Need to know why river cruising is certainly one of our favourite techniques to enjoy Europe? Since you get a possibility to look a couple of towns and cities whilst handiest having to unpack your baggage simply as soon as. It’s like touring on a floating lodge the place you get up in a brand new vacation spot every morning. Doesn’t that sound pretty? Because of this Pete and I had been so excited to be invited on a press shuttle with Viking River Cruises to France.
This explicit Viking River Cruise itinerary sailed from Lyon to Avignon alongside the Rhone river. And it’s highest for vacationers who love meals and wine as Lyon is referred to as the gastromic capitol of France and the Rhone river valley is luxurious with vineyards. Right here’s our reveiw of the Viking River Cruise Lyon to Avignon itinerary in addition to guidelines for every town and our favourite exursions.
A little bit truth from our Viking Day-to-day: “the identify ‘Rhone’ comes from the Celtic Rodo or Roto, which means ‘one thing that rolls.’”
DAY 1: LYON
Our first day was once spent adjusting to jetlag and getting checked-in to our room aboard the Viking Hermod. Can I let you know how great it’s after an in a single day flight to have a journey looking forward to you on the airport? Viking does this for all their passengers and I feel it’s a pleasant contact.
Upon getting our baggage checked-in on the dock, we had been in a position to get a espresso and a few breakfast on board the send within the Aquavit Terrace. Then we went for a leisurely stroll round Lyon whilst looking forward to our stateroom to be in a position for us to check-in for a restful evening aboard the send.
TASTE: Salade Lyonnaise, Beaujolais Wine, Brioches aux Pralines
DAY 2: LYON
On day 2 of our Viking River Cruise, we almost ate our means via Lyon, together with Lyon’s brioches aux pralines roses, a buttery brioche layered with crispy almonds covered in caramelizad red sugar to constitute the roses at the Rhône. Again on board the send, we ordred a salad lyonnaise and a salad Niçoise to stability out the entire pastries, of which, I’m sure there’s a whole stick of butter in every. Our pleasant marvel for the day was once the Spiritual Artwork Museum of Fourvière that integrated beautiful sculptures product of recycled glass.
We had two tour choices to look Lyon. One was once “Panoramic Lyon” by means of bus. And the opposite was once referred to as “Trek Vieux Lyon,” which was once a bit of extra of a strolling excursion. We opted for the primary excursion because it was once integrated with value of the cruise. Plus, it was once great to only deliver a espresso, hop on board a bus, and simplicity into our first morning.
Fourviere Hill
The town of Lyon is the 3rd greatest town in France and is split by means of two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone. Our excursion started with a pressure to the highest of Fourviere Hill for a wide ranging view of town overlooking each rivers in addition to Vieux (Previous) Lyon. We additionally had some loose time to stroll round and take a peek within Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, which is understood for colourful tile mosaics. The excursion then introduced us backpedal the hill by way of bus and dropped us off for a guided stroll round of Vieux Lyon.
Vieux Lyon
In Previous Lyon, our information aquainted us with the “traboules,” ancient hidden passageways via structures that assist attach parallel streets. They’re a type of cut-through for pedestrians to simply navigate town, as Lyon’s silk buyers as soon as did.
By the point we had been within the heart of Lyon, we had been all longing for lunch. However in France, you’ll by no means be hungry very lengthy. Our excursion additionally took us to a patisserie identified for baking Lyon’s mythical Brioche à l. a. Praline.
Those red pastries are decedant buttery brioche buns layered with red candied almonds which have been overwhelmed and included into the batter. The red colour is claimed to had been created by means of a Lyonnais pastry chef within the 18th century who was once inpsired by means of the rose gardens within the areas and tinted his pralines a an identical red. Those red pralines are actually a area of expertise in Lyon, so without a doubt style them if you happen to get the danger.
LYON TRAVEL TIP: There are a minimum of 20 Michelin Famous person eating places in Lyon. If in case you have your middle on eating out, I’d arrive an afternoon or two early because the cruise usually begins on a Sunday (and maximum eating places are closed Sunday and Monday). Additionally, analysis the place you wish to have to dine and make a reservation upfront.
Afternoon On Our Personal In Lyon
After a gentle lunch aboard Viking Hemrod, we spent the afternoon taking a journey at the funicular again as much as the highest of Fourviere Hill. The fare was once just one.80 euros, and that was once price it to move seek advice from the glass show off on the Fourviere museum and to get every other view of town of Lyon as regards to sundown. Later on, we took the funicular backpedal the hill to meander round previous the city another time, seek advice from the malls at our recreational, and select up some souveniers.
