Provence and the Rhône Valley by Boat and Bike – Arles to Lyon

Day 1: Welcome to Provence: Arles
Welcome to Arles, the gateway to Provence and the starting point of your Rhône Valley journey. After boarding the MS Provence you settle into your cabin and there is a welcome drink on board, where the crew and the tour leaders introduce the ship, the cycling programme and the highlights of the week ahead. Depending on when you arrive you may join a short practice ride to get comfortable with your e-bike. In the evening comes your first dinner on board, and afterwards a walk through Arles is well worth it: Roman monuments, lively squares and the city's close connection with Vincent van Gogh give it its distinctive Provençal character.

Day 2: Van Gogh's Provence: Arles – Tarascon (25 km or 65 km)
On the first cycling day you choose between a relaxed ride along the Rhône and a more demanding route through the landscapes of the Alpilles. The easier route follows quiet roads and sections of the ViaRhôna from Arles towards Tarascon, past small villages, open countryside and wide plains — a gentle introduction to cycling in the South of France. The sportier route leads from Arles to the Abbaye de Montmajour, where entrance is included, then continues through the Alpilles to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where Vincent van Gogh created some of his most famous works, and on to Les Baux-de-Provence, dramatically set on a rocky outcrop with sweeping views. Via Fontvieille the route carries on to Tarascon, where the MS Provence is waiting and dinner is served on board.

Day 3: The Pont du Gard: Tarascon – Pont du Gard – Avignon (55 km or 60 km)
With a support vehicle alongside the group, you cycle through the heart of Provence, past vineyards, historic villages and one of the most impressive Roman monuments in Europe. From Tarascon the route follows mostly quiet roads through the Rhône countryside towards Beaucaire and on through Provençal landscapes. The highlight of the day is the Pont du Gard, the remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with time to explore the site and a relaxed lunch break. In the afternoon the route continues towards Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, and from there you cross the Rhône into Avignon, where the skyline of the former papal city makes a memorable first impression.

Day 4: The Papal City: Avignon (40 km or 50 km)
The morning belongs to Avignon. With local experts you visit the UNESCO-listed old town and the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe. After lunch on board you can take the city at your own pace or join an optional ride into the quiet Provençal countryside: the ViaRhôna out of the city, then small country roads through orchards, canals and villages around Sorgues and Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue, with a relaxed café stop along the way. Dinner tonight is on your own — the evening is the perfect chance to discover the restaurants and the atmospheric old town.

Day 5: Vineyards of the Rhône: Avignon – Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Viviers (60 km or 65 km)
While the MS Provence cruises from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape you have breakfast on board. The ride starts there, in the celebrated wine landscapes of the southern Rhône, and heads towards Orange. The route then continues through the Drôme Provençale, past vineyards, lavender fields, olive groves and sunflower fields, to Suze-la-Rousse, known for its striking château and its wine university. Later in the day you reach La Garde-Adhémar, one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in France, where wide views over the Rhône Valley reward the climb, and from there the route descends to Viviers, where the ship is waiting. A support vehicle accompanies the group throughout the day. In the evening there is a wine tasting on board, featuring wines from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region.

Day 6: Rhône or Ardèche: Viviers – La Voulte-sur-Rhône – Tournon-sur-Rhône (40 km or 75 km)
Today you choose your own day again. The easier route follows the ViaRhôna north along mostly flat, traffic-free paths beside the river, through quiet Rhône landscapes and small towns, with time for breaks along the way; the highlights may include part of the historic centre of Valence, the elegant Marc Seguin suspension bridge and the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona in Tain-l'Hermitage. The advanced route follows the La Dolce Via greenway through the Eyrieux Valley, a former railway line of gentle gradients, tunnels, viaducts, forest and river scenery, and also includes the historic Train de l'Ardèche, subject to availability and confirmation. In the afternoon both groups continue towards Tournon-sur-Rhône, where the ship is moored.

Day 7: Northern Rhône Wines: Tournon-sur-Rhône – Chavanay – Lyon (45 km)
The last cycling day brings another taste of the northern Rhône, with its vineyards, river towns and open landscapes. The route follows sections of the ViaRhôna and quiet roads through traditional wine villages, via Saint-Désirat and Andance, home to one of the oldest suspension bridges across the Rhône, then through Serrières and Sablons towards Chavanay. Along the way there is time for relaxed breaks by the water and views of the steep vineyard terraces of the northern Rhône. When you return to the ship in Chavanay the day closes with a Côtes du Rhône tasting on board, before the MS Provence continues to Lyon.

Day 8: Farewell in Lyon
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to the crew of the MS Provence. You leave with Provençal landscapes, Roman monuments, historic cities, celebrated wines and a week of riding between the South of France and Lyon.

Good to know
All cycling distances are approximate and refer to the recommended routes. The itinerary and the routes may change for nautical, technical or weather-related reasons. Guests who prefer not to cycle on a given day can stay on board and watch the landscape go by while the ship continues to the next mooring. On embarkation day luggage can be stored on board from around 11 a.m.