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Savor some of the greatest wines, hunt for truffles and discover how olive oil and cheese is made on Viking's mouth-watering introduction to the Rhône. This eight day Lyon & Provence Viking River Cruise includes three days in Lyon, which is famed for its contribution to the culinary scene and has more restaurants per head than any other city in France. Here are three Viking Rhône river cruises that focus on this fascinating region.
Viking Rhône River Cruise: Sweeping Scenic Landscapes
Our tour of the city will showcase some of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments scattered around the city including the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre. Located on the banks of the Rhône, the charming village of Tournon is best known for its ancient castle and its historic fortifications, including a set of medieval watchtowers. Find the best European river cruise for you with top-reviewed itineraries navigating all the major waterways from Tauck. Picturesque Tournon lies on the bank of the Rhône – you will be able to admire it from the river. The Rhône region’s mild climate has allowed Le Jardin d’Eden park in Tournon to really flourish.
Why Viking
For more information or to book a Rhône river cruise, visit Viking and browse the selection of itineraries in France. You'll get to explore more Roman remnants, including the thermal baths near the river and the cryptoporticus — a series of subterranean galleries — on Place de la République. The 15th-century Romanesque Church of St. Trophime with its decorative religious sculptures is divine, too.
Highlights of Saône River Cruises
Join us on a memorable journey to the legendary Rhône Valley, blending the ease and comfort of a river cruise with the curated experiences of a custom wine and food trip. From the gastronomic capital city of Lyon to the enchanting Provençal town of Avignon, discover the diverse terroirs and culinary delights of the South of France. Attend expert-led tasting workshops featuring Côtes du Rhône wines, explore medieval villages and UNESCO-listed castles and monuments, and enjoy panoramic views of sun-soaked vineyards and idyllic countryside as you cruise along the historic banks of the Rhône River. Travel through the breathtaking countryside of southern France, past charming towns and historical sights. Enchanting Avignon, famous for its imposing papal palace and picturesque old town, and Lyon, renowned for its gastronomic diversity and rich history, are just some of the highlights on the cruise. In Mâcon you can sample the region's fine wines, while in the ancient city of Arles you can visit well-preserved Roman ruins and follow in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh.
Known for its varied landscapes and delicious French cuisine, a river cruise through Provence is a true delight for all the senses. This pearl of Provence is surrounded by the most beautiful natural parks in Europe. Today, Arles is the epitome of important art and a contemporary witness to an eventful history, from the amphitheatre to proud patrician houses.
You’ll also have the option to order a delicious continental breakfast to enjoy on the balcony. And, for the perfect start and finish to your evening meal, you can enjoy pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats courtesy of your exclusive room service, which is included in the price of your suite. Once an important Phoenician trading port, Arles was a thriving city during the height of the Roman empire.
Riviera River Cruises Waiving Single Supplement on Select European Voyages - TravelPulse Canada
Riviera River Cruises Waiving Single Supplement on Select European Voyages.
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Later we return to ship and as we slip our moorings once again, enjoy an aperitif with newly made friends in the convivial bar before tonight’s dinner. We handcraft & operate specialty group travel programs to the world's best destinations. These spectacular suites showcase our revolutionary indoor balcony design. With the touch of a button, the upper part of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil uninterrupted views of the stunning scenery. You’ll also find a mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and infotainment system, a safe for your valuables and plenty of storage. Land in the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport where an Experi driver will be waiting in the Arrivals area.
Waterways in Detail
This city is a jewel for people interested in both yesterday and today. Vienne is a small town, but already boasted 30,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century. Definitely the Archaeological Museum, the St-Romain-en-Gal museum complex with the “House of the Ocean Gods” and the remains of the former thermal baths. And afterwards, it’s best to sit down in a café and enjoy the present.
One of river cruising’s great pleasures is the fascination of waking in a completely different location and on waking this morning, the ship arrives in Lyon. After our last splendid breakfast, we have a leisurely start enjoying a guided tour of Lyon, one of France’s most fascinating cities. The Rhône Valley had been the route of choice for marauding armies and peaceful traders for centuries, and Lyon’s current site, at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, cried out to be fortified. In 43 BC the Romans founded the city, which subsequently grew in importance; Emperor Claudius, the conqueror of Britain, was born here. The days in Lyon, at the start or beginning of the cruise, offer six shore excursions including a gastronomic tour with tastings of specialties such as rich butter brioche made with pralines, chocolate, cheese and grattons, a local delicacy made from pork rind.
Seagoing ships could reach here and the city became a regional capital, briefly ruling over Gaul, Spain, and Britain. The disturbed but great genius of an artist, Van Gogh, lived in Arles for just over a year, from February 1888. It was his most prolific period and, inspired by Arles and the light and beauty of the Provençal countryside, he produced around 300 works, including The Night Café, The Sower and, of course, Sunflowers. You awake under the azure skies of deepest Provence and amid the warm stone colors of Arles, many of whose historic monuments are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The disturbed but great genius of an artist Van Gogh lived in Arles for just over a year, from February 1888. On a Rhône cruise, you will experience culinary and scenic excellence.
Avignon was the seat of the Papacy during medieval times, heralding a century of greatness crowned by the absorbing Papal Palace and its stunning renaissance art collection. Van Gogh created arguably his greatest works in Provence and all this is set in some of France’s most stunning natural beauty – all waiting to be discovered on this wonderful cruise. After a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning, we’ll visit the property’s Aureto vineyard and cellars. Learn about their winemaking technique and aging methods, taste their exceptional wines, and savor a light lunch of charcuterie and cheese. The afternoon is free to enjoy the offerings of the property, which include a state-of-the-art spa, a cycling center that rents bikes and organizes guides, hiking trails, and more.
The smaller vessels can also take the Canal du Rhone a Sete and head westwards for the Canal du Midi and, eventually, Bordeaux. Viviers is a must-see medieval town on the west bank, with an original roman bridge and the smallest cathedral in France. Starting in Avignon, your ship moors near the four remaining arches of the impressive 12th century Pont d'Avignon bridge that once spanned the river and even has a song named after it, which you will hear played on your Viking longship. A former self-contained papal enclave that only became part of France in the late 18th century; a landmark is the vast UNESCO-listed Palace of Popes which was home to seven successive popes.
During breakfast this morning, we’ll slip our moorings and cruise north through one of the most spectacular sections of the Rhône Valley, as the river squeezes and twists pasts Condrieu, Saint-Rambert-d’Albon, and Saint-Vallier, with wooded cliffs rising high on both sides. Traditionally these stretches were the most dangerous due to fierce currents and varying water levels but, with the waters now tamed by a series of locks whose complex mechanisms never cease to fascinate, you can relax on the Sun Deck taking in the exceptional views. After lunch we arrive in the ancient Roman stronghold of Vienne, first a Celtic settlement, then a Roman stronghold under Julius Caesar.
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