MS Mistral, 4 Night The Valleys of the Rhône and Saône: Gastronomy and vineyards ex Lyon, France Return

Gastronomy and viticulture enthusiasts, this cruise between Rhône and Saône will seduce you. From the Rhone Valley to the Beaujolais vineyards, through the vineyards of Côte Rôtie and the terroir of Condrieu, go for a discovery tour with tastings that will tantalize your palate.

Day 1
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight's dinner will be followed by an evening of entertainment.

Day 2
We'll begin to cruise early in the morning, heading along the Rhône valley, passing the vineyards of Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Château Grillet and Saint-Joseph. We'll reach Tain-l'Hermitage where a chapel seems to be guarding the valley from the top of the hills. Join us for an optional excursion to a cellar for a wine-tasting session*. Enjoy an evening of dancing.

Day 3
We'll cruise towards Vienne, reaching it early in the morning. When we arrive, join us for an optional guided tour on foot of this rich and diverse city. We'll then continue cruising to Lyon and arrive early in the afternoon. Enjoy some free time on your own or take part in our guided tour of the old town and discover the "traboules”, types of passageways that are typical of the city. In the evening, gastronomic dinner included at the Abbaye de Collonges - Paul Bocuse(2). We'll return on board around midnight.

Day 4
Enjoy time at leisure in Mâcon this morning. We'll start sailing towards Belleville. Join us for an optional excursion through the Beaujolais vineyards and indulge in a wine-tasting session* at the "Hameau Duboeuf", a unique state-of-the-art wine museum in Europe. We'll cruise towards Lyon. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening. Later this evening, we'll get to admire the beautifully illuminated buildings that line the banks of the river Saône.

Day 5
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

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.