![Mekong in Cambodia with Aqua Expeditions](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/portrait_quarter/101422-cambodia-mekong-scenery.jpg)
Duration
21 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from France
Ports
18 Ports
8 September
Setting sail from Bordeaux
Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. What's more, the city has been transformed over the last few years: the grandiose 18th century facades have been scrubbed clean, a shiny new public transport system has been installed, and a wonderful new promenade has been created alongside the river Garonne. We think Bordeaux is a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.
![Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_half/10152-bordeaux-pont-de-pierre.jpg)
![Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux at night](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/18030-place-de-la-bourse-at-night-bordeaux-low.jpg)
Don't miss
You have to see the Water Mirror, which you will find by the Place de la Bourse. Who would have thought that two centimetres of water on a huge granite slab could create such an amazing effect?
9 September
France: Cadillac
10 September
France: Pauillac
![Château Pichon Longueville, Pauillac, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/27374-chateau-pichon-longueville-pauillac-france.jpg)
Pauillac is one of the most important wine producing areas in France, home to prestigious labels including Château Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. The town itself is one of the prettiest in the Médoc, and it’s well worth hiring a bike to explore the idyllic surrounding countryside.
11 September
France: Blaye
![Blaye, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/42453-blaye-aquitaine.jpg)
The remarkable 17th century citadel of Blaye is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by the famous military engineer Vauban to guard the Gironde river and the city of Bordeaux. The town is also known for its excellent wines, and there are several châteaux nearby.
12-13 September
France: Libourne
![Saint-Emilion, near Libourne, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/42457-saint-emilion-church.jpg)
The picturesque town of Libourne, situated at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers, is an important centre for the wine industry which dominates this region. Popular excursions from Libourne include the delightful medieval town of Saint-Emilion, another name that will be familiar to wine connoisseurs.
14-15 September
France: Bordeaux
![Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/10178-bordeaux-pont-de-pierre.jpg)
Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. It's a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.
16 September
France: Vernon
![Vernon, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/40023-vernon-france.jpg)
The picturesque town of Vernon, with its timber-framed houses and medieval church, is a pleasant place for a riverside stroll, but most visitors are just passing through en route to Claude Monet’s house and beautiful gardens in the nearby village of Giverny.
17 September
France: Rouen
![Rue du Gros Horloge, Rouen, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/72319-rue-du-gros-horloge-rouen.jpg)
Rouen has endured a turbulent history: it was here that Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, and much of the city was destroyed during World War II. Many cruise visitors head straight for Paris, an hour away by train, which is a shame since there’s so much to see in Rouen, including a beautiful cathedral and the atmospheric Medieval quarter.
18 September
France: Caudebec
19 September
France: Rouen
![Rue du Gros Horloge, Rouen, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/72319-rue-du-gros-horloge-rouen.jpg)
Rouen has endured a turbulent history: it was here that Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, and much of the city was destroyed during World War II. Many cruise visitors head straight for Paris, an hour away by train, which is a shame since there’s so much to see in Rouen, including a beautiful cathedral and the atmospheric Medieval quarter.
20 September
France: Mantes la Jolie
21 September
France: Paris
![Eiffel Tower, Paris](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/11060-paris-eiffel-tower-low.jpg)
Paris is a joyful expression of all that is glorious about France, a city of rarified tastes, romantic riverside walks and the occasional rather rude waiter. Culture vultures will be in seventh heaven, with a plethora of galleries and museums housing some of the finest art collections in the world, and the restaurant scene is absolutely first class.
22-23 September
France: Lyon
![Saone riverfront, Lyon](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/16123-lyon-saone-riverfront.jpg)
Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is one of France’s most appealing cities. Its reputation for gastronomic excellence is well deserved, with hundred of wonderful restaurants, and the UNESCO listed historic centre boasts a marvellous ensemble of Renaissance-era buildings.
24 September
France: Mâcon
![Hospices de Beaune, near Macon, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/52937-beaune-hospice-france.jpg)
The little town of Mâcon lies on the west bank of the Saône, at the southern edge of Burgundy, and it’s a great base for sampling the region’s famous wines. A popular excursion is a trip to nearby Beaune, home to the magnificent medieval Hospices de Beaune and its prestigious wine estate.