TRAVEL TIP: Prevent within a grocery retailer to search for Lyon’s well-known red pralines as a souvenier. We discovered them on the native grocer for 4 euros, versus the 12 euros on the sweet retail outlets within the touristy a part of the city.
DAY 3: Beaujolais & Cakes
At the 3rd day of our Viking River Cruise in France we indulged in goat cheese, desserts, and wine! We opted for some of the food-themed tours: Beaujolais and Cakes. This feature was once some of the pricer alternatives at $269 according to individual (on the time of this posting). However it was once so price it! We spent a complete day immersed in French meals and wine, touring with only a small staff that made it a laugh and noteworthy.
Goat Cheese Farm
Our morning began with a pressure out to the mountains of Burgundy to satisfy a goat cheese farmer. We stopped for a couple of footage by means of vineyards close to Roche de Solutre (Rock of Solutre), then persevered to ascend up winding mountain roads in what felt like using right into a cloud.
The elements was once misty, so once we arrived the goats had been huddled in combination within the heat of a hay crammed barn. We tasted a number of goat cheeses, from contemporary to dry elderly. Tasting the elderly goat cheese was once a primary for me and jogged my memory of the style and texture of parmesan.
Burgundy Black Truffle Farm
The goat cheese tasting was once an appetizer in comparison to the banquet looking forward to for us a the following farm. Truffle farmer Oliver Devevre has a Ph.D. in microbiology that specialize in mycology (learn about of mushrooms/fungus).
Now not handiest is he a farmer and scientist, but in addition a perfect chef. He invited us into his house and cooked the entirety for our small staff himself. Red meat stew sluggish cooked in native wine, greens from his lawn, and a “cheese cake” of brillat-savarin layered with desserts.
Burgundy Wine Tasting
From there, we rounded out our day with wine tasting at Chateau de Poncie and had been lulled into a gentle nap at the bus shuttle again to the Viking Hermod docked at our subsequent port, Vienne.
And whilst I didn’t assume I may consume a unmarried morsel after our food-filled day, I couldn’t go up the “Style Of France” themed dinner at the send. It integrated French specialties like coq a vin and slightly the unfold of native pastries and truffles.
After dinner, Pete and I went for a night walk round Vienne simply to settle our complete bellies and to look town with a unique viewpoint at evening.
DAY 4: Vienne & Tournon
Vienne is a small riverfront the city, so our morning was once spent on a strolling excursion getting to understand extra in regards to the Roman historical past right here and studying extra in regards to the Temple of Augustus & Livia, a shockingly preserved 1st-century construction, that we noticed the evening sooner than.
The remainder of the afternoon was once restful, crusing down the Rhone via France’s Burgundy and Beaujolais areas. That is the place having a balcony stateroom is well worth the splurge.
To sit down, sip, and dream whilst observing the sea coast roll by means of dotted with villages, vineyards, and castles. It was once a restful day, the sort you wish to have on holiday in-between lengthy stretches of sight-seeing.
At evening, we docked at Tournon-sur-Rhône, every other picturesque riverfront the city that was once too inviting to not pass for a night walk. It was once the type of position the place you stroll round and proclaim, “I may are living right here.”
DAY 5: Tournon & Ardeche
The elements cooled at the 5th day of our cruise. So we packed a daypack with raincoats and hats to spend a complete day sight-seeing round Ardeche, visiting the gorge, lavender fields, and the fascinating down of Trend.
Lavender Farm
Our first best was once a seek advice from to look the lavender Museum and distillery. It smelled heavenly and had a beautiful little store for souveniers. However if in case you have your middle set on seeing lavender fields in bloom, you should ebook your cruise on the proper time of yr. The lavender buds had been simply begining to develop once we visited on the finish of Would possibly.
Ardeche Gorge
After the lavender farm, we took a scenic pressure to the highest of Ardeche Gorge, a deep ravine referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Europe.” Then, drove to the ground of the ravine to look the Pont d’Arc and feature lunch by means of the river Ardeche.
A sip of native chestnut liquor and hearty bowl of pork stew, adopted by means of a cup of espresso and slice of chestnut pie, warmed us up after spending the morning open air within the rain.
A Stroll Round Vogüé
For our ultimate prevent alongside the excursion, we visited the village of Trend (Vogüé). Situated at the Ardeche river, this little ancient the city is indexed as an Ardeche “village of personality” and likewise a countrywide “stunning village of France.”
Strolling across the centuries-old streets and taking footage of the stone structure made us really feel like we had been in a storybook village.
