7 nights · France · River cruise · Departs Lyon (France) · Visiting Macon, Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone, Seurre, Beaune, Dijon, Saint-Jean-de-Losne · Aboard AmaWaterways on the AmaCello
Image courtesy of AmaWaterways ©
This river cruise sails the Saone, departing Lyon.
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | AmaCello |
| Duration | 7 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 10 sailings |
| From fare | $3,479 per person |
| Year built | 2008 |
| Guests | 148 |
| Cabins | 75 |
| Crew | 41 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 11 m |
| Cruising speed | 11.0 kn |
Where the Rhône meets the Saône, France’s third-largest city joins Roman foundations, Renaissance streets and contemporary architecture. Walk Vieux Lyon’s covered passageways, then climb to Fourvière for broad views over terracotta roofs. Come hungry: Lyon’s bouchons serve regional dishes, while Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse brings together the city’s finest producers. Allow time for the riverbanks, museums and a meal that makes Lyon’s culinary reputation tangible.
Mâcon is Burgundy at its gentler, sunlit edge, set beside the Saône and surrounded by vineyards. Begin in the old centre, where pastel façades, the Maison de Bois and Saint-Vincent’s twin towers reward a stroll. Then follow the riverfront or venture into the Mâconnais, famed for Chardonnay and villages such as Pouilly-Fuissé. Tasting rooms, market tables and quiet lanes offer a close look at Burgundy beyond its grandest names.
Tournus puts Burgundy’s river country within easy reach, with the Saône flowing past its old stone centre. At its heart, the Abbey of Saint-Philibert is a major Romanesque landmark, renowned for its massive nave and atmospheric crypt. Explore narrow streets, visit the Hôtel-Dieu and Greuze Museum, or linger over the region’s celebrated food and Mâconnais wines. This is a rewarding stop for travellers who value history, fine tables and an unhurried pace.
Chalon-sur-Saône sits on the Saône in southern Burgundy, where river trade meets celebrated wine country. Its historic centre rewards a leisurely walk, from Saint-Vincent Cathedral to timber-framed houses and lively market squares. Nicéphore Niépce, who made the earliest surviving photograph, was born here; his museum explores photography’s beginnings. Beyond town, the Côte Chalonnaise invites visitors to discover its vineyards and family-run cellars.
Seurre offers a quieter Burgundy, set beside the broad Saône in the Côte-d’Or. Walk its old streets to Saint-Martin, a Gothic church at the heart of the historic centre. The former Hôtel-Dieu, founded in the seventeenth century, offers a glimpse of medical care in earlier times. From the riverfront, vineyards, market towns and celebrated Burgundian tables are within reach. Come ashore for Burgundy beyond its famous wine labels.
Beaune puts Burgundy’s celebrated wine country within easy reach, with vineyards beginning just beyond its medieval walls. Start at the Hôtel-Dieu, the 15th-century hospital whose patterned tiled roof has become the town’s emblem. Then follow the old ramparts to cellars where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reveal their differences. The Saturday market brings local cheeses, mustard and seasonal produce into the streets. Allow time for lunch; Beaune rewards an unhurried visit.
Seurre offers a quieter Burgundy, set beside the broad Saône in the Côte-d’Or. Walk its old streets to Saint-Martin, a Gothic church at the heart of the historic centre. The former Hôtel-Dieu, founded in the seventeenth century, offers a glimpse of medical care in earlier times. From the riverfront, vineyards, market towns and celebrated Burgundian tables are within reach. Come ashore for Burgundy beyond its famous wine labels.
Come ashore in Dijon and discover Burgundy’s former ducal capital, where medieval streets lead to the Palace of the Dukes. Follow the bronze owl markers through the compact centre to Notre-Dame and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Taste Dijon mustard or pain d’épices, its spiced honey cake. The city is also a gateway to Burgundy’s celebrated vineyards.
Saint-Jean-de-Losne sits where the Burgundy Canal joins the Saône, at a historic crossroads of water and trade. Its marina brings boating life to a compact riverside town, where stone quays recall a strategic past. Walk the old streets, visit the Musée de la Batellerie, and watch boats pass between canal and river. Beyond town, Burgundy’s vineyards and Dijon’s markets make rewarding excursions.
Published September 22, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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