Michel Roux Jr is one of the world's great chefs, taking over Le Gavroche in Mayfair, London, from his father Albert Roux and earning two coveted Michelin stars. A regular TV personality, Michel has made numerous appearances on ITV's Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay and BBC Two's MasterChef. He has also co-presented BBC Two's Food And Drink, appeared as a mentor in The Chef's Protege, presented Channel 4's Kitchen Impossible and hosted BBC's Saturday Kitchen.

River Cruise
Discover the flavours of the Rhône with Michel Roux Jr


For up-to-date advice on travel and COVID-19, see our homepage. We are delighted to bring you a new 2022 date for this popular tour, with a £600pp early bird saving available until 15 March 2021.
The beautiful Rhône valley is the undisputed centre of French gastronomy - and who better to discover it with than the two-Michelin star chef of Le Gavroche, Michel Roux Jr?
There is no finer way to explore one of France's great regions, sample wonderful Burgundy vintages and taste delicious Lyonnaise cuisine, than on a river cruise through the unspoilt countryside with stops at Arles, Avignon and the foodie capital Lyon.
Michel will join you on this wonderful eight-day river cruise on the Rhône aboard a luxury Emerald Waterways Star-Ship and take part in exclusive events for readers including a private cooking demonstration and a special market tour of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Market.
Michel says:
" I can't wait to join you on the Rhone for this wonderful holiday, on which I will help you to discover the secrets of French cuisine in a region famous for its gastronomy."
Meet Michel Roux Jr and Tom Parker Bowles
You will visit the famous Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market
with both Michel and Tom and together you will shop for local
fruit, vegetable and regional produce as Michel explains his tips
for choosing the best ingredients. Back on board the ship, you will
join an exclusive cookery demonstration with Michel, who will
reveal his insights and stories and share the secrets of creating
the finest French cuisine, using hand-picked ingredients from the
market. Later that afternoon, join Tom for a presentation on local
cuisine with ingredients he bought earlier at the market. This
evening, enjoy a special dinner featuring courses chosen by Michel
Roux Jr himself. You will also have an opportunity to ask both
Michel and Tom your burning questions during an exclusive Q&A
and discover more about their lives and culinary careers.
Gastronomic highlights with Michel Roux
Jr
This exclusive river cruise is bursting with foodie highlights. As
well as hosting an exclusive cooking demonstration on board, Michel
will sign copies of his latest book (one complimentary copy per
cabin) and Tom Parker Bowles will join you for a regional wine
tasting on board. You will also discover the winemaking tradition
of Chalon-Sur-Saône and the splendid Burgundy it produces, taste
some of the region's finest olives and cheese, and enjoy a
Provençale dinner hosted by expert local chef Fabien Morreale.
Sail in style on the Emerald Liberté
One of the most recent additions to the Emerald Waterways fleet of
Star-Ships, the Emerald Liberté offers a luxurious way to travel.
It boasts fine-dining restaurants, bar areas, spa, an indoor heated
pool with retractable roof which transforms into a cinema at night,
and a delightful sun deck to take in the stunning scenery as you
sail by.
Explore Burgundy and the Rhône
As well as visiting Lyon, one of the world's great foodie destinations, your eight-day itinerary includes the chance to sail through the picturesque vineyards of Beaune and Provence, the 'land of lavender and rosé', enjoy a visit to the evocative Roman ruins of Viviers, and stop at historic Avignon and the Roman town of Arles.















