MS Mistral, 6 Night The tip of Provence to Lyon on the Rhône and Saône Rivers ex Martigues, France to Lyon, France

Set off on an unforgettable cruise from Martigues to Lyon, with ports of call in Mâcon, Tain-l'Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, and the Camargue.Discover the 2,000-year history of Lyon as you stroll through its cobblestone streets. Ten percent of the city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Vercors Massif and its steep limestone cliffs and vineyards perched above the valleys.

Day 1
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. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.

Day 2
This morning will be spent cruising to Arles.This afternoon, join us for an optional excursion:CLASSIC package: Tour the Camargue. We’ll visit a manade to enjoy a horse show.DISCOVERY package: Discovery in the 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.Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: guided tour of Arles.Our ship will cruise to Avignon.

Day 3
Optional excursion for both packages: The morning will be dedicated to 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.This afternoon will be spent cruising to Viviers.

Day 4
Matinée en navigation vers la Voulte. L’après-midi, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Discover the Vercors Massif and enjoy a tasting of local sparkling wine (Clairette de Die).* After our excursion, we’ll return on board in Tain-l'Hermitage.Our ship will cruise towards Lyon during the night.

Day 5
Optional 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 spend the afternoon cruising the Saône to Mâcon, arriving during the evening.

Day 6
Optional excursions proposed:This morning, join us for an optional excursion for both packages: 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 optional excursion for both packages: 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.Tonight is our festive gala evening. Our ship will cruise to Lyon.

Day 7
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

Mistral is the name of a strong wind and of a famous writer, but also of this beautiful standard ship that sails on the Rhône and Saône rivers offering a rich historical experience. The MS Mistral is an intimate-sized standard ship, measuring 110m long and 11.40m wide. It can accommodate 157 passengers, in 78 cabins spread over two decks. All cabins (single, double or triple - including a suite) offer amenities and provide guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The navy blue and gold tones are a tribute to the sailing universe. Located on the upper deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the trip, offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. On this same deck is also the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while on the sun deck, an ideal place to relax and admire the landscapes, passengers can enjoy comfortable sun loungers, as well as a large shaded area.

CroisiEurope has a fleet of Prestige category boats with cabins, which ply the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Spacious and light, they offer a welcoming and refined setting. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the boat's design. At the cutting edge of technology, their facilities offer comfort and safety.

Carefully maintained and partially renovated each year, the CroisiEurope fleet is largely made up of recently built vessels, less than five years old, all with Veritas certification. The leading European river tour operator, our company owes its international reputation to its seriousness, its dynamism, its sense of innovation and its recognised value for money of long standing.

Vessels are rated four-star and food is superb – as you’d expect on a French-owned cruise line, staffed by French chefs and with top French and German wines aboard. One cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers in France concentrates on gastronomy and traditional French cusine, visiting Collonges Abbey, renowned for its great French chef, Paul Bocuse.

CroisiEurope is a family-owned and operated firm, with brothers and sisters running different aspects of the company and keeping a close eye on all operations to ensure excellence.

River cruising offers much free fun. Wake in the morning and observe the passing riverside scenery through your cabin window – perhaps from your bed. Gaze upon village churches or a patchwork of fields sparkling in the morning sun.

CroisiEurope’s network traverses a phenomenal number of European rivers and waterways. They range from the Guadalquivir and Guadiana (flowing through Spain and Portugal respectively); the Douro in Portugal, the Po and Venice Lagoon in Italy; the Rhone in Provence, plus the Seine from Paris to the Normandy Coast. And there’s more: the Moselle, the Neckar, the Saar, the Oder, the Havel, the Baltic Sea, the Camarge, the Rhine, the Main and the mighty Danube; the Tisza and the Black Sea; the Belgian and Dutch waterways. Everything from tulip time in Holland to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Drinks included with on board meals: mineral water, house wine, beer, fruit juice, and tea or coffee.