Sail through southern France on an 8-day Rhône River cruise from Lyon to Arles aboard an Emerald Liberté. Start in Lyon with a guided city tour or a bike ride, then explore Roman and medieval landmarks in Vienne. In Tournon, join a wine tasting or hike through local vineyards, and visit Viviers, home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals. Continue to Avignon to see the Palais des Papes and Pont d’Avignon, enjoy a Provençal dinner, and attend a classical concert. End in Arles, exploring its Roman and Romanesque UNESCO sites and visiting a local olive farm, before disembarking in Nice.
Highlights
Guided city tour of Lyon with UNESCO Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Visit Avignon’s Palais des Papes and iconic Pont d’Avignon
Canoeing excursion along the Rhône near historic Avignon landmarks
Explore Arles’ Roman monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Lyon, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. After landing at the airport, meet the local transfer team and travel to the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship.
Please book your flight to arrive into Lyon prior to 04:30 PM.
Lyon, France’s third-largest city and a former Roman capital, is known for its rich history and traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. A guided city tour includes the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière within the historic site of Lyon. Walk through cobblestone streets lined with buildings from different eras, or choose a guided bike tour to see the city’s main highlights.
Today, join a walking tour of Vienne, an important town in the Rhône-Alpes region, located in the Isère department south of Lyon. The town has a long and prestigious history dating back to the Allobroges, a tribe of Gauls, and by Roman times Vienne was an important regional city. Although it started to lose importance to Lyon after the middle ages the town has several important monuments from both the roman and medieval eras.
The picturesque village of Tournon borders the gently meandering Rhône, dominated by a 16th-century castle that overlooks the village and a number of iconic landmarks, including a set of ancient watchtowers.
Your guided tour of the village showcase its intangible cultural heritage, granting every opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through the local vineyards and marvel at the rows upon rows of grapes used to make some of the finest wines in Europe.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Tournon with wine tasting
Arrive in Viviers, a town with much Middle Age flair and home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals. Your included walking tour highlights many of the city’s numerous spectacular monuments, along with their ornate windows and lavish façades.
Avignon has a rich history, from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of seven successive Popes between 1309 and 1377. The city also played a major part central to the French Revolution.
Your included walking tour this morning take you past the ornate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, as well as Pont d’Avignon, an ancient stone bridge crossing the Rhône. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delightful Provençal dining experience on board, expertly prepared by France's Top Chef finalist, Fabien Morreale and later you are invited to join the unique experience of a classical concert in Avignon as part of the EmeraldPLUS program.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Avignon with market visit
EmeraldACTIVE
Canoeing excursion in Avignon
EmeraldPLUS
Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
The past is yours to uncover in Arles, a once-important Phoenician trading port that was captured by the Romans, who peppered the city with iconic monuments. Today, your included tour of the city showcase some of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments, illustrating how the city has evolved over the centuries. If you wish to explore further the region of Arles you can join an olive farm visit and learn more about its importance in the South of France.
The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, where a stop at a local and quintessential café is a must before returning to relax on board your Star-Ship.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Arles with Olive farm visit
Day 8: Arles | Nice | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the idyllic French countryside and delightful cuisine with you.
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 differently from that stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions for further information.
Please book your flight to depart out of Nice after 01:00 PM.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,5902-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Single Stateroom (ES)
Single Occupancy Only. 105 sqft (9.8 sqm). 2 single cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a deluxe single bed, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Stateroom (E)
Emerald Stateroom - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 7 cabins located at Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Stateroom (D)
Emerald Stateroom - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 6 cabins located at Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Panorama Balcony Suite (C)
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 14 cabin located at Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with the open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV, infotainment system and mini-fridge
Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 13 cabin located at Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with the open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV, infotainment system and mini-fridge
Panorama Balcony Suite (A)
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 21 cabins located at Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with the open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV, infotainment system and mini-fridge
Grand Balcony Suite (S)
Grand Balcony Suite - Dimensions: 170 sq ft (15.8 sq m) 4 cabins located at Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, an in-suite mini-bar available at own expense, a complimentary Nespresso machine and bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hairdryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes, and slippers
Owner’s One-Bedroom Suite (SA)
Owner's One-Bedroom Suite - Dimensions: 315 sq ft. (29.3 sq m) 2 cabins located at Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin beds, an outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, a separate bathroom and lounge area, a walk-in wardrobe, an in-suite mini-bar, restocked daily with wine, beer, and soft drinks
Notes
Single accommodations are available on some tours for an additional single supplement rate. Contact us for details of pricing and availability.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
