France is a wonderful river-cruise destination because every day feels distinct. On this AmaWaterways sailing, ancient Roman sites, Provençal flavors, quiet river towns, and Burgundy’s wine country unfolded without ever having to unpack again.
Welcome aboard in Roman Arles
Our journey began in Arles, where the ship became our comfortable home for the week. The city’s Roman arena and outdoor amphitheater made an unforgettable first introduction to Provence. This is the kind of destination that makes river cruising special: remarkable history is not a long day trip away—it is right where your voyage begins.
The tastes and history of Avignon
In Avignon, we chose the Tastes of Avignon experience and visited the Palace of the Popes, one of Europe’s largest and most important medieval buildings. The combination of local food, historic streets, and the palace gave the day a wonderful sense of place. It was a great example of how an excursion can go beyond sightseeing and help you experience the character of a city.
A truffle-farm detour in Viviers
AmaWaterways offered a choice in Viviers: the city walk or a visit to a truffle farm. We chose the farm, and it was one of those experiences that makes an itinerary feel personal. The included excursion choices gave us the freedom to follow our interests rather than take a one-size-fits-all tour.
Roman ruins, then France’s food capital
Morning brought us to Vienne, known for remarkably preserved Roman sites including the Temple of Augustus and Livia and a Roman theater. Later, we explored Lyon—France’s second-largest metropolitan area and its celebrated gastronomic capital. Moving from an intimate Roman town to a lively city in one day showed the variety built into this route.
Walking Mâcon and tasting Burgundy wines
We began with a walking tour of Mâcon, then visited Château de la Greffière for a wine tasting. The estate’s winemaking history dates back to 1585. We sampled two Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs, a fitting way to experience a region where Chardonnay is the dominant grape and wine is woven into the landscape and culture.
That evening, we enjoyed AmaWaterways’ Chef’s Table aboard AmaCello: seven courses with three wine pairings. It was an exceptional meal and a reminder that the ship itself is a meaningful part of the experience, not simply a way to get from port to port.
A storybook finish in southern Burgundy
Our final featured visit was Château de Cormatin, a remarkably preserved 17th-century castle in southern Burgundy. Its richly decorated interior, painted ceilings, distinctive staircase, French gardens, and boxwood maze made it an ideal closing chapter for a week that moved from Provence into wine country.
Farewell to the river, with Dijon ahead
Our Arles-to-Dijon journey came to a close with a much fuller picture of France than one city or region could offer alone. For travelers with extra time, Dijon is also a natural place to add an independent stay before heading home—one more reason this itinerary makes a satisfying journey from start to finish.
What stood out on this itinerary
- A seamless Arles-to-Dijon route through Provence and Burgundy
- Choice among included excursions, including the truffle-farm visit in Viviers
- Roman history in Arles and Vienne
- Food-focused experiences in Avignon and Lyon
- Burgundy wine tasting and Château de Cormatin
- A memorable Chef’s Table dinner aboard AmaCello
If you love France but don’t want to choose between its history, food, wine country, and charming towns, this itinerary brings those pieces together at an unhurried pace. It is especially appealing for travelers who want a more immersive way to experience the country than moving hotels every few nights.