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Burgundy & Provence Rhone River All-Gay Cruise 2025
8 nights from/to Lyon, France
June 17 25, 2025
Lüftner Cruises Amadeus Provence
An all-inclusive, 7 night deluxe all-gay river cruise through Burgundy and Provence aboard the Amadeus Provence, plus one deluxe pre-cruise night in Lyon. Your LGBT+, all-inclusive, guaranteed full ship charter adventure begins in Lyon, where you’ll enjoy one deluxe night’s stay in Lyon, situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Lyon is the third-largest city in France and is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and exceptional gastronomy.
On board the gorgeous Amadeus Provence you’ll enjoy a wonderful blend of modern fittings, luxurious finishes, and comfortable cabins.
The Amadeus Provence offers a wonderful cruising experience. Sailing along France’s beautiful rivers, you can soak up divine views as you enjoy attentive service and facilities including a swimming pool and elegant bar. We’ve created an itinerary that includes the best sights and experiences in the Burgundy and Provence region of France.
Throughout the cruise, you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery of the French countryside, indulge in regional wines and cuisine, explore historical landmarks, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Burgundy and Provence. The itinerary offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, making it a memorable journey for river cruise enthusiasts.
Burgundy & Provence Gay Cruise Highlights
• Sail aboard the beautiful Amadeus Provence luxury river ship
• Explore Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its Renaissance architecture, traboules (hidden passageways), and the impressive Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
• Visit Macon, which is situated in the Burgundy wine region, and indulge in wine tastings, particularly white wines made from the Chardonnay grape
• Explore the historic Palais des Papes, a medieval fortress and palace, in Avignon
• Admire the Pont du Gard, which was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is over 30 miles long) to cross the Gard river
• Experience the natural wonder of the Gorges of the Ardèche, the European Grand Canyon
• Visit many Châteaus, including the Château de Cormatin with impressive monumentality of its military style facades
• See Roman architecture including the Arles Amphitheater, which was built in 90 CE
Burgundy & Provence Gay Cruise Inclusions
• FROM THE TIME YOU LAND UNTIL YOU LEAVE, NEARLY EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED
• Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter aboard the Amadeus Provence
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Lyon including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Welcome reception in Lyon
• Panorama tour of Lyon
• Transfer from the hotel in Lyon to the ship
• 7 nights cruise accommodation
• Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise
• Superb Dining: all meals included during your cruise
• Complimentary shore excursions offered daily
• Brand g signature entertainment
• Airport arrival and departure transfers in Lyon (LYS)
Your Ship - Amadeus Provence
Dedicated to the Rhone and Soane rivers, Amadeus Provence offers a delightfully intimate cruise setting and the most complete French river cruise experiences available. Find yourself within a French Impressionist painting as you cruise through Provence aboard Amadeus Provence.
Soft pink and lavender accents set the stage for what unfolds just outside your panoramic window: Collections of yellow Provençal cottages with red tiled rooftops and stone walls, verdant valleys carpeted with lavender fields and vineyards.
Amadeus Provence promises fascinating journeys into the heart of Avignon and Arles and the renowned Le Camargue, the French delta. In the infinity pool, float where blue meets blue as water blends into the river’s horizon. Enjoy a drink at the Lido Bar, unwind on the River Terrace or in the fitness studio, or indulge in a pampering massage. At the day’s end, you’ll realize Amadeus Provence is a taste of French living at its finest.
River Terrace
The ship’s exclusive “River Terrace” open-air lounge is in the bow and its specially designed glazing provides an incomparable view of the passing riverside scenery while simultaneously providing protection against wind and rain.
AMADEUS Club
The AMADEUS Club is the perfect place in which to share the pleasures of the day with a glass of wine in the evening and relax to the gentle sounds of jazz or classics.
Infinity Pool
Exciting highlight of the Amadeus Provence is the generous swimming pool on the sun deck, a perfect complement to the activity programs on board.
Entertainment
On a Brand g European river cruise, every night is opening night. Our cruises always include two featured acts (occasionally three) who provide nightly entertainment throughout the cruise.
Although the focus of our cruises is mainly on sightseeing and socializing, we do like to mix in a bit of frivolity as well. With that in mind, we’re planning a couple of themed deck parties during the cruise. If you should choose to participate great, if you’d rather just be a voyeur that is totally fine as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule my flights?
Arrivals: You should schedule your flights to arrive in Lyon (LYS) on or before June 17th. The first scheduled activity will be a welcome cocktail reception at 7:00 pm that day.
Departures: You should plan to fly home from Lyon (LYS) on July 25th anytime. We disembark from the river boat by 10am. All guests to disembark by 10:00am. The boat will dock in Lyon around 2 AM on the 25th, and therefore you may disembark as early as necessary to catch a morning flight.
What arrival and departure transfers are included?
