French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Southbound

Tour begins: 6:30 PM, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. A transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station and Gare du Nord to InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, in the heart of the city, is included. After your arrival just relax or head out to do some exploring on your own before joining us to meet your Tauck Directors and fellow voyagers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.

A free morning in Paris gives you an opportunity to do those last few things that will make your time in Paris memorable. Say au revoir to one of the world's great cities as you board the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, home to a bounty of wines produced by local vineyards, locally produced cheeses, spicy sausages, warm-from-the-oven baguettes... You'll return to Lyon in a few days – but today, embark ms Emerald late afternoon for the start of your France river cruise along the Rhône. Join us tonight for the ship's welcome reception and dinner.

Chalon-sur-Sâone on the River Saône lies in the heart of southern Burgundy. Although its history dates back to the time of Charlemagne, it has another significant claim to fame – this is considered the birthplace of photography. So you have local inventor Nicéphore Niépce, who started it all with several photographic firsts right here in the 1820s, to thank for the great photos of the town's Romanesque churches and other monuments. Visit the walled city of Beaune – the "wine capital" of the famous Burgundy wine-producing region, and one of France's most important wine centers. A walking tour includes a visit to Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, considered one of the best-preserved examples of 15th-century French architecture; you may also see the old market (les Halles), the Beffroi (clock tower), parts of the medieval walls and ramparts, and more. This afternoon you have a choice of wine tasting in Burgundy or a walking tour (and tasting tour) of Chalon-sur-Saône.

With your riverboat docked in Tournus this morning, head out to explore the beautiful wine producing region of southern Burgundy, where history lies around every corner (this was a major crossroads during Roman times), and vineyards are everywhere. Picture in your mind what a typical French vineyard looks like... and then picture the most amazing landscape that surrounds you for miles and miles. Vineyards, gently rolling hills, orchards, red-tiled farmhouses, medieval cathedrals... and historic country estates like the 17th-century Château de Cormatin, which you'll explore on a visit today. With its moat, drawbridge, turrets, gilded rooms and parklike grounds – including the mazes and fountains of its completely restored "pleasure garden" that's now among the finest in France – this classic Burgundy château takes you back through the centuries. Return to the riverboat for lunch, and continue your cruise to Mâcon; there is an opportunity for a bicycle ride along the Saône River.

Today you're off for sightseeing in Cluny. During the reign of Charlemagne (742 - 814), monastic influences inspired a great revival in art, education and culture; visit one of the great monasteries of the period when you tour the great Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Founded in 910, it was at the center of this major monastic reform movement and was also the largest Christian building in the world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Later this afternoon, cruise to Lyon.

Ahh, Lyon. If you're a serious foodie, Lyon is the place for you! Regarded as the culinary capital of France, there are more restaurants here per capita than anywhere else in the country. But of course, there is more to this 2,000-year-old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, than food. Begin your exploration with a panoramic view of Lyon from the district of Fouvière, set high on a hill. Check out the town's winding passageways and the Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, with its 19th-century astronomical clock. Your day also includes the stunning Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière – built in the 1870s, it features exquisite marble work, stained glass windows, colorful mosaics and gilt galore. Enjoy dinner onboard this evening.

The fortified city of Avignon was probably a much more peaceful place before Rome became "inconvenient" for the popes who moved the papacy here about 700 years ago. Although they stayed for less than a century, they kept busy during those years... as you'll see on a choice of excursions today. One choice offers you a visit to the impressive Palais des Papes. Alternatively, embark on a guided walking tour along Avignon's historic streets learning about the city's history and its Jewish heritage that dates back to the 13th century. A final choice takes you on an exploration across Avignon by mini train. After a free afternoon aboard ship, travel to the Duchy d'Uzès – a medieval city dating back to the 11th century, often called the "First Duchy of France," that forms the heart of the town of Uzès – for a guided visit followed by a cocktail reception and a Tauck Exclusive gala dinner at the recently restored Chateau.

With your riverboat docked in Avignon for the morning, you have a choice of a morning excursion to Saint-Remy-de-Provence – home to the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum; alternatively, visit Pont du Gard, a remarkable ancient Roman aqueduct near Nîmes that stands as a testament to Roman engineering and ingenuity. After returning to the ship for lunch onboard, head out again for an afternoon wine tasting at one of the select vineyards permitted to produce Châteauneuf-du-Pape – literally "the New Castle of the Pope" – the most famous of the Côtes du Rhône wines; your host reveals secrets of the terroir as you sample estate-crafted red and white wines from a region that's been producing wine for more than 2,500 years! Catch up with the riverboat in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and spend the evening onboard, bound for Arles.

The France river cruise portion of your journey ends as you disembark in Arles. Travel to Nice, where a guided walking tour reveals its vibrant markets, elegant boulevards, and azure coastline. Continue on to Monte-Carlo for a two-night stay.

Spend a captivating half-day exploring Monte-Carlo, where a guided tour shows you the iconic Casino, the charming old town of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum, the Cathedral, and Palais Princier de Monaco, home to the Grimaldi family. Enjoy breathtaking Mediterranean panoramas before free time to explore as you please. This evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell reception and dinner at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo.

Tour ends: Nice. A transfer from Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Nice Ville Train Station and Nice Riquier Train Station is included. Fly home anytime, but be sure to allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.