. We’ll rejoin the ship in La Voulte and cruise towards Lyon, ready for a festive gala evening onboard.

After breakfast onboard we disembark and re-join our coach to travel to our overnight in northern France.

We travel back via Calais/Dover and arrive home with great memories.