Which trains are included?

Eurostar Standard Premier (London to Paris return) and TGV First Class (Paris to Lyon return) are included. The cruise is on the A-ROSA STELLA.

Is the trip escorted or independent?

It is independent exploration with guided components. An included walking tour of Avignon is guided by the ship's team. Optional excursions are led by expert local guides (charges apply).

What is included in the cruise fare?

The 7-night Premium All-Inclusive cruise covers a category S outside cabin, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), drinks from 11am to 11pm, tea and coffee 24 hours, cultural performances, nightly entertainment, spa, sauna, pool, gym access, and all port taxes.

Which hotel in Paris?

Hotel Le General (4 star), centrally located near Place de la République, for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

When does the trip run?

The pack does not list departure dates. Contact Planet Rail for current availability.

How much walking is involved?

The included Avignon walking tour requires walking within the city. River towns are explored on foot. Optional excursions (Pont du Gard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) may involve additional walking.

Planet Rail · Rail and river cruise holiday

A Classic French Journey

Paris and Rhône valley by rail and river cruise, 10 days

Planet Rail's A Classic French Journey combines rail travel, a Parisian hotel stay, and a Premium All-Inclusive river cruise into a 10-day journey through France. The trip opens with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, followed by 2 nights at the 4-star Hotel Le General near Place de la République. Day 3 brings a TGV First Class departure to Lyon, where you board the A-ROSA STELLA for a 7-night cruise southward along the Rhône and Saône rivers. The itinerary covers wine-producing regions of Burgundy (Mâcon, Trévoux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) and the Provençal cities of Avignon and Arles. Days are structured around the cruise's mooring schedule, with an included walking tour in Avignon and optional excursions available in wine towns and to landmarks such as the Pont du Gard. Onboard dining features gourmet buffets, regional specialities, and welcome and farewell dinners. The pace is relaxed, suited to couples and food-and-wine enthusiasts seeking comfort and guided cultural content without a strict daily schedule.

What to know before you look closer

Transfer to Gare de Lyon on day 3 and taxi from Lyon station to the port (days 3 and 10) are payable locally.
Paris Gare de Lyon transfer on day 3 requires advance booking or local arrangement; costs not included.
Optional excursions (wine tours, Dijon, Cluny, Camargue) incur separate charges; some excursions subject to limited availability.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Paris
London to Paris
Your holiday begins as you arrive at London St Pancras International. Join the Eurostar travelling in Standard Premier Class to Paris, enjoying the light meal and drinks served at your seat as you reach speeds of up to 186 mph. On arrival at Gare du Nord your private taxi will transfer you to the Hotel Le General (4 star), centrally located close to the Place de la République. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure to explore Paris as you wish.
Day 2overnight: Paris
Paris, free day to explore
Take some time to plan your day over a leisurely breakfast. Explore Paris on foot along the river Seine past Notre Dame, the charming Île St. Louis and the Rive Gauche, or soak up culture at the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay or the Centre Pompidou. Take a trip up the Eiffel Tower or along the Seine aboard one of the Bâteaux Mouches (payable locally), wander the classy streets of the 1st and 8th arrondissements, or seek out the quieter streets of the Marais and the city's colourful markets. For dinner choose one of Paris' traditional brasseries or a stylish gourmet French restaurant.
Day 3railovernight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Paris to Lyon and the start of your cruise
Today you transfer to the Gare de Lyon (payable locally) and travel by high-speed TGV to Lyon, arriving mid-afternoon. On arrival, take a taxi to the port (payable locally), where you board the wonderful A-ROSA STELLA. Say au revoir to Lyon as you pass through the atmospheric old town heading north, and enjoy the welcome dinner as you journey to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 4overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Chalon-sur-Saône
This morning you arrive in beautiful Chalon-sur-Saône, the second largest city in Burgundy, with a charming old town revolving around Saint-Vincent Square and an impressive 11th century cathedral surrounded by pretty timber-framed buildings. After exploring the quaint old town, visit the Nicéphore Niépce Museum, dedicated to the inventor of photography, who was born here; it boasts over 6,000 cameras and over 3 million images.
Day 5overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Mâcon and Trévoux
Spend the best part of the day in picturesque Mâcon, the most southerly town in Burgundy, situated in prime wine territory: the perfect excuse to sample some of its best vintages amid pastel-hued buildings with canal tiled roofs on the delightful river Saône. Next stop, Trévoux, a petite French town of around 7,000 people tucked away on the banks of the Saône; a must-see is the Hotel du Government de Dombes with its sublime Salle d'audience covered in remarkably preserved ornate paintings. Arrive back in Lyon in the evening.
Day 6overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Lyon
The capital of gastronomy in France, Lyon is a vibrant hub of the finest produce and some of the most talented chefs in the world, framed by the impressive confluence of the Rhône and the Saône. Explore the 4th century secret passageways in Lyon's UNESCO-listed old town used by silk-workers, enrich yourself in one of Lyon's many museums, or simply find a bistro with a river view. Take a stroll on the promenade along the Rhône, discover renaissance Lyon in the old town, or explore the Presqu'île, home to the city hall and Lyon's opera house.
Day 7overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA (Avignon)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Avignon
Just a couple of kilometres from the Rhône lies delightful Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose star of the show is the ruin of the Avignon Popes' summer residence, reached by wending your way uphill from the square. Here you can join an optional excursion (supplements apply) to the wine town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, re-joining the ship in Avignon. Arrive in historic Avignon in the early afternoon, mooring within easy walking distance of all the attractions, including the incredible Palais des Papes, the largest gothic palace ever built. Enjoy an included guided walking tour of Avignon this afternoon.
Day 8overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Avignon and Arles
Take the morning to visit any of Avignon's remaining sights: watch the sun rise at the 12th century Pont d'Avignon or enjoy French pastries at one of the city's many patisseries. This afternoon your cruise continues to Arles, the Provençal city par excellence, a sun-drenched city of terracotta-tiled rooftops at an intoxicating bend in the River Rhône. Once a leading Roman city, it boasts a 1st century Roman Amphitheatre, and was famously home to Vincent van Gogh, who produced at least 200 paintings here. From Arles it is possible to take an optional excursion to the wildlife haven of the Camargue (supplements apply).
Day 9overnight: On board A-ROSA STELLA
Viviers and La Voulte-sur-Rhône
Travel to Viviers for a morning stroll: full of quaint French charm, with pale stone buildings in a dreamy riverside setting, it is France's smallest town, though its storied past and historical monuments bely its size. You can take an optional excursion to the impressive Ardèche Gorge from here, re-joining the ship at La Voulte-sur-Rhône, a small, perfectly formed town backed by the Castle of La Voulte-sur-Rhône. Spend the rest of the day and your final evening aboard the elegant A-ROSA STELLA with a farewell dinner.
Day 10rail
Lyon to London, homeward bound
Today you say goodbye to the A-ROSA STELLA in Lyon, relaxed and restored after a delightful journey on France's Rhône and Saône. Take a taxi (payable locally) to the train station to catch the TGV service to Paris Gare de Lyon. Here your private taxi transfers you across the French capital for your onward Eurostar from the Gare du Nord back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras in Standard Premier Class, reaching speeds of 186 mph, with light meal and drinks at your seat.
Day 2Free day in Paris to explore the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, or ascend the Eiffel Tower.
Day 3Board the A-ROSA STELLA in Lyon and cruise north through the atmospheric old town toward Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 7Visit the ruin of the Avignon Popes' summer residence in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then continue to Avignon for an included walking tour.
Day 8Cruise to Arles, a Provençal city with a 1st century Roman amphitheatre and terracotta-tiled rooftops along the Rhône.

