Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence

From C$7,149
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: Jun 2027 - Aug 2027
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From C$7,149
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: Jun 2027 - Aug 2027

Tour Overview

From Lyon this cruise travels on the Saône and on the Rhône towards the Mediterranean sea.  Exploring the colourful countryside of the South of France and the beauty of its historical cities, including the famous Ardèche Gorge.  Journey into Provence and the Camargue where the incomparable atmosphere inspired Van Gogh.  Visit Arles with it's exciting Roman history and explore Avignon with its great buildings including the papal palace.

Pace of trip: Easy-going
The perfect mix of included excursions and time to explore at your own pace - will include moderate walking.

Your Tour Includes

  • Just You Holiday Director
  • Transportation excluding overseas transfers to and from the airport
  • 7 nights onboard Nicko cruises - Bijou du Rhone
  • 20 included meals 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Unlimited drinks package*
  • All gratuities and WIFI on the cruise
  • Porterage
  • All port fees

Included Tour Highlights

  • Cruise along the Rhône exploring southern France
  • Visit the stunning Ardeche Gorge
  • Visit to Arles and it's Roman inspired architecture
  • Tour Avignon and see its medieval wall
  • Walking tour through the old town of Lyon

Tour Itinerary

France, Lyon

Day 1 Lyon

Make your own way to Lyon where you will join your Nicko Cruises ship. After time to settle into your cabin, meet your traveling companions over a welcome drink prior to dinner onboard this evening.

Please note: Ship embarkation on Day 1 is between 17:00 – 19:00. These timings are subject to change, so for peace of mind, we recommend that you arrive locally the day before the ship is due to depart.

Meals included: D
France, Gorges de l'Ardeche

Day 2 Viviers

A morning at leisure sailing to Viviers where you will arrive around lunchtime. Today’s shore excursion is to Ardèche Gorge, one of the most imposing natural sites in France. Located in the north of Provence, the gorge is a scenic beauty with rocky escarpments, layers of basalt and the blue river that has carved itself into the landscape. This evening enjoy dinner on board the ship. Meals included: B,L,D
France, Arles

Day 3 Arles

This morning we visit Arles. The painter Vincent van Gogh was fascinated by the special light in southern Provence, which inspired him to paint numerous masterpieces in Arles, on the banks of the Rhône. With an exciting Roman history as the provincial capital of the Roman Empire, today many of its historic buildings and architectural sites bear witness to this past, including the huge amphitheatre and the old city wall which you will see during your tour. Meals included: B,L,D
France, Avignon

Day 4 Avignon

This afternoon’s tour to Avignon will showcase a lasting impact on European history. For a few decades in the 14th-century it was the city of the Catholic Popes and you will see evidence of this throughout your tour from palaces, castles, squares and streets to the papal palace itself. Also see the famous ruins of the Point Saint-Bénézet, which still straddles half of the mighty river Rhône. Meals included: B,L,D
France, Pont du Gard Avignon

Day 5 Avignon

A morning at leisure to either enjoy the facilities onboard your ship, alternatively you could take the optional excursion to Pont du Gard aqueduct starting in Avignon and ending in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (book and pay onboard the cruise). Meals included: B,L,D
France, Tournon

Day 6 Tournon-sur-Rhône

You’ll have free time to explore medieval Tournon this morning, before casting off for an afternoon on board the ship. Enjoy the passing beautiful scenery as you sail north, perhaps with a glass of local wine at the onboard bar or sun deck. Meals included: B,L,D
Lyon, France

Day 7 Trévoux – Lyon

This morning is free time in Trévoux, or you could opt for an optional excursion to Beaujolais with a tour of the medieval village of Oingt and a wine tasting experience at a vineyard (book and pay onboard cruise).

We’ll then sail to Lyon, where you will arrive after a leisurely lunch on board the ship. Lyon has been a prosperous trading hub ever since the time of the Roman Empire, when it was originally the capital of the Gauls. The city's old quarter has UNESCO World Heritage status and there are historic buildings and elegant squares to discover amidst these charming streets. During a guided walking tour you will see the medieval Place des Terreaux, where the baroque Lyon Museum of Fine Art and City Hall dominate the surroundings. Also in the square is the Bartholdi Fountain, constructed in the 19th-century to represent France as a chariot-riding woman being pulled by the nation's four mighty rivers. Also visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for some breathtaking views across the city. Meals included: B,L,D
Lyon, France

Day 8 Departure

After breakfast onboard, it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your cruise comes to an end.

Please note: Ship disembarkation finishes at 09:00 on the last day, all passengers must have left the ship by then.

Meals included: B

Accommodation

Nicko Bijou du Rhone

The inviting, large sun deck has plenty of loungers and deckchairs for relaxing and enjoying the scenery as you sail by, or try out your skills on the giant chess board. The panoramic bar and salon has floor to ceiling windows that really let the outside in, a perfect place to watch the world go by whilst enjoying a drink. The large dining room serves international and regional inspired cuisine. Cabins are stylish and comfortable with individually adjustable air conditioning, private facilities, TV, phone, hairdryer and safe. Main deck cabins are approx. 11 m² in size and have a non-opening viewing window, a single fold-out bed and sofa bed. Your holiday price is based on a main deck cabin. The middle and upper deck cabins are approx. 14 m² in size. The deluxe middle deck cabins have large panorama windows that open and the deluxe upper deck cabins have a lowerable panoramic front. All other cabins on the middle deck have large panorama windows that do not open. Cabin upgrades are available, please call and speak to one of our Holiday Advisors.

The inviting, large sun deck has plenty of loungers and deckchairs for relaxing and enjoying the scenery as you sail by, or try out your skills on the giant chess board. The panoramic bar and salon has floor to ceiling windows that really let the outside in, a perfect place to watch the world go by whilst enjoying a drink. The large dining room serves international and regional inspired cuisine. Cabins are stylish and comfortable with individually adjustable air conditioning, private facilities, TV, phone, hairdryer and safe. Main deck cabins are approx. 11 m² in size and have a non-opening viewing window, a single fold-out bed and sofa bed. Your holiday price is based on a main deck cabin. The middle and upper deck cabins are approx. 14 m² in size. The deluxe middle deck cabins have large panorama windows that open and the deluxe upper deck cabins have a lowerable panoramic front. All other cabins on the middle deck have large panorama windows that do not open. Cabin upgrades are available, please call and speak to one of our Holiday Advisors.

From C$7,149 per person, prices in Canadian dollars (CAD). Land only: flights are not included. 2 departure dates available between June 2027 and August 2027, the next on 20 June 2027. Prices last updated 10 October 2026 and confirmed at booking.

Departure dates and prices
Date From, per person Availability
Sun 20 Jun 2027 C$7,399 Available
Sun 8 Aug 2027 C$7,149 Available