Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise

Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise

Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise

Prices

From $3,236USD

$325USD off $3,552USD

Difficulty

Guided

Cruise ship

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Highlights

Discover France’s landscape from both cruise ship and e-bike

Go on a sightseeing tour around Lyon, which boasts an unforgettable old town that has earned its mark as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend seven nights on a luxurious cruise ship while the stunning French landscape slowly passes you by!

Get some exercise in and explore Burgundy, Provence and Ardèche via e-bike on days 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 of this guided tour.

Explore unique cultural and historical wonders speckling the south of France, such as the medieval structures in Cluny.

During the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise in France, you will start and finish in Lyon, where an old town brimming with World Cultural Heritage awaits. But that's not all! You will pass through rugged, white limestone gorges and Burgundy, lined with vineyards and gold-colored villages. Another highlight is Ardèche! Admire its aromatic lavender and gorse scents and cycle on peaceful paths through Provence along olive groves to ornate Romanesque churches.

In Provence, the much-sung bridge of Avignon, the city of the anti-popes, awaits you. You can visit the most important Roman remains in Arles with its amphitheater. Van Gogh even spent a few years in Arles!

It is terrific to return to the comfortable cabin on board your ship after an eventful day of cycling with the e-bike. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy dinner on board while the southern French landscape slowly passes by in front of the windows. You will spend five days cycling on this tour!

Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome aboard in Lyon

At 5:00pm, your guides will be waiting for you in Lyon, where they will welcome you on board. After you have moved into your cabin in peace, your guide will introduce the tour on the sun deck if the weather is fine. Then enjoy the first rich dinner on board while the ship slowly glides north on the waters of the Saône. Departure at 9:00pm from Lyon towards Burgundy. Evening panoramic drive through Lyon's old town.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
None
Meals
Dinner

Day 2 Discover water castles of southern Burgundy

At noon the ship reaches the northernmost point of this voyage, Châlon sûr Saône. Our first stage with the e-bike leads through an area that lies in the triangle between Châlon, Cormatin, and Tournus and forms a cultural and geographical unit. Encounter castles, Romanesque churches, and enchanting villages in delightful alternation. After lunch, you will reach a rare gem, the pleasure palace of Cormatin. Built in the 17th century, a moat surrounds the castle in the middle of a small park with expansive lawns and geometrically shaped beds, modeled on the English garden style. The afternoon route takes you through the gently undulating hill country. After an ascent with a view of the Brancion fortress, you will be rewarded with beautiful views over the valley (you can optionally take our escort bus up part of the stage). As far as the Saône Valley, the last stage takes you back down in an exhilarating descent. From a distance, you can already make out the striking outlines of the priory church of St. Philibert in Tournus. We will show you this jewel of Romanesque architecture during a tour. The church was founded in the early 9th century by monks who fled the Vikings inland. Soon after the year 1000, which some had suspected would bring the end of the world, “the whole country was covered with a white coat of churches.” This is how vividly a contemporary Burgundian monk reports the feverish building activity of the early Romanesque period. At St. Philibert, you will see the fundamentals of French architecture: the birth of the two-tower facade and the first self-supporting vault of post-antiquity! A short transfer will bring you back to Châlon sûr Saône in the evening.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
42km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Explore Cluny

During your night's sleep, the ship will sail south again and is now in the heart of southern Burgundy on the quay walls of the city of Mâcon. Your e-bikes are ready and waiting not far from the jetty. From the village of Macon, you will negotiate a hill. Afterward, you cycle on a scenic route with a distant view of the rock of Solutré. A few kilometers further, the mighty Berzé-le-Châtel castle appears before you. The fortress secured the Cluisois and the Grosne valley to the south. After the rest, you will cross a bicycle tunnel. After around an hour, you will reach Cluny, the most important center of Benedictine monasticism in the 11th century in Europe. Our local, knowledgeable guide will show you the imposing monastery complex and its excavations during a detailed tour. A transfer will take you to Trévoux in the late afternoon, where your ship will dock to pick up the day trippers. After dinner, the STELLA will return to Lyon. The ship stays overnight in Lyon so that you can stroll through the city's narrow streets after dinner.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
54km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Spend time in Lyon

After breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour of Lyon. Lyon is the gateway to the south and the secret capital of gourmets. Expect lots of culture and history here! You'll be back on board for lunch. Your ship will then leave Lyon to head south. Enjoy the view of the leisurely passing cityscape of Lyon with coffee, cake, and later with an aperitif, or get pampered in the SPA on board.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
3km walk
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape

