Burgundy Bliss: A Journey Along the Saône
Our Marketing Manager, Louise, recently swapped her desk for the deck, sailing the four-day, three-night Burgundy Bliss route aboard the Riverside Ravel with Riverside Cruises. It was a round trip from Lyon that winds through some of France's most storied countryside. We caught up with her on her return to hear about the personal highlights, the standout surprises, and everything in between. Here's what she had to say.
What were your first impressions?
The ship is absolutely beautiful. Almost every indoor space has gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, so wherever you are, you've got a prime view of the water and the countryside drifting by.
From the minute I stepped on board, I knew that the whole experience was going to exceed all expectations and preconceptions. From the staff to the decor and all the offerings - everything felt luxurious, but in a refreshingly relaxed and friendly way. As you enter onto the ship, you're greeted with warm smiles, a beautifully chilled glass of champagne, and a gorgeous array of small bites, which gives you a real sense of the extraordinary culinary experience that awaits throughout the stay.
The staff were attentive, personal, and had a brilliant sense of humour with it. You could really tell they took pride in making the stay onboard as fantastic as it should be.
What was the standout moment of your trip the one you'd tell everyone about first?
It has to be walking into the suite for the first time - that was a genuine wow moment. My Riverside Suite was a spacious 24m², with king-size bedding, a marble bathroom, and floor-to-ceiling windows that acted almost like an indoor-outdoor balcony. Add in personal butler service and a Nespresso machine, and it felt every bit as luxurious as it sounds.
But the real magic was the view from the bed. Opening the window and watching the river and countryside float past, all from the comfort of that bed, was divine. I love ocean cruising, but this felt completely different - much more intimate, much closer to the water and the scenery passing by, and utterly serene with just the gentle ripple of the water as you drift along.
What excursions did you do?
There really was something for everyone. We opted for a morning trip to Château de Cormatin - a stunning 17th-century Renaissance château with gilded apartments and beautiful gardens, complete with a boxwood maze. Our guide made the whole tour fascinating from start to finish.
The following day we visited Chalon-sur-Saône, a beautiful French town on the banks of the river, where we were guided through the streets on another brilliant tour; this time with macaron tasting, chocolate tasting, and cheese and wine tasting woven in along the way. Both tours were tailored for all mobilities and levels, so nobody was left out.
For the more adventurous, there were e-bike tours through the vineyards and hikes up into the hills. Tours ran both morning and afternoon, but we chose to spend our afternoons onboard instead, dipping into activities like a mixology class - and, of course, more wine and cheese tasting. This is a trip where you'll never go hungry or dry!
What was the thing that surprised you the most?
It has to be watching the crew navigate the bridges and locks. Because of the height restrictions along some stretches of the route, the whole of the upper deck has to come down - every awning dismantled, the bar itself mechanically lowered - just so the boat can fit underneath, and we're talking only a few centimetres of clearance.
The locks were just as precise. There's as little as 10cm of clearance either side of the ship as it moves through, so the whole thing has to be handled with real skill. It sounds like a small detail, but watching this slick operation unfold right in front of you was very impressive - a real reminder of how much precision and planning goes on behind the scenes to make the whole journey feel so smooth.
What were the food and drinks offerings like onboard?
Dining onboard felt less like a ship and more like an ultra-luxury floating culinary resort. There are multiple venues, and everything is sourced fresh from local European markets as you travel - you can really taste it.
The Waterside Restaurant is the main dining room, and with those floor-to-ceiling windows again it's a beautiful spot to eat. Breakfast and lunch are a lavish buffet - there's even a live pasta station - while dinner is gourmet à la carte, cooked to order, and leans beautifully into regional French cuisine. Truffles, escargot, lobster, scallops, chateaubriand and much more… all paired with local wines.
Then there's The Bistro, which feels like a quaint European coffee house - perfect for premium coffees, teas and pastries during the day, before it transforms in the evening into this intimate little spot for tapas-style plates like venison carpaccio and dilled salmon, with wine to match.
Up on the Vista Upper Deck there's a pop-up bar and grill, so you can have al fresco lunches or snacks while taking in those serene, panoramic river views. And if you want something really special, the Vintage Room is this exclusive, private 10-seat dining room offering a 7-course tasting menu paired with premium vintage wines.
On top of all that, there are 24-hour coffee-and-tea corners with pastries and snacks, and full 24-hour room service. What struck me most was how personal it all felt - the onboard sommelier pairs regional vintages to your own preferences, so it never feels generic.
What type of traveller do you think would love this trip?
Anybody who appreciates beautiful scenery, extraordinary food, fine wine, cultural experiences, and the sheer serenity of being on the water. Onboard, I saw multi-generational families, couples, and groups of friends all clearly having a wonderful time. It’s the kind of trip that allows you to slow down, enjoy the connection with both nature and people, and escape a busy lifestyle.
I'd also say it's a brilliant choice for solo travellers. The whole ship has such a welcoming, sociable feel to it, there's a butler on hand for whatever you need, and the entire team are helpful, knowledgeable, and simply excellent at what they do. You never feel like you're navigating it alone.
Would you go back, and if so, what would you add or do differently?
Absolutely - and the great thing about river cruising is there's always another itinerary to explore, or even another ship. Riverside also has the Mozart and the Debussy, sailing different routes across different countries, so the choices are endless.
If I could do it all again, I'd love a few extra days onboard just to make the most of everything on offer - the spa treatments, the gym, the indoor pool. Or even just more time on one of those gorgeous sunbeds up on deck, reading a book and watching the French countryside roll gently by.