Table Of Content
A quick stop in the village of Viviers pairs with Tournon for ships sailing either direction. The free tour is worth a post-dinner walk in this relaxed, beautifully-preserved 5th-century town set in gentle mountains. In Lyon sample the culinary treasures of Beaujolais on a private visit to a wine chateau before meeting a local truffle farmer and his dogs and taking part in a hunt for the prized delicacy. Here you'll be welcomed by wine producers whose families have cultivated the vineyards for generations and enjoy an exclusive tour around the atmospheric cellars. Rhone River cruises explore the beautiful Provence region in southern France. Often, sailings of the Rhone are paired with sailings of the Saone River, which runs through the Burgundy region.
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE - BEAUNE
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.
CHALON & BEAUNE
In between visiting medieval towns and delightful wine villages, there are stretches of relaxing scenic sailing. As with all Viking river cruises, this itinerary can be sailed in reverse to start or end in Paris. Cruising upstream, we catch the first glimpses of the vine-clad slopes of the hazy green Beaujolais hills as we approach one of the world’s most revered red-wine-producing regions. On our left, we see the picturesque villages of Morgon, Fleury, Juliénas, Chénas and many more, while on the right you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of snow-capped Mont Blanc – Western Europe’s highest mountain. The light catching the red roofs of Avignon’s majestic skyline is a sight to behold over breakfast, after which we embark on a guided tour of one of the most extraordinary and intriguing cities in France. Avignon’s destiny changed during the 14th century when the Pope’s court moved here to avoid strife in Rome.
Rhône Route Classique 2024 - A-ROSA LUNA
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.
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.
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.
Visit
Of course you can’t visit Burgundy without sampling its amazing wines, so we visit the cellars of a leading traditional winemaker for a tour and tasting before returning to the ship for lunch. Overnight we have made steady progress north and mid-morning we arrive in and berth in Chalon, the gateway to Burgundy and the home of Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography. On today’s tour, we see some of the pretty yet surprisingly small villages that produce some of the world’s most sublime wines – Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Gevrey-Chambertin and many more. Of course, you can’t visit Burgundy without sampling its amazing wines, so we visit the cellars of a leading traditional winemaker for a tour and tasting.
Giving River Cruising a Try in France - The New York Times
Giving River Cruising a Try in France.
Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
+ 4 days in Provence
This 500-mile swathe of the Rhône drifts through Provence's purple-hued lavender landscape and into France's luxuriant wine country. Discover the historic ports of Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhône, Viviers and Avignon, and marvel at rolling vineyards and picturesque villages. From tracing Roman ruins in Arles to bird-spotting in the Camargue, here are some of the best things to see and do on a Rhône River cruise with Viking. The romantic Rhône flows from the Alps in Switzerland, through Lake Geneva, southeast into France, before emptying into the Mediterranean. In France, river cruise lines, including Viking, offer travelers the opportunity to sail on this wonderful waterway, from Lyon down to Arles, or vice versa. Our cruises are hassle-free because all the details are handled for you by experienced tour directors.
Cruise Director Tony on cruising with Riviera River Cruises
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.
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.
A highlight is the Pont d'Arc, a hulking arched rock formation that forms a natural bridge, spanning almost 200 feet across the gorge. Paddlers in yellow canoes and kayaks flock to this blissful stretch of river during spring and summer, with beaches lining the river. Sunbathe or join the fun on the river to soak in this fabulous stretch of French countryside. You will be amazed by the engineering genius of the staggering amphitheatre at Arles and the huge aqueduct at the Pont du Gard.
Here in the Rhône region, the typical French attitude to life is also very apparent. Watch France’s history come alive in Viviers, and enjoy the diverse range of attractions that the city has to offer. As we move closer to the Mediterranean, the scenery on this cruise starts to change, becoming wilder and more untamed.
The interior fixtures and amenities are identical to the Emerald Balcony Suites, the Emerald Staterooms have a small fixed picture windows due to the lower deck position. All Staterooms are equipped with a flat screen TV with infotainment system, individual air conditioning system, a personal safe, fridge, hairdryer, hotel-style beds, an ensuite bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi and bottled water daily. Staterooms feature individual climate control, complimentary water, flat screen TV, personal safe, and en suite bathrooms with shower, toiletries, hairdryer, bathrobe, and slippers.
Riverside Luxury Cruises Announces New Voyages for 2025 - Travel Agent Central
Riverside Luxury Cruises Announces New Voyages for 2025.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 19:38:49 GMT [source]
Explore the ruins of the early 14th-century castle, constructed as a summer residence for the popes of Avignon. A highlight is, of course, sipping on silky reds — produced right here in the vineyards surrounding the town – at a local winery such as Château de la Gardine, where visitors can join a tour and a tasting. Discover the Saône with Viking, as gentle countryside and historic cities unfold before you.
The ceremonial hall, chapels, cloisters, and private apartments are all unmissable. This was Avignon’s brief golden age when it was truly the center of Christendom. Continuing down the Rhône, our next stop is the medieval walled town of Viviers. Once a Roman settlement and home to one of France’s oldest cathedrals, the town is an architectural open-air museum. Step back in time and wander the narrow lanes and tree-lined streets during a guided walking tour that showcases the history as well as the Romanesque and Renaissance architectural influences of this pedestrian-friendly town. Seek inspiration from our most popular itineraries to start planning your unforgettable voyage.
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