Reasons to book

Cooking demo by Michel Roux Jr

Sail on the Emerald Liberté

Visit a famous food market

Visit historic Viviers and Arles

Dinner with Michel

Wine-tasting in Chalon-Sur-Saône
Your expert guides


Tom Parker Bowles is one of the UK's most popular and engaging food writers and critics. As well as appearing as an expert judge on numerous TV food programmes, Tom is The Mail on Sunday's highly respected food and restaurant critic.
Price includes
- Return flights, taxes and transfers
- Seven nights' accommodation on the Emerald Liberté
- Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Activities and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
- Exclusive events with Michel Roux Jr and Tom Parker Bowles as detailed in the itinerary
- Signed copy of The French Revolution by Michel Roux Jr
- Complimentary bottle of wine
- All tips and gratuities
- Flexible booking policy
Availability
Itinerary
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Day1Arrive in LyonLyon, France
You will be met at the airport in Lyon and be transferred to the Emerald Liberté luxury ship where you will be welcomed by your Captain and crew. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on-board.
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Day2Chalon-sur-Saone - BeauneChalon-sur-Saône, France
Chalon-Sur-Saône is best known as the birthplace of photography and the centre of Burgundy's wine region. Travel by road to the quaint village of Beaune, where we visit the Hospices de Beaune, one of the finest examples of French fifteenth-century architecture. Marvel at the multi-coloured roofs of this former hospital, now a museum, which has become one of the symbols of Burgundy.
This afternoon hear tales from Michel Roux in an informal Q&A and talk, plus receive a free book per cabin which Michel will sign. After which join Tom Parker Bowles for a wine tasting of local wines from the Bourgogne region. Before dinner join Michel and our Captain for a cocktail in the lounge.
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Day3Lyon day with Michel Roux JrLyon, France
Lyon is France's third largest city, a former Roman capital positioned at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, which is steeped in history. Today take part on the guided tour of Lyon, which starts with a drive to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon's hilltop church, with stunning views over the town. Then pass by the recently re-discovered Roman amphitheatre and walk through the cobbled streets of the gastronomic old town including the secret laneways. Michel will give a talk during the tour about the food from the region and ingredients to look out for along the way.
This afternoon enjoy an exclusive cookery demonstration with Michel Roux Jr, who will reveal his insights and stories and share the secrets to creating the finest French cuisine.
Tonight, enjoy your gala dinner. Where Michel will select his recommended dishes from our menu.
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Day4TournonTournon, France
Join your local guide for a walking tour of Tournon, which is dominated by the 16th century castle and roman ruins, and is nestled in the valley near the steep slopes of le Massif Central, France's 3rd largest mountain range. The area has a long tradition in wine making, including the renowned wine growing centre of Tain l'Hermitage across the river.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided active walk through vineyards
EmeraldPLUS: A cheese and olive tasting on board
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to Glun -
Day5ViviersViviers, France
Arrive in Viviers, a town which still has a lot of flare. Viviers is also the home of one of France's oldest cathedrals, join an included city tour exploring all the architectural heritage of this quaint town.
DiscoverMORE: Tour to Grignan (extra expense)
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Day6AvignonAvignon, France
Avignon has a rich history; from its Celtic beginnings, to becoming the residence of the Popes and later being central to the French Revolution. Although a fortified town, it is the Papal Palace which stands most secure, on a hill in the centre of town, and its walls are 17-18 feet thick. Your walk with a local guide takes you through this historic centre, strolling the cobbled laneways and browsing the shops overlooking the famous 'Pont d'Avignon'.
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Day7ArlesArles, France
Join your local guide for a walking tour showcasing the highlights of the city in particular the 2000-year-old Roman Amphitheatre still in use today, which was originally built to hold 20,000 spectators in the style of the Colosseum in Rome.
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense).
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Day8Return homeArles, France
After breakfast disembark your river cruise ship in Arles and transfer to Marseille Airport for your onward or homebound flight.
Accommodation


Emerald Liberté
One of the most impressive river cruise ships of the Emerald Waterways fleet
Making her maiden voyage in 2017, Emerald Liberté provides a luxurious and relaxing passage through the southern stretches of France.
Proving the journey is every bit as important as the destination, Emerald Liberté is blessed with an incredible selection of amenities and features. Designed to ensure every moment spent navigating the rivers of Europe and Asia with Emerald Waterways is incredibly comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable; the ship's features and flourishes have been selected to perfectly complement the journey.
From luxury restaurants and bar areas to health-giving spa and fitness facilities; our award-winning Star-Ships are designed to complement the journeys and lifestyles of our guests. Determined to ensure our guests never feel restricted during their time with Emerald Waterways, all staterooms, suites and public areas of the ship have been designed to maximise comfort.
Facilities
The Sun Deck aboard Emerald Liberte always proves to be hugely
popular during the summer months, with the delicate river breeze
perfectly complementing the stunning panoramas provided by the
world's most beautiful waterways.
This open-air top deck consists of a dining area adjacent to leisure and relaxation features; perfect whether you fancy a gourmet meal with new friends, or soak up the sun from the pool.
And it's not just the public area of the Emerald Waterways Star-Ships which have been lovingly devised to maximise comfort and enjoyment, our ships are blessed with the most stylish cabins. Ensuring restful nights and comfortable days, they are endowed with all the facilities and features you'd expect from an upmarket boutique hotel.
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