Burgundy & Provence

Arrive at Marseille Airport and, if you booked a Uniworld transfer, meet a representative who takes you to the ship in Arles.

Discover a sunlit Provençal town with a unique charm. Famous for its impressive Roman ruins, Arles captivated Van Gogh, inspiring him to create around 200 paintings. Founded in the sixth century BC by the ancient Greeks and originally named Theline, Arles became a key hub when the Romans built their first bridge across the Rhône River, establishing a crucial overland route between Italy and Spain.

Featured Excursion:
Arles Walking Tour
Van Gogh paid tribute to Arles’ atmospheric beauty in some 200 paintings, including Starry Night Over the Rhône. It’s an ancient city boasting a remarkable collection of Roman ruins; among them are a theater where the famous Venus of Arles—on display in the Louvre—was discovered in 1651 and an amphitheater that is still used for sporting events. Join a local expert for a stroll through this district, where medieval houses crowd in among the ancient structures and the city gates date to the 13th century. Pause before the town hall, built with stone quarried from the Roman theater, and the Romanesque St. Trophime Church, which was erected in the 12th century. It replaced the church where St. Augustine, the man who converted the inhabitants of England to Christianity, was consecrated by the first archbishop of Canterbury. Walk in Van Gogh's footsteps past the cheery yellow Café de Nuit, still open and still the same shade of yellow it was when he painted it.

During your free time after the tour, you can peruse the local shops, go olive tasting, or delve further into Arles’ stunning collection of architectural treasures.

Van Gogh Painting Class
Create your own masterpiece in the very town that inspired Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh moved from Paris to Arles in 1880, seeking warmer weather and the vibrant colors of southern France. He found much inspiration in the city, capturing iconic scenes in the town as well as the surrounding countryside—including Starry Night over the Rhône, Café Terrace at Night, and many more. In this painting class designed for young artists, explore Van Gogh’s expressive painting style through color and texture. Local artists from the art association La Couverture Verte will lead a step-by-step class to create your own Van-Gogh-inspired painting to take home. Learn about the artist’s life and artistic style in a playful way while experimenting with your own bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. You’ll see the Palace of the Popes and much more today, and also have a chance to kayak under a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.

Choose between:
Avignon Walking Tour with Palace of the Popes
It’s hard to believe, looking at the charming cafés and entertaining street performers in the Clock Tower Square, that this lively scene owes its existence to a 15th-century siege. This area was the heart of medieval Avignon (and the site of the original Roman town), crowded with cottages and narrow streets—until a pope had it all demolished in order to give his troops a clearer field of fire. That is Avignon in a nutshell: It was the city of the popes. The Avignon popes built the ramparts that still surround the Old Town and the huge, nearly impregnable fortress that dominates the UNESCO-designated district; in fact, the city did not officially become part of France until 1791. Stand below the high, thick walls to get a sense of just how daunting these fortifications were, then prepare to climb many steps as you tour the Palace of the Popes itself—it’s worth it!

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Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct Visit
In the middle of the first century, Roman engineers responded to Nîmes’s need for water to fill its baths, fountains, and pools by building a 30-mile-long aqueduct from Uzès to Nîmes—which required transporting Uzès springwater over the River Gardon. A thousand workers quarried 50,000 tons of soft golden limestone and used it to construct—without mortar—the magnificent tri-level bridge that still spans the river. An expert guide explains the techniques used to build this engineering marvel, which has withstood 2,000 years of floods and storms that swept away much newer bridges. You can see notations those ancient Romans made in the stones as they cut and fitted them into place when you view the bridge itself, and you can learn about the entire project at the museum. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is as beautiful as it is fascinating.

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Let's Go: Biking to the Chartreuse
You’ve heard of the color chartreuse, and maybe even the yellow-green liqueur from which it gets its name. But did you know the name originally comes from Carthusian monasteries known as chartreuses (or “charterhouses” in English)? Visit one such monastery today as the highlight of a scenic bike ride.

Put on your helmets and admire the view as you pedal the fortress town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Located across the Rhône, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is often missed by visitors who only explore the more famous Avignon. To cross the river today, we will bike the peaceful landscape of Île de la Barthelasse, one of the largest river islands in Europe. In Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, enjoy a break from biking on a guided visit to Chartreuse Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction. At one point it was the richest monastery in France, until it was sold during the French Revolution. Since 1973, a cultural center housed in the monastery has hosted residencies for playwrights, performers, directors, and other artists.

