Hosted Journey
Essence of Burgundy & Provence
Seven nights up the Rhône and Saône, from Roman Provence through Lyon and into the vineyards of southern Burgundy, timed for the harvest's quiet aftermath.
Dates
October 21–28, 2027
Route
Arles to Port of Dijon
Ship
AmaCello · AmaWaterways
Length
Seven nights
Open and ready to plan
This is the food-and-wine river journey. It begins in Arles, where the light Van Gogh chased is still there in late October, and ends near Dijon after a week of vineyards, abbeys, and market towns.
Lyon sits in the middle of it, which matters — it is the best eating city in France and the ship stays long enough to do something about that. Before and after: Avignon's papal palace, a truffle farm near Grignan, Cluny's ruined abbey, medieval Brancion, and tastings in the Mâconnais and the Chalonnaise.
Late October is the reward for waiting. The harvest is in, the crowds have thinned, the truffle season is starting, and the vineyards have turned.
Region
Southern France · Rhône · Saône · Burgundy
Who it suits
- Travelers who plan trips around what is on the table
- Anyone who has done the Rhine or the Danube and wants France next
- Couples who like small towns, long lunches, and vineyards in autumn colour
Day by day
Arles to Port of Dijon.
Day 1
Arles
Board in the afternoon in the heart of Roman Provence.
Day 2
Arles & Avignon
Arles on foot or in Van Gogh's footsteps, then Avignon — the papal palace or a tasting walk.
Day 3
Viviers
A small cathedral town, with a truffle farm visit near Grignan for anyone who wants it.
Day 4
Vienne & Lyon
Roman Vienne and the climb up Mount Pipet, then France's culinary capital in the evening.
Day 5
Mâcon
Southern Burgundy — Cluny Abbey, the Royal Monastery of Brou, a ride to Tournus, and Mâconnais wine.
Day 6
Tournus
The Abbey of Saint Philibert, Château de Cormatin, or medieval Brancion, with scenic cruising in between.
Day 7
Chalon-sur-Saône
The historic city, or Beaune — the wine capital of the Côte d'Or — with a Chalonnaise tasting.
Day 8
Port of Dijon
Disembark after breakfast in the heart of Burgundy.
On board
What the journey includes.
- Seven nights aboard AmaCello, a 144-guest ship
- All meals on board, including the intimate Chef's Table
- Hand-selected wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Small-group excursions in every port, including hiking and biking options
- A wellness host leading daily activities, plus the fitness room and whirlpool
- Live local entertainment and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout
Before or after
Add Nice or Geneva
Three nights in Nice before the ship, or three nights in Geneva afterwards — hotels, breakfasts, city touring, and the transfers, all handled.
Worth knowing
AmaCello is one of the smaller ships in the fleet, which is part of the appeal and also the reason the good staterooms go early.
Paris pairs naturally with this route. If you want it, say so early and we will build it in rather than bolt it on.
A closer look
More of the journey.
Also on the calendar