| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 7th07 | NovNov | 202222 | Lyon, France, embark on the MS Lord Byron | | |
| Your ship is moored in Lyon, with embarkation from the afternoon. So fly into Lyon or Geneva and transfer to your ship, or choose to travel by Eurostar and regional trains.You may choose to arrive a day or two early to explore more of the local area, grabbing a delicate pastry from a local patisserie, tracing the Saône and Rhône, wandering the pretty Parc de la Tête d’Or or walking up to the La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière for views of the city. This afternoon, make yourself acquainted with your contemporary cabin and spacious ship ahead of dinner on board this evening. Dinner included. |
| 8th08 | NovNov | 202222 | Vienne, France | | |
| Whether you’re a seasoned gourmand or are looking to try something new, you can’t help but have your senses captivated by the gastronomic capital of France – Lyon. In fairness it has much to commend it: nouvelle cuisine was invented near here and the city boasts a huge array of speciality food shops and eateries, including 20 restaurants with one or more Michelin stars and countless little places to eat. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crammed with antique shops and intriguing traboules that today are a joy to amble through. And then there’s the history! The Rhône Valley had been the route of choice for marauding armies and peaceful traders for centuries, and Lyon’s current site, at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, cried out to be fortified. In 43 BC the Romans founded the city, which subsequently grew in importance; the Emperor Claudius, conqueror of Britain, was born here. There are many Roman remains to see, but it was the production of silk that brought Lyon to prominence during the Middle Ages, and throughout the city you can see signs of the wealth that poured in – including Europe’s largest pedestrian square, the bustling Place Bellecour. Depart Lyon 19:00, arrive Vienne 22:00. Breakfast & Welcome Dinner included. |
| 9th09 | NovNov | 202222 | Tournon-sur-Rhône, France | | |
| Wake up on MS Lord Byron and enjoy breakfast in Vienne. Strikingly located in a narrow section of the Rhône where the river meanders dramatically around a steep bluff, Vienne is a treasure trove of historic remains, including the Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia. From the ship, you can take a little train to the top of the city, the Mont Pipet hill, where the view onto the Rhône will be the envy of your friends on social media. Whether you take the train or prefer to walk at your own pace, weave through the narrow streets of the old town, soak up the history of this fascinating place. This afternoon we’re sailing to Tournon-sur-Rhône. Tournon’s imposing castle and tree-lined avenues on one side of the river and steep vine-covered hillsides of Tain L’Hermitage on the other make for a spectacular view as we arrive. Take a walk across the historic Passerelle Marc Seguin suspension bridge or keen walkers might also enjoy the Sentier des Tours, following the traces of the 16th-century outer walls and the two remaining watchtowers, which is signposted and takes around an hour. Since we’re here overnight, take the opportunity to dine somewhere on shore too. Depart Vienne 12:00, arrive Tournon 17:30. Breakfast & lunch included. |
| 10th10 | NovNov | 202222 | Viviers, France | | |
| Enjoy a coffee in the bar and look out through panoramic windows to take in the caves, grottoes and natural sculptures, as they create marvellous views on the way through the gentle Rhône Valley. During lunch, Viviers comes into view, a bustling medieval town clustered around its 12th-century cathedral. Delve deeper with a guided walk around this charming town, leaving free time to go back and explore the hidden gems that most intrigued you. Or perhaps book an excursion to the Ardèche Gorges. It really is an impressive sight, as sheer limestone cliffs plunge almost 1,000 feet to the river’s waters, which snake their way through rock formations and naturally culminate in the Pont d’Arc. Dinner in Viviers is yours to decide too – so find a spot in a vibrant restaurant, order from their menu du jour and embrace this charming part of France like a local. Depart Tournon 06:00, arrive Viviers 13:30. Breakfast & lunch included. |
| 11th11 | NovNov | 202222 | Arles, France | | |
| This morning we sail further along the picturesque Rhône Valley. Maybe get pampered in the on-board spa, or relax and take in the views with a cup of tea. Enjoy lunch on board whilst we arrive in Arles. Although small in size, it was the key stronghold on the Roman road to Spain, one of the empire’s richest possessions. Many will know this as the place where Van Gogh experienced his more prolific years, from 1888. Inspired by Arles and the light and beauty of the Provençal countryside, he produced around 300 works, including The Night Café, The Sower and, of course, Sunflowers. You could arrange a guided tour of Arles, visit the famous amphitheatre, take in the majestic Montmajour Abbey, join an excursion to Camargue or simply wander the cobbled streets of Arles and sample the local cuisine. Depart Viviers 05:00, arrive Arles 14:00. Breakfast & lunch included. |
