Essence of Burgundy and Provence river cruise from Dijon to Arles, 15 October 2026 (7 nights)

Dijon is a remarkable French city with a fascinating history to uncover, boasting a wealth of attractions and impressive landmarks, an incredible UNESCO-registered city centre, several intriguing museums, and an unmissable culinary landscape. With the region home to the Dukes of Burgundy throughout the 11th century to the 15th century, Dijon became a wealthy centre of art and science; this prosperity is reflected in the city’s impressive structures, such as the Gothic-style Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy, and its variety of architectural styles from the last several centuries. You’ll also find an impressive culinary landscape here, with Dijon hosting an International and Gastronomic Fair each autumn. Drawing in over 500 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors, this is one of the most important fairs in France, making Dijon a fantastic place to sample fine French cuisine and a variety of delicious foods from around the world. Beyond this, you’ll also find an impressive selection of museums here; from the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, one of the nation’s oldest museums, to Musée Magnin, which houses roughly 2,000 works of art collected by Maurice and Jeannie Magnin throughout the 19th century, there’s a lot to learn about French history and culture here. A unique destination overflowing with character and fantastic opportunities, visiting Dijon is always enjoyable, and you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy when you disembark here.

Chalon-sur-Saône is a fascinating city on the Saône River, and somewhere you’ll want to ensure you have as much time as possible to explore during your river cruise. Once a bustling port that proved vital to the local wine industry, this city is actually the birthplace of modern photography and home to (quite possibly) the world’s first internal combustion engine, thanks to resident inventor Nicéphore Niépce. Two modern technological innovations that undoubtedly changed the world in the 19th century, Niépce’s work affords Chalon-sur-Saône a fascinating history of interesting modernism alongside the city’s remarkable medieval landmarks and stunning untouched landscapes. With this city also boasting an incredible culinary landscape and being an ideal place to sample the region’s wines, there really is something for everyone to enjoy in Chalon-sur-Saône.

A charming commune on the right bank of the Saône, Tournus is an idyllic tourist hotspot where you can immerse yourself in a relaxed atmosphere, indulge in Michelin-star cuisine, and admire the vibrant vineyard-covered countryside surrounding the town. Despite inviting you to embrace small-town life, there’s nothing minor about this destination. Much of the commune is dominated by the towering Abbey of St-Philibert de Tournus, a Romanesque church that dates back to the early 11th century. However, the rest of Tournus boasts equally intriguing architecture. Colourful building facades with flat roofs and narrow streets give this French commune a distinctly Mediterranean feel, making this destination even more interesting than it might seem.

An idyllic gateway into southern Burgundy, Mâcon is one river cruise destination where life is always good, and a variety of incredible shore experiences await. Stretching along the banks of the Saône River, and bordered by the vineyard-covered slopes of the stunning Mâconnais mountains, the sights you’ll see in Mâcon are second-to-none – whether you’re venturing further afield to a nearby vantage point, or simply soaking up the sunshine with a stroll along the riverfront. While you’re here, you’ll also find a variety of well-tended parks and scenic cycling routes to take advantage of; as a town, Mâcon takes its leisure very seriously. Beyond this, though, there’s much more to uncover. This charming river cruise destination is also home to a variety of interesting museums and art galleries, all of which are worth exploring, and a fantastic blend of Renaissance, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture throughout. Even the streets without a noteworthy landmark are worth taking some time to admire in Mâcon. In addition to the incredible authentic cuisine found throughout the town, Mâcon is also a fantastic place for wine-tasting, with the region best-known for producing wines using the Chardonnay grape. Somewhere with an addictive laid-back atmosphere, and enough variety that every type of traveller will find something to enjoy when they arrive, Mâcon is a memorable river cruise destination you won’t want to miss out on spending some time visiting.

Lyon is a charming French city bursting with incredible cultural experiences, indulgent culinary adventures, intriguing history to uncover, and a real abundance of things to explore and enjoy. Surrounding the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, it’s an idyllic river cruise destination if you’re looking to stroll along scenic riverside promenades; and, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spend some time soaking up the relaxed atmosphere of waterside cafes and restaurants too, if that’s what you’re looking for. A city often described as the ‘French Capital of Gastronomy’, delectable French cuisine is found everywhere; with an abundance of culinary specialties to indulge in throughout the city, even the most adventurous of foodies will find something to satisfy their appetites here. However, Lyon is so much more than just a food capital of France. You’ll also find a wide variety of museums to visit in Lyon, with everything from regional natural history and the French Resistance to film and contemporary artwork explored throughout this city. So, whatever your interests, you’re bound to find somewhere interesting to explore when you visit. Although, there are just as many impressive sites outside the museums in Lyon as there are interesting exhibits within them; sensational landmarks like Place Bellacour, Basilique Saint-Bonaventure de Lyon, and Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste are just a few highlights among the variety of medieval, Renaissance, and modern landmarks you’ll find throughout Lyon. You’ll even find an ancient Roman amphitheatre here, too – an impressive reminder that this city’s history stretches back over two millennia. Ultimately, Lyon is a river cruise destination where there’s something for everyone to enjoy; so, however you choose to spend your time here, you’re in for a rewarding experience you won’t soon forget.

