Name: History and Art of the Rhône Cruise
Brand: Riviera Travel
Price: 2,049 GBP
Availability: InStock

Itinerary
Explore Cabins
Dates Available
Other Cruises

Day 1 - Avignon

Arrive: Thu 09 October 2025

Avignon, a city in southeastern France’s Provence region, is set on the Rhône River. From 1309 to 1377, it was the seat of the Catholic popes. It remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791. This legacy can be seen in the massive Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) in the city center, which is surrounded by medieval stone ramparts.

Day 2 - Avignon

Depart: Fri 10 October 2025

Day 3 - Arles

Arrive: Sat 11 October 2025 / Depart: Sat 11 October 2025

Arles is a city on the Rhône River in the Provence region of southern France. It's famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh, which influenced the contemporary art displayed at the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh. Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles is also known for many remains from that era, including Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d'Arles), now hosting plays, concerts and bullfights.

Day 3 - Pont Du Gard

Day 4 - ArdÃ¨che Gorge

Arrive: Sun 12 October 2025 / Depart: Sun 12 October 2025

The Gorges de l'Ardèche is made up of a series of gorges in the river and locally known as the "European Grand Canyon", Located in the Ardèche, in the French department Ardèche, forming a thirty-kilometre long canyon running from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche

Day 5 - Vienne, France

Arrive: Mon 13 October 2025 / Depart: Mon 13 October 2025

Vienne is a commune in southeastern France, located 35 kilometres south of Lyon, at the confluence of the Gère river and the Rhône. Today, it is only the fourth largest city in the Isère department, of which it is a subprefecture, but was a major center of the Roman Empire

Day 6 - Beaune

Arrive: Tue 14 October 2025 / Depart: Tue 14 October 2025

Beaune is a walled town at the center of the Burgundy winemaking region in France. Surrounded by the Côte d'Or vineyards, the cobbled town is renowned for an annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune). Recognized by its colorful, geometric-patterned tile roof, this 15th-century former hospital is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum, showcasing works like "The Last Judgement" altarpiece by Van der Weyden.

Day 7 - Lyon

Arrive: Wed 15 October 2025

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill

Day 8 - Lyon

Depart: Thu 16 October 2025

MS Thomas Hardy From Riviera Travel

After years of painstaking research to create the most perfect vessels afloat, a new era in river cruising dawns as we introduce our brand new, state of the art, ‘all suite’ ships. Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Thomas Hardy. It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes it from similar vessels. It would be very easy to just say ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore. The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just 169 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers) giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our first class service levels. Furthermore your suite will easily exceed your expectations for not only will you enjoy the most discerning décor, so too the ship’s dimensions afford the ultimate in space and comfort - a minimum 17 square metres (183 square feet), with upgrades available to ‘Superior’ and ‘Deluxe’ accommodation.

Ship Cabins

Deluxe Balcony Suite - Diamond Deck

If you’re looking to really spoil yourself, at a staggering 25 square metres (269 square feet), the world-class Diamond (upper) Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites are for you. Fifty percent larger than standard suites, they allow for an even more generous living area for the ultimate in space and comfort. In addition you will enjoy a private exterior balcony complete with table and chairs - perfect for an ‘al fresco’ breakfast should you wish or just a quiet morning coffee or a pre-dinner ‘sundowner’ whilst watching the world drift by. With the same fittings as standard suites, exquisitely and lavishly appointed to the very highest standard, plus complimentary soft cotton bathrobes and slippers adding the final little touch, this really is the epitome of river cruise luxury!

Suite - Emerald Deck

Suites on the Emerald Deck are slightly smaller, measuring approximately 16 square metres (172 square feet) and have smaller fixed windows. Some are available for sole occupancy with no supplement and are subject to availability.

Superior Suite - Diamond Deck

Superior Suite - Ruby Deck

Bringing your cruise to another level, why not upgrade to a Superior Suite available on the Ruby (middle) and Diamond (upper) decks. Substantially larger at 23 square metres (247 sq. feet) and with the additional space devoted to the living area, you will immediately notice the benefit as you relax in your stylish surroundings. Of course the identical high quality furnishings and fittings as the standard suite are evident throughout, again with stunning views from the panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors.

History and Art of the Rhône

MS Thomas Hardy 17 April 2025 7 nights

Itinerary: Avignon - Arles - ArdÃ¨che Gorge - Vienne - Beaune - Lyon

FREE Superior Drinks Package
Award-winning River Cruises
Daily Shore Excursions
WiFi
Exclusive Black Friday Sale: Save up to £200 Extra: Quote 'Black Friday' - Hurry ends 02 Dec!

Cruise Only from

Interior Call Us
River View Call Us
Balcony Call Us
Suite £2,449pp

more details

History and Art of the Rhône

MS Lord Byron 06 May 2025 7 nights

Itinerary: Avignon - Arles - ArdÃ¨che Gorge - Vienne - Beaune - Lyon

FREE Superior Drinks Package
Award-winning River Cruises
Daily Shore Excursions
WiFi
Exclusive Black Friday Sale: Save up to £200 Extra: Quote 'Black Friday' - Hurry ends 02 Dec!

Cruise Only from

Interior Call Us
River View £2,349pp
Balcony £2,949pp
Suite £2,749pp

more details

History and Art of the Rhône

MS Lord Byron 13 July 2025 7 nights

Itinerary: Avignon - Arles - ArdÃ¨che Gorge - Vienne - Beaune - Lyon

FREE Superior Drinks Package
Award-winning River Cruises
Daily Shore Excursions
WiFi
Exclusive Black Friday Sale: Save up to £200 Extra: Quote 'Black Friday' - Hurry ends 02 Dec!

Cruise Only from

Interior Call Us
River View £2,149pp
Balcony £2,749pp
Suite £2,549pp

more details