Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence 2024
Dates & Prices
Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
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Tuesday, Aug 13, 2024 | Thursday, Aug 22, 2024 | $6,490 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
Call or submit a quote for award-winning value and service!
Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement
Tauck's Solo Traveler: No Single Supplement
Promotion Details
Contact one of our Tour Specialists for more information. Offer valid on new bookings only. Savings vary per cabin category on select river cruises. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount. Capacity controlled and may be removed at any time without notice. Certain restrictions may apply; ask at time of booking.
Tour Itinerary
Depart on a 7-night Rhône River cruise aboard ms Emerald through vineyard country that's home to some of the world's most exceptional wines.Tauck's epicurean delights begin in Paris with a reception and dinner at Fouquet's, the celebrity hotspot on the Champs Élysées, a pastry class especially for Tauck guests at Le Cordon Bleu Paris and a food walking tour with a visit to a pastry shop, a creperie and a champagne bar. Ride the high-speed TGV through the French countryside to Lyon to taste your way through Les Halles, Lyon's famed covered food market with its eye-popping vertical garden... cruise in search of culinary adventures along the Rhône... sip Beaujolais in Beaujolais... sample Provençal specialties for lunch at a private ranch in La Camargue... attend a memorable evening at the Duchy of Uzès... and learn secrets at a cooking demonstration at an award-winning cooking school in Valence. It's the ultimate Rhône River cruise to the soul of French haute cuisine!
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Day 1
Arrive Paris
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station or Gare du Nord to InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel in the heart of the city. Join us this evening for our specialwelcome cocktail reception and dinner at le Fouquet's on theChamps-Elysées, an iconic landmark for celebrity dining for over acentury.
Meals: Dinner -
Day 2
Parisian pleasures
Enjoy a moveable feast and an introduction to the delights of Parisian cuisine today as you take a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, where you'll learn firsthand the tips of the pâtisserie trade – including how to make an original pastry followed by a food walking tour. A Paris orientation tour by coach familiarizes you with many iconic landmarks before you embark on a walking and tasting tour that inspires with the fragrances and flavors of French food. The French capital is home to the masters of the pastry universe, dating back to Marie-Antoine Carême, who in the early 1800's popularized elaborate confections including the millefeuille, the croquembouche, strawberries Romanov and many more. Discover the history behind some of France's beloved specialties as you "taste" your way through a local neighborhood. Tonight, enjoy free time to explore Paris on your own.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
Le Cordon Bleu, to Lyon by TGV & embark
Enjoy a morning at leisure before catching the TGV high-speed train and enjoying the views en route to Lyon, set at the confluence of the rivers Saône and Rhône. In Lyon, you'll board ms Emerald for your Rhône River cruise and settle into your cabin before joining us for a briefing and welcome reception followed by a welcome dinner in The Compass Rose.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
Lyon, Les Halles, a Beaujolais tasting & more
Lyon is considered the "culinary capital of France," which is quite a compliment in a country famed for its cuisine and fine vintages. You'll discover why during a tasting at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the celebrated indoor food market that's been a fixture in Lyon since 1850 and offers an unbelievable array of breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, wines, chocolates... the list goes on. Everything is fresh and delicious, and it's said that the best chefs in Lyon shop here! But Lyon is also a city with a venerable history and considerable charm, as you'll discover when you also visit Vieux Lyon, the old Renaissance part of the city that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first protected historic district in France, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, built atop the ruins of an ancient Roman forum. This afternoon, it's off to the celebrated wine-growing region of Beaujolais for a tasting in the countryside before continuing your Rhône River cruise to Viviers. Enjoy dinner in the Compass Rose tonight followed by entertainment in the lounge.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 5
Medieval Viviers & cruising along the Rhône
ms Emerald cruises this morning to Viviers, a walled city with origins in the 5th century on the right bank of the Rhône. If medieval history and authentic period architecture are your thing, Viviers is your kind of place... because it's one of the best-preserved medieval towns that you're likely to see in all of France. Its narrow streets and lanes reveal what life might have been like here in the Middle Ages. Your choices today include a walking tour of Viviers with your local guide including views of the 12th-century Cathedral of Notre Dame de Rhône and the richly detailed façade of the Maison des Chevaliers, followed by a lively game of petanque with the locals; or a drive to Grignan for a walking tour of town and a truffle farm tour and tasting. Join us for a gala dinner in The Compass Rose this evening as we sail for Arles in Provence.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 6
Historic Arles & Provençal pleasures in La Camargue
It may seem that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Arles is no exception, as is witnessed by the triumphal arch, circus and baths they left behind – and an arena in which gladiators fought and is still a venue for performances and bullfights today – as you explore the city on a walking tour and time on your own. Do take time to look beyond the city walls at the incredible quality of the light here that so enraptured Vincent van Gogh – and the landscapes of yellow rocks, red soil and lilac mountains that inspired in the Dutch artist a newfound creativity, and led to his creating hundreds of paintings while a patient at a nearby asylum, one of the most productive periods of his short life. Lunch today is a real treat, as you visit a private ranch in La Camargue for a private banquet of farm-grown Provençal specialties, a musical serenade, and a chance to see the region's iconic white horses, fleet-footed gardians (cowboys) and famous black bulls. As you continue your Rhône River cruise to Avignon this evening, try your hand at painting a chocolate art piece during an onboard demonstration before dinner aboard the riverboat.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 7
