La Belle Vie

Wine River Cruise

With

& AMAwaterways

April 1-8, 2027

Reserve Your Spot

7 Nights Along the Rhône

Unpack once and watch France unfold as you sail from culinary Lyon through the vineyards of the Rhône and into the sun-soaked landscapes of Provence, ending in historic Arles.
Wine & Culinary Experiences

Taste Beaujolais at the source, hike the vineyards of Tain-l’Hermitage, pair Rhône red wine with chocolate, explore Lyon’s legendary food scene, and even hunt for Provence’s prized “black diamond” truffles.
Choose Your Own Adventure

This isn’t one-size-fits-all touring. Explore by foot, bicycle or hike, seek out local flavors, delve into history, or follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh—with multiple included excursion choices throughout the journey.
All the Pleasures, None of the Hassle

Beautiful accommodations, destination-inspired dining, wine with lunch and dinner, cocktail hour, guided excursions and onboard entertainment are all woven into the experience. Unpack once and let AmaWaterways take care of the details.

highlights & InClusions

The beauty of river cruising is how much of the experience is already taken care of. Your journey includes:

7 nights aboard an AmaWaterways river ship, sailing the Rhône from Lyon to Arles.
All onboard dining, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an opportunity to dine at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant.
Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus AmaWaterways’ daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, mocktails and soft drinks.
A generous program of included excursions, with multiple choices on many days rather than having to purchase sightseeing tours separately.
Lyon your way — explore the historic city, experience the food stalls and specialties of Les Halles market, or take to the city by bicycle.
A Beaujolais wine-country experience, including a visit to a traditional winery for a tasting and introduction to the region’s winemaking history and techniques.
Ancient Vienne, with your choice of Roman history, a guided hike to Mount Pipet or cycling a portion of the ViaRhôna.
Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage, with choices that include a scenic steam-train journey, red wine and chocolate tasting, or a vineyard hike followed by a local wine tasting.
Avignon and Provence, including choices such as the Papal Palace, a culinary tasting tour, cycling, the magnificent Pont du Gard or a truffle-hunting experience in the Provençal countryside.
Les Baux-de-Provence, one of the itinerary’s quintessential Provençal experiences, with time among its historic ruins, shops, galleries and cafés.
Arles, where guests can explore its Roman heritage, cycle along the Rhône or follow the story of Vincent van Gogh through the city that inspired some of his most recognizable work.
Active options throughout the cruise, including guided hikes and bicycle excursions for guests who want to experience France beyond the motorcoach.
Onboard wellness programming led by a dedicated Wellness Host, along with fitness facilities and opportunities to stay active throughout the journey.
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment, so there’s no need to purchase an internet package just to stay connected.
An experienced AmaWaterways Cruise Manager and English-speaking staff, with the logistics of moving from destination to destination handled for you.
2027 port charges included in the cruise fare, another expense travelers sometimes overlook when comparing cruise pricing.

Reserve Your Spot

ITINERARY DETAILS:

Day 1, LYON. Board the ship for your Colors of Provence cruise. (D)

Day 2, LYON. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Alternately, indulge in rich cheeses, fresh breads and charcuterie in Les Halles Market or joina guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. Later in the day, enjoy free time in Lyon. Pop into an outdoor café for an authentic French meal or visit one of the city’s many amazing museums. (B,L,D)

Day 3, LYON. Travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones.” Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Day 4, VIENNE. Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. (B,L,D)

Day 5, TOURNON - VIVIERS. Take a steam train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines. Later, stroll through the city accompanied by a guide in Renaissance attire as former “residents” in period costumes reenact events and legends of centuries gone by. This special historical tour is sure to bring a smile to your lips – or perhaps send shivers down your spine! (B,L,D)

Day 6, AVIGNON. Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions for the morning. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades or you can enjoy a bike tour. During the afternoon, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Alternately, you can go to a magnificent hilltop village, where you will go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D)

Day 7, ARLES. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants all with its tantalizing history, formerly a Roman center of trade. In the morning, venture to Les Baux de Provence, a hilltop village and ruined castle. Enjoy time in the “old village,” its shops, art galleries, and cafes interspersed among the historic ruins. Later in the day, join a guided walking tour where you’ll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent Van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D)

Day 8, ARLES. Bid farewell to Arles and prepare for your flight home. (B)

B,L,D – Indicates Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.

2027 - Colors of Provence

7-NIGHT CRUISE

From romantic cities to foodie havens and artistic epicenters, this itinerary enlivens all your senses. Begin your cruise in Lyon, France’s culinary capital, and savor the beauty of legendary vineyards and imbibe in local vintages like Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. You can even become an expert in all things culinary: go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles and learn how to pair chocolate with wine. Explore Avignon, a sprawling commune with an overwhelming array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, intriguing art museums and historic charm. Lower the drawbridge of your fantasies in Arles, where you will trace the steps of famous artists including Van Gogh and Picasso.

As guests of Dreamscape Traveler LLC, you will be eligible for additional perks & benefits, including