Burgundy & Provence

Van Gogh paid tribute to Arles’ atmospheric beauty in some 200 paintings, including Starry Night Over the Rhône. It’s an ancient city boasting a remarkable collection of Roman ruins; among them are a theater where the famous Venus of Arles—on display in the Louvre—was discovered in 1651 and an amphitheater that is still used for sporting events. Join a local expert for a stroll through this district, where medieval houses crowd in among the ancient structures and the city gates date to the 13th century. Pause before the town hall, built with stone quarried from the Roman theater, and the Romanesque St. Trophime Church, which was erected in the 12th century. It replaced the church where St. Augustine, the man who converted the inhabitants of England to Christianity, was consecrated by the first archbishop of Canterbury. Walk in Van Gogh's footsteps past the cheery yellow Café de Nuit, still open and still the same shade of yellow it was when he painted it.

During your free time after the tour, you can peruse the local shops, go olive tasting or delve further into Arles’ stunning collection of architectural treasures.

Create your own masterpiece in the very town that inspired Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh moved from Paris to Arles in 1880, seeking warmer weather and the vibrant colors of southern France. He found much inspiration in the city, capturing iconic scenes in the town as well as the surrounding countryside—including Starry Night over the Rhône, Café Terrace at Night, and many more. In this painting class designed for young artists, explore Van Gogh’s expressive painting style through color and texture. Local artists from the art association La Couverture Verte will lead a step-by-step class to create your own Van-Gogh-inspired painting to take home. Learn about the artist’s life and artistic style in a playful way while experimenting with your own bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

"I grew up in Provence, in the hills surrounding the village of Les Baux de Provence, between the garrigue and olive groves. As a little girl, I discovered the tradition of lavender wands and their manufacture with my mother and grandmother." - Elsa Lenthal

Uplifting women's work and preserving tradition are central to Elsa's ethos. She spent years in Cambodia and the Philippines supporting projects to revitalize textile craftsmanship within women's communities. After, she returned home to do the same for her childhood past time, the treasured Provencal craft of weaving lavender wands. During a hands-on workshop with Elsa onboard your cruise, you'll learn this timeless art and get some beautiful souvenirs out of the process.

Please note: this experience is only available during lavender season on select departures (typically June through September).

Easy

Immerse yourself in art of a special kind - a digital exhibition devoted to a major artist, projected against the limestone quarries of Carrières des Lumières at the foot of Les-Bauxde-Provence. Afterwards, learn about traditional olive horticulture and sample the fruits of the groves at an olive farm. Provence has been one of the world's finest olive-growing regions for more than 2,500 years.

Intermediate

Don't miss the chance to stroll through Avignon's famous covered market, which always displays the best of local produce as well as seafood and such Provencal specialties as lavender and textiles, and learn how to put that produce to use at a famous cooking school. La Mirande, a grand 17th-century house that stands in the shadow of the Palace of the Popes, has been repurposed as an elegant hotel with a fine restaurant and a noted cooking school. In the atmospheric 19th-century kitchen where your class convenes-it resembles a museum devoted to traditional Provencal cuisine, complete with wood-burning stove-the chef will happily show you how to create a delectable lunch using the freshest ingredients and traditional techniques. Before you sit down to enjoy the meal you've contributed to, you have a chance to taste some wines in the cellar with the sommelier, then sip an aperitif and take your place at the family table for your meal, which will be accompanied by well-chosen Côtes du Rhône wines.

Intermediate

A highly celebrated appellation in a region already known for producing great wines, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is not to be missed. We'll visit one of the wonderful wineries in this district next, where you'll be greeted by the sommelier for an introduction to the wines produced here, which you will have a chance to sample after a tour of the cellar.