| 12th12 | NovNov | 202222 | Avignon, France | | |
| Today, we have another morning in Arles. Look out onto the vistas of deepest Provence and amid the warm stone colours of Arles, many of whose historic monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We’re moored here until midday, so savour your chance to embrace this enchanting city under your own steam again this morning. During lunch we sail to Avignon, known for the iconic Pont d’Avignon, which dramatically ends halfway across the river. But there’s so much more to discover. The light catching the red roofs of Avignon’s majestic skyline is a sight to behold, whilst the city is immaculately preserved, nestling behind its almost-intact 14th-century walls and boasting more remarkable medieval monuments, chapels and churches that can possibly fill up your camera roll. Stroll the streets and find your perfect spot for dinner tonight. Depart Arles 12:00, arrive Avignon 16:30. Breakfast & lunch included. |
| 13th13 | NovNov | 202222 | Avignon, France | | |
| We will spend the day in Avignon, so after breakfast on board, you have the whole day to soak up the atmosphere of this historic city. You're free to choose how to spend your day – perhaps arrange a guided walking tour, a visit to Luberon Valley with a wine and cheese tasting, seek a Van Gogh in Provence experience or simply wander the streets at your leisure. Of course, the wine in the south of France is exquisite, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy this as you people-watch over whichever menu du jour catches your eye. Or perhaps head to Les Halles d'Avignon, a historic indoor market recognisable by its plant-filled “living wall”, where inside you can find regional produce - such as meats, cheeses, oysters, tarts and desserts – as well as herbs, spices, oils and jams to take home as souvenirs. After sampling the local cuisine, perhaps visit the nearby Petit Palais, the former home of the archbishops of Avignon, to cast a critical eye over the remarkable collection of over 300 paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This evening after another delicious dinner in a local restaurant, why not grab an espresso martini in the ship’s bar and cheers to a wonderful week exploring these incredible parts of France, in exactly the way that suits you. Breakfast & lunch included. |
| 14th14 | NovNov | 202222 | Marseille, France, disembark the MS Lord Byron | | |
| Since being designated a European Capital of Culture for 2013, with an estimated €660 million of funding in the bargain, Marseille has been in the throes of an extraordinary transformation, with no fewer than five major new arts centers, a beautifully refurbished port, revitalized neighborhoods, and a slew of new shops and restaurants. Once the underdog, this time-burnished city is now welcoming an influx of weekend tourists who have colonized entire neighborhoods and transformed them into elegant pieds-à-terre (or should we say, mer). The second-largest city in France, Marseille is one of Europe's most vibrant destinations. Feisty and fond of broad gestures, it is also as complicated and as cosmopolitan now as it was when a band of Phoenician Greeks first sailed into the harbor that is today's Vieux Port in 600 BC. Legend has it that on that same day a local chieftain's daughter, Gyptis, needed to choose a husband, and her wandering eyes settled on the Greeks' handsome commander Protis. Her dowry brought land near the mouth of the Rhône, where the Greeks founded Massalia, the most important Continental shipping port in antiquity. The port flourished for some 500 years as a typical Greek city, enjoying the full flush of classical culture, its gods, its democratic political system, its sports and theater, and its naval prowess. Caesar changed all that, besieging the city in 49 BC and seizing most of its colonies. In 1214 Marseille was seized again, this time by Charles d'Anjou, and was later annexed to France by Henri IV in 1481, but it was not until Louis XIV took the throne that the biggest transformations of the port began; he pulled down the city walls in 1666 and expanded the port to the Rive Neuve (New Riverbank). The city was devastated by plague in 1720, losing more than half its population. By the time of the Revolution, Marseille was on the rebound once again, with industries of soap manufacturing and oil processing flourishing, encouraging a wave of immigration from Provence and Italy. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Marseille became the greatest boomtown in 19th-century Europe. With a large influx of immigrants from areas as exotic as Tangiers, the city quickly acquired the multicultural population it maintains to this day. After breakfast, transfer to Marseille or Montpellier airport, or the train station at the appropriate time for your return journey. Or if you're not ready to say au revoir to France just yet, you might choose to extend your stay in Avignon or the surrounding area. Breakfast included. |
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