Compare Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise 2023 by Tauck vs Lyon to the Tip of Provence on the Rhône and Saône Rivers by CroisiEurope

Day 1 Arrive Paris

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra. A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle Station or Gare du Nord train stations to Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra. Your family's France river cruise gets off to a fabulous start from the moment you check into your your luxury hotel, a historic treasure in the heart of the city that for centuries has been at the heart of Parisian society. Meet the families you'll be traveling with at a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel, featuring entertainment by a mentalist that's fun for the whole family.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Hotel Scribe Paris Managed by Sofitel

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 2 A scavenger hunt in the Louvre & a choice of sightseeing

The day begins with a choice of sightseeing – a city tour that includes views of iconic sights such as the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées and Notre Dame Cathedral – or a bicycle tour along the River Seine that begins in the Champ du Mars vicinity and passes in front of Museé D'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, the Eiffel Tower and more. Following lunch, and schedule permitting, join us for a special visit to Musée du Louvre where you will have fun on a scavenger hunt that introduces you to world-famous art masterpieces, like the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus de Milo."

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Scribe Paris Managed by Sofitel

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 3 A day well spent in Paris...

Your morning includes a visit to probably the most iconic sight in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Early afternoon, travel aboard a high-speed train called the TGV and head south to Lyon, where you'll board ms Emerald, your floating hotel for the next five nights. The crew makes sure that you know your way around before our welcome reception, which is followed by dinner aboard ship... with some rather magical entertainment.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 4 Tournon, cooking & chocolat

This morning your riverboat takes you to the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône for fun family discoveries ashore including an orientation tour of this ancient town on the River Rhône; a cooking class at Scook, the cooking school of Anne Sophie Pic, located next door to the Michelin-awarded restaurant Maison Pic; and a demonstration in the art of making chocolat at Valrhona Cité du Chocolat. The rest of the afternoon and evening are spent cruising the Rhône, bound for Arles in Provence.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

Day 5 Arles, Camargue cowboys, van Gogh & chocolate art

After arriving in Arles this morning, get a change of scenery on a drive into the Camargue for a taste of France's "Wild West." This vast marshy delta has been home to free-roaming black bulls since Roman times; today the bulls are looked after by French gardians (cowboys), saddled up on white Camargue horses. You'll see them up close at a private ranch, called a manade, and a hayride into the fields to see bulls, mares and foals. Enjoy a Provençal lunch, gypsy music and a daring show in which players attempt to retrieve paper tokens from a bull's horns. Later today you'll return to medieval Arles for a walking tour that brings alive many of the places captured in brilliant strokes of color by one of its most famous residents, artist Vincent van Gogh – then create some tasty art of your own based on lovely French landscapes with a hands-on chocolate painting experience, This evening, an onboard performance by an accordionist precedes dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Arles, France

Day 6 An Avignon palace & a 1st-century marvel

Everyone dreams at one time or another of living in a palace... and today's France family river cruise does just that when your family visits an extravagant grand palace with four mighty towers... On a guided tour of 12th-century Palais des Papes in Avignon, once a "renegade" papal palace (built in opposition to Rome), your imagination takes flight as you explore one of Europe's largest medieval Gothic buildings. Or, if you wish, instead of visiting Palais des Papes you can join us for a bicycle ride in Avignon this morning. You'll have some time this afternoon to discover Avignon as you please. Then everyone meets up to walk across the famed Pont du Gard, and enjoy some refreshments; this three-level, 164-ft.-high "bridge" was built by the Romans to carry fresh water over the Gardon River nearly 2,000 years ago!

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Avignon, France

Day 7 Medieval Viviers, pétanque and more

This morning brings adventure to your France family river cruise with a walking tour of medieval Viviers, where you'll wind your way up through narrow, cobbled streets, curious passageways and doorways in shades of blue and green... leading up to the petite 12th-century Cathédrale Saint-Vincent. Next, try your hand at a game of pétanque, played by tossing a small metal boule about the size of an orange. Return to the riverboat for lunch (a barbecue on the Sun Deck, weather permitting) and an afternoon and evening spent cruising. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Viviers, France

Day 8 Journey Home

Tour Ends: Lyon. Our family France river cruise concludes in Lyon today as your family disembarks ms Emerald; fly home after 11:00 AM. A transfer is included from the riverboat to either the Lyon Airport or Lyon's Perrache or Part Dieu train stations; you should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Lyon, France

Day 1 LYON

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We’ll enjoy dinner on board as our ship cruises to Mâcon. Don’t miss Lyon lit up at night as we depart!

