Either end of the Rhône

Burgundy north, Provence south

The ship covers the Rhône’s own wine. These go where it doesn’t.

Choose a direction
Length3–4 nights
SeasonApril–October
StaysBurgundy: Hostellerie de Levernois or Le Cep; Villa Florentine

Provence: La Bastide de Gordes or Villa La Coste

BudgetBurgundy: $500 – $950 USD per day per person

Provence: $750 – $1,500 USD per day per person

Why this page exists

Lyon to Avignon, in either direction, is the standard route for river cruises on the Rhône, and the ship stops at Tain-l’Hermitage, so the region’s own wine is covered. Extend at either end of the cruise, where it isn’t.

First-hand

Marc sailed Lyon–Avignon on Riverside Ravel in 2025. The full review →

An unforgettable evening in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, pairing dinner at a renowned estate.

Sample the exquisite wines in the Côte de Nuits or Côte de Beaune.

Two directions

North for Burgundy, south for Provence.

Rhône cruises sail both ways. Either route works before you board or after you step off — tell Marc which end is yours.

  • N · Beaujolais and Burgundy

    From Lyon · 3–4 nights. Fleurie on the way north, the Côte d’Or with one producer that matters, and a night in Lyon on the way back.

    See the days
  • Vines at sunrise in a southern Rhône vineyard

    S · Provence

    From Avignon · 4 nights. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Luberon, Les Baux and Aix, out through Marseille.

    See the days

The routes, day by day

NBeaujolais and Burgundy3–4 nights · from Lyon
Illustrated route map north from Lyon: Beaujolais, Fleurie, Beaune and the Côte d’Or

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Day1Through the Beaujolais crusFrom Lyon, head straight north into the rolling hills of Beaujolais. You’ll stop for private tastings in the renowned Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent crus before arriving in the walled town of Beaune by evening.
Day2The Côte d’OrSkip the tourist-trap tasting rooms. Today is all about an exclusive, intimate cellar visit with one iconic, top-tier producer in the Côte de Nuits or Côte de Beaune who truly embodies the region.
Day3Beaune, then LyonExplore the famous 15th-century Hospices de Beaune and browse the vibrant Saturday market if your timing lines up. In the afternoon, head back south for a proper night out in Lyon—a world-class culinary capital.
Day4LyonIndulge in a long, leisurely lunch at a traditional, high-end bouchon for legendary local comfort food. From there it’s a short transfer to your ship, a 2-hour TGV into Paris, or Lyon’s airport.
SProvence4 nights · from Avignon
Illustrated route map of Provence: Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gordes and the Luberon, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Day1Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the LuberonFrom Avignon, drive straight to a premier, historic estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a private wine tasting. Afterwards, wind your way up into the peaceful, sun-soaked hills of the Luberon.
Day2The LuberonTake today entirely at your own pace. Wander through the striking cliffside villages of Gordes, Roussillon with its vibrant ochre trails, Ménerbes, and Lourmarin for great local boutiques and cafes.
Day3Les Baux and Saint-RémyHead into the rugged Alpilles mountains. Explore the medieval ruins of the Les Baux Citadel and step into the Carrières de Lumières, a spectacular multimedia art show inside a massive, abandoned stone quarry. Finish with a relaxed bistro lunch in Saint-Rémy.
Day4AixSpend your final day walking the elegant, plane-tree-lined Cours Mirabeau in Aix and visiting Paul Cézanne’s historic art studio. When you’re ready, it’s 40 minutes to Marseille, two scenic hours to Nice, or back to Avignon for your ship.
“Whether you lean towards the world-class cellars and iconic food scene of Burgundy or the slow village-hopping of Provence, both routes turn either end of a standard cruise into an effortless, completely customised extension of your journey.”
— Marc Vitria · Expeditioner Travel

Ready when you are

Tell Marc where the ship starts and where it stops.

He’ll take it from there.

Plan this with Marc
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