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The smaller vessels can also take the Canal du Rhone a Sete and head westwards for the Canal du Midi and, eventually, Bordeaux. A cruise adventure starting in Lyon is a great way to see Rhone. The most popular time for tours from Lyon is October, which has the most cruise departures. Enjoy a taste of Provence as you sample local wines and indulge in French delicacies. As we move closer to the Mediterranean, the scenery on this cruise starts to change, becoming wilder and more untamed.
Tasting your way through a culinary icon in Lyon
And the view from the Saint Louis tower will confirm just how stunning the Rhône region really is. This small medieval city in the Ardèche region is absolutely unmissable. It boasts numerous sights and is dotted with well-preserved monuments from bygone ages. Here in the Rhône region, the typical French attitude to life is also very apparent.
Castles along the Rhine ( (Basel to Amsterdam River Queen,
Discover our river cruise adventure reviews that will attest to the popularity of these tour experiences that are second to none, a combination of elegance, history, beauty and gastronomical delights. Rhône River cruises sail between Lyon and Avignon, with multiple days in Lyon. These eight-day cruises include seven complimentary tours and a wide range of additional daily excursions. Other itineraries add time in Paris and Normandy or a section of the Rhine with motorcoach or air travel in between. Enjoy the diverse pleasures of life along the Rhône with Viking. Savor Lyon, France’s gastronomic heart; the Beaujolais wine region; quaint Provençal villages; and historic Avignon and Arles.
Highlights of Rhône River Cruises
Scenic River Scenic Sapphire Cruise Reviews for River Cruises to France - Cruise Critic
Scenic River Scenic Sapphire Cruise Reviews for River Cruises to France.
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 22:52:04 GMT [source]
But whatever you call it, this rare, pungent (and highly perishable) fungus that grows under the ground in certain parts of Europe is one of the most expensive foods on Earth, highly prized by chefs and gourmets around the globe. Centuries ago, early truffle-hunters used pigs, with their keen sense of smell, to root these treasures out of the ground… but the piggies usually ate the truffles as soon as they found them! Like the pooches you'll meet and go truffle-hunting with today at a truffle farm in Grignan… followed by a tasting of products made with this precious ingredient.
Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)
One of the best sights, however, is a wild, semi-feral herd of white horses that roam the Camargue that live in the marshland. The Ardèche Gorge is one of those staggeringly beautiful places you see on postcards and in travel brochures. The teal-hued Ardèche River, flowing through a deep limestone gorge between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, takes center stage and can be visited during your voyage. A highlight is the Pont d'Arc, a hulking arched rock formation that forms a natural bridge, spanning almost 200 feet across the gorge.
Riverboat cruising
From Switzerland it flows far more slowly into France, making its way between the Alps and the Massif Central to the Camargue delta and the Mediterranean Sea. Before railroads and highways were even thought of, the Rhône was an important inland trade and transportation route, connecting the cities of southern France to Mediterranean ports. Arles offers the most complete Roman amphitheatre in France as well as being one of Van Gogh’s most inspirational cities for his many paintings. When cruising on the Rhone, make the most of Lyon, renowned for its gastronomy and steeped in history and culture. The Rhine river also rises in Switzerland but flows north dividing France from Germany for just a small portion of its length, its major French port being Strasbourg.
Rhône River Cruises
The Rhône begins to fragment here, carrying along some 20 million tonnes of stones, sand and clay with it every year and washing it all into the Mediterranean. The Rhône Delta is known for its black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos – you can watch the latter between the salt marshes and rice paddies, filtering water through their bills to extract plankton. This marshland is unique in France and covers 120,000 hectares.
Salt flats, small saltwater lakes and marshlands are all part of the vast Camargue, an unrivalled nature reserve between the Mediterranean and the Rhône River in the south of France. This protected wetland region is rich in wildlife, including pink flamingos, which you can observe at the Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau on an optional shore excursion with Viking. Flamingos are present all year, along with marsh harriers, little egrets and northern warblers. In spring/summer, you might also see black kites, black-headed gulls and common terns.
Lyon & Provence Map
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. This river cruise on the Rhône promises a perfect blend of culture, history and culinary delights. 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.
Learn about the city’s rich Roman past; view the amphitheater and Temple of Augustus & Livia. Explore this charming riverside village’s peaceful ambience amid its scenic mountain setting. Stroll the medieval city; see the Place de l’Horloge, Pont d’Avignon and Palace of the Popes. We will call the number provided within the time(s) specified. From the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps, at a height of around 7,050 feet, the Rhône flows southwest towards Lake Geneva – a raging mountain torrent that collects ever more glacier water as it goes.
During Viking’s optional shore excursion, visit the museum where you can learn all about the trailblazing Roman ingenuity of the period. Few scenes are as captivating as Provence's rolling hills bursting with fragrant lavender. An optional tour during Viking’s Lyon & Provence itinerary takes in the picturesque village of Sault.
The voyage of discovery follows the brushstrokes of visionary Impressionist painters including Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Degas. The first section of this Viking river cruise features two overnight stays in Paris. 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. The romantic Rhône flows from the Alps in Switzerland, through Lake Geneva, southeast into France, before emptying into the Mediterranean.
As the Rhône flows southwards, you enter what is perhaps the most picturesque stretch of the river featuring some of the finest Roman heritage. In Vienne you’ll find well preserved temples and theatres to explore, while in nearby Tournon, there’s a magnificent 10th century castle. This is also prime Côtes de Rhône country and so a visit to the fabled Hermitage vineyard, set on steep slopes above the river, is incredibly rewarding. 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.
Beaune is the capital of Burgundy’s wine trade and it is also an extremely pretty town brimming with fascinating history, from the mediaeval ramparts to the gothic Hospices de Beaune. There’s also a market here that foodies just won’t want to leave. Just downstream is Macon, another picturesque town made for wine lovers, gourmets and those who appreciate fine scenery. The countryside here is filled with beautifully kept vineyards and peppered with fairy-tale chateaux.
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