Day 2 MÂCON - The Beaujolais vineyards - LYON

Join us on a classic/discovery excursion : A guided tour of Mâcon. With its colored facades, Mâcon feels like it should be part of Provence. Learn more about this Burgundy city on a tour highlighting its major sites.This afternoon, join us for an classic/discovery excursion : The Beaujolais vineyards. The Beaujolais wine region is tucked in between Lyon and Burgundy. Wines range from the young Beaujolais Nouveau to high-quality crus. Red wines are made mostly from Gamay grapes that create a vibrant, fruity taste.  Light and fresh white wines come predominantly from Chardonnay varieties.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship to cruise to Lyon in the evening.

Day 2 MÂCON - The Beaujolais vineyards - LYON

Join us on a classic/discovery excursion : A guided tour of Mâcon. With its colored facades, Mâcon feels like it should be part of Provence. Learn more about this Burgundy city on a tour highlighting its major sites.This afternoon, join us for an classic/discovery excursion: The Beaujolais vineyards. The Beaujolais wine region is tucked in between Lyon and Burgundy. Wines range from the young Beaujolais Nouveau to high-quality crus. Red wines are made mostly from Gamay grapes that create a vibrant, fruity taste.  Light and fresh white wines come predominantly from Chardonnay varieties.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship to cruise to Lyon in the evening.

Day 3 LYON - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE, Valley of the Côtes du Rhône

Excursions proposed:CLASSIC package: Join us for a panoramic tour of Lyon and learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street.DISCOVERY package: Food tour of Lyon.We’ll cruise to Tain-l’Hermitage in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

Day 3 LYON - TAIN-L'HERMITAGE, Valley of the Côtes du Rhône

Excursions proposed:CLASSIC package: Join us for a panoramic tour of Lyon and learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street.DISCOVERY package: Food tour of Lyon.We’ll cruise to Tain-l’Hermitage in the afternoon and arrive in the evening.

Day 4 TAIN-L'HERMITAGE - The Vercors - AVIGNON

This morning, join us on a classic/discovery excursion : Discover the Vercors Massif and enjoy a tasting of local sparkling wine (Clairette de Die).*The Vercors Massif contains impressive sites and breathtaking views. We’ll discover many of these on a trip through its natural park. Peaks, trails, rushing streams, steep cliffs, and rolling mountain pastures await. The Vercors Massif was also a strategic location for the French Resistance during World War II. We’ll visit the quaint town of Die—known for its delicious sparkling wine—and enjoy a tasting.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon, arriving during the evening.

Day 4 TAIN-L'HERMITAGE - The Vercors - AVIGNON

This morning, join us on a classic/discovery excursion : Discover the Vercors Massif and enjoy a tasting of local sparkling wine (Clairette de Die).*The Vercors Massif contains impressive sites and breathtaking views. We’ll discover many of these on a trip through its natural park. Peaks, trails, rushing streams, steep cliffs, and rolling mountain pastures await. The Vercors Massif was also a strategic location for the French Resistance during World War II. We’ll visit the quaint town of Die—known for its delicious sparkling wine—and enjoy a tasting.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon, arriving during the evening.

Day 5 AVIGNON - ARLES

Join us on a classic/discovery excursion this morning for a guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace. Avignon has had quite a past. The city’s historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in this area is the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe and the city’s most famous attraction.Our ship will cruise to Arles.The afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of Arles.

Day 5 AVIGNON - ARLES

Join us on a classic/discovery excursion this morning for a guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace. Avignon has had quite a past. The city’s historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in this area is the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe and the city’s most famous attraction.Our ship will cruise to Arles.The afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of Arles.

Day 6 ARLES - The Camargue - MARTIGUES(1)

This morning, join us for an excursion:CLASSIC package: Tour the Camargue. We’ll visit a manade to enjoy a horse show.DISCOVERY package: Discovery of the wild Camargue in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Set out on an exciting jaunt into the heart of the wild Camargue.Sit back and admire the rivers, marshes, ponds, pink flamencos, black bulls, and the famous, indigenous Camargue horses. Whether on the edge of the sea or inland, each spot is an immersion in the wonders nature has to offer in France.Our ship will cruise to Martigues.Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Day 6 ARLES - The Camargue - MARTIGUES(1)

This morning, join us for an excursion:CLASSIC package: Tour the Camargue. We’ll visit a manade to enjoy a horse show.DISCOVERY package: Discovery of the wild Camargue in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Set out on an exciting jaunt into the heart of the wild Camargue.Sit back and admire the rivers, marshes, ponds, pink flamencos, black bulls, and the famous, indigenous Camargue horses. Whether on the edge of the sea or inland, each spot is an immersion in the wonders nature has to offer in France.Our ship will cruise to Martigues.Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Day 7 MARTIGUES(1)

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.