Rhône Route Classique 2024 - A-ROSA LUNA

This tour takes you to a truly historic place. Today one can hardly imagine that about 1,000 years ago Cluny was the religious centre of Europe. Until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was finished, the cloister of Cluny was the largest church in Christianity. Visit the remains of the five naves of this stunning church and discover the fascinating way of life of the monks.

Often, simple is best. And from the saddle of your A-ROSA bike, you will experience the beauty of the Burgundy in a simple, yet breathtaking way: cycling along vineyards and the picturesque villages Prissé and Vinser. Afterwards, you will discover little treasures in Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône and Mâcon.

During your bus tour, you will pass wonderful vineyards and the ‘Golden Stones’. Since the Middle Ages, castles, churches and houses have been built with the sandstone. Even your first stop, Oingt, has this golden colour. While you stroll through the rustic village, beautiful houses and a medieval fort can be seen. From here you will have a wonderful view over the Beaujolais. Your next stop is one of the wine cellars, where you can taste famous Beaujolais wines. Here you will experience four centuries of wine culture.

From Chalon-sur-Saône it is only few kilometres to Chemin Vert, which is one of the most beautiful bicycle tracks of France. Drive along Canal du Centre through the fascinating landscapes of famous vineyards. The grapes for the most fine wines in the world grow here: the Burgundy wines. In or close to Chagny, we will stop for a coffee break before cycling back to Chalon.

Chalon-sur-Saône in southern Burgundy is a charming riverside town in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise wine region. It is the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, who invented photography and took the first photograph ever. A museum has been dedicated to him in Chalon-sur-Saône, which you will pass on your walk. Through the picturesque alleys with their old half-timbered houses, you will pass by various monuments from the Middle Ages and learn interesting facts about the history of St Laurence Island. Your tour of discovery will take you to Place Saint-Vincent, where you can stroll through the weekly market.

While your A-ROSA cruise ship will be cruising from Chalon-sur-Saône to Tournus, you may do the same route by bike. From Chalon you will pass through Varennes, Marnay and Gigny until you will reach Tournus. A tour without steep ascending slopes, which is suitable for everyone.

The ‘Route des Grands Crus’ will take you through gently rolling vineyards to Dijon, the capital of the historical duchy of Burgundy and the capital of the Côte-d’Or département today. Back in the 14th and 15th centuries a mighty empire was ruled from the imposing Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Powerful dukes such as Philip the Bold supported the arts by acting as patrons – and their generosity is still evident in many places today. After enjoying some free time, you’ll return to the ship.

Would you like to explore the old town privately with a tour guide and enjoy a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the Presqu’Île, the city’s peninsula? Your guide will show you around and provide lots of valuable insights. After all, Lyon has so much to offer – and that applies to its cuisine too. Find out where to get the best coussins de Lyon – a sweet speciality made in the city – and much more.

Lyon is a multifaceted city brimming with cultural and culinary delights. It’s up to you to decide what you want to see: the magnificent Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the old town with its legendary traboules (small secret passageways) or perhaps the famous facade paintings on the Presqu’Île, the city’s peninsula. Your driver will take you wherever you’d like to go – and your personal guide will then show you the city’s hidden treasures. You can book an expert tour guide at the same time if you wish.

Your guide will be waiting outside the ship to show you how to use your segway. In a small group you will explore the old town of Lyon with its impressive sights and the French lifestyle. After the tour across the peninsula you will return to the ship.

What better way to get to know French cuisine than with a private cooking class? Discover French delicacies up close with us! Near Bellecoure, your expert is waiting for you. Once you arrive at the culinary studio, you will start preparing the dishes and learn about the specialities of French cuisine and how to prepare them. Discover your passion for French cooking and enjoy a delicious meal!

The indoor food market of Lyon is named after Paul Bocuse – and with good reason. This star chef was based in Lyon and so he often shopped here. There are plenty of tasty specialities for you to sample here. But France’s second-largest metropolis has a lot more to offer beyond that. Your tour will continue through the city centre, where you’ll take in some wonderful sights.