Intermediate

Slather on some sunscreen and plan to get wet as you spend a couple of fun and relaxing hours on the clear, tranquil waters of the Gardon. Accompanied by a soundtrack of chirping cicadas, you'll paddle along the river, spotting trout and water birds on the shores. Your adventure ends with a marvelous view of the arches of the oldest extant Roman aqueduct in France, the 2,000-year-old, UNESCO-designated Pont du Gard. This magnificent tri-level aqueduct bridge has spanned the Gardon since 19 BC, when it was constructed as part of the system that carried water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Strenuous

Sycamores line some of Viviers’ stone-paved streets (planted, so they say, to provide shade for Napoleon’s soldiers), and houses here bear the watermarks of floods over the years. A local expert will show you the fountain squares in the Old Town, which combines Roman and medieval influences, and cobblestone lanes so narrow you can stand in the middle and touch the medieval houses on either side. Viviers climbs a hill crowned by 12th-century St. Vincent’s Cathedral. View the smallest cathedral in France before you meet some of the local residents. You might choose to learn how a local potter makes the attractive wares sold at Poterie; step into a villager’s home; or sample the wares at a popular bar. Don’t feel that you must opt for the bar if you’d like a little refreshment; all visits include an aperitif. On your way back to the ship, stop to try your hand at a game of pétanque, which is akin to horseshoes, only it’s played with steel balls.

Beautiful Renaissance châteaux dot the hillsides as you travel to the medieval village of Grignan, situated in the Provençal countryside. A pale stone construction perched on a hilltop and surrounded by lush landscapes, Grignan is about as picturesque as can be. Your next stop: a family-owned truffle farm for a tasting of their "black diamonds," accompanied by a local wine. Meet the farmer for an introduction to the mystery and complexity of black truffles, partake in a hunt led by truffle dogs and learn about the production of this highly valued ingredient.

Intermediate

Embark on drive through Tain-l'Hermitage and up to its hilltop vineyards for an excellent vista overlooking rows upon rows of neatly arranged vines, the river and the village below. At the very top of the hill, you'll discover that the wines produced here are just as phenomenal as the view. During your private outdoor tasting, a sommelier will present you with a selection of premium wines, explaining the terroir and the characteristics of each sample.

Intermediate

Beaune may not be a large town, but it brims with history, a wealth of splendid regional architecture and incredible food. Nestled inside medieval ramparts, Beaune was the seat of the warlike dukes of Burgundy until the 16th century. It is best known for two magnificent sights: the Hospices de Beaune and the open-air market.

You’ll recognize the Hospices de Beaune (also known as Hôtel-Dieu) immediately by its fabulous multicolored-tile roof—it’s a symbol of Burgundy. Founded as a charitable institution by the duke’s chancellor in 1443, the hospital became a model for charitable giving in southern France, one with a unique fundraising tradition that continues to this day. Over the centuries, the hospice monks were given wine and vineyards, and they began selling the wine at auction in order to support their charitable work. The wine auction is now world-famous, and the institution remains a working hospital for the poor, with modern facilities standing alongside the historic Hôtel-Dieu.After seeing Hôtel-Dieu, check out the farmers’ market, which spills from street to street in the Old Town. Cheeses, fruits, vegetables, local sausages, breads—all are on colorful display here. Browse and assemble your own picnic lunch or take advantage of one of the many delightful sidewalk cafés for lunch.

Note: The open-air farmers’ market visit will take place in Arles on the reverse direction cruise (Lyon to Arles).

Note: Today’s lunch will be on your own.

Embark on a playful adventure among the cobblestone streets and postcard-worthy architecture of the fortified town of Beaune. Discover secrets of the famed Burgundy region on a scavenger hunt, during which you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the ancient Romans and the Dukes of Burgundy. Explorers of all ages will uncover hidden gems, solve riddles, and learn fascinating stories about Beaune’s rich history and culture during this family-friendly activity.

Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

Drive through picturesque hamlets and pristine vineyards to a Burgundy wine estate, where you'll meet the owners and indulge in a lunch showcasing regional specialties. You'll also enjoy a tasting that will bring to life the delicate flavors of southern Burgundy wine and illuminate the passion behind local winemaking traditions.

Intermediate