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Lyon, Provence and the Camargue

8 Day River Cruise

France, Europe
20 Meals Included
8 Excursions
Easygoing Pace

Take in France's rural delights, centuries-old monuments and rugged scenery as you cruise along the Rhone and Saone Rivers, journeying from Lyon to Provence. Explore Roman ruins, the wild plains of the Camargue and the winding hidden passageways of Lyon on this captivating eight-day voyage.

Highlights

  • Embark on a city tour of Lyon, visiting the 12th century Fourviere Basilica
  • Explore the old town of Lyon and discover its unique 'traboules', a network of hidden passageways through the city
  • Discover the exceptional sights of Vienne on a walking tour
  • Enjoy a visit to a manade (bull breeding farm) in Arles
  • Cruise along the charming Rhone and Saone Rivers

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Lyon

Dinner

Depart the UK on your flight. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to your ship. Later, enjoy a welcome cocktail with the crew before dinner.

Day 2
Lyon to Macon

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, uncover the sights of Lyon on a city tour, including a visit to the old town to discover the unique 'traboules', a network of hidden passageways weaving through the city. Return to your ship and cruise to Macon.

Day 3
Macon to Vienne

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, travel by coach to the grand Cluny Abbey. In the afternoon, sail down the Rhone towards Vienne, taking in the rolling scenery before an evening of entertainment and dinner on board.

Day 4
Vienne to Avignon

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a guided tour of Vienne and discover why the city is renowned for its art, history and culture. Founded over 2,000 years ago, Vienne boasts outstanding examples of Roman architecture. Later, return to the ship and spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon. Enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment.

Day 5
Avignon, Arles, The Camargue

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, explore Avignon, wandering past the Diocesan Church towards the beating heart of Avignon, Place del'Horloge. Continue on to the town square at Place du Palace and the Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral before ending your tour at the UNESCO-listed Pope's Palace. In the afternoon, journey to the unique natural region of the Carmargue. Enjoy a guided tour past rivers, marshes, and lagoons as you look out for the flamingos, black bulls and the indigenous Camargue horses which inhabit this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Later, visit a manade (bull breeding farm) to learn about how a manadier works with the animals. End your day with a cocktail on the farm patio.

Day 6
Arles to Viviers

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Discover the coastal town of Arles, bursting with historic treasures, colourful houses and the inspiration of many Van Gogh paintings. Later, enjoy a visit to a local olive oil producer's before cruising through the afternoon to Viviers.

Day 7
Viviers to Tournon

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a morning of cruising, arrive at Tournon, situated in the heart of the Rhone Valley. Visit the imposing Castle-Museum of Tournon-sur-Rhone. To finish the day, sample a selection of regional food products and wines* before returning to your ship for tonight's farewell gala dinner. the ship will cruise towards Lyon during the night.

Day 8
Lyon to UK

Breakfast

After breakfast, disembark at 9am for your transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. If you have a late return flight, you may leave your luggage onboard the ship until 14.00pm and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 1800 804 006

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
MS Camargue
6 nights
River Cruise, France
More details

Important Information

The Captain and Croisieurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €324.50pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

A visa is not required for your entry into France. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.

IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details, including terminal, airline and baggage allowance, will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness. It involves some climbing of steep steps, and getting on and off boats. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in France is the Euro, we recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.

Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout all major cities.

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned in your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.

Please note: your cruise is shared with international clients from other companies.

An English-speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. While on excursions included in your itinerary, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide. When exploring locally during your leisure time you will not be accompanied by a tour guide. Please note: Your cruise is shared with international clients from other companies.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily are taken on board the ship. Tables seat 4 people, so you’ll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together. Tea and coffee are available on-board ship as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).

Any dietary requirements and dislikes should be made known to our reservations staff at the time of booking.

On embarking the ship, you will be greeted by the captain, crew and staff and treated to welcome cocktails.

On your arrival in Lyon, you will be by a representative from our local transfer agent, CroisiEurope. The Mercury Holidays/ Croisieurope representative will show you to your transfer vehicle and you will be taken to your boat. If you need to contact Croisieurope, during your stay the details are: CroisiEurope MS Camargue - 0033 6 72 97 02 63

Embarkation Time: 6pm Disembarkation Time: 9am If your arrival is before this time, you will be transferred to the docking area where you will be able to leave your luggage. You are then free to explore the city at your own pace until it is time to board your ship.

If you need to contact Croisieurope, during your stay the details are: CroisiEurope MS Camargue - 0033 6 72 97 02 63