| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 16th16 | MayMay | 202626 | Lyon, France, embark on the MS Lord Byron | | |
Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill. Arrival in Lyon - After arriving, the dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you on board and help you to your cabin. There's plenty of time to settle in to your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation and familiarise yourself with this five-star floating hotel. |
| 17th17 | MayMay | 202626 | Mâcon, France | | |
| Lyon - We’ll enjoy breakfast on board before a guided tour of Lyon, one of France’s most fascinating cities. 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. The green spaces are certainly not lacking in Lyon - Parc de la Tête d’Or, in the north of the 6th arrondissement, is one of France's largest parks and a wonderful place to spend a leisurely morning. A breath of fresh air in a thriving city. On our visit, budding horticulturalists will especially love exploring the three rose gardens with over 350 varieties on vibrant display (in total there’s over 30,000 rosebushes – that must take a lot of pruning).The park’s botanical gardens are a living plant museum, home to 15,000 botanical species, including an alpine garden, a herbarium, the largest collection of greenhouses in France – better watch where you step here, there’s lots of carnivorous plants, over 1,000 species of orchids and 1,400 endangered plants on display. While you enjoy your first lunch on board, the ship will quietly slip its moorings. Cruising upstream towards our next destination, Chalon-sur-Saône, we’ll catch the first glimpses of the vine-clad slopes of the hazy green Beaujolais hills as we approach one of the world’s most revered red-wine-producing regions. On our left, you’ll see the picturesque villages of Morgon, Fleury, Juliénas, Chénas and many more, while on the right you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mont Blanc – Western Europe’s highest mountain. As the afternoon drifts into evening, what could be better than a cool, crisp glass in the lounge before enjoying this evening’s culinary delights in the restaurant, prepared by our outstanding chef. |
| 18th18 | MayMay | 202626 | Chalon-sur-Saône, France | | |
| Beaune - Overnight we’ll have made steady progress north and wake up in Chalon, gateway to Burgundy and the home of Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography. As we travel towards Beaune, today’s destination, we’ll see some of the pretty yet surprisingly small villages that produce some of the world’s most sublime wines – Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Gevrey-Chambertin and many more. Nearby is medieval Beaune, which we’ll visit for a short walking tour around the town and a wine tasting at a local cellar. As you might expect from Burgundy’s wine capital, Beaune is surrounded by vineyards that are centuries old. And - thanks to the gentle slopes with well-drained soils rich in iron and hot summers – the region produces some of the best wine in the world. Here, wine is not simply a drink - it's an embodiment of the culture. Landscapes, traditions and local history are stored in each bottle. It's no wonder they produce some of the best wines in the world here. The town itself is wonderful to wander around and, at its centre, is the Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu. Originally built in the 15th century as a hospital for the disadvantaged, it’s a jewel of High Gothic architecture, instantly recognisable for its colourful glazed roof tiles arranged in dazzling geometric patterns. A prestigious annual wine auction takes place here each November, with proceeds going to benefit the Hospices de Beaune and its charity work - in 2022, the wine auction netted a whopping €29,788,500, breaking their own 2014 record. Of course, you can’t visit Burgundy without sampling its amazing wines, so we visit the cellars of a leading traditional winemaker for a tour and wine tasting before free time to explore at leisure. Later, we’ll return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening on board taking advantage of the ship’s five-star facilities as we cruise the beautiful countryside towards Vienne. |
| 19th19 | MayMay | 202626 | Vienne, France | | |
| Vienne & Tournon - Overnight, our ship will cruise gently downstream and, as we enjoy breakfast in Vienne, there's time to explore this pretty town, including its central park, Jardin de Ville. Its flower beds are bursting with colourful blooms that break up the manicured lawns. It's the perfect place to stop and enjoy a morning coffee. Two calming pools are decorated with rocks and an old Roman road, and the remains of columns punctuate the otherwise pristine garden. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on board – perhaps catching up on some reading or just lazing in the sun as the temperature rises, before we arrive in Tain l'Hermitage, surrounded by steep vine-covered hillsides, where another of the world’s most revered wines is produced. After dinner, perhaps take a stroll along the river and wander across the oldest suspension bridge in France to the pretty provincial town of Tournon on the opposite bank of the river, with its imposing castle and tree-lined avenues. Our mooring in Tournon offers a fitting view as we enjoy another exquisite dinner. |
| 20th20 | MayMay | 202626 | Arles, France | | |
Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for its Roman heritage and artistic legacy. The ancient amphitheater and the Roman Theater are standout landmarks. Arles also boasts charming streets and vibrant markets, reflecting its rich cultural life. Known for its connection to Vincent van Gogh, the city features scenes immortalized in his paintings. The blend of historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and picturesque landscapes makes Arles a captivating destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike. Ardèche Gorges - This morning we'll cruise effortlessly downstream. In the distance, you’ll catch glimpses of the Alps and, as we approach Valence, the landscape gradually becomes less green with more ochres and magentas, the houses have sloping terracotta roofs typical of the Mediterranean and the air carries heady aromas of pine and cypress. You can only be in the Midi or – as we call it – the south of France. It’s so relaxing to catch up on some reading or just laze in the sun. This morning we'll cruise effortlessly downstream. In the distance, you’ll catch glimpses of the Alps and, as we approach Valence, the landscape gradually becomes less green with more ochres and magentas, the houses have sloping terracotta roofs typical of the Mediterranean and the air carries heady aromas of pine and cypress. You can only be in the Midi or – as we call it – the south of France. It’s so relaxing to catch up on some reading or just laze in the sun. After lunch, we'll explore one of France’s most outstanding landscapes – the Ardèche Gorges, whose scale is a fitting reminder of Mother Nature’s awesome power. Sheer limestone cliffs plunge almost 1,000 feet to the river’s blue waters, which elegantly snake their way through rock formations, culminating in a huge natural arch, the Pont d’Arc. Caves, grottoes and natural sculptures create marvellous views at every turn before we return to the gentler slopes of the Rhône Valley. We'll also visit a local lavender museum set amongst fields of fragrant lavender planted in neat rows across the landscape. This fragrant plant originated in Persia thousands of years ago, it was used by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Celts - so there's plenty of history to discover - it was even thought to be a remedy against the plague. We'll learn how these beautiful purple fields become little bottles of essential oils explaining everything from harvest to distillation - maybe even stock up on some of their local lavender produce to take home. We'll return to the river later, where our ship will be moored in charming Viviers, a medieval town clustered around its 12th-century cathedral. We'll slip our mooring and proceed through the famous lock at Bollène, one of the deepest in France, as you relax over dinner. Tonight, we enjoy an on-board ballroom dancing performance. |
| 21st21 | MayMay | 202626 | Cruising | | |
| 22nd22 | MayMay | 202626 | Avignon, France | | |
Avignon, France, is a historic city in Provence famed for its stunning medieval architecture. Dominated by the impressive Palais des Papes, a grand papal palace, and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, Avignon offers a rich cultural heritage. Its charming streets, vibrant markets, and annual theater festival, the Festival d'Avignon, add to its allure. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and the Rhône River, Avignon blends history with a lively contemporary atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and culture seekers. Avignon - Today, we'll embark on a guided tour of one of the most extraordinary and intriguing cities in France. Avignon’s destiny changed during the 14th century when the Pope’s court moved here to avoid strife in Rome. Igniting a century of prosperity, the Pontiff commissioned a host of ambitious building projects, and today the city is immaculately preserved, nestling behind its almost-intact 14th-century walls and boasting more remarkable monuments, superbly decorated buildings, churches, chapels and convents than you can possibly count. Most important is the Popes' Palace, made up of two buildings that together form the largest Gothic palace in the world. With turrets, towers, parapets and other fortifications, its exterior resembles a mighty fortress, while the interior is a tour de force of medieval architecture and ornamentation, adorned with priceless frescoes, Gobelin tapestries and graceful sculptures. The ceremonial hall, chapels, cloisters and private apartments are all unmissable. But to truly embrace the feel of papal Avignon, imagine yourself here during the Middle Ages amid the Palace’s rich furnishings and extravagant decoration, with cardinals, princes and ambassadors milling about its candle-lit halls and corridors, while in the streets below countless pilgrims eagerly anticipate benediction. This was Avignon’s brief golden age when it was truly the centre of Christendom. At the end of our tour, you can stroll through the gardens at the Palace of the Popes, one of only three papal gardens designed in the 14th century. It's recently been restored to pay homage to the Medieval period, shedding light on what these pleasure gardens once were. Split into two; the Pope's garden - a private intimate garden - and the Palace Garden, home to large rectangular beds brimming with Mediterranean species that records show grew in the papal gardens in the 1300s. We continue to Uzès, one of the most charming cities in the south of France, famed for its local produce and bustling textile markets. On arrival we enjoy a walking tour, strolling through the shady cobbled streets of its old town, a delightfully car-free zone, whilst admiring the pale limestone buildings with their characterful shutters and elegant wrought iron balconies. See the impressive cathedral with its quirky Pisa-like tower, contemporary artwork and ancient, intricate stained glass. Built on the site of a Roman camp, visit the Duke’s Palace with its imposing Renaissance facades, turrets and ramparts, wealth of fine art, furniture and a cellar stocked with fine champagne. Uzès became the first Duchy of France in 1632 and the present Duke and Duchess still spend the summer here. Climb the tower to enjoy panoramic views of the olive groves, garrigue and vineyards. Later, return to the luxurious surroundings of our ship, finding a quiet spot to contemplate the many wondrous gardens and flora places you’ve seen and smelled! After dinner, you can sit back and relax to the sounds of a talented local pianist who'll entertain us with French songs on board. |
| 23rd23 | MayMay | 202626 | Avignon, France, disembark the MS Lord Byron | | |
Avignon, France, is a historic city in Provence famed for its stunning medieval architecture. Dominated by the impressive Palais des Papes, a grand papal palace, and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, Avignon offers a rich cultural heritage. Its charming streets, vibrant markets, and annual theater festival, the Festival d'Avignon, add to its allure. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and the Rhône River, Avignon blends history with a lively contemporary atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and culture seekers. Return home |
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