DAY 1

Chalon-sur-Sâone
Embarkation in the Burgundy region on the Sâone River at around 6:00 PM. Settling into the cabin is followed by introduction of the crew during a welcome cocktail in the lounge. Dinner and evening on board of CroisiEurope’s first class ship, the MS Van Gogh. Overnight in Chalon. A coach transfer that takes about 3 hours from Lyon to the ship in Chalon is included.

DAY 2

Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon / Lyon (Burgundy-Beaujolais)
A coach tour departs after breakfast on board to discover the fascinating world of the Burgundy vineyards. Meursault is home to the first wine of the Citeaux Abbey, whose white wine has made its age-old reputation. The Volnay Vineyards produce the finest wines of the Côte de Beaune while the Pommard Vineyards have been in the hands of the religious communities since the Middle Ages and they produce a strong and tannic wine. A wine tasting is scheduled at one of the best producers in the area.

During our visit, the ship will continue south towards Tournus, where we will embark later on. Continuation of the cruise proceeds, heading for Mâcon. Lunch is served on board. The ship calls in at Mâcon around 2:00 PM. After lunch, another coach tour departs for the Beaujolais region, owing their name to the sires of Beaujeu, who were the owners of the vineyards until 1400. Before calling in at Romanèche Thorins to visit the wine village of Georges Duboeuf, we will pass through Saint Amour, Juliénas and Moulin à Vent.

After this visit, you will be a veritable Beaujolais expert. The ship will continue towards Trévoux with a. return on board the ship at around 7:00 PM for dinner. This evening, we will pass by the famous restaurant of Paul Bocuse, located in Collonges au Mont d’Or on the Saône River. After dinner, we will sail south for Lyon and put in for the scheduled overnight there.

DAY 3

Lyon / Tain l’Hermitage / Viviers (Les Côtes du Rhône)
Breakfast on board the ship with a morning cruise scheduled through the Rhône Valley and the vineyards of Côtes Roties, Condrieu, Château Grillet and Saint Joseph. A conference/seminar will be given on board the ship by a recognised wine specialist. Lunch is served on board. We arrive at Tain l’Hermitage, famous for its Coteau de l’Hermitage, at around 2:00 PM. There will be a wine tasting at one of the best producers in the area where you will discover some of their finest wines. Return on board the ship with a continuation of the cruise south on the Rhone River towards Viviers. Dinner is served on board with the scheduled overnight within a short walk to the medieval village of Viviers.

DAY 4

Viviers / Châteauneuf du Pape / Avignon (Côtes du Vivarais & Châteauneuf du Pape)
Breakfast is served on board with a coach tour scheduled through the beautiful Gorges de L’Ardèche region. We will discover the Vivarais Vineyards on the plateau of Saint Remèze and Orgnac l’Aven. Wine tasting will be at a local producer that makes extremely fresh and subtle red and rosé wines. During this tour, the ship will continue sailing south towards Saint Etienne des Sorts where we will embark later on. Lunch is served on board the ship with continuation towards Châteauneuf du Pape where we will arrive around 3:00 PM.

Upon arrival, there is a coach tour scheduled to depart for the heart of the Contat Venaissin Plain. While there, we will discover the most prestigious names in Mediterranean wines. Some of these vineyards date back to the beginning of the Papacy in Avignon. Our wine tasting is at one of the best local producers of the region. We return on board with continuation of the cruise towards Avignon. Dinner is served on board with a scheduled overnight in Avignon.

DAY 5

Avignon / Martigues (Les Cassis)
Breakfast is served on board as the ship cruises south towards Martigues. En route, we will pass alongside the castles of Beaucaire and Tarascon. In the morning, a wine specialist will give a brief summary highlighting the outstanding features of the wines and the many regions that you have visited on this cruise. This will be followed by a “blind wine tasting”, which will determine the final candidates. The lucky winner will be elected the “Bacchus of the Cruise” and they will be awarded a gastronomic cruise, either on the Rhône with Paul Bocuse, or on the Rhine with Marc Haeberlin. Both restaurants have been awarded 3 stars each by the Michelin Guide. Lunch is served on board the ship. Arrival in Martigues is followed by a coach tour to the Cassis region where you will discover their heady and fragrant dry white wines. A wine tasting will be held at one of the best local producers. Return on board around 6:00 PM for dinner on board and the farewell evening. Overnight is in the port of Martigues.

DAY 6

Martigues
Breakfast is served on board the ship, which is followed by disembarkation. End of our cruise services. A coach from the Martigues pier will take passengers back to Lyon. Please note that this coach trip takes about 5 hours.