Amadeus River Cruises is building a new vessel to sail the Rhône and Saône in France from spring next year.

Amadeus Provence will be modelled on the company’s new Silver series of vessels but smaller – 110 metres instead of 135 metres and with capacity for 140 passengers instead of 168. It will also have a small top-deck pool.

It will sail one-week cruises round-trip from Lyon with highlights including an overnight in Avignon, a full day in Arles and wine-tasting in Beaune. Among optional tours, there are excursions to the Pont du Gard Roman viaduct, Camargue Nature Park and the Ardèche Gorge.

Prices start from €1,040 per person cruise-only departing October 26 2017. Excursion packages cost from €189 per person for five walking and wine-tasting tours.

0043 512 365781; amadeusrivercruises.co.uk