An intriguing medieval city on the Rhône River, Viviers is a fantastic river cruise destination with a lot to uncover – and enough historical sites to explore that you could almost describe the whole town as an open-air museum! Whether you want to spend some time exploring this charming riverside town under your own guidance, or on a walking tour with a local guide feeding you all the facts, Viviers is a feast for the eyes; while the impressive cathedral dominates views of the town from afar, the sloping cobblestone streets in the lower parts of the town are overflowing with interesting medieval structures and noteworthy sites worth seeing. When climbing up to see the cathedral up-close, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy staggering views of the Rhône Valley – and the scenic spot where the Canal de Dérivation de Montélimar branches off of the Rhône, which is well worth taking the time to admire. You’ll also find Viviers a fantastic starting-point for walking and hiking, if you’re hoping to stretch your legs and explore the great outdoors when you arrive; there are plenty of options here, with hikes up to nearby vantage points and leisurely riverside strolls equally available. Foodies will also have the chance to indulge in authentic local cuisines here, but may find their options limited due to the small size of Viviers itself. If you’re looking for a more expansive culinary experience, you might want to consider venturing further afield to Montélimar – a vibrant, larger town just across the Rhône. This nearby destination boasts its own selection of interesting historical landmarks, unique sightseeing opportunities, and immersive cultural experiences to enjoy, too! So, as a river cruise destination, Viviers really does have a lot to offer every type of traveller. Viviers itself is a fantastic place to spend some time if you’re looking for an in-depth exploration of the region’s history and the chance to admire the natural beauty of the Rhône Valley; however, a short trip to Montélimar is an excellent option for those after a more lively locale, with an expanded selection of restaurants and bars to spend some time in, and plenty of boutique shopping experiences to explore.

Avignon is a remarkable river cruise destination on the Rhône, with picturesque views and incredible architecture to admire alongside a vibrant culture to explore and an intriguing history to uncover. Known as the Pope’s City, for the time it spent as the papal capital between 1309 and 1377, this enchanting city is home to a real abundance of impressive medieval architecture – with Palais des Papes, Pont d’Avignon, and the surrounding Remparts d’Avignon among the highlights. You’ll also find the city centre is littered with museums and art galleries; whether you’re interested in local history, contemporary art, or ancient artefacts, history buffs will be spoilt for choice when it comes to how they spend their time here. And then there’s the culinary scene; from bustling markets filled with local produce and regional wine tasting experiences to Michelin-starred restaurants and more, Avignon caters to all kinds of culinary explorers and you’re certain to find something delicious here. Beyond Avignon, though, and across the Rhône River, you’ll find Villeneuve-lès-Avignon; this charming medieval village is home to even more incredible cultural experiences and landmarks, with the imposing Fort Saint-André overlooking the village and the surrounding landscape. If you’re looking for fantastic views of Avignon, or somewhere a little less busy than the vibrant city centre, then a short trip across the Rhône is worth considering. However you spend your time in Avignon, though, it promises to be a rewarding river cruise experience.

Arles is a fascinating cosmopolitan city on the Rhône River with a rich history to uncover, an incredible art scene to explore, and an indulgent culinary landscape you’ll want to spend some time enjoying. Known as somewhere that inspired the great Vincent van Gogh, and for once being a provincial capital of ancient Rome, this picturesque city in the south of France is overflowing with incredible experiences. For an insight into Van Gogh’s works, the stylish Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles is the art museum for you. However, you’ll also find more incredible art in Musée Réattu – which is notably home to drawings from Picasso, alongside paintings by locally-born artist Jacques Réattu. Arles’ incredible sights aren’t just found on canvas, though; the historic heart of this city is littered with impressive ancient Roman landmarks, most notably the Arles Amphitheatre. So, history buffs will be quite content with everything Arles has to offer visitors. A sizable city with a thriving contemporary art scene, you’ll also find countless cafes and restaurants to enjoy – whether you’re looking for traditional French cuisine or something a little more exotic. And, of course, with Arles on the Rhône, spending some time soaking up the incredible scenery on a relaxing riverside stroll is never a bad idea. A stunning city with an abundance of history and culture to immerse yourself in, visiting Arles during a river cruise is always a rewarding experience.