10 nights · France · River cruise · Departs Lyon (France) · Visiting Macon, Chalon-sur-Saone, Vienne, Le Pouzin, Avignon, Arles, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape · Aboard Riviera Travel on the MS Lord Byron
Image courtesy of Riviera Travel ©
This river cruise sails the Saone and Rhone, departing Lyon.
| Cruise line | Riviera Travel |
|---|---|
| Ship | MS Lord Byron |
| Duration | 10 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 5 sailings |
| From fare | $3,299 per person |
| Year built | 2012 |
| Guests | 148 |
| Cabins | 74 |
| Crew | 36 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 12 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.
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.
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.
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.
Le Pouzin stands beside the Rhône in southern Ardèche, where river routes meet quiet country roads. Its setting opens onto the Rhône Valley, with limestone slopes, vineyards and villages within reach. Nearby Privas, Ardèche’s compact capital, rewards a visit for its markets and celebrated chestnut specialities. Come for broad river views and an easy introduction to a less-visited corner of southeastern 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 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.
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.
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.
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 September 4, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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