Meet the Rhône River: One of France’s Most Beautiful Journeys
Most travelers picture Paris when they think about France, but there is so much more to France than simply its famous capital. Imagine lavender fields, vineyards, Roman ruins, and colorful Provençal villages. All of this is also part of the French experience.
What many don’t realize is that one river quietly connects many of these experiences.
The Rhône River isn’t simply transportation.
It tells the story of southern France.
Meet the Rhône
The Rhône River begins in the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps, flows to Lake Geneva, and then meanders into France where it joins the Saône River in Lyon. It then flows south through Provence, splitting into two branches, the Great Rhône and the Little Rhône near Arles before ending in the Mediterranean Sea. At 504 miles, it is the second longest river in France. The Rhône has been an important trade route for over 2,000 years, serving as inland trade route for the ancient Greeks and Romans and providing access for medieval French cities such as Avignon, Vienne, and Arles to Mediterrean ports.
A River that Built Cities
River cruises travel the Rhône today because great cities were built along its banks. Romans soldiers, medieval merchants, princes and kings, artists and architects, 20th century engineers have all traveled the Rhône and left their imprint in the cities, towns, and villages along the edge and on the river itself.
Cites along the Rhône include:
Lyon
Vienne
Viviers
Avignon
Arles
Every Port Feels Different
Without ever repacking your bag and changing where you lay your head at night, you can experience the diversity of the region.
Lyon: "the culinary capital of France" which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Take a walking tour beginning in Fourviére Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Visit the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse and sample the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Later, visit a traditional Beaujolais winery and learn the history and techniques of their vineyard. Admire the architecture from many eras - Roman, Medieval, Renaissance - all combined in this historic city.
Vienne: a French town with a Roman past. You can follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour that includes the Augustus and Livia Temple, an ancient Roman temple that survived the years due its conversion to a church; the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took 500 years to build; and St. Pierre Archeological Museum, one of the oldest surviving churches in France and now a museum.
Vivers: step off the ship and walk into history. Once the seat of the bishop, Viviers is a charming medieval town that is surprisingly intact. Dominated by the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, you can see almost the entire architectural history of France by carefully observing this one building.
Viviers, France Avignon: the "City of Popes" was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. Visit the Palais de Papes, the Palace of the Popes, with its stunning medieval architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could also view another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering.
Arles: home of the historic Roman amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime. Stroll the picturesque streets and admire the local culture, or take a bike ride to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject for Vincent Van Gogh's paintings. Learn more about Van Gogh's life and art in Arles with a special guided walking tour focused on the artist's connection to the city.
Traveling the Rhône is discovering southern France, one city at a time.
France through Food
One of the best ways to learn about a culture and create memories that last is to eat the local cuisine, and the food of southern France tells the story of its history and its bounty.
Visit the local markets in each town and sample the unique offerings of that area. Sample the regional specialties—every town has one! Stroll the cobblestone streets and discover a hidden café or bakery.
Freshly baked bread. Rich, decadent chocolate. Beautiful pastries. Aged cheese. Local olive oil.
Southern France is waiting to delight you with flavors.
Why the Rhône Is Perfect for River Cruising
You could see all of these cities and towns with their unique history, architecture, art, and food by staying in a new hotel every night, arranging travel between each destination, unpacking and repacking your luggage every day and hauling it all with you.
Or
You could embark on your ship,
unpack your bags one time,
wake up somewhere new,
see what's there to discover.
When cruising, your hotel travels with you.
Slow Travel at Its Best
France isn’t meant to be rushed.
The Rhône encourages slowing down.
Long lunches.
Markets.
Walking.
Coffee.
Watching life.
The river connects remarkable cities, unforgettable villages, incredible food, centuries of history, and some of France’s most beautiful landscapes into one journey.
It’s no surprise that so many travelers return home already dreaming about their next visit.
