One of the best ways to see France is via an epic cruise. This travel option will have your family seeing multiple sights along the Rhone and Saone Rivers. This unique family vacation will allow you to make memories you wouldn’t be able to anywhere else in the world. Today, I am sharing an itinerary of an epic cruise that will take your family from Burgundy to Provence. You don’t need to choose the exact same itinerary for your cruise. As I am planning your epic cruise, I can personalize your itinerary, so everyone in your family gets to do their favorite things while on vacation.  

Read all about why river cruising is so much better than an ocean cruise! 

Take an Epic Cruise from Burgundy to Provence with Your Amazing Family

Day One: Chalon-Sur-Saone 

Depending on when your flight arrives, you may have time for a little sightseeing before boarding the ship for your river cruise. After unpacking in your cabin, you can wander around the ship and enjoy a delicious dinner.  

Day Two: Tournus 

Overnight, the ship will have sailed to Tournus. It will arrive in port while you are still sleeping. Be prepared to be in a new destination already when you wake up in the morning.  

After a hearty breakfast, you will head out into town with your local tour guide. They will show you the sights throughout town before returning you to the ship. However, I recommend taking the time to also visit the Castle of Cormatin or enjoy a wine tasting in a Chardonnay wine cellar before getting back on board.  

Day Three: Lyon 

You will arrive in Lyon after breakfast on day three of your epic cruise with family. Use this downtime to relax a little.  

When you arrive in Lyon, you will have a choice of either a bike ride along the banks of the Rhone and Saone Rivers or a visit to Fourviere Hill. The latter will have you exploring Old Town, as well as the fountain of Places des Terreaux.  

Day Four: Lyon 

You will stay in Lyon for part of another day during your epic cruise. Spend the day exploring on your own. Or join a culinary walking tour to try some of the local cuisine.  

The ship will leave port early in the evening to sail to your next destination. Spend this time enjoying the activities on the ship.  

Day Five: Tournon and Viviers 

You will spend the morning in Tournon. Spend this time taking a guided walking tour to see the best sights in this medieval city.  

After a leisurely lunch, the ship will sail to Viviers where you can also take a guided walking tour. Live entertainment will be available back on the ship after dinner.  

Day Six: Avignon 

You have a few options for your time in Avignon. A guided tour will take you to the Palace of the Popes. Or you can visit the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or the wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting.  

Another option is to simply explore this area on your own. You can visit a museum or watch a show at the theater.  

Day Seven: Arles 

You will be in Arles in the morning, which means another walking tour. If you decide not to walk another step, you can always participate in a painting workshop. This workshop will teach you how to paint like Vincent van Gogh.  

No matter what you do, I recommend stopping in Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine before heading back to the ship.  

Day Eight: Arles 

Your ship will still be in Arles when you wake up on the last day of your epic cruise with family. You will have traveled from Burgundy to Provence over the last few days, making memories you will cherish forever.  

There are so many other river cruises available in France and the rest of Europe. I can help you plan one that will have your family excited to be traveling together. Here’s my guide to the best European cruise lines to get you started, as you consider this type of family vacation. 

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized itinerary for your epic cruise?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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