AmaCello 8 Days Saint-Jean-De-Losne, France to Arles Cruise

Saint-Jean-de-Losne, France

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.

Chalon-sur-Saone, France

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.

Tournus, France

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.

Macon, France

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.

Villefranche-sur-Saone, France

Villefranche-sur-Saône sits beside the Saône, at the southern gateway to Beaujolais. Vineyard slopes begin just beyond town. Follow Rue Nationale, the old trading route, beneath its arcades and past historic façades. Visit the Gothic collegiate church of Notre-Dame-des-Marais, then sample the region’s celebrated reds in a local cellar. Lyon lies about 30 kilometres south, offering an easy extension for fine food, architecture and museums.

Lyon, France

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.

Vienne, France

Vienne sits on the Rhône, 20 miles south of Lyon, where Roman history remains part of the everyday streetscape. Its first great sight is the Temple of Augustus and Livia, remarkably intact beside the cafés of the old town. Climb to the Roman theatre, cut into Pipet Hill, for broad views across rooftops and river. Across the Rhône, Saint-Romain-en-Gal preserves mosaics and evidence of a thriving Roman quarter. Allow time for the cathedral and a leisurely lunch.

Viviers-sur-Rhone, France

Viviers stands on the Rhône in Ardèche, a compact medieval town best explored on foot. Stone lanes climb toward the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent, whose Romanesque origins and later additions reflect centuries of ecclesiastical power. Look for bishops’ residences, sculpted doorways and views across the river valley. Beyond town, Ardèche landscapes invite excursions to vineyards, limestone gorges and hill villages, while Viviers rewards those who linger.

Avignon, France

Avignon rewards a slow first look: medieval ramparts frame a city shaped by popes, merchants and the Rhône. Inside the walls, the immense Palais des Papes recalls the 14th-century era when the papacy moved here. Nearby, the broken span of Pont Saint-Bénézet reaches into the river, made famous by the French song. Leave time for shaded squares, Provençal markets and a glass of local wine before the Rhône carries you onward.

Arles, France

Arles stands on the Rhône in Provence, where Roman monuments and a working southern French city share the same streets. The UNESCO-listed Roman theatre and amphitheatre remain central landmarks, built when ancient Arelate prospered. Vincent van Gogh painted here from 1888 to 1889, drawn by the region’s clear light. Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh, then explore the old town’s Provençal markets and café terraces.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)