Since 2017, Voyages d’Exception has been developing a distinctive offering on European rivers: cruises where music is not merely a soul-soothing addition, but the guiding thread of the journey.
The idea came from Lionel Rabiet, founder of the tour operator. «At the time, musical cruises were mainly designed for the sea. He quickly perceived the potential of river cruising», explains Mathieu Ramus, Voyages d’Exception’s marketing director.
This potential first lies in geography. The Danube, the Rhine, the Moselle, or the Rhône cross cities and regions where a portion of European musical history has been written.
« Performing a work as close as possible to the region where it originated gives it a particular resonance. The river was not a backdrop, but a thread », he continues.
The idea came from Lionel Rabiet, founder of the tour operator. «At the time, musical cruises were mainly designed for the sea. He quickly perceived the potential of river cruising», explains Mathieu Ramus, Voyages d’Exception’s marketing director.
This potential first lies in geography. The Danube, the Rhine, the Moselle, or the Rhône cross cities and regions where a portion of European musical history has been written.
« Performing a work as close as possible to the region where it originated gives it a particular resonance. The river was not a backdrop, but a thread », he continues.
A Renowned Violinist as Conductor
To give substance to this ambition, Voyages d’Exception has relied for nearly ten years on Sophie Lemonnier-Wallez, a violinist and the artistic director of these programs.Her role is central: she designs the line-ups, brings together the artists, imagines the ensembles and selects concert venues, from Baroque churches to historic theatres.
On board, the size of riverboats also enables an unusually close proximity between passengers and performers. Travelers attend concerts, and sometimes even rehearsals. They interact with the musicians, discover the works through talks, and extend the experience during stops.
Tested and Approved by TourMag
TourMaG had the opportunity to observe this in June 2025, aboard CroisiEurope’s Douce France, chartered by Voyages d’Exception on the Danube.
From Vienna to Budapest, via Bratislava, the concerts by pianist Paul Beynet, mezzo-soprano Maria Mirante, and Sophie Lemonnier-Wallez offered a different perspective on the regions traversed.
Among the highlights: a concert in the Baroque church of Dürnstein, or a recital in Franz Liszt’s apartment in Budapest.
“The river offers above all what no other format truly allows: a slow pace that gives time to listening, and a human scale. Our ships host about a hundred travelers, recreating the conditions of a chamber music salon.”, sums up Mathieu Ramus.
The product naturally attracts seasoned music lovers, but not only. Voyages d’Exception also appeals to curious travelers who are sensitive to music without being specialists. The Francophone guidance, talks and contextualization of the works help make the program accessible. “You don’t need to be a connoisseur to enjoy them.”, insists Mathieu Ramus.
From Vienna to Budapest, via Bratislava, the concerts by pianist Paul Beynet, mezzo-soprano Maria Mirante, and Sophie Lemonnier-Wallez offered a different perspective on the regions traversed.
Among the highlights: a concert in the Baroque church of Dürnstein, or a recital in Franz Liszt’s apartment in Budapest.
“The river offers above all what no other format truly allows: a slow pace that gives time to listening, and a human scale. Our ships host about a hundred travelers, recreating the conditions of a chamber music salon.”, sums up Mathieu Ramus.
The product naturally attracts seasoned music lovers, but not only. Voyages d’Exception also appeals to curious travelers who are sensitive to music without being specialists. The Francophone guidance, talks and contextualization of the works help make the program accessible. “You don’t need to be a connoisseur to enjoy them.”, insists Mathieu Ramus.
An Ambitious 2027 Season
In 2027, Voyages d’Exception unveils its most ambitious musical program to date, featuring five river cruises, including three new ones: Symphonies Along the Flanders and the Netherlands in June, The Danube Musical: from Budapest to the Black Sea, also in June, and Cruise Art & Music on the Rhône from Lyon to Arles in October.
The season will also include two engagements already identified by the tour operator’s clientele: Romantic Rhine Cruise with Franck Ferrand in September, and a Musical New Year’s Eve on the Seine in December.
Across all departures, Voyages d’Exception keeps the same signature: programs crafted specifically for each voyage, blending seasoned soloists and rising talents, under the artistic direction of Sophie Lemonnier-Wallez.
The musical cruise also helps to build a loyal following among discerning, cultured travelers, often seniors, but not closed to first-time cruisers. For river travel has another advantage: it provides reassurance. No rolling seas, no overnight at sea, stops in the heart of cities, and a gentler pace. For a traveler drawn to music but still hesitant about the cruise world, this is an ideal entry.
The season will also include two engagements already identified by the tour operator’s clientele: Romantic Rhine Cruise with Franck Ferrand in September, and a Musical New Year’s Eve on the Seine in December.
Across all departures, Voyages d’Exception keeps the same signature: programs crafted specifically for each voyage, blending seasoned soloists and rising talents, under the artistic direction of Sophie Lemonnier-Wallez.
The musical cruise also helps to build a loyal following among discerning, cultured travelers, often seniors, but not closed to first-time cruisers. For river travel has another advantage: it provides reassurance. No rolling seas, no overnight at sea, stops in the heart of cities, and a gentler pace. For a traveler drawn to music but still hesitant about the cruise world, this is an ideal entry.