From our berth in Lyon, we take you to one of the largest city parks in France. The Parc de la Tête d'Or covers almost 120 hectares and is also known as Lyon's green oasis. In addition to a botanical garden, various greenhouses, boat hire facilities and much more, the park also has a zoological garden. Various animals have found their home in this part of the park. For example, giraffes, monkeys, crocodiles and elephants can be observed there. This park offers an adventure for young and old!

Would you like to experience Lyon’s hustle and bustle? Then get in the saddle and cycle through Lyon! A highlight of this refreshing tour is a stop at the market halls Les Halles, where fresh produce and products for fine Lyon cuisine are on display. Let your eyes wander over the huge Place Bellecour and watch the ever-hungry pigeons. Finally, you will have a view over the whole city from Fourvière Hill.

Join us on the trail of one of the best chefs of the 20th century. Paul Bocuse was the most important pioneer of nouvelle cuisine and internationally known like hardly any other French gastronome. In the centre of Lyon is the Halles Bocuse, one of the most famous markets in Lyon, where locals also go to enjoy the displays on offer. Feast your way from stall to stall and enjoy the French delicacies. For example, excellent cheese and delicious white wine at Mons, where over 100 different types of cheese are on offer. Of course, the tasting of oysters, French charcuterie (delicatessen meats), chocolate and macarons is not to be missed.

Your private English-speaking guide will pick you up in front of the ship and show you Arles according to your wishes. Stroll through the most beautiful city in France, at least that's what the French say. Discover the city centre with its numerous Roman buildings or take a look at the amphitheatre. Let the Roman era pass by and experience the city where even Vincent van Gogh spent a year creating numerous masterpieces.

Meet Chef Erick and start your private cooking experience with a walk to the Arles food market. There are several stalls on site selling fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meat and fish. Together you will stroll through the market and get all the ingredients you need for your cooking class. Afterwards, the cooking can begin. Wield the wooden spoon and prepare a delicious lunch with the help of Chef Erick. We wish you bon appétit!

The Camargue is a paradise not only for the white wild horses, but also for riders. The Mas Saint Germain, a typical ranch in the national park, awaits you and takes you on a one-hour tour through the magnificent landscape. Of course, you will also prepare the horse for your ride and bring it back to their pasture or stable afterwards.

Where land and sea merge, something wonderful is created. The Camargue is a natural wonder. And you will experience it first hand on this bus tour - with its flocks of flamingos and the famous white horses, the fauna is truly unique. Today, the free-roaming white Camargue horses and Camargue cattle are not wild animals anymore, but are kept on wide pastures that are typical for the region. We will continue to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a major pilgrimage site and a touristic hub of the Camargue. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer church from the 9th century houses sacred relics of Marie Saloné and Marie Jacobé. Since 1448, a pilgrimage to the church has been held twice per year. The centre of veneration of Saint Sarah, also known as Sara the Black, is also here in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a place of pilgrimage for Roma. After a short walk you will have some free time.

Discover and observe numerous bird species in their natural environment. The Parc Ornithologique covers 60 hectares and is home to the birds of the Camargue. Walk through the park, enjoy the birdsong and hundreds of pink flamingos. Then set off by jeep on a wonderful adventure across the Camargue. The Camargue is an Eldorado for nature lovers and freedom lovers. Say hello to the white wild horses and enjoy the unique nature and beautiful landscapes.

Quaint villages, white wild horses and pink flamingos - that is the Camargue. Explore the untouched flood plain in the saddle of your A-ROSA bicycle. You will cycle past vast rice fields and the famous Camargue bulls - the meat is a real delicacy - until arriving in Étang de Vaccarès. With a little luck, we will see some flamingos here at the salt water lagoon. The next stop is Arles, which is a well-known thanks to Van Gogh's masterpieces. During a coffee break, you can admire the imposing amphitheatre from the Roman period.