Visiting Medieval Viviers
That night time we set sail, however stopped in brief for a night excursion of Viviers. There are some shuttle moments that really feel magical, and this excursion was once a kind of moments.
We docked for a twilight excursion of the medieval village of Viviers. The lanterns casting a golden hue at the historic stone structures amid a saphire sky felt like strolling via a Van Gogh portray.
All through the leisurely stroll, we listened to heartwarming tales from our information, Ginette, who grew up within the village. We had been welcomed again onboard the Viking Hermod with a cup of heat mulled wine.
The temperature was once a great 60 levels. Simply cool sufficient for a gentle jacket. So we sat within the wood rockers within the Aquavit Terrace, sipping mulled wine whilst crusing into the evening to our subsequent vacation spot.
TASTE: Lavender Ice Cream, Chestnut Liquor, Chestnut Pie
DAY 6: Arles
On day 6 of our Viking Cruise from Lyon to Avignon, we awoke within the town of Arles. Surrounded by means of medieval partitions, with church spires and tiled roofs peeking above, this was once a town I couldn’t wait to discover.
After breakfast on board the send, we went out on a guided strolling excursion via Arles to the Roman amphitheater, Les Arenes. Constructed within the 1st centurey AD, our information instructed us tales of gladiator contests, chariot rides, and bull fights within the stadium.
We had time for a refreshing glace (French taste ice cream) sooner than strolling again via a maze of slender streets to look one of the vital cafes and colourful coloured structures that impressed Van Gogh.
Delights of Provence
After lunch, we boarded a bus for our paid excusion, Delights of Provence, to seek advice from a family-run olive mill within the village of Fontvieille. To be completely fair, I want we might have skipped that excursion so we will have extra time in Arles. I didn’t notice how a lot I’d benefit from the town. However I suppose that is without doubt one of the feautres of sailing, attending to enjoy a large number of other puts and discovering ones you wish to have to shuttle again to spend extra time in. And Arles is without a doubt a spot I need to seek advice from once more.
Visiting the olive oil farm was once pleasant. We walked in the course of the olive tree groves whilst the farmer confirmed us one of the vital flower buds blooming into tiny olives.
We then accumulated beneath the colour to style olive oil, olives, and two forms of Provencial tapenade on mini toasts.
Somewhat than going again to the send, the second one phase our our excursion took us to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. We handiest had an hour there, and it appeared a bit of touristy. Total, whilst I loved the olive oil and tapenade tasting, in hindsight I feel I’d have most popular to skip this tour and spend the entire day in Arles.
Day 7: Avignon
Our ultimate day at the Rhône Viking River Cruise was once spent in Avignon, the “town of popes.” After our excursion we spent the afternoon on our personal to discover town, store, and get in a position for our flight again. I used to be in reality unhappy the shuttle had come to an finish! Right here’s what we did on our ultimate day.
Town Of Popes
A UNESCO International Heritage Web page, Avignon is referred to as the “Town of Popes” since the papacy was once relocated right here from Rome, amid nice controversy, from 1309 to 1377.
This medieval walled town was once fascinating to stroll via and discover. And our native information gave us a excursion of the Palace of the Popes sooner than the crowds set in, so it felt like we had it to ourselves for awhile.
Amusing Reality: Châteauneuf-du-Pape approach “Papa’s New Fort” in French.
Meals Corridor
After the Palace, we walked to the Marketplace Corridor, an iconic indoor marketplace with stalls promoting native culmination, greens, meats, and cheeses.
It’s the very best position for selecting up some wine, Herbs de Provence, or flavored salts as a souvenier. I actually loved strolling across the corridor, tasting a couple of issues, and choosing up some recipe inspiration too.
After the meals corridor, we slowly meandered in the course of the town, preventing on the Position de l’Horloge, town’s central sq.. It was once an excellent spot for getting localy made artwork and jewellery. (I were given a couple of watercolors for my place of job!) Altough, the eating places alongside this stretch appeared a bit of touristy, so I’d stroll just a little additional out for a extra comfortable native eating enjoy.
TASTE: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Provencial Tapenade
Upon getting our baggage so as, we loved a French themed dinner at the send after which strolled in the course of the town once more one ultimate time to soak within the environment of France. And we would have liked to look Pont d’Avignon, a medieval bridge around the Rhône, lit up at evening too.
Total we actually loved our Viking River Cruise within the south of France! Would without a doubt suggest this itineary to somebody who loves meals and shuttle.
Have any questions on this Viking River Cruise itinerary? Tell us within the feedback underneath. And you should definitely seek advice from our sister website online, Energetic Voyager, to find extra about river cruising.
