14 nights · France · River cruise · Departs Lyon (France) · Visiting Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone, Macon, Trevoux, Viviers-sur-Rhone, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Arles, Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne · Aboard A Rosa Cruises on the Arosa Luna
Image courtesy of A Rosa Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Saone and Rhone, departing Lyon.
| Cruise line | A Rosa Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Arosa Luna |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $3,265 per person |
| Year built | 2005 |
| Guests | 174 |
| Cabins | 89 |
| Crew | 45 |
| Length | 126 m |
| Beam | 11 m |
| Cruising speed | 13.0 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.
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.
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.
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.
Trévoux sits on the Saône, a riverside town in the Ain department, with a story shaped by trade and power. Its old lanes climb towards the remains of a medieval castle, with views across the river and the Dombes. For centuries, Trévoux was the capital of the principality of Dombes and home to its parliament. Today, historic façades, quiet quays and the town’s printing heritage reward an unhurried visit.
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.
Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône stands where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean, amid salt flats, lagoons and wide skies. This working port offers a quieter gateway to the Camargue, a landscape of rice fields, white horses and pink flamingos. Head to Plage Napoléon, a long sweep of sand facing the Gulf of Lion. The surrounding wetlands reward patient birdwatchers, while Arles and its Roman monuments make an appealing inland excursion.
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.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits among the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated vineyards, a compact Provençal village with an outsized reputation. Its name recalls the 14th-century popes of Avignon, who built a summer residence here. Today, the château’s weathered ruins crown the village, while cellar doors welcome visitors to taste its powerful, sun-ripened wines. Wander the narrow lanes, then look across the vines toward the Rhône plain. This is a rewarding stop for wine lovers and history-minded travelers.
From the Rhône’s western bank, Tournon-sur-Rhône faces the celebrated vineyards of Tain-l’Hermitage, just across the river. Its medieval castle now houses a museum, while steep lanes climb past stone houses and old town walls. A suspension bridge links the two towns, making vineyard visits and tastings easy. Come for the northern Rhône’s Syrah, then return to the quay for river views and a slower, distinctly French afternoon.
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.
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.
Published August 19, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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