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Beaune River Cruises

About Beaune

Beaune is a quiet city in the east of France, not too far from the border with Switzerland and approximately halfway between Dijon and Chalon-sur-Saone, just a couple of hours drive from Paris and Lyon. A number of river cruises which take place in France are tailored to one or more of the country’s famed wine regions and one of the most famous of these is the Burgundy province. The wine capital of Burgundy is Beaune and quite simply, it is home to some of the best vineyards in the entire world. The importance of the wine industry in the region certainly draws a lot of tourists, but the city itself isn’t particularly well-known for having attractions other than its vineyards. However, Beaune still has some of its original walls and ramparts, along with a moat, while the views of the surrounding Cote d’Or hills are some of the best in the area.

Exploring Beaune

As you’d expect, the main draw in Beaune is the vineyards and most river cruise operators offer tours of the region, where you’ll learn all about the wine-making process, exploring the renowned cellars and finding out some of the details of the local cultures surrounding the whole industry as you go. Of course, you’ll also be able to take part in some tasting sessions during which you’ll get to know what the best product of the region is really like and why it is so revered.

As well as wine-based excursions, the town also yields some eye-catching architecture, including a number of hospices. The most popular of these is the beautiful Hotel Dieu, the proprietors of which also own some of the vineyards. As well as being an utterly charming structure, it still functions today as a retirement home, though the majority of its footfall still derives from tourism. Whichever you choose to visit, there is some incredible architecture to enjoy, while another impressive sight is the Notre Dame Church, which dates all the way back to the 12th century.

One wine-producing chateau which remains popular with visitors whether they are fans of the fruit of the vine or not, is Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune. Here, you’ll find all manner of vintage aircraft, cars, motorcycles and agricultural vehicles, which offer the perfect distraction for history and memorabilia buffs. The clue is in the name at Dalineum, which offers a fascinating showcase of a number of the celebrated surrealist’s works as well as some picturesque gardens.

An excellent way to take in many of these sights is by way of the VisioTrain 2000, a tourist train that operates between April and September and offers 45-minute tours of the town and its sights.

Beaune tips

As you may have guessed, the chance to sample some of the world’s most celebrated wine is a must when in Beaune, so make sure you book a wine-tasting excursion to make the most of your visit

Beaune Itineraries

Lyon

Aix-en-Provence with Sensations of Lyon - Nice

5 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
9 Nights From Lyon , France to Villefranche
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2699pp
Viviers

Discover the Rivers of France & Portugal

4 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2023
14 Nights From Villefranche, France to Beaune
Emerald Cruises logo CALL
Arles

Ultimate France - Bordeaux to Arles

27 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
21 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Arles
Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £9089pp
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence from Avignon

40 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Avignon, France to Lyon
Riviera Travel logo FROM £1599pp
Arles

Grand France - Paris to Port Louis (southbound)

10 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
14 Nights From Paris, to France , Port St. Louis
Avalon Waterways logo CALL
Lyon

Rhine & Rhône Revealed (Northbound)

11 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
14 Nights From Port St. Louis, France to , Amsterdam, Netherlands
Avalon Waterways logo CALL
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence from Lyon

39 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Lyon , France to Avignon

Enjoy drinks on Riviera this summer! Unlimited soft drinks, Warsteiner draft beer, red, white, rose & sparkling house wines from 10am to midnight* - available for a limited time only!

Riviera Travel logo FROM £1649pp
Avignon

Burgundy and Provence with 2 Nights in Paris

12 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
9 Nights From Paris, to France , Port St. Louis
Avalon Waterways logo CALL
Lyon

Grand France - Port Louis to Paris

11 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
14 Nights From Port St. Louis, France to , Paris

Buy one get one FREE on selected 2023 cruises. Prices advertised already included discounts.

Avalon Waterways logo FROM £5499pp
Lyon

Sensations of Lyon & Provence from Marseille

28 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Marseille, to France , Lyon

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2049pp
Avignon

Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Nice

15 sailing dates May 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Villefranche, France to Lyon
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2829pp
Avignon

Sensations of Lyon & Provence from Lyon

29 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Lyon , France to , Marseille

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2049pp
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence

1 sailing date April 2024
7 Nights From Avignon, France to Avignon
Riviera Travel logo FROM £2829pp
Avignon

Sensations of Lyon and Provence & Paris from Nice

3 sailing dates May 2024 to October 2024
9 Nights From Villefranche, France to , Paris
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3239pp
Avignon

Paris to Nice & Sensations of Lyon and Provence

4 sailing dates May 2024 to September 2024
12 Nights From Paris, to France , Villefranche
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £4259pp
Avignon

Nice to Paris & Sensations of Lyon and Provence

2 sailing dates August 2024 to October 2024
12 Nights From Villefranche, France to , Paris
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3759pp
Lyon

Aix-en-Provence with Sensations of Lyon & Provence

6 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
9 Nights From Lyon , France to Villefranche
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3159pp
Avignon

Discover the Rhine & Rhone Rivers from Marseille

3 sailing dates April 2023 to August 2023
14 Nights From Marseille, to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £4919pp
Avignon

Lyon, Provencal Rhone & the Camargue

17 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Lyon , France to , Arrive UK
Riviera Travel logo FROM £3649pp

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