Rhone River Cruise
(Christmas Markets)

A cruise along the Rhône River between Arles and Lyon is a delightful way to see the heart of France's Provence region. We had the pleasure of doing so with AmaWaterways last Fall and here are some of the highlights of our cruise:

Arles: We began our journey in Arles, a picturesque town famous for its well-preserved Roman architecture, including the Arena and the ancient theater. Arles also inspired many of Vincent van Gogh's paintings during his time there.

Avignon: Avignon is known for its stunning Papal Palace (Palais des Papes), a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe. The famous Pont d'Avignon, stretches halfway across the Rhône River and is another iconic landmark.

Pont du Gard: This ancient Roman aqueduct bridge is a marvel of engineering and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Pont du Gard is one of the most well-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Aix-en-Provence: Renowned for its charming streets, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, we could experience the best of Aix-en-Provence walking along the famous Cours Mirabeau boulevard lined with cafes and fountains. It's also known as the birthplace of the painter Paul Cézanne. It was here is the small locally-owned shops that we learned about the fantastic soaps produced in the region (they make a great souvenir or gift) and enjoyed some specialty hand-crafted chocolates that showcased local ingredients.

Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l'Hermitage: These twin towns offer scenic views of vineyards and hillsides. Tournon-sur-Rhône is home to a historic castle, while Tain-l'Hermitage is renowned for its wine production, particularly its Hermitage wines.

Lyon: As our cruise came to an end, we were thrilled to have an extended stay in Lyon as there is too much to do in Lyon in just one day. We explored the historic Old Town (Vieux Lyon), a UNESCO World Heritage site, wandered through traboules (hidden passageways), visited the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for panoramic views of the city, and indulged in Lyon's renowned culinary scene.

Throughout the cruise there was also an opportunity to experience the picturesque landscapes of the Rhône Valley, renowned for its vineyards, lavender fields (depending on the season), and charming villages. AmaWaterways offered excursions and guided tours at each stop, enabling us to truly immerse ourselves in the region's history, culture, and culinary traditions. We happened to book this cruise just at the beginning of the Christmas Market season across Europe so we were able to enjoy the extra bonus during our sailing of seeing each of the towns & villages we visited decorated for the holidays, learn about the unique customs in Europe surrounding Christmas, and take in the seasonal shopping opportunity that Europe is famous for (it really is worth booking your cruise during this time of the year if you can). If you think you'd like to experience the Rhone Valley like we did, just give me a call. I'm now an AmaWaterways Certified Advisor. 

And did I mention the wine? If you want to taste some of the best wines in France right where the grapes are grown and the wines are produced then this is the itinerary for you. We had the opportunity to visit several wineries (and sample their work) as part of our itinerary - we walked through the vineyards in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; heard about the specialness of the vines directly from a Beaujolais producer outside Lyon; and enjoyed many other varieties of local wines paired with our meals onboard.