Explore the Ardèche Gorges, a dramatic limestone canyon where cliffs plunge to turquoise waters and swifts wheel above the bends. Pause to admire the Pont d’Arc natural arch, carved over ages by the river into a colossal stone gateway.

Personalise the excursion with either a visit to a Lavender farm and distillery to learn about cultivation and essential-oil extraction, or a descent into the Grotte de la Madeleine, a show cave renowned for stalactites and illuminated chambers. Note: the cave requires negotiating approximately 250 steps.

Choose your focus in Arles with a local expert: uncover imperial grandeur at the Roman amphitheatre, the theatre of Augustus, and the Alyscamps necropolis, or follow in the artist’s footsteps through cafés, riverbanks, and squares that shaped his palette.

Hear stories of legionaries and traders at this key Rhône port, or trace Van Gogh in Arles during his most prolific year, when the golden Provencal light ignited Sunflowers, The Night Café, and so many other canvases.

Stand before the Pont du Gard aqueduct, a 2,000-year-old masterpiece spanning the Gardon in three soaring tiers. Marvel at its precision masonry—assembled without mortar—and the river valley it commands.

Learn how Roman engineering channelled spring water across rugged terrain to supply Nîmes, and see why the aqueduct’s harmonious proportions and rugged golden stone have inspired architects and travellers from antiquity to the present day.

Explore Avignon’s papal legacy on a guided walk taking in the Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d’Avignon) and the monumental Palace of the Popes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe with frescoed chapels, grand halls, and fortified towers.

Alternatively, after the bridge, opt for the charming petit train to circuit the 14th-century city walls and lively squares. Expect stone-paved lanes, ecclesiastical art, and a tangible sense of the city’s medieval power and pageantry.

Enjoy an onboard ballroom dance performance followed by a light-hearted workshop where you’ll learn the French madison, a convivial line dance loved at local fêtes. No experience needed—just bring a smile and a willingness to try.

Pick up simple steps and rhythm tips from the hosts, then take to the floor as the lounge transforms into a gleaming salon. It’s a spirited cultural moment with live music and plenty of laughter.

Settle in for a performance by a talented local pianist, bringing the lounge to life with classic French chansons and salon standards. Sip a drink as melodies ripple through the ship and the river drifts by outside.

From playful cabaret tunes to evocative melodies of love and light, the evening captures the romance of Provence and the Left Bank alike—an elegant close to a day of discovery.

Cruise the Saône and Rhône past vine-clad hills and honey-stone villages. Gaze at the vine-covered Beaujolais slopes, the chalk and clay of the Mâconnais, and the terraced vineyards of Condrieu and Hermitage that grip the valley sides.

Glide through working waterways and impressive infrastructure, including the Bollène lock, among France’s deepest. Expect ever-changing light, riverside châteaux, and camera-ready bends that reveal the valley’s varied geology and winemaking heritage.

Venture towards the delta to visit a traditional manade, a working farm where guardians raise white Camargue horses and black bulls amid brackish lagoons and salt-tolerant grasses. Ride by farm cart to see herds and learn time-honoured methods.

Hear stories of branding, seasonal transhumance, and the cultural ties between stockmen and the wetlands. Conclude with a glass of local wine. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; minimum numbers may apply.

Visit Burgundy’s wine capital on a guided tour that culminates at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune), a 15th-century charitable hospital famed for its glazed-tile roof and beautifully preserved courtyards. Wander cobbled streets framed by wine merchants’ houses and artisan boutiques.

Inside, discover the hospice’s remarkable polyptychs, timbered halls, and stories of medieval care that still echo through the complex. Learn how the famous wine auction sustains its legacy, linking Beaune’s humanitarian past with Burgundy’s enduring viticultural prestige.

Taste the valley’s character with a hosted, interactive session featuring a blind tasting of Rhône wines. Compare varietals such as Syrah and Viognier, exploring aroma, structure, and the influence of sun-warmed slopes and river breezes.

Delve into antiquity as you recreate a Roman-style wine, inspired by historical recipes sweetened and spiced for travel and ceremony. Gain fresh appreciation for the vineyards surrounding the steep Hermitage hill and the craft that has shaped this region for millennia.

Join a guided panoramic tour of France’s culinary capital, taking in the broad sweep of the Rhône and Saône and the elegance of Place Bellecour. Explore the UNESCO-listed old town’s Renaissance lanes and slip through the Vieux Lyon traboules, the covered passageways once used by silk workers to reach the river under shelter.

Absorb the city’s layered past from Roman Lugdunum to the silk era as bell towers, bouchons, and pastel facades reveal Lyon’s character. Expect an engaging blend of architecture, artisan traditions, and riverfront scenery during your time in the city.