Compare Burgundy to Provence Riverboat by Olivia vs A picturesque wine tour in Paris, Burgundy & Provence by Paris-Toujours

Day 1: Paris—Dijon—Beaune—St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)—Seurre

Meals: Dinner

This morning, transfer from Paris host hotel to Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Although life here centers around wine, Beaune offers much more. Today you have an included tour. Choose from a wine tasting in a local cellar, OR visit the HÔTEL-DIEU charity hospital, built in 1443 and paid for by the chancellor of Burgundy after the Hundred Years’ War left many of the town’s population destitute. Today it houses Van der Weyden’s painting of The Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Then, continue to St. Jean de Losne, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your Olivia staff and ship’s crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Macon.

Day 2: Seurre—Mâcon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy some leisurely cruising today and before lunch, enjoy an Onboard Cheese Tasting. In the late afternoon, arrive in Mâcon, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. Free time allows you to explore on your own. Alternatively, you may choose to participate in one of the optional excursions offered, such as a visit to a wine cellar.

Day 3: Lyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lyon, France’s third-largest city and its gastronomic capital, was founded by the Romans in 43 B.C. The city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, excellent museums, and renaissance architecture delight visitors. A local guide joins you as you survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and Place des Terreaux, a popular area with lively cafés, monuments, and the famous fountain often depicted on postcards. Tonight, you may choose to participate in an optional tour to Paul Bocuse, 3-star Michelin Restaurant for the meal of a lifetime!

Day 4: Lyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy a free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon’s parks, discover some of the murals (there are over 100), or select one of the available optional excursions. Be sure to taste the gastronomic delights and sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region; wine connoisseurs know that the grapes must be hand-picked. Or take a bike ride along the river. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do.

Day 5: Tournon/Tain-L'Hermitage—Viviers

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. A local guide will show you Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, with its imposing 16th -century castle and Roman ruins. Your Olivia Cruise Director will take you to one of the best chocolate shops for some free tastings. Arriving in Viviers in the afternoon, a guided walk shows you this charming town that developed around its Romanesque cathedral. The Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. An included “Organ Concert” organized by Olivia will end the tour at the top of the hill with beautiful views.

Day 6: Avignon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence with its intact ramparts encircling the entire city, cobblestone streets and squares, and private mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. During your guided tour, you may choose to join an included visit of the Palace of the Popes, built in the 14th century as the sovereign popes’ residence. A photo of the famous Pont Saint Bénezet (Saint Bénezet Bridge), of the popular song Sur le Pont d’Avignon, is a must. Optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available for purchase.

Day 7: Arles

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, wake up early to the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park (daylight permitting) before arriving in Arles after breakfast. Located on the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is capital of the Provence region. Your local guide will show you highlights of the city and you’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater. Still used today, it dates to the 1st century and was constructed to hold more than 20,000 spectators. Visit areas where Van Gogh lived and painted.

Day 8: Port Saint-Louis (Disembarkation)

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, disembark home, or to your next destination, or join us on our extended stretcher to Marseille to enjoy Bastille Day in France!

Day 1: Arrival day

Start of your wine touring in France experience as you arrive at the airport : welcome and transfer to your hotel in the center of Paris by your private driver. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel. Late afternoon, you will be picked-up at your hotel and transferred to a century-old cellar in the heart of Paris for a private wine tasting experience paired with regional produces. A nice introduction to the French wine regions diversity.

Day 2: Introduction to Paris

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide will introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You will start with the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ. You will also be able to see  the gothic jewel, Notre-Dame Cathedral, dated from the 12th century.

Day 3: Day tour to Versailles & Monet's gardens

After breakfast, get picked up by your chauffeur and your guide for a private day tour to Versailles and Giverny. You will begin your day by visiting the Palace of Versailles. Along the visit discover its beautiful rooms of the King’s apartments and the spectacular gardens. After a lunch in Versailles you will continue your day with the visit of Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny before returning to your hotel in Paris.

Day 4: Parisian market tour & Eiffel Tower

After breakfast, you will have a 2-hour market tour in the 17th arrondissement. This Parisian market is located on the North-west of Paris and you’ll meet Parisians doing their daily shopping. You’ll be able to discover fresh produces as well as gourmet shops.

In the afternoon, self-visit the Eiffel Tower to the top floor with skip-the-line access. Take time to admire the breathtaking view over Paris.

Day 5: Walking tour in Le Marais

After breakfast your guide will pick you up for a walking tour in Le Marais. This neighborhood will impress you with its architecture with numerous private mansions (“hotels particuliers”) dating from when Henri IV made this an aristocratic neighborhood. It’s also a very lively districts with lots of restaurants and shops.

In the afternoon you’ll be driven to the train station and you’ll take your train to Dijon in Burgundy. You chauffeur will drive you to your hotel located in the heart of the old city of Dijon. A great way to admire the French countryside.

Day 6: Wine tour in Burgundy vineyards

Today you will have a private wine tour through the Burgundy vineyards. In the heart of beautiful landscapes, you will discover the Grands Crus wine road from Dijon to Meursault. You will be introduced to the Côtes de Nuits and Côtes de Beaune to discover prestigious wineries and to taste the great wines of Burgundy after an instructive walk in Gevrey-Chambertin vineyards. This private wine touring in France experience will be the opportunity to learn about the ‘climats’ of Burgundy, the soil specifics, and taste Grands Crus in centuries-old properties.

Day 7: Free day in Dijon

Enjoy a free day discovering the city of Dijon. You could for example follow the owl “Chouette” circuit to discover all the cultural gems of the city, and taste the local specialties such as the authentic Dijon mustard or the ginger bread at Mullot-Petitjean.

Day 8: Journey to Avignon

This morning you will take the train to Avignon. After checking-in at your charming B&B located in the heart of the old city of Avignon, take time to discover the narrow and cobbled streets bordered by somptuous 18th century private mansions. The Palace of the Popes, the biggest gothic palace in the world listed by UNESCO, is also a must see.

Day 9: Wine tour around the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards

After breakfast your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private tour through the Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards. You will visit some wine estates located in the most famous wine areas such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and Gigondas where you’ll be able to taste different wines. Amongst the different wineries you’ll discover gorgeous small Provencal villages like Seguret. This tasting day will be another wine touring in France experience to understand each region vineyards culture and cepages.

Day 10: Lavender fields & Luberon villages

Today you will discover the small villages of the Luberon. Some of them are classified as “the most beautiful villages in France”. You could discover Gordes which is a gorgeous perched village and the Abbey de Senanque which is surrounded by lavender fields. Another village that you will visit is Roussillon, a little village perched on an ochre cliff.

Day 11: Free time in Avignon and Farewell France

Enjoy some free time today to stroll around Avignon old town, have a lunch on a terrace at the feet of the Palace of Popes or on a small square facing a gothic church. During the day you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train from Avignon to Paris and be transfered by chauffeur to CDG airport to spend the night before taking your flight on the next day