Bike & Boat Along the Rhône River in Provence, France

At 4pm, your tour guides await your arrival in Lyon, where you will be warmly welcomed on board. After you have settled into your cabin, your guide will give you a briefing of the trip ahead. Weather permitting, the welcome can take place on the sun deck, where you can soak up the sun.

Afterwards, enjoy your first dinner on board as the ship sails north on the calm waters of the Saône. Departure from Lyon is scheduled for 6pm, marking the start of your enchanting journey south. In the evening, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Lyon’s old town on a panoramic cruise and admire the city’s historic landmarks and charming streets in the light of the night sky. A delightful introduction to the rich culture and beauty that awaits you on this unforgettable journey.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

Our first cycle tour of this trip takes us along the Rhône from Tain-l’Hermitage to the Roche de Glun island near Valence on the western side of the river and then back on the eastern side. Marvel at the dam with the hydroelectric power station on the Rhône, the 14th century Diane de Poitiers tower and the Marc Seguin footbridge, which was built by Marc Seguin between 1847 and 1849. Join us to taste the famous Valrhona chocolate for which Tain-l’Hermitage is renowned. In the afternoon, enjoy the beauty of the passing landscape from the sun deck as the STELLA gently steers its course south.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 45 km / 28 miles
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

Early in the morning, the STELLA docks not far from the famous vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where your bikes will be waiting for us at the dock. We will cycle to the charming village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where we’ll learn about the production of exquisite reds during a wine tasting. After lunch, say goodbye to the world-famous vineyards and cycle through the fertile fruit and vegetable growing area.

On our way back to Avignon, we’ll pass one of the largest islands in the Rhône and cycle to the Avignon Bridge. Admire the iconic Pont d’Avignon, a symbol of the city’s medieval festivals, where exuberant parties once took place! Did you know that the famous song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” should actually be called “Sous le pont d’Avignon”? We’ll learn about the rich history of Avignon with a fascinating city tour. We’ll learn about the gardens of Toompea Hill, once popes’ residence. The ship will remain in Avignon overnight, giving us plenty of time to stroll the narrow streets before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 45 km / 28 miles
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

The ship continued on to Arles overnight and docked at the gates of the old town of Arles in the morning. We’ll get on our e-bikes and drive to the picturesque town of St. Remy de Provence. This picturesque town is where Vincent Van Gogh lived for a time in a private clinic housed in a former monastery. After a delicious lunch in St. Rémy, we will continue our exploration to the monumental art center Carrières de Lumières, located in the heart of the breathtaking Alpilles. Every year, this art center hosts a spectacular exhibition of the works of famous artists from throughout history.

We will then leave the Alpilles on small side routes and drive down into the fertile alluvial plains of the Rhône. We pass charming Provençal villages, meander along fields of wheat and sunflowers, and finally reach Arles. Arles, a Roman royal city, has a magnificent amphitheater in the city center, considered one of the best preserved in France. Even today, bloody bullfights still take place within the historic walls. We can explore the ornate Romanesque portal of the Saint Trophime Cathedral or enjoy an espresso in the famous Café de la Nuit, immortalized by van Gogh.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 65 km / 40 miles
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

After a short transfer, it’s off to the untouched marshlands that border Arles. On the way, we will witness the vast salt hills and fields, which are among the largest in Europe, offering a fascinating panorama. As we go deeper into the nature reserve, our path leads us through flat rice fields. On the shores of the brackish lakes, black storks, grey herons, and bee-eaters grace the landscape, while Egyptian ibises bask in the warm sunlight. The shallow saltwater lakes are home to flamingos, and their pink wings standing out against the azure sky are a sight! If we’re lucky, the legendary white Camargue horses may cross our path!

Along a flat embankment that seems to merge with the sea, we reach Saintes Maries de la Mer. This fortified church is an annual pilgrimage site for gypsies from all over Europe and once inspired Picasso with its rousing flamenco performances. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the crypt and discover the story of the three Marys and their servant Sara. After a lunch break by the sea, a transfer will take us back to the Roman city of Arles, where we will visit the Roman amphitheater of Arles on a guided tour.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 32 km / 20 miles
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

In the morning, we admire the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and “Crozes Hermitages.” A bus takes us to the stunning Ardèche gorge, where our guide shares the history of the UNESCO World Heritage cave systems and their Stone Age settlements. We switch to e-bikes to explore the garrigue landscape, passing lavender fields and holm oak forests until the Ardèche river gorge appears. Carved up to 300 meters deep into the rock, the river has created a majestic landscape of winding cliffs and caves, offering breathtaking panoramic views along the scenic road that traces its edge.

Here, we’ll encounter rock paintings of our ancestors within the caves. We’ll have the opportunity to explore one such cave system! By noon, we’ll have returned to the ship and we can spend the afternoon on the sun deck or in the onboard spa. In the evening, we enjoy a final dinner in the wine bar aboard the STELLA. As we dine, the ship sets sail back to Lyon overnight, concluding our journey through southern France.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 24 miles / 38 km
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

Enjoy a late breakfast and spend the morning on board while the ship gently sails back to Lyon. In the afternoon, we’ll do a city tour of Lyon, often referred to as the gateway to the south and the secret capital of gourmets! Here, the Saône flows into the Rhône and divides the city center into two distinct parts: a lively district with magnificent 19th-century facades and the picturesque old town of St. Jean. In St. Jean, you can discover the Renaissance houses that were once inhabited by wealthy cloth merchants and bankers.

These buildings reveal their true splendor on the inside, with inner courtyards accessible through narrow passageways known as “traboules”. These corridors served as escape routes in times of conflict and reflect Lyon’s rich history, which was characterized by feuds between citizens and bishops as well as Catholics and Protestants. Connoisseurs know that some bourgeois apartments house paintings by famous artists such as Gauguin and Cézanne, which cannot be seen from the outside!  Lyon’s superb history has earned the city recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cycling: 14 miles / 22 km
Accommodation: Cabin aboard the STELLA

As the morning light gently illuminates Lyon, our ship docks once again in this vibrant city. After enjoying a delightful breakfast on board, it’s time to bid farewell to our floating home. Around 9am, disembark from the ship and either head home or stay a bit longer in the area to explore it!

Meals: Breakfast