It is no surprise that the South of France is recognized as the birthplace of photography, its unrivalled beauty comprises the finest examples of French 15th century architecture, with Roman ruins and sun-soaked vineyards nestled at the foot of colossal mountain ranges. Journey to the country’s gastronomic beating heart, Lyon, before enjoying an authentic Provençal dinner on board, hosted by renowned French chef, Fabien Morreale.
Inclusions
- 7 night river cruise from Nice to Lyon (or in reverse) aboard Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
- 20 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
- Excursions and guided tours
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Complimentary Bicycles on board (when available)
- All tipping and gratuities
- Airport transfers to and from the ship
- Port taxes and charges
- Exclusive Offer – Book by Dec 21: Second Guest Sails FREE (pays taxes only)
| June 14 – August 9, 2025* | Guest 1 | Guest 2 (pays taxes only) |
| Riverview | from $5089 | FREE |
| Balcony | from $5969 | FREE |
| Taxes & Fees | $476 | $476 |
| No Single Supplement | ||
*Sailing dates included in the promo: June 14, July 26, August 2 or 9 (subject to change without notice)
Final payment is due at booking
Looking for other 2 for 1 River Cruises, click here
| New bookings only. Space and price are limited and subject to availability when booking. The prices listed are per person based on double occupancy. It is for lead-in categories, but upgrades are available. Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time. Depending on the promotion, the deposit may be non-refundable Ready to set sail? Call us now to inquire for more information or other sailing dates. We're here to help you plan your dream cruise. |
Dining Highlights:
- 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
- Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
Included Excursions
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Guided tour of Viviers
- Guided tour of Tournon
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Visit to the Hospices de Beaune
- EmeraldPLUS:
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
- Regional wine tasting on board
- Cheese and olive tasting on board
- EmeraldACTIVE:
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Hike in Viviers
- Guided bike tour to Glun
- Guided hike through the vineyards in Tournon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Nice (Arles) to Lyon (or in reverse)
Day 1 Nice – Arles (D)
Welcome to France and the beginning of your cruise. You’ll be met by a member of our team at the airport and transferred to Arles, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you on board your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception and dine with your fellow guests.
Please book your flight to arrive into Nice prior to 12:00 PM.
Day 2 Arles (B,L,D)
Revel in the glory of the Roman Empire today during an insightful visit to Arles, including its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments. Visit Arles Amphitheatre, a 2,000-year-old structure where thousands of spectators once gathered to watch heart-pounding chariot races.
Enjoy learning about the time spent by Vincent van Gogh in the city, taking inspiration from his surroundings and using them to create many of his most iconic pieces of art, including ‘Starry Night Over the Rhône’. Then, enjoy some time to explore the beauty of Arles at your leisure.
EmeraldPLUS
A Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
DiscoverMORE
Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)
Day 3 Avignon (B,L,D)
Avignon has a long and storied history. This fortified town is the former residence of seven consecutive Popes in the 1300s who fled Rome to escape from the political pressures of the Roman Empire. The city went on to become an important location during the French Revolution.
Embark on a guided walking tour to witness its illustrious past, including the ornate Gothic exterior of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, built by the Popes over two decades. This afternoon is yours to leisurely explore, perhaps crossing the 12th-century Stone Bridge.
EmeraldACTIVE
Canoeing excursion in Avignon
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Avignon
DiscoverMORE
Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Classical concert in Avignon (extra expense)
Day 4 Viviers (B,L,D)
A snapshot of quintessential France awaits your arrival in Viviers, a town that perfectly encapsulates the medieval days of the region. Pastel coloured buildings gently faded by the sun line narrow cobblestone streets, and the heart of the Old Town is yours to explore today during a guided walking tour.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Viviers
Day 5 Tournon (B,L,D)
As we sail down the gently twisting Rhône River into Tournon, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of a 16th-century castle overlooking the village and a pair of ancient watchtowers adorning the surrounding rural landscape.
Today, embark on a guided tour of Tournon and learn about its illustrious history and the culture of the people who call it home. If you would like to explore more of the region’s natural beauty, then you may instead choose to embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through some of the local vineyards.
Later, a guided bike tour to Glun will introduce you to the French countryside and provide priceless insight into the lives of the people who live there.
EmeraldPLUS
Regional wine tasting on board
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour to Glun
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike through the vineyards
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Tournon
Day 6 Lyon (B,L,D)
As one of the largest cities in France and a former Roman capital, many of the most important moments in French history have taken place in Lyon. But it’s Lyonnaise cuisine that has really put this city on the map, delighting gastronomists from around the world.
Join your local guide for a walking tour of the city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. If you’re feeling more active, then you may instead choose to embark on a guided bike tour, touching on its most prominent architectural wonders and moments from history.
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour of Lyon
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Lyon
DiscoverMORE
Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)
Day 7 Chalon-sur-Saône – Beaune (B,L,D)
The birthplace of photography and the centre of Burgundy’s wine region is yours to discover today as you travel by road to the quaint village of Beaune. Stop to visit the Hospices de Beaune, one of the best-preserved examples of 15th-century French architecture and home to one of the most popular wine auctions in the country.
EmeraldPLUS
Cheese and olive tasting on board
Included Excursion
Visit to the Hospices de Beaune
Day 8 Lyon (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of French architecture and sun-kissed vineyards with you.
Please book your flight to depart out of Lyon after 12:00 PM.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
Flexible Booking Plan
| River Cruising | Yacht Cruising |
| $125 | $200 |
- Should you choose to defer or cancel your booking, the total monies paid to us (less third-party fees) will be applied as a Future Travel Credit which is valid for 24 months for you to use on an alternate tour/cruise.
- If you do not re-book within 24 months, your FTC it will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable. Non commissionable.
- Excludes Russia cruising.
- Not available to guests using COVID Future Travel Credits
Platinum Protection Plan
The Platinum Protection Plan (“PPP”) is available for new river and ocean cruising bookings for travel after 1 January 2022 for Scenic and Emerald Cruises (“Eligible Booking”). By adding this plan, you are covered if you unable to travel due to health reasons, or your travel plans are impacted by COVID-19, up to 31 days prior to departure with a 100% refund (less airline cancellation fees and PPP cost), or a 70% refund between 15 and 30 days prior to departure (less PPP cost). The PPP must be purchased together with the Eligible Booking at time such booking is made and may not be added at a later date. The PPP is provided at a cost of $395 per person per river cruise, $495 per person per cruise on Emerald Cruises yacht cruising and $595 per person per cruise on Scenic Eclipse voyages (“PPP Fee”).
Visa Requirements
Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders may require an ETIAS visa waiver from late 2023 when traveling to the E.U.
United Kingdom passport holders do not require visas (excluding tours that feature Russia and Turkey, where guests are required to obtain a Visa).
Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, Scenic recommends that you contact the relevant Consulates for the latest information regarding visa requirements.
