EMERALD WATERWAYS
11 Days | Delights of France
Southbound

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LYON TO ARLES
Reverse itinerary, Arles to lyon, northbound also available. See chart below.

Romantic settings, quaint country villages, stunning scenery and rolling vineyards are yours to discover on your river cruise from Lyon to Chalon-Sur- Saône, Avignon and Arles. The region’s wines and gastronomic delights are waiting to be tasted, and France’s impressive architecture — including castles and palaces — there to be explored. Romanesque influences rise from cities’ ruins while castles built by French nobility tell tales of the past lives of the country’s wealthy, providing you with an all-encompassing experience of France’s past and present.

Day 1 | Lyon, France. Welcome to Lyon — a gastronomic and historical city situated in the Rhône-Alpes region between Paris and Marseille. On arrival, you will be met at the airport by an Emerald Waterways representative and transferred to the A-ROSA STELLA where you will be welcomed by your Captain and crew. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing in your cabin, the Day Lounge or in the heated outdoor pool. Or if you’re feeling energetic, why not play a round on the putting green or enjoy a work out in the gym? (D)

Day 2 | Tournus. After sailing north overnight, this morning you’ll arrive in the historic Tournus, one of the oldest and most important monastic towns in the picturesque Burgundy region of France. Its center boasts St Philibert Abbey, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. Today’s included excursion takes you to Château de Cormatin — a beautiful castle built by Marquises of Huxelles in the early 17th century to show power and prestige. Surrounding the grand castle is a wide moat and draw bridge, high turrets, gun-ports and stunning gardens, sprinkled with elaborate water features. Inside the castle, its famous Gilded Rooms boast spectacular tapestries, and are painted, carved and gilded ceiling to floor, telling stories of the lifestyle of the French nobility in the 17th century. For a great end to a day of grandeur, you’re invited to enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPlus — A guided tour of Château de Cormatin.

Day 3 | Chalon-Sur-Saône. Beaune. Welcome to Chalon-Sur-Saône — best known as the birthplace of photography and the center of Burgundy’s wine region where famous wines such as Mercurey, Givry, Montagny and Rully were created. You’ll travel by coach to the quaint village of Beaune, situated in the heart of prestigious vineyards, like Pommard, Corton-Charlemagne and La Romanée-Conti. Here you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the Hospices de Beaune. Formerly a charitable almshouse, it is now a museum possessing many artistic treasures including the mural paintings of the 17th century in the Salle St Hugues, and an altarpiece, The Last Judgment, painted by Rogier van der Weyden. The fabulous multi-colored roofs of this former hospital have become one of the symbols of Burgundy, and make it one of the finest examples of French 15th century architecture. After enjoy lunch back on-board your ship you’ll enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore Chalon. The Cathedral square is home to many cafes and specialty shops for you to browse. And you could always visit the cathedral itself. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided tour of Beaune and the Hospices de Beaune.

Day 4 | Mâcon. This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast while gently sailing along the Saône River to arrive in Mâcon — a French town with a distinctly Mediterranean feel due to its buildings painted a pallet of burnt sienna, buttermilk and rose. Every year Mâcon holds a wine fair to celebrate its famous white wines coming from the Chardonnay grape with Pouilly-Fuissé, St-Véran and Mâcon-Villages Blanc being the most famous. On your guided tour you’ll walk the heritage trail from Old Saint Vincent to the General Hospital buildings, past half-timbered houses and Soufflot Chapel. Along the way, there’s often the chance to sample local wines and taste the many displays of regional fare produced in the town. This afternoon you have free time to spend at your leisure in Mâcon. Alternatively you can book a Discover More trip to the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny - one of the most influential forces in medieval Christian history. Founded in 910, the Abbey at Cluny was the center of a monastic reform movement that would spread throughout Europe. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided walking tour of Mâcon.

Day 5 | Lyon. Today you’ll visit Lyon — an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its array of historical and architectural landmarks. France’s second largest city and a former Roman capital, Lyon is beautifully positioned at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Your tour begins at Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Designed by architect Pierre Bossan of Lyon, who also designed the city’s Église Saint-Georges, and built between 1872 and 1876, Lyon’s hilltop church offers stunning views over the town. You’ll then visit the Roman amphitheatre which was rediscovered when the mayor of the city, Edouard Herriot, commissioned what turned out to be an extensive 46-year archaeological project that ultimately unearthed everything from the remains of public squares and streets to homes and stores. Afterwards you’ll take a walk along the cobbled streets of the gastronomic old town and explore the hidden alleyways. This afternoon you can choose to further explore Lyon at your leisure or book a Discover More excursion to the medieval town of Perouges. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided tour of Lyon.

Day 6 | Vienne. Tournon. After breakfast you’ll arrive in the former Roman provincial capital of Vienne, founded by Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago. On your included tour you’ll get to explore the many remnants including Vienne’s own truncated pyramid and the Imperial Temple of Augustus and Livia. Back on-board your ship this afternoon you’ll be treated to a cooking class and cheese tasting before arriving in Tournon in the evening. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPlus — A cooking class and cheese tasting on-board your ship.
Included excursions — A guided tour of Vienne.

Day 7 | Tournon. Viviers. Today you’ll join your local guide for a walking tour of Tournon which is dominated by a magnificent 16th century castle and Roman ruins, and nestled in the valley near the steep slopes of le Massif Central — France’s third largest mountain range. With a renowned wine growing center of Tain l’Hermitage situated across the river, the area has a long tradition in wine making. After your tour you’ll have time to explore Tournon at your own pace before returning to the ship for lunch and an afternoon sailing through the vineyards to Viviers. To replace today’s included excursions, you can book a Discover More wine tasting excursion to sample some of the region’s finest. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided tour of Tournon.

Day 8 | Viviers. Viviers is a charming town nestled on the banks of the Rhône River. On your included walking tour, you’ll be taken back to the Middle Ages as you explore the winding streets and Renaissance architecture. Following your tour, you’ll have free time to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, which has been preferred by fruit farmers and wine makers for centuries. Back on-board your ship you’ll enjoy lunch as you set sail for Avignon. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided walking tour of Viviers.

Day 9 | Avignon. Welcome to Avignon — a town with a rich history that stems from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of the Popes, and later being central to the French Revolution. With walls up to 18ft thick, Papal Palace stands securely on a hill in the center of town. Your local guide will take you through this historic center and to explore the rambling maze of gothic architecture inside the Palace. You can spend the rest of the day strolling the cobbled alleyways and browsing the shops, or admire the famous stone bridge, Pont d’ Avignon.

You can also book a Discover More trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape with wine tasting, or an excursion to Pont du Gard — an ancient Roman bridge that crosses the Gardon River in Vers-Pont-du-Gard near Remoulins. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — a guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace.

Day 10 | Avignon. Arles. This morning you’ll sail into the Camargue wilderness region to the capital of Provence, Arles where your local guide for a walking tour showcasing the highlights of the city. As you explore, you’ll discover the 2,000 year old Roman Amphitheatre still in use today, which was originally built to hold 20,000 spectators in the style of the Colosseum in Rome. You’re then free to spend the rest of the day in Arles or relaxing on-board your ship. Alternatively, you can book a Discover More trip to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence or an excursion to St Remy to fill your free time this afternoon. To mark the final night of your cruise, this evening you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)

Included excursions — A guided tour of Arles.

Day 11 | Arles. After breakfast you’ll say your goodbyes before you’re transferred to Marseille or Nice Airport for your journey home. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

SOUTHBOUND ITINERARY 11 DAYS | LYON TO ARLES (or reverse)