RECEIVE $1000 USD SHIPBOARD CREDIT PER STATEROOM – LIMITED TIME OFFER!
Join Painted Rock Estate Winery’s John & Trish and our Maritime Travel Host, Sandy Kollenz, for an amazing Southern France River Cruise! Experience the best of southern France. This splendid 8-day cruise features Viviers, Tarascon, Van Gogh’s beloved Arles, and more.
Embark in fabulous Lyon and travel in Riverside luxury to charming Tarascon; Arles, where you just may find yourself as mesmerized as Vincent van Gogh; far-south Port St. Louis; stately Avignon; and other memorable ports. Highlights include Old Town Lyon; the grand Palace of the Popes; and an al fresco dinner on the Vista Deck as you cruise through the spellbinding Rhône Delta. Riverside also lets you put your own personal thumbprint on your trip with great excursion choices.
Meet Your Hosts: John & Trish SkinnerJohn and Trish are the proprietors of Painted Rock Estate Winery, which they founded in 2004. Together, they transformed a once fallow apricot orchard into an award-winning wine destination in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
For more information or to book, contact:
Sandy Kollenz
Email: skollenz@maritimetravel.ca
Phone: 604- 921-5977
Double |
Single |
|
Melody Suite |
$6,299 |
$6,619 |
Symphony Suite |
$6,699 |
$8,549 |
Seahorse Suite |
$7,469 |
$11,649 |
Riverside Suite |
$7,849 |
$12,419 |
Ravel Suite |
$13,269 |
$23,259 |
Welcome to 2,000-year-old Lyon, France’s exciting gastronomic capital. Depart Canada for Lyon, France and overnight is included, before boarding our Riverside cruise tomorrow. John & Trish look forward to welcoming you to this amazing Southern France adventure during a Welcome Cocktail Reception at the InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu!
Leisurely breakfast at our hotel and then we will enjoy a guided tour to see the city’s highlights. After, we will board the luxurious Riverside Ravel. Tonight, toast your grand adventure at an onboard welcome dinner. Ship sails this evening.
A full day in the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage provides you with a selection of RIVERSIDE CHOICE excursions in the morning and afternoon. First, choose between a guided walk in Tournon to see its striking feudal castle overlooking the town, or an enriching tour of Cheval Palace, the 19th-century fairytale creation of a simple postman who stumbled on a stone. Following lunch on the ship, attend the tasting of your choice: rich French chocolate at Valrhona, or wine tasting and an easy hike around Hermitage hill. The ship sails overnight.
Viviers greets you this morning with a friendly “Bonjour!” France’s smallest city has a lot to experience. Stroll with a local expert to see the 16th-century Knights’ House, grand Town Hall that was once a priest’s palace, and attend a short musical performance at a local venue. Then, after lunch, enjoy another RIVERSIDE CHOICE excursion: visit an authentic French truffle farm and nearby Château de Grignan, or experience prehistoric Europe and an exceptional collection of cave art at Chauvet Cave 2, the world’s largest cave replica. Back aboard, relax over dinner as your Riverside ship heads onward to mighty Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Upon arrival, enjoy a RIVERSIDE SIGNATURE EVENT cellar tour with tasting of the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine. Ship stays in port overnight.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally translates to ‘The Pope’s new castle’, and indeed, the history of this area is firmly entwined with papal history due to its proximity to Avignon. It is renowned for its stunning wines, producing full-bodied wines made primarily from Grenache grapes, often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. The town is presided over by its stern castle with a history dating back to the 9th century. This morning is dedicated to the wonders of the Pont du Gard, the iconic 1st-century Roman aqueduct. With RIVERSIDE CHOICE, you can opt to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site by kayak or E-Bike, or visit the intriguing museum to learn about the bridge’s history and engineering. Ship stays in Arles port overnight.
This pearl of Provence is surrounded by the most beautiful natural parks in Europe. Today, Arles is the epitome of important art and a contemporary witness to an eventful history, from the amphitheatre to proud patrician houses. And what would Arles be without van Gogh – strolling through the town in the footsteps of this great artist – that too is unforgettable! A full program of excursions is available today. Begin with a RIVERSIDE CHOICE excursion with a guided walk-through Arles or the Quarry of Lights sound and light show at Les Baux-de-Provence. You can also join an outing to Aix-en-Provence or the Camargue nature preserve. This evening, a savory barbecue dinner is prepared and served on the Vista Deck as your ship cruises through the glorious Rhône Delta.
Enjoy a leisurely start to your morning with breakfast, then head up to the Vista Deck to relax with a coffee and watch the beautiful scenery go by. Mid-day, arrive at the charming town of Tarascon to explore. Tarascon, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France, is steeped in history. The magnificent Tarascon Fortress, built in the 15th century stands as an imposing symbol of the town’s medieval heritage. The town’s Collegiate Church of Saint Martha, a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, is another architectural gem! Ship stays in port overnight.
Enjoy breakfast and opt for a special excursion or stroll through Tarascon on your own. Wonders abound in the delightful village of Tarascon, including the ancient Old Town, imposing castle and church where Marth from the Bible reportedly is buried. This afternoon, we will cruise the Rhône onto Avignon where the ship stays in port overnight.
Avignon is a city of unparalleled beauty. It stretches into the Rhône and has done so for 840 years. The Bridge of St. Bénézet became internationally known through the song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon.” Those crossing it, find themselves immediately in front of the papal palace, one of the largest and most important medieval buildings in Europe. Ironically, it was built from sheer laziness: the Archbishop of Bordeaux couldn’t be bothered to make the journey to Rome for his investiture as Pope. So, he had himself crowned in Lyon and built himself a palace in Avignon. A true monument. Enjoy complimentary transfers from your Riverside ship today. Your magical France adventure does not have to end here! Ask about extensions to your trip in Avignon, or surrounding area!
There is a photograph of the famous French composer Ravel in a casual pose in a leather armchair, looking dapper in a fine suit with waistcoat and silk tie. This photograph symbolises the Riverside Ravel. Travelling on this ship means enjoying comfort and culinary delights, experiencing sensuality, and enjoying an unforgettable luxury river cruise in France. As in Ravel’s famous Boléro, she glides slowly and steadily along the Rhône and Saône – and is an attraction in herself.
Terms and conditions: Prices indicated are per person in Canadian dollars, based on two people sharing a cabin (unless otherwise stated). Airfare and additional hotel stays not included, and a Maritime Travel Advisor would be happy to assist you with all of your travel plans. Tour Host subject to minimum group size. Additional nights available in Lyon & Avignon, ask your Advisor for details. Lyon Hotel subject to change, but will be similar category property. Riverside Cruises asks for guests’ patience and understanding for itinerary and activity changes due to circumstances beyond our control, such as government mandates, safety, and river and weather conditions, that may prevent scheduled port visits, shore excursions, and onboard activities, including dining on the Vista Deck. Non-refundable deposit of 12% due at time of booking. Final Payment is due November 4, 2025. Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended at time of booking to protect both your deposit and final payment.
Images courtesy of Riverside Cruises.
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