Included

Return First Class rail from London to Lyon (Standard Premier Class on Eurostar)
2-nights in Paris at the highly-rated Hotel Le General (4 star) or similar on the outbound journey on a bed and breakfast basis
2 private taxi transfers in Paris
7-night cruise on a Premium All-Inclusive basis: S grade outside cabin with window and river views and private bathroom
Extensive gourmet buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner
Option to enjoy waiter service at dinner
Special welcome and farewell dinners
Regional specialities and afternoon tea
Tea, coffee and water available 24 hours
Extensive menu of cocktails, mocktails, spirits, wines, beers, soft drinks and speciality teas and coffees served 11am to 11pm as per the A-ROSA bar menu
Included walking tour of Avignon and speciality dinner on board ship in the evening
Up to 2 cultural performances during the week
Nightly entertainment in the lounge
Use of all on-board facilities including the A-ROSA SPA, sauna, swimming pool, relaxation and gym
15% discount on spa treatments
FREE Wi-Fi
All port taxes

Not included

Transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon on day 3 (payable locally)
Taxi between Lyon station and the port on days 3 and 10 (payable locally)
Optional excursions (reserve in advance or book on board)
Spa treatments (15% discount applies)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?: Eurostar Standard Premier (London to Paris return) and TGV First Class (Paris to Lyon return) are included. The cruise is on the A-ROSA STELLA.
Is the trip escorted or independent?: It is independent exploration with guided components. An included walking tour of Avignon is guided by the ship's team. Optional excursions are led by expert local guides (charges apply).
What is included in the cruise fare?: The 7-night Premium All-Inclusive cruise covers a category S outside cabin, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), drinks from 11am to 11pm, tea and coffee 24 hours, cultural performances, nightly entertainment, spa, sauna, pool, gym access, and all port taxes.
Which hotel in Paris?: Hotel Le General (4 star), centrally located near Place de la République, for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
When does the trip run?: The pack does not list departure dates. Contact Planet Rail for current availability.
How much walking is involved?: The included Avignon walking tour requires walking within the city. River towns are explored on foot. Optional excursions (Pont du Gard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) may involve additional walking.