In the 14th century, Avignon was the centre of Christianity. Its cultural richness, as well as monuments and city walls that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have contributed to Avignon becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2000. Avignon's most famous feature is the bridge sung about in the famous children's song. The Papal Palace with its ornate chambers and chapels is also worth a visit. Visit the multifaceted city with your English-speaking tour guide according to your wishes and preferences.

Today you’ll feel like a VIP. Near Avignon you can climb a Cessna or Piper with a maximum of three people. Such small machines can fly particularly low and are very manoeuvrable, making for an exceptional flying experience. During your 30-minute round trip you will enjoy a unique view of the Pont du Gard, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux, Alpilles and the cities of Beaucaire and Tarascon.

Enjoy a culinary experience in the heart of Provence for two. At the Michelin-starred restaurant la Mirande, the pleasure of French cuisine awaits you with a 3-course menu. Dine in the restaurant's oldest room, where popes used to dine, and get closer to Avignon's history in a different way.

In the morning, Avignon is still wonderfully quiet. The perfect time to explore the city and its exciting history by bike. After witnessing the sun rise over the Rhône, you will explore the enormous Pope's Palace and many other sights. The relocation of the Pope's seat to Avignon in the 14th century also provided the city with gothic churches, monasteries and other splendid buildings. The morning light also illuminates the small island Barthelasse with a fantastic atmosphere. Here, you will cycle through lush nature.

Immerse yourself in the comic world of Spirou & Fantasio and meet various park mascots, such as Spirou himself or Luky Luke. Unique attractions for young and old, specially designed for Parc Spirou, await you. Discover various roller coasters, such as the Free Fall Tower or test the ingenious invention of perfectionist Gaston. We wish you lots of fun!

Whether through winding alleys, along the city palaces or past churches and chapels - in Avignon all roads lead to the Papal Palace. Pope Clement V settled here at the beginning of the 14th century, followed by other popes and counter-popes. The tour also takes you past the church of Saint-Agricol and the ruins of the Pont d'Avignon.

From Avignon, we head east into the heart of Provence, to the mountain villages of Gordes and Roussillon. Their old houses nestle against majestic ochre rocks and seem to merge with them. Then discover the "ochre nature trail" - the rocks here offer the visitor a special play of colours. Where the ochre industry once flourished, you will find a landscape in a wide variety of ochre shades - from a radiant yellow to a bright red. Numerous nuances of the ochre tone as well as the play of light and shadow make the sight unforgettable. After a walk through the impressive landscape, we return to the ship.

Ready for an exciting adventure? From Viviers the bus will take you to the kayak station. After a briefing with detailed information you will paddle on one of the world's most famous kayak trails. Through calm waters and exciting rapids, you will experience the beautiful landscape. In between, you can have a picnic before you paddle back to the valley station.

Join us on a journey to the breathtaking Ardèche, a hidden jewel of France that awaits you not only with breathtaking nature but also with exquisite wine. Your first stop is a lavender museum, typical of Provence, where you will learn about the diversity of lavender species and their use in medicine. On your onward journey to the Château des Amoureuses, you will stop at the famous Pont d'Arc for a photo stop. Be mesmerised by the majestic gorges and imposing rock formations. Once you arrive at the Châeteau, experienced winegrowers will explain the secrets of the local grape varieties and introduce you to the art of winemaking. Enjoy a wine tasting characterised by the aromas and nuances of the region.

Up to 300 metres deep, the Ardèche has carved out the typical limestone, forming one of the most beautiful landscapes in France. This includes the fairy-tale grottos. Along the river you will drive to one of the numerous grottos of the area, such as the Grottes des Madeleines with its subterranean halls. Continuing your trip to one of the lavender producers in the Ardèche-area, you will be shown the different types and species of lavender, as well as their usage in medicine, decoration and perfume production.