Highlights of the Rhône River Cruise

From Lyon to Tournon/ Tain-l´Hermitage, Avignon, Arles, Viviers and Vienne to Lyon.

Travel through the breathtaking landscape of southern France, past charming towns and historical landmarks. The further south you go, the more the dazzling and relaxed Provence with its picturesque light, its joie de vivre and the natural paradise of the Camargue will captivate you. Charming Avignon with its imposing papal palace and picturesque old town and Lyon - known for its fine cuisine and rich history - are just some of the highlights on the cruise. Drifting through this diversity along the Rhône is probably the most relaxed way to enjoy southern France.

Lyon : Every lovely Rhône cruise starts in Lyon – A-ROSA cruises do at least. And there is good reason for this: Lyon is a wonderful, modern city with an impressive old town and top-notch cuisine. Lyon partly owes its great culinary reputation to the award-winning French chef Paul Bocuse, who chose it as the headquarters for his brasserie, restaurant and cafe empire. The city is known for its simple yet high-quality fare, which is based on regional products and which gave the city its nickname la ville de gueule (‘the city of the palate’).

Provence : Taken literally, savoir-vivre means ‘knowing how to live’. And living well is something that the people of Provence know a great deal about. Surrounded by gnarled olive trees, lilac-hued lavender fields and vineyards that produce the best red wines, it’s a place to relax and enjoy life. In the summer, you can watch one of the local farmers harvest fruit – and maybe lend a hand yourself. Perhaps you’ll even be rewarded with a glass of local wine or a dish of bouillabaisse. Other regional specialities include white nougat from Montélimar, candied fruits from the town of Apt and the famous truffles from the Vaucluse Mountains. Provence is a place where pleasure is a priority

Avignon : You’ve probably heard of the famous bridge in the song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’. This bridge actually exists, or at least part of it does: wars and floods reduced the bridge’s original 22 arches to 4. In 1660, after yet another flood, the bridge was abandoned. Aside from the bridge, you’re likely to be most delighted by Avignon’s palaces, wines and culture. The Papal Palace is monumentally impressive, particularly in the evening when it is illuminated by a light show.