Like Souconna, the Celtic goddess for which it was named, the divine Saône River flows 300 miles from northeastern France before joining the Rhône River in Lyon. Gracefully winding through the wine region of Burgundy and Beaujolais, this sublime waterway wows cruisers with captivating landscapes, charming villages, and cherished traditions of France.
Reds, Whites & Oohs!
Beaujolais or Chardonnay? The choice is yours along the Saône as it flows like wine through Burgundy and Provence. Like a living postcard of pastoral perfection, the shores of the Saône beckon with a beauty that must be seen to be believed. Vineyards, villages, and vivid views of la vie en rose are all pouring freely on an Avalon cruise on the sensational Saône River.
As the song goes, ‘like a river flows gently to the sea,’ we can’t help falling in love with the Saône. From its emergence at the Rhône Glacier to its gentle meandering to the Mediterranean Sea, the Saône River charms first-time cruisers who share its course from Burgundy to its convergence with the Rhône to Provence. With unmatched charisma, charm, and cuisine… what’s not to love?
Called “The hill that prays,” the lofty district of Fourvière rises from the Saône where its steeple-pierced skyline of convents, monasteries, and chapels tower above Vieux Lyon (old-town Lyon) in stunning fashion. Here, the gilded basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière shines amid the wealth of wonderful architectural wonders above Lyon.
For those, whose love for French food knows no bounds, a culinary cruise on the Saône pairs perfectly with every palate. Sail with a Master of Wine and follow the apron strings of Culinary Experts who share the table with wine-and-food pairings, culinary traditions, and legends of French winemaking along the way.
Meet the marvelous mecca for food lovers in Lyon, where the Saône meets the Rhône in a harmonious convergence of two legendary rivers. Here, in France’s gastronomic capital, you’ll savor the mouthwatering specialties and a magnificent showcase of Medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Indulge in the fantastic fare of France on a culinary experience through Burgundy and Provence. Join a Master of Wine on board and special culinary highlights throughout your cruise to revel in regional specialties with onboard cheese tasting, pastry demonstration, and a special dinner menu created just for you in the tradition of famous Chef Paul Bocuse.
Magnificent is a word that almost does justice to the Saône. From the medieval treasure of Tournon, nestled amid vineyards, Roman ruins, and its 16th-century castle—to Lyon’s Renaissance flair and culinary fare as the gastronomical capital of France, a cruise on the Saône is a magnificent adventure for the senses.
First love. It’s the butterflies and brand new thrill of a first crush—not unlike the first time you fall head over heels for the charms of the Saône. From beckoning villages to brimming vineyards, you’re invited to flirt with temptation in the form of fantastic French food while being romanced by the Saône’s delightful sights and sensational bites!
For those who have lost their hearts to Paris and the River Seine, there is a new love to discover on the Saône. Feel the passion of Van Gogh by beginning your foray to the Saône via an embarkation on its sister river, the Rhone, in Arles. Lose yourself in legendary vineyard landscapes Burgundy and Provence for the perfect finish in each glass and gastronomical finesse of France’s culinary capital of Lyon.
Take a wondrous journey through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Be [$mesmerized] by the beauty of the Saône and its pastoral vineyards and picturesque villages which paint a masterpiece of magnificent views of France.
Castles, Chardonnay, and crêpes are just the beginning of the spectacular experiences on the Saône.
A match made in Heaven is the marriage of food and wine so inextricably joined along the Saône. From Burgundy being blessed with UNESCO World Heritage status to Lyon’s Beaujolais, poulet, pate, and marron glacé—to name a few. That’s a real mouthful!
The home-cooking of 18th-century France still sizzles in the bouchons Lyonnais—small family-owned eateries in the tradition of Mères Lyonnaises (Mothers of Lyon). From their humble kitchens-turned-cafes, the historic women are revered today as true superstars of Lyonnaise cooking—as the first to earn Michelin stars. Come for the coq au vin… but stay for the tarte praline and petit beignets!
Not far from the shores of the Saône lies one of the world’s most famous wine villages. The Capital of Burgundy wines, Beaune (pronounced ‘Bōn’) is also rich in history and architecture with one of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in Europe—the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune. This former charitable hospital for the poor, the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is one of the finest examples of 15th-century Burgundy architecture—as well as Saône astounding masterpiece, The Last Judgement.
Travel from Tournus into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to discover its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards where wine-tastings are best served in medieval fashion in a castle cellar.