In the morning, you can enjoy watching the landscape go by on the sun deck. In the late morning, the STELLA stops not far from the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The bikes are already ready at the jetty. You cycle to the small town center of Châteauneuf du Pape and learn about the elaborate production of fine red wines during a wine tasting. After the lunch break, you leave the world-famous vineyard and cycle through an abundant fruit and vegetable-growing area. You have just passed one of the largest islands in the Rhône. The route runs on comfortable paths to the much-celebrated bridge to Avignon. See the famous "Pont d'Avignon" bridge, under which the population celebrated happy parties in the Middle Ages. Did you know that the famous song "Sur le pont d'Avignon" should actually be called "Sous le pont d'Avignon"? It is then not far from the ship. The ship stays overnight in Avignon so that you can stroll through the city's narrow streets before dinner and look at the many small boutiques.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
35km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 E-bike to Avignon

In the morning, you will experience Avignon on a city tour. After the city tour, get on the e-bikes at the gates of Avignon and drive to St. Remy de Provence. Van Gogh stayed here for a while in a private clinic in a former convent. After lunch in St. Rémy, you'll continue to the monumental art center Carrières de Lumières in the middle of the Alpilles. After the visit, you drive on minor branch routes out of the Alpilles down into the alluvial land of the Rhône. Finally, you cross Provencal villages and drive along meadows and fields with wheat and sunflowers to Arles. In the meantime, your ship has sailed on to Arles and lies directly in front of the mighty city gate that opens onto the riverbank. So you can still visit the ornate Romanesque portal of the Saint Trophime cathedral or enjoy an espresso in the square of the famous Café de la Nuit by van Gogh.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
43km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Visit the wild gorge of the Ardeche

In the morning light, you can see the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and the vineyards of the famous "Crozes Hermitages." This morning a bus will take you to the deep gorge of the Ardèche so that you can take you to one of the most attractive cycling routes on our tours. During the journey, your guide will explain the fascinating history of the origins of the UNESCO World Heritage cave systems and their Stone Age settlement. You take the bus to a high plateau in the morning, where the bikes are ready. On the e-bike, you'll discover a garrigue landscape and cycle down along lavender fields and holm oaks until you suddenly come to the enormous gorge of the Ardèche river. The river has dug into the rock up to 300 m deep. A winding panoramic road runs along its edge and again and again allows fantastic views of the cliffs and caves. Impressive evidence and rock paintings of our ancestors have been found here. You visit a cave system that extends deep into the rock. You will be back on board at noon and can spend the afternoon calmly on the spacious sun deck or indulge in the SPA area. In the evening, an excellent final dinner awaits you on board the A-ROSA STELLA in the wine bar. In the meantime, your ship will sail back to Lyon overnight.

Overnight Location
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Distance
27km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Depart Lyon

During your night's sleep, the ship docked in Lyon again. After breakfast, you will leave your ship at around 9am. If you have arrived by plane, a transfer will take you to the airport (at a fixed time, at an additional cost). Your tour guide will coordinate the drive to the parking garage if you have come by car.

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise Price and Dates

This guided tour is always run as a sheduled-departure tour where you would be joining a group, however, if you are willing to travel with your group only, you can inquire for a custom itinerary.

Prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2023-09-09

Lyon, France

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2023-09-16

Lyon, France

85+
$3,575USDBook Now
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2023-09-23

Lyon, France

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2023-09-30

Lyon, France

85+
$3,575USDBook Now
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2023-09-30

Lyon, France

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2023-10-07

Lyon, France

85+
$3,250USDBook Now
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Accommodation on Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise

This tour is based on a cruise ship! The boat offers modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have cozy beds, TVs, and windows unveiling the surroundings.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.

Night 1-7

STELLA A-ROSA River Cruise Ship

The “ALVA” offers a spacious sun deck, a swimming pool, restaurants, a bar, a café, a lounge, a sauna, and a fitness area. Standard room category is A but you can upgrade with a supplement.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Lyon are not included but can be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour. You can also take the transfer to the airport on departure day for an additional cost.

Also Included

  • English-speaking guide
  • Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees where applicable
  • Ebike rental

Not included

  • Flights to and from Lyon
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades
  • Optional activities or excursions

Frequenty Asked Questions about Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise

How hard is the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise?

We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will spend time e-biking, but the excursions fall in the easy to moderate level of difficulty.

Do I need a visa to travel to France?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise?

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover biking. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Lyon to start this tour?

Fly into Lyon International Airport (LYS). You can take the Rhonexpress tram from the airport to Lyon.

Is the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise in English?

Yes, the tour is in English.

Where does the Rhone River Guided Bike and River Cruise end?

The tour ends in Lyon, France. You can take public transport to get to LYS airport (or pay the additional cost for a private transfer).

Can I rent a bike?

Bike rental is already included in the tour package.

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for France?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $3,236USD

$325USD off $3,552USD

Difficulty

Guided

Cruise ship

Start Your Booking

What travellers say

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will spend time e-biking, but the excursions fall in the easy to moderate level of difficulty.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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