Avignon, Palais des Papes & Uzès evening
Although the fortified city of Avignon was undoubtedly a pleasant place before they arrived, the 14th-century popes, who spent less than a century here when Rome became "tedious" for them, really put it on the map, and cultivated the local wine industry (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) and an appreciation for good food. This morning, choose a bicycle excursion in Avignon, a visit to the fortress-like home that the pontiffs built for themselves, the Palais des Papes or a guided tour that brings you along the streets of Avignon for an exploration of the city's history and Jewish heritage dating back to the 13th century. Later, visit the Pont du Gard – a famous Roman aqueduct over the River Gardon. Join us this evening ashore for a sparkling Tauck Exclusive event – a special evening including a tour, reception and dinner at the restored château and grounds of the medieval Duchy of Uzès.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 8
Roussillon & Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Venture deeper into Provence today on a visit to the yellow-and-brown town of Roussillon, in the Luberon region. This place is all about color, from the ochre cliffs surrounding the town to the purple of the lavender during its blooming season and the lush, green pine forests, as you'll discover for yourself on a walking tour. Have lunch on the riverboat as you cruise to Châteauneuf-du-Pape; over 200 days of sunshine per year and rain-bearing mistral winds enable the soil to store water for the long summer, meaning that vineyards thrive here. Since medieval times, the life of this hillside village has centered around growing and producing wine of the same appellation; its residents have benefitted from the proceeds of flourishing vineyards as early as the 13th century, when the village was adjacent to a summer palace for the popes of Avignon. You will get an opportunity this afternoon to taste some of the area's acclaimed wines before returning to the riverboat for dinner and onboard relaxation as your cruise continues.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 9
A local co-op, legendary chocolate maker or a vineyard hike
The riverboat docks in Tain l'Hermitage for the final day of your Rhône River cruise. From here you're off on a choice of excursions; a wine & cheese tasting at a local co-op, recognized for its prestigious "cru" of wines; a visit to world renowned chocolate producer, Valrhona, where you'll learn about the history of the chocolate maker, taste the difference between a few different types of chocolate and take part in a chocolate truffle making class with one of Valrhona's top pastry chefs; or, embark on an active hike through the vineyards of Tain I'Hermitage, learning about the region's rich wine history and indulging in a jaw-dropping view at the top of the hill, one that warranted a visit from future president Thomas Jefferson back in 1788. Join us aboard the ship for tonight's farewell reception followed by dinner as ms Emerald begins her return to Lyon.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 10
Journey Home
Tour ends: Lyon. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the ms Emerald to Lyon Airport or Perrache or Part Dieu train stations. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Depart on a 7-night Rhône River cruise aboard ms Emerald through vineyard country that's home to some of the world's most exceptional wines.Tauck's epicurean delights begin in Paris with a reception and dinner at Fouquet's, the celebrity hotspot on the Champs Élysées, a pastry class especially for Tauck guests at Le Cordon Bleu Paris and a food walking tour with a visit to a pastry shop, a creperie and a champagne bar. Ride the high-speed TGV through the French countryside to Lyon to taste your way through Les Halles, Lyon's famed covered food market with its eye-popping vertical garden... cruise in search of culinary adventures along the Rhône... sip Beaujolais in Beaujolais... sample Provençal specialties for lunch at a private ranch in La Camargue... attend a memorable evening at the Duchy of Uzès... and learn secrets at a cooking demonstration at an award-winning cooking school in Valence. It's the ultimate Rhône River cruise to the soul of French haute cuisine!
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - Evening at the 12th-century Duché d'Uzès
- All gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
- Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $4,513
- Pastry class for Tauck guests at Le Cordon Bleu Paris
- Food walking tour in Paris featuring visits to a pastry shop, creperie, and a wine or champagne bar
- Provençal lunch at a private ranch in La Camargue
- Reception and dinner at Fouquet's on the Champs-Elysées in Paris
- Private wine tastings in Beaujolais and Châteaneuf-du-Pape
- A walking tour of historic Vieux Lyon and a tasting at Les Halles de Lyon
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
ms Emerald
InterContinental Paris Le Grand
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How fast paced are the land excursions?
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
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We were very impressed with Tauck Tours and would book with them through you again!
We spent more money on this Tauck tour than a Luxury Gold trip to Spain and Portugal (top of the line) which required international travel and was for a longer duration. Also, I've said this before about Tauck. Although a good company, there is too much food offered and too much time spent sitting down to a meal when we could be sightseeing.
Our goals were met and exceeded by Affordable Tours.
Wonderful Tauck Tours..we will travel with them again..thank you for the suggestion..
This is our 7th Tauck tour/river cruise and they have never disappointed.
Our trip was amazing and we had to he most amazing guide Leah she went above and beyond
Ms Lawren Farias was our agent. She went out of her way to make sure that everything went smoothly and it did I would defiitely use her again. She was outstanding.
Maya was absolutely wonderful! I only want to book with her for any future travel.
The Tauck tour exceeded our expectations.Our tour director was exceedingly well informed and organized.She was the best.
The tour was one of our best. Tauck's attention to detail and covering nearly 100% of our costs or fees and booking 5* hotels is why we liked the trip.
Fantastic vacation! Exceeded all our expectations! Trip of a Lifetime!!!
Tauck delivered as promised and more. The tour director was very helpful and knowledgeable. We wouldn't hesitate to book with them again.
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Always enjoy traveling with Tauck, this trip was no different. Our tour leasder was one of the best we have encountered. Weather cooperated very well for a perfect trip.