25 September
France: Tain I'Hermitage
![Tournon sur Rhone and Tain l'Hermitage, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/67642-tournon-sur-rhone-and-tain-l-hermitage.jpg)
The twin villages of Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage sit on opposite banks of the Rhône, around 50 miles south of Lyon. Visit Tournon’s hilltop castle and charming old town, then sample some of Tain l’Hermitage’s excellent wines and the famous Valrhona chocolate.
26 September
France: Viviers
![Viviers cathedral, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/27326-viviers-cathedral.jpg)
The little town of Viviers, on the right bank of the Rhône, is a delightful place to explore on foot, with its narrow, cobbled medieval streets and elegant cathedral. A lot of history is packed into a small space, including Roman remains and the Renaissance era Maison des Chevaliers.
27 September
France: Avignon
![Avignon bridge, France](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/6889-avignon-bridge-low.jpg)
The former papal stronghold of Avignon cuts a dramatic figure, perched above the Rhône and ensconced behind towering walls. The Palais des Papes was home to a succession of 14th century pontiffs, and still looms large over Avignon’s atmospheric old town.
28-29 September
Arriving in Arles
The charming little town of Arles sits at the head of the Rhône delta, on the northern fringe of the sprawling marshlands of the Camargue. It's a town with a long history, as evidenced by an impressive array of Roman ruins, and though the gladiators may be long gone the 20,000 seater amphitheatre still plays host to the bloody and controversial spectacle of the corrida (bullfight). Whether or not you approve of all the local traditions, Arles is a great place to sample the essence of Provençal culture, and we particularly recommend the vibrant Saturday market.
![Place de la République, Arles](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_half/12924-arles-place-de-la-republique.jpg)
![L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel, Arles](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/15986-atelier-arles-jean-luc-rabanel.jpg)
Our tip
Try and get a reservation at L’Atelier where Michelin starred chef Jean-Luc Rabanel offers you a meal that is a work of art in itself. You could even combine it with a half-day cooking class.
Your home from home
![Uniworld - S.S. Joie de Vivre on the Seine](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/lanscape_half/97495-ss-joie-de-vivre-seine-low.jpg)
![Uniworld River Cruises - S.S. Joie de Vivre stateroom](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/39551-uniworld-river-cruises-ss-joie-de-vivre-stateroom.jpg)
![Uniworld - S.S. Joie de Vivre - Salon Toulouse](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/62680-uniworld-ss-joie-de-vivre-salon-toulouse.jpg)
What we love
Uniworld's newest Super Ship joined the fleet in 2017, bringing a new level of luxury to the river Seine. The decor is stylish but understated, inspired by 20th century Parisian design, and staterooms are surprisingly spacious, with a cleverly designed French balcony opening the room to the outside. Dining at the main Restaurant Le Pigalle and the café style Le Bistrot is an absolute treat, and the spa and wellness centre undergoes a miraculous transformation every evening to become Claude's, a glitzy cocktail bar and supper club.
Capacity | 128 Guests |
---|---|
Crew | 52 Staff |
Style |
Relaxed and informal during the day, giving way to an elegant evening atmosphere. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
![Yndo Hotel, Bordeaux](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/15393-yndo-hotel-bordeaux.jpg)
Where to stay in Bordeaux
At the heart of the historic centre, the quirky Yndo Hotel is a great choice.
![Dune du Pyla, Arcachon](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/15396-dune-du-pyla.jpg)
Take a day trip from Bordeaux
The nearby coastal town of Arcachon is renowned for its oysters, and is home to the towering Dune du Pyla, Europe’s largest sand dune.
![Hotel Particulier, Arles](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/15993-hotel-particulier-arles.jpg)
Our favourite hotel in Arles
We like the pretty Hotel Particulier, a lovely 19th century mansion.
![Van Gogh - Harvest at Arles](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/15996-van-gogh-arles.jpeg)
Art in Arles
Arles is a great base for learning more about Van Gogh in Provence. Take a guided tour to learn more and see some great masterpieces.