Arrival transfers are provided from the Lyon Airport (LYS) or Lyon train stations to the Hotel Boscolo Lyon.
Departure transfers are provided from the ship to the Lyon Airport (LYS) or Lyon train stations.
If you extend your stay at in Lyon, you will be provided with a transfer from the ship to your independently booked hotel. You will then need to arrange your own transfer to the airport.
What should I expect on the included shore excursions?
Excursions during your travel program are mostly in groups of 25 people led by expert English speaking local guides. Utilizing wireless audio guides enables you to hear every word of your travel guide at absolutely all times. It provides maximum flexibility and convenience without missing a moment of fascinating commentary and is compatible with hearing aids.
What if I have dietary requirements?
We will make every effort to accommodate special dietary requests. Please inform our office at least 45 days prior to departure of these requests.
Will there be smoking areas?
The comfort and safety of our guests is our first priority. Smoking is not permitted in the suites or enclosed, public areas on board. There is a designated smoking area on the Sun Deck. Land properties will have designated smoking areas.
Is there a dress code?
You are on vacation as the last thing we want to impose is a dress code. We will however appreciate you wearing more than a thong or mankini at dinner and in the bar/performance area. Be as dressed up or down as you see fit as long as you are comfortable and dress appropriately for changeable weather.
What weather can I expect from this trip?
During June, the Burgundy and Provence region of France is at the beginning of summer. Temperatures can reach the high 70s or low 80s in the day and the evenings are generally in the 50s.
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Burgundy & Provence Rhone River All-Gay Cruise 2025 Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Meals |
17 Jun |
Lyon, France |
R |
18 Jun |
Lyon, France |
B, D |
19 Jun |
Macon, France |
B, L, D |
20 Jun |
Chalon-sur-Saone / Tournus, France |
B, L, D |
21 Jun |
Lyon, France |
B, L, D |
22 Jun |
Avignon, France |
B, L, D |
23 Jun |
Arles, France |
B, L, D |
24 Jun |
Chateauneuf-du-Rhone / Le Pouzin, France |
B, L, D |
25 Jun |
Lyon, France |
B |
Day 1 - Lyon, France
Arrive in Lyon and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free time to start exploring this beautiful city.
Meet your fellow guests at welcome gathering in the early evening at approximately 7:00 PM.
Welcome Reception
Day 2 - Lyon, France / Embarkation Enjoy a late breakfast included breakfast and leisurely morning at the Boscolo Lyon Hotel followed by an afternoon city tour to admire the beautiful buildings, churches, squares, fountains and murals. This afternoon, we’ll visit the hill of Fourvière, which provides a panoramic view to the city, with a visit of the neobyzantine basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière from the XIXth Century. We’ll make a quick stop to the antic theater and see the remains from the Roman time and parts of the Roman bath and Aqueducts. We’ll return downtown to admire the Saône riverbanks with the colorful Italian style buildings. We’ll visit the Peninsula area which is home to the Town Hall, Opera House, and Art Museum. We’ll see the painted walls on blind facades and then conclude with a walking tour of the Old City, part of the World Heritage for the discovery of the famous traboules, or so called hidden corridors, and the miraboules, which are amazing Renaissance Courtyards, as well as see the Lyon Cathedral.
In the late afternoon, we will board the Amadeus Provence, your luxurious home for the next seven nights. Enjoy welcome cocktails and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner. Following dinner, enjoy the first night of Brand g Signature Entertainment with more LGBT + friendly entertainment to come throughout the cruise. Your floating hotel departs for Macon shortly after dinner. Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 - Mâcon, France
In the morning, your ship arrives in Mâcon, located in southern Burgundy. With a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, Mâcon is an architectural treasure trove and a gateway to the vineyards of the Côte Mâconnais. This historic wine region produces some of the finest and most expensive wines in the world. Enjoy a guided tour and admire the peaceful vineyards of the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions. A highlight is the visit to the “Hameau Duboeuf“ wine museum, featuring the history and production of Burgundy wines, and a wine tasting.
