Ever thought about a Rhone River Cruise? They typically sail through the South of France, from Lyon to Avignon (or reverse), with all the sun-drenched Provençal vibes. I’m talking ancient Roman amphitheaters, charming medieval villages, fields of lavender, and endless vineyards cascading down hillsides. Add in some of the world’s best food and wine, and you’ve got the perfect vacation recipe! Not to be mistaken for a Bordeaux cruise (that’s on the Garonne River), Rhone River cruises feature wine from the south of France. Think rose from Provence and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Fun fact, the name “Rhone” comes from an old Celtic word meaning “something that rolls.” I found this delightfully appropriate as we “rolled” down this beautiful river that’s been carrying travelers through the heart of France for centuries. Our week cruising from Lyon to Avignon was the perfect introduction to this breathtaking region of France. We sailed this route with Viking River Cruises in the springtime and have a few review of our itinerary below.
Life Onboard the Viking Ship
Our ship for this Rhone river cruise was the Viking Hermod, and it was so comfortable. The whole ship has this clean, modern Scandinavian design with tons of natural light. Our room had floor-to-ceiling windows, so I could literally watch France drift by with my morning coffee.
One of my favorite spots was the Aquavit Terrace at the front of the ship. It’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor dining area where we often enjoyed lunch or pre-dinner drinks. Sipping local Côtes du Rhône while watching the river was a treat. And the ship is small enough that you actually get to know people. By day two, the staff was already remembering our preferences, creating a wonderfully personalized experience.
The Food Situation
Oh. My. Goodness. The food! Did you know the city of Lyon has 17 Michelin-starred restaurants (over 30 if you count Bib Gourmand!)? It’