River cruise on the Rhône and Saône

First, traveling along the gently flowing Saône, you will be accompanied on your way south by enchanting views of wide reed belts, old barges, and a variety of waterfowl. The impetuous Rhône, whose power is tamed by massive lock systems, then captivates you with unique panoramas of rugged mountains, ancient towns, castles, and palaces, as well as vast vineyards and orchards. This is pure fascination of river cruising.

Day 1 | Arrival – Embarkation

Chalon-sur-Saône

Bus journey to Chalon-sur-Saône, where the MS Mistral is ready for embarkation. After settling into your cabin, you will meet the crew at a welcome reception and then take your seat in the ship's restaurant for your first dinner. The MS Mistral departs Chalon and sails downstream on the Saône towards Mâcon.

Day 2 | Mâcon – Vienne

After breakfast, you will embark on an excursion to the beautiful wine-growing region of Beaujolais and visit the impressive wine museum Hameau du Vin. Of course, you will not leave the Beaujolais region without tasting the famous wine of the area. You will meet your ship again in Belleville just in time for lunch, after which it will continue on the Saône and then on the Rhône from Lyon to Vienne, arriving there in the evening.

Day 3 | Vienne – Ardèche – Viviers

In the early morning, the MS Mistral departs Vienne and sails past Condrieu in the heart of the renowned wine-growing area of Côtes Rôties to the long-stretched famous vineyards of Côtes du Rhône. You will pass the city of Valence with its St-Appollinaire Cathedral, opposite which lies the fortress of Crussol, towering high above the river. After lunch, you will embark on a panoramic drive to the famous gorges of Ardèche. The journey first leads downstream on the Rhône to Bourg-St-Andéol and from there to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Here, the Ardèche has carved through a rock wall, creating a magnificent natural arch bridge: the 34-meter-high "Pont-d'Arc." While driving along the famous scenic road, you will experience the wild landscape of the Ardèche gorges with the numerous twists of the silvery river far below you, known as the "Grand Canyon" of France. You will return to the MS Mistral for dinner, which awaits you in the ancient bishop's city of Viviers, where it will anchor overnight.

Day 4 | Viviers – Avignon

In the morning, you will sail downstream towards Avignon. The Rhône has been the only passageway from the Mediterranean to northern Europe since ancient times that does not lead over steep Alpine passes. From here, the Romans began their conquest of Gaul, leaving their mark everywhere. Today, the river, tamed by massive weirs and lock systems, is a modern shipping route. While passing through Donzère-Mondragon, you will experience the largest lock system and reach Avignon in the early afternoon. After lunch, a guided tour of the famous Papal Palace awaits you. The mighty citadel, perched on a rocky outcrop with high fortress walls, once housed a magnificent court where artists and scholars gathered. At its feet, the famous bridge Pont Saint-Bénézet, known from the children's song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon," reflects in the river. Afterwards, you will have time for your own explorations. The MS Mistral will remain overnight in Avignon.

Day 5 | Avignon – Camargue – Martigues

Your ship will sail in the morning to Arles, from where you will take an excursion to one of the most beautiful natural regions in Europe - the Camargue. Experience the unique and impressive landscape of swamps and lagoons with its white wild horses, black Camargue bulls, and pink flamingos. You will meet your ship again for lunch in Port-St-Louis, at the largest mouth of the Rhône, the Grand Rhône. The MS Mistral sails on the Gulf of Fos, sharing the waterway with large sea vessels, to the town of Martigues. Martigues is crisscrossed by waterways and somewhat resembles Venice. Dinner on board.

Day 6 | Martigues – Arles – Avignon

In the early morning, your ship has left Martigues and reaches Arles after breakfast. Here, a city guide will show you the numerous ancient and Roman monuments, such as the amphitheater, the forum, or the Place de République with the Hôtel de Ville (exterior visits). The afternoon is free for your own explorations in the beautiful old town of Arles. Before dinner, your floating hotel will set course for Avignon.

Day 7 | Avignon – Les-Baux-de-Provence –

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

After breakfast, you will take an excursion to Les-Baux-de-Provence. The medieval village is a special sight in Provence due to its extraordinary location on a steep ridge of the Alpilles. For lunch, you will return on board in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the MS Mistral will weigh anchor towards Lyon. In the evening, you will be expected at a festive gala dinner. Enjoy cheerful hours with music and dancing in the salon.

Day 8 | Lyon – Collonges

Relax on board the MS Mistral in the morning. The journey leads upstream on the Rhône to the metropolis of Lyon. In the afternoon, you will participate in a guided tour and learn about the numerous sights of this beautiful city: including the old district of St-Jean with its historic passages and the peninsula formed by the two rivers with the Place des Terreaux and Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in Europe. Your hotel ship will remain overnight in Lyon.

Day 9 | Collonges – Tournus –

Chalon-sur-Saône

In the morning, the now more leisurely flowing Saône carries your ship past Villefranche and Thoissey to Tournus. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the narrow alleys of the ancient Roman city of Tournus. Tournus is known, among other things, for the abbey "Saint-Philibert," which was built in the 11th century by monks from Noirmoutier. The entirety of the city's buildings is rightly considered one of the most impressive witnesses of Romanesque architecture. After returning on board, the journey continues through the wine-rich Burgundy. Enjoy the passing landscape from the sun deck. During dinner, the MS Mistral will dock in Chalon-sur-Saône.

Day 10 | Chalon-sur-Saône – Departure

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the MS Mistral and the crew. Your coach, which has accompanied you throughout the river cruise, is ready for the return journey. With many beautiful impressions in your travel luggage, you will begin your journey home.

(All time specifications are provisional and always subject to changes due to high or low water, altered lock times, and other unforeseen events.)

• Travel by modern coach
• Cruise as described
• 9x overnight stays in the booked
  cabin category
• 9x full board: breakfast buffet,
  lunch and dinner menu (starts with dinner on day 1 until breakfast on the last day)
• Beverage package on board: wine (8 open wines to choose from), beer, water,
  soft drinks and coffee specialties, bar drinks (excluding drinks from the
  exclusive menu)
• Welcome reception
• 1x gala dinner on board
• German-speaking guest service on board
• Onboard events
• All shore excursions and visits as specified
• All port and embarkation fees
• 1 travel guide "Rhône and Saône" per
  cabin
• Audio system for all shore excursions

In unfavorable weather conditions or port events, the port of Martigues cannot be accessed, and the ship will remain in Port-Saint-Louis on the 5th day. The excursion to Martigues will be conducted by bus.

Single cabin on request

• Beaujolais and "Hameau du Vin" in Romanèche-Thorins with tastings
• Panoramic drive "Gorges of the Ardèche"
• Admission and guided tour of the Pope's Palace in Avignon
• Excursion to the Camargue
• City tour in Arles
• Excursion to Les Baux-de-Provence
• City tour in Lyon

A ship launched in 1999 (renovated in 2019) by the French shipping company CroisiEurope, 110 m long, accommodating about 140 passengers. Elegantly furnished are the lounge with bar and the restaurant, where meals (breakfast buffet and table-served lunch and dinner menu) are served. The air-conditioned cabins are all outside cabins and feature two beds, shower, toilet, hairdryer, TV, safe, and a large panoramic window. Sun loungers are available on the large sun deck.