Culinary Cruise in France

Travel: Geneva to Lyon

Our private driver meets you in Geneva to drive you to the Grand Victoria, moored in the heart of Lyon. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our cheerful crew and experience our Grand Victoria welcome. While we get you checked in and the crew take your luggage to your stateroom, you’ll enjoy our signature champagne welcome. After champagne and hors d’oeuvres take a stroll to appreciate this beautiful city as the sunsets or enjoy a fantastic cocktail cruise before your first of many incredible dinners on board.

Travel: Lyon to Trevoux

Enjoy an early breakfast cruise onboard before you enjoy the magnificent city of Lyon, France’s second largest city and gastronomic capital. Take in the views of the majestic Basilique de Fourviere that dominates the skyline of Lyon. Enjoy an early lunch onboard before debarking the  Grand Victoria  to attend a pastry class. Learn the art of French eclairs, macarons, and other fantastic treats with an excellent instructor. Following the pastry class, we will return to the  Grand Victoria  in time for you to freshen up and enjoy happy hour, before your final gourmet dinner onboard.

Travel: Montmerle to Trevoux

Enjoy an early breakfast cruise onboard before you spend the morning exploring Solutré. A typical village of the Mâconnais region. Here we’ll do a small private wine tasting of the wines of Pouilly Fuisse before heading back to the Grand Victoria for lunch onboard and a gentle easy cruise to Trevoux. Lounge on the deck, enjoy a cocktail, or laze in the hot tub while sipping champagne before Chef presents tonight's gourmet dinner.

Travel: Macon to Montmerle

This morning follow Chef on a market day in Pont de Vaux, a quaint village on the Saône. Explore this wonderful local market, experience the local culture, and help the chef pick out produce to take back to the Grand Victoria for the evening’s dinner. Guests will then return to the Grand Victoria for lunch aboard join Edward in the wheelhouse as the Grand Victoria cruises through the Saône Valley. Join Chef in the galley for a cooking demonstration as he prepares your next dinner aboard.

Travel: Tournus to Macon

Start this morning of your culinary tour in France right with a delicious breakfast! After, we will depart for a French cooking class. Everyone will don an apron, stand behind their cutting board as we talk through the day’s menu. We will explain and demonstrate the classic French culinary techniques used in the day’s menu, from sautéing to searing to sauce-making, and then everyone will get to work prepping the ingredients and participating in the hands-on cooking class. After, we’ll return to the Grand Victoria for an afternoon of cruising up the majestic Saône River.

Travel: Chalon sur Saône to Tournus

We start our week with breakfast on board while you enjoy your first barge cruise in France down one of the prettiest stretches of the Saône to the city of Chalon-sur-Saône. After lunch onboard we depart in the mini-bus for a drive through the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. We’ll also visit a local wine maker and enjoy a private tasting. Here, we’ll learn about the appellations, viticulture, and winemaking. From there, it’s back to our mooring in Chalon-sur-Saone for cocktails and dinner. Take an evening walking tour of Chalon-sur-Saône with its magnificent cathedral square and half timbered buildings.

Travel: Transfer to Geneva

After a breakfast, depart the Grand Victoria around 9:00 am for transfer by minivan to back to Geneva, arriving there about midday.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. It runs in reverse on alternate weeks.