France’s Finest

  • From $8,899
  • |
  • 15 Days
  • |
  • 13 Guided Tours
  • |
  • 1 Country

Lyon, France

  • Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon

One of Europe’s densest concentrations of urban Renaissance buildings, Old Lyon is pure pleasure to explore. The dwellings of this UNESCO site date back to the city’s silk weaving success during the 15th century, when Italian merchants and bankers put their profits into building town houses; today some of their elegant residences house museums. St. Jean Cathedral lies in the heart of Old Lyon and is a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It has weathered periods of political turmoil and religious wars and is now one of the city’s most prominent symbols.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Historic Wooden Wine Press in Museum

Beaujolais Wine Country

Discover why Beaujolais is one of France’s most beloved wine regions during this flavorful and scenic excursion.

Included
Historic Wooden Wine Press in Museum

Beaujolais Wine Country

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes      

Stunning Beauty Complemented by Light Fruity Vintages

Discover why Beaujolais is one of France’s most beloved wine regions during this flavorful and scenic excursion. In full, it is larger than any single district of its neighbor, Burgundy. Vineyards stretch for four miles along the Saône, and the granite soils and warmer climate make it ideal for growing grapes that produce a light flavor. Join your guide for a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep. Then, stop at a local village and enjoy a stroll with your guide as you learn about the art of winemaking, perhaps hearing about the popular Beaujolais Nouveau and the coveted crus that are produced here. You will also stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars to enjoy a tasting with a wine expert.

* Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Historic castle overlooking lush vineyards

Beaujolais & Truffles

Sample Beaujolais’s most beloved culinary treasures during visits to a wine château and two working farms.
Historic castle overlooking lush vineyards

Beaujolais & Truffles

Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes      

French Delicacies

Sample Beaujolais’s most beloved culinary treasures during visits to a wine château and two working farms. With your guide, drive into the scenic countryside, learning about local agriculture along the way. At a picturesque château, visit a medieval wine cellar for a private wine tasting. Continue to a truffle farm, where you will have a lunch made with farm-fresh organic ingredients. Later, watch as the farmer’s dog hunts for truffles down in the soil. This highly prized fungus has been called the “diamond of the kitchen” for its rich, earthy flavor. Next, stop at a farm known for its biological agriculture and the production of sheep cheese. Explore the farm with your host and learn how the cheese is made. Then sample both fresh and more mature cheeses, with white wine if you wish. After this full day of French gastronomy, return to your ship.

* Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Golden brioche buns on orange tablecloth

Flavors of Lyon

Treat your taste buds to the culinary delights of Lyon, once hailed as the “world capital of gastronomy.”
Golden brioche buns on orange tablecloth

Flavors of Lyon

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes      

Savor the History of Lyonnaise Cuisine

Treat your taste buds to the culinary delights of Lyon, once hailed as the “world capital of gastronomy.” Meet your guide and embark on an insightful walking tour to sample regional delicacies. Enjoy a taste of Brioche à la Praline—a pure butter brioche packed with pounded pralines. Visit a renowned chocolatier and sample a selection of handpicked delights. Learn all about cheese and taste a variety of local favorites as you discover more about the maturing process, accompanied by a glass of wine. And visit a traditional bistro, where your guide will regale you with cultural anecdotes of Lyon’s famed dedication to France’s culinary scene. Here, you will savor a tasty platter of cured meats, pâté croute, terrine and grattons, a local delicacy made from pork rind. After your tasting excursion, return to your awaiting ship.

* Demanding - Physically challenging activities, including extensive walks, hiking, riding, water sports, and high altitude activities. Activities by foot may contain difficult, unpaved surfaces and/or multiple stairs and steep inclines. Total time walking or standing may exceed 3 hours.
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Videos

Notre Dame Cathedral under cloudy skies

Gothic Cathedrals

Marvel at the ingenuity and ethereal quality of Gothic architecture, a style inspired by a period when religion governed life and epitomized by Europe’s soaring cathedrals from the 12th to 16th centuries.
Hilltop castle overlooking scenic river valley

Explore Europe with Viking

Sail Europe’s picturesque waterways in elegant comfort with Viking. Ranging from 8 to 23 days, our itineraries offer a wealth of unforgettable journeys across the continent.