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Let's Go: Kayak to Roman Ruins
Paddle the waters of the Gardon River, spotting wildlife and taking in the natural landscapes of southern France as you go. Plan to get wet on this scenic journey to a marvel of Roman architecture: the Pont du Gard. This tri-level aqueduct bridge was constructed in the 1st century AD to supply water to the city of Nîmes. Considered a feat of engineering in its time, the Pont du Gard remains significant today for how well the three tiers of limestone arches have stood the test of time. Admire the towering, UNESCO-designated Roman structure from a unique perspective aboard your kayak.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner is prepared for you this evening.​

An enchanting village where time seems to have stopped centuries ago, Viviers has a long and storied past that goes back more than 1,600 years—and a splendid architectural heritage to match. At one time, Viviers was divided along religious lines—the clergy lived in the upper part of the town, the laity in the lower part. Your exploration of the town takes you through both parts, as you begin at the crest and make your way to the riverbank.

Featured Excursion:
Village Day "Ardèches"
Sycamores line some of Viviers’ stone-paved streets (planted, so they say, to provide shade for Napoleon’s soldiers), and houses here bear the watermarks of floods over the years. A local expert show you the fountain squares in the Old Town, which combine Roman and medieval influences, and cobblestone lanes so narrow you can stand in the middle and touch the medieval houses on either side. Viviers climbs a hill crowned by 12th-century St. Vincent’s Cathedral. View the smallest cathedral in France before you meet some of the local residents. You might choose to learn how a local potter makes the attractive wares sold at Poterie; step into a villager’s home; or sample the wares at a popular bar. Don’t feel that you must opt for the bar if you’d like a little refreshment; all visits include an aperitif. On your way back to the ship, stop to try your hand at a game of pétanque, which is akin to horseshoes, only it’s played with steel balls.

If you love fine wine, you’ll love the twin villages of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage. Tournon may be a small town, but stirring events took place here: A castle was raised on the hilltop in the 10th century to protect the region, and new fortifications were added over the centuries, including two “new” towers built to defend against Protestant attacks in the 16th century. You’ll see the handsome houses constructed by wealthy merchants and garrison officers when you walk through the Rue de Doux area, and you’ll pass the 14th-century church and the oldest secondary school in France.

Choose between:
Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage Twin Villages Stroll with Wine Tasting
Nestled on opposite sides of the river in the heart of the Côtes du Rhône, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage are an ideal destination for connoisseurs of fine wine.

Cross the pretty flower-decked Marc Seguin suspension bridge to Tain-l’Hermitage to visit local wine cellars, where you’ll taste the region’s famous Côtes du Rhône, Saint Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage wines. These wines are produced from the Syrah grapes that grow on the steep slopes lining the river. After your wine tasting, you’ll have time to browse through the shops; the Valrhona chocolate factory is always a popular stop.

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Let's Go: Hermitage Terrace Vineyards Hike with Wine Tasting
Are you ready to explore the steepest vineyards on the Rhône? The vines producing the world-famous Hermitage wines grow on precipitous slopes above the river, so steep that terracing is essential. Hike along the paths that parallel the rough courses of stone through the vineyards, each one situated to catch the afternoon sun. After you’ve seen how the grapes—primarily Syrah—are grown, taste the fruit that has been transformed by the vintners’ craft into legendary wine.

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Valrhona Chocolate Workshop
Calling all chocolate lovers! Sink your teeth into a world of chocolate with one of France’s most iconic chocolate makers, Valrhona. Fun fact: the brand’s name comes from the very region through which we are sailing—the Vallée du Rhône (Rhone Valley). First founded in 1922, Valrhona has been perfecting the art of chocolate making for over 100 years! Our sweet experience today will take place at their discovery center, the Cité du Chocolat, where Valrhona shares their passion for chocolate with all generations. Led by one of their expert chocolatiers, you will create your very own selection of treats in a chocolate workshop. The best part—sampling your work of course!

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Ancient Lyon is a city of tantalizing contrasts, from Roman roots to stunning modern architecture and plenty of Renaissance flair in between. There's much to explore here, from the city's bike paths to the silk weavers' secret passageways. While you're in town, you might like to have lunch on your own at one of the many traditional bouchons that proliferate in the epicenter of French gastronomy.

Choose between:
Lyon Panoramic Tour with Traboules Visit
You'll fall in love with Lyon today as you take in the view from the top of Fourvière Hill, where a magnificent cathedral rises above the city. Take in the view below, noting the splendid façades of Renaissance houses. You'll get a sense of how the city developed, growing from Roman roots to encompass the peninsula and the eastern bank of the Rhône, before you ride through the streets to the riverbanks and discover les traboules, the city's old passageways in Lyon's historic quarter.
You may want to stroll along the quays back to the ship or opt for lunch in one of the traditional bouchons. They serve hearty meat-based dishes, but quenelles—luscious dumplings—and a seasoned cream cheese called cervelle de canut are longtime local favorites too.

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Silk Weavers Walking Tour
Lyon’s history is entwined with silk, which dominated the city’s economy for centuries—at one time, almost a third of the city’s population were silk weavers. Jump on a tram and head into the historic Saint-Jean Quarter, part of the UNESCO-honored Old Town, where you’ll visit a shop keeping Lyon’s long tradition of weaving alive. Observe up-close as expert weavers thread strands of silk and gold into gorgeous patterns, designed to adorn couturiers and castle walls—the shop has even been commissioned to join the Versailles restoration project! The creation of such beautiful fabrics by hand is an incredibly strenuous task—in the past, a weaver could spend as much as 30 years of their life decorating a single palace room. If it weren’t for this workshop in Lyon, the tradition may have been long forgotten, replaced completely by modern techniques.

Next, you’ll walk through the historic quarter to some of the traboules, the old passageways that snake between and through buildings, and the secret shortcuts that silk weavers took to keep their delicate fabrics out of the rain.

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Let's Go: Lyon Peninsula Bike Tour
Get out and about with a bike ride along the river. Lyon boasts a thriving bike-rental scene, which tells you just how popular this mode of transportation is—you definitely have two-wheeled company as you pedal along the banks of the Rhône on a sunny day. Your route takes you over the new Raymond Barre Bridge, past the spectacular new Museum of Confluences (so named because it sits at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône), and along the peninsula, a strip of land with the Saône on one side and the Rhône on the other. Here, houseboats tie up along the banks, swans float on the water, and locals take advantage of the lovely park-like setting. You’ll also have a great view of the Old Town on the other side of the river. This outing gives you a little taste of what it is like to live in Lyon, as well as a little exercise.

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner is prepared for you this evening.

The pace of life is decidedly more relaxed in Burgundy, where endless rows of grapes hang heavy on the vine. The capital of the region’s wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty, and highly prized wine, as well as its medieval-era hospital—the Hospices de Beaune.

Featured Excursion:
Burgundy Landscapes, Beaune, and the Hospices
Beaune may not be a large town, but it brims with history, a wealth of splendid regional architecture, and incredible food. Nestled inside medieval ramparts, Beaune was the seat of the warlike dukes of Burgundy until the 16th century. It is best known for two magnificent sights: the Hospices de Beaune and the open-air market.

You’ll recognize the Hospices de Beaune (also known as Hôtel-Dieu) immediately by its fabulous multicolored-tile roof—it’s a symbol of Burgundy. Founded as a charitable institution by the duke’s chancellor in 1443, the hospital became a model for charitable giving in southern France, one with a unique fundraising tradition that continues to this day. Over the centuries, the hospice monks were given wine and vineyards, and they began selling the wine at auction in order to support their charitable work. The wine auction is now world-famous, and the institution remains a working hospital for the poor, with modern facilities standing alongside the historic Hôtel-Dieu. After seeing Hôtel-Dieu, check out the farmers’ market, which spills from street to street in the Old Town. Cheese, fruits, vegetables, local sausages, and breads—all are on colorful display here. Browse and assemble your own picnic lunch or take advantage of one of the many delightful sidewalk cafés for lunch.

Note: The open-air farmers’ market visit takes place in Arles on the reverse direction cruise (Lyon to Arles).

Note: Today’s lunch is on your own.

Secrets of Burgundy Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a playful adventure among the cobblestone streets and postcard-worthy architecture of the fortified town of Beaune. Discover secrets of the famed Burgundy region on a scavenger hunt, during which you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the ancient Romans and the Dukes of Burgundy. Explorers of all ages will uncover hidden gems, solve riddles, and learn fascinating stories about Beaune’s rich history and culture during this family-friendly activity.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you are transferred to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you can continue your adventure with an extension to Paris.