After lunch on board, join the afternoon excursion to Cluny Abbey, which was founded in 910 and was home to over 10,000 monks at its height, or visit Château de Pierreclos with its romantic wine cellars and vineyard. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Chalon-sur-Saône / Tournus, France
Continue exploring the Burgundy wine region in Chalon-sur-Saône, where half-timbered houses overlook a square teeming with art galleries and specialty shops. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Burgundy wine route on the morning tour. Your bus will stop in Beaune, where you will see the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu and enjoy a wine tasting at one of Beaune’s famous cellars. After lunch on board, unwind and admire the scenery as the vessel continues along the Saône or, alternatively, join the afternoon excursion, which departs from Chalon-sur-Saône overland for the medieval towns of Brançion and Cormatin. The Château de Cormatin is a beautiful castle with magnificent French gardens. It was built in the 17th Century with the aim to impress. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Lyon, France
Today we return to Lyon, which is known not only for its architectural beauty but also for its gastronomic excellence. Join the included excursion to the covered food market of Paul Bocuse and sample the local delicacies. Or take some time to independently explore this UNESCO World Heritage site with its most famous landmarks including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the charming Renaissance Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon). At midday, the ship departs Lyon. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Avignon, France
Spend the day exploring the Provençal city of Avignon and discovering its momentous history. In the morning, take part in a guided walking tour of Avignon, the seat of the Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. Admire the grand Palace of the Popes, one of the world’s most fascinating examples of Gothic architecture and the Pont d’Avignon. After lunch, join the excursion to the hilltop town of Uzès and to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and great masterpiece of engineering. In the evening, dinner is followed by entertainment by a local music band. We depart for Arles this evening. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Arles, France Old Arles is a delight to wander in and explore, no wonder it once captured the imagination of the brilliant Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh. Learn more about its rich history during the morning tour. Inside the Roman amphitheater, get a good impression of what being a spectator of gladiator fights was like at the end of the first century. This afternoon, recharge in the tranquility of unspoilt scenery by joining the excursion to the natural beauty of the Camargue’s salt marshes, home to the renowned Camargue bulls and wild white horses. This nature preserve is also one of the few European habitats which supports the greater flamingo. After a full day in Arles, your vessel will continue cruising the Rhône River. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Châteauneuf-du-Rhône / Le Pouzin, France You can choose to spend a day on board or join a morning guided tour the Ardèche Gorge, another natural wonder of this area. Visit the “Grand Canyon of Europe,“ where spectacular limestone cliffs tower over the meandering river below. France is a leading producer of black truffles, so the alternative is an exploration of the world of truffles with a visit and tasting to a local truffle farm. Rejoin the vessel in Le Pouzin in time for lunch.
This afternoon, relax on board as your ship makes its way back up the waterways of the Provence. This evening, celebrate your cruise experience at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 - Lyon, France / Disembarkation After breakfast, we’ll bid each other farewell.
Although small in comparison to Paris, Lyon's gay scene is one of the most vibrant in France. Most venues are concentrated in Vieux Lyon. In Lyon you will find Gay Bars, Dance Clubs, Cruise Clubs, Gay Saunas and massage service catering for gay clientele.
Breakfast
Hotel
Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa - June 17 - 18, 2025 Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa is a hotel set in a historic building on the Presqu'île of Lyon, on the banks of the Rhône river, 2789 feet from Lyon National Opera House. The hotel has a bar and a 24-hour reception. The daily breakfast offers continental and buffet options. Guests can enjoy a meal at the in-house restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine.
At the hotel, all rooms measure at least 98 feet² and feature luxurious decorations. Rooms come complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower, bidet and free toiletries, while certain units at Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa also offer a seating area. Certain rooms offer a river view. Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa offers spa and fitness center.
Additional pre-program nights available upon request. Please contact us for availability and pricing.
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Amadeus Provence
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Length: 360.9 ft • Width: 36.1 ft • Guests: 140 • Year Built: 2017 • Crew: 40 • Decks: 4 • Guest Cabins: 70
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Burgundy & Provence All-Gay River Cruise 2025 Rates
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Amadeus Suite |
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Mozart Deck (301 - 308) Suites are 284 sq. ft. with comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 8,099
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$ 8,499
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Category A-1 |
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Mozart Deck (309 - 325) A-1 cabins are 188 sq. ft. with drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 6,699
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$ 7,099
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Category B-1 |
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Strauss Deck (201 - 229) B-1 cabins are 188 sq. ft. with drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 6,199
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$ 6,599
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Category B-4 |
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Strauss Deck (230 - 231) B-4 cabins are 188 sq. ft. with drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 5,899
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$ 6,299
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Category C-1 |
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Hayden Deck (102 - 115). C-1 cabins are 172 sq. ft. with panoramic window (cannot be opened), choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 5,399
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$ 5,799
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Category C-4 Single Cabin |
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Hayden Deck (116 - 119). C-4 cabins are 172 sq. ft. with panoramic window (cannot be opened), choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television with infotainment center, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
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$ 6,999
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$ 7,399
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The fares above are per person USD, based on double occupancy (except Single Cabins).
Port Charges of $200 per person are additional.
Pre-paid Gratuities of $190 per person are additional.
Initial deposit is $1,000 per person. The balance of the trip is due 120 days before departure.
Single Travelers Single supplement of $2,500 applies to single occupancy bookings in staterooms A-1 through C-1. C-4 category staterooms are priced for single travelers.
Amadeus Suites, 100% single supplement applies.
Traveling alone? Ask about our single roommate share program to help you avoid the single supplement charges.
Early booking Discount expires soon!
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Post-Cruise Hotel |
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