La Belle Vie: The Rhone, Geneva & the Riviera

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, President Wilson Hotel. A transfer from Aéroport International de Genève or Gare de Genève to President Wilson Hotel is included. Join us for a cocktail reception and dinner this evening at the hotel. Stay Two Nights: Hotel President Wilson (D)

Today you'll experience the timeless appeal of Geneva on a sightseeing journey that highlights its charm and sophistication. View the city's Old Town, where cobblestone streets and historic architecture offer glimpses into its storied past – and the serene beauty of Lake Geneva, a backdrop to this cosmopolitan city's vibrant cultural life, inspires.

Your afternoon is free to spend as you please in Geneva, providing time to for a variety of sightseeing opportunities that might include a stroll along Lake Geneva's scenic promenade, exploring the Jet d'Eau, a visit to a diverse array of museums including such as Patek Philippe Museum, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the Museum of Art and History and more, or exploring the cobblestone lanes of Old Town where you'll find St. Peter's Cathedral, charming hidden courtyards and boutique shops offering a variety of items from antiques to artisanal goods and fine jewelry. (B)

Depart Geneva this morning, traveling west through the gentle countryside of France to Lyon – a UNESCO World Heritage city where the Rhône and Saône Rivers meet. Known for its Renaissance heart, graceful riverfront, and long culinary legacy, Lyon truly captures the essence of French art de vivre. Upon arrival, board your riverboat and settle in as your Rhône cruise begins.

This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner aboard ship, as the lights of Lyon shimmer across the water. Overnight aboard ship in Lyon. Stay Nine Nights: Tauck River Ship (B/D)

Chalon-sur-Sâone on the River Saône lies in the heart of southern Burgundy. Although its history dates back to the time of Charlemagne, it has another significant claim to fame – this is considered the birthplace of photography. So you have local inventor Nicéphore Niépce, who started it all with several photographic firsts right here in the 1820s, to thank for the great photos of the town's Romanesque churches and other monuments.

Visit the walled city of Beaune – the "wine capital" of the famous Burgundy wine-producing region, and one of France's most important wine centers. A walking tour includes a visit to Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, considered one of the best-preserved examples of 15th-century French architecture; you may also see the old market (les Halles), the Beffroi (clock tower), parts of the medieval walls and ramparts, and more – or you can do a bicycling excursion if you prefer.. This afternoon, you have a choice of wine tasting in Burgundy or a walking tour (and tasting tour) of Chalon-sur-Saône. (B/L/D)

From Tournus this morning, head out to explore the beautiful wine producing region of southern Burgundy – where history lies around every corner (this was a major crossroads during Roman times), and vineyards are everywhere. Picture in your mind what a typical French vineyard looks like... and then view the most amazing landscape that surrounds you for miles and miles.

Vineyards, gently rolling hills, orchards, red-tiled farmhouses, medieval cathedrals, the occasional village to stop in... and historic country estates like the 17th-century Château de Cormatin, which you'll explore on a visit today. With its moat, drawbridge, turrets, gilded rooms and parklike grounds – including the mazes and fountains of its completely restored "pleasure garden" that's now among the finest in France – this classic Burgundy château takes you back through the centuries.

Late afternoon, arrive in Mâcon, a charming riverside town in southern Burgundy, where vineyards edge the hills and life moves at an easy pace. Lined with cafés and graceful quays, Mâcon reflects the warmth and rhythm of provincial France; your riverboat overnights here. (B/L/D)

This morning, travel to Cluny; during the reign of Charlemagne (742 - 814), monastic influences inspired a great revival in art, education and culture; today you'll visit one of the great monasteries of the period when you tour the great Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Founded in 910, it was at the center of this major monastic reform movement and was also the largest Christian building in the world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Travel on to Pruzilly, a small Beaujolais village surrounded by rolling vineyards and cherry orchards, known for its quiet charm and sweeping views across the Saône Valley, then on to Trevoux where you'll rejoin the riverboat and head back to Lyon. (B/L/D)

Ahh, Lyon. If you're a serious foodie, Lyon is the place for you! But of course there is more to this 2,000 year-old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, than food. Your day might include a panoramic view of Lyon from the hilltop district of Fouvière; a visit to the stunning Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière – built in the 1870s on "the hill that prays," it features exquisite marble work, stained glass windows, colorful mosaics and gilt galore; a tour of medieval Vieux Lyon – or a free afternoon to explore the city as you please. Late afternoon, your riverboat departs for St-Colombe. (B/L/D)

Wake this morning to breakfast in the Compass Rose, moored in St-Colombe – a quiet riverside town just across the Rhône from Vienne. The twin towns share a long history shaped by the river, their quays lined with stone houses and shaded promenades. Cross the bridge to Vienne, once a major Roman settlement, where your morning unfolds by choice: join a walking tour that reveals its ancient monuments and hillside views from Mont Pipet, or if you wish, take a guided cycling excursion along the Rhône's scenic banks.

Return to the riverboat for lunch as the ship sets sail from St-Colombe this afternoon. Throughout your river cruise, activities aboard your riverboat include river commentary from your Tauck Director and a cocktail hour prior to dinner. (B/L/D)

Although the fortified city of Avignon was undoubtedly a pleasant place before they arrived, the 14th-century popes, who spent less than a century here when Rome became "tedious" for them, really put it on the map, and cultivated the local wine industry ( Châteauneuf-du-Pape ) and an appreciation for good food. This morning, choose a visit to the fortress-like home that the pontiffs built for themselves, the Palais des Papes, a guided tour that brings you along the streets of Avignon for an exploration of the city's history and Jewish heritage dating back to the 13th century or an exploration of Avignon via mini train.

After a free afternoon aboard ship, travel to the Duchy d'Uzès – a medieval city dating back to the 11th century, often called the "First Duchy of France," that forms the heart of the town of Uzès – for a guided visit followed by a cocktail reception and a Tauck Exclusive gala dinner at the recently restored Chateau. (B/L/D)

This moring, you have a choice of a visit to Pont du Gard, the soaring Roman aqueduct that once carried water across the Gardon River and still stands as one of antiquity's great feats of engineering, or a morning excursion to Saint-Remy-de-Provence – home to the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum, as well as the Saint-Paul Asylum where Vincent van Gogh was a patient.

After returning to the ship for lunch onboard, head out again for an afternoon wine tasting at one of the select vineyards permitted to produce Châteauneuf-du-Pape – literally "the New Castle of the Pope" – the most famous of the Côtes du Rhône wines; your host reveals secrets of the terroir as you sample estate-crafted red and white wines from a region that's been producing wine for more than 2,500 years! This evening, your riverboat cruises to Arles. (B/L/D)

It may seem surprising to encounter Roman ruins in Provence, but Arles was once one of Rome's most important cities in Gaul – and its ancient arena, still standing in the heart of town, remains a striking reminder of that past. This morning, choose between a guided walking tour through Arles' medieval streets and Roman landmarks or a more active bicycling excursion across the countryside that inspired van Gogh's vivid canvases.

Later, travel into the Camargue, the Rhône Delta's untamed marshland where flamingos wade and salt flats shimmer beneath wide Provençal skies. Your afternoon unfolds at a private manade – a working ranch – where you'll be welcomed with a banquet of farm-grown specialties, local music, and a closer look at the region's famed white horses, black bulls, and the skilled gardians who have tended them for generations. (B/L/D)

Disembark your riverboat in Arles this morning and journey south through the landscapes of Provence, where low stone farmhouses and olive groves give way to vineyards and the first glimpses of the Mediterranean. Along the route, you'll pass traditional Provençal villages and the rugged limestone hills of the Alpilles, a region long celebrated by artists and poets for its shifting light and tranquil beauty.

Arrive in Marseille, France's oldest city, where cultures have mingled for millennia beside the sea. Your two-night stay at the InterContinental Marseille–Hôtel Dieu offers panoramic views over the Vieux-Port and easy access to the city's historic heart. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore at your own pace. Overnight at InterContinental Marseille–Hôtel Dieu. Stay Two Nights: InterContinental Marseille (B)

Marseille – France's vibrant Mediterranean gateway – is yours to discover on an engaging introduction to its rich history and lively culture. A guided tour provides views of the city's iconic highlights, from the hilltop Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde with its sweeping harbor vistas to the atmospheric Old Port, where colorful fishing boats and lively cafés line the quays.

Afterward, the afternoon is yours to explore as you wish – perhaps wandering through Le Panier, the city's oldest quarter, with its winding lanes and creative spirit; strolling along the Corniche Kennedy overlooking the sea; or visiting one of Marseille's acclaimed museums, such as MuCEM or the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel, InterContinental Marseille–Hôtel Dieu, a restored 18th-century landmark blending classical grandeur with modern elegance, overlooking the Vieux-Port. (B/D)

Tour ends: Marseille. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu to Marseille Provence Airport or Marseille St-Charles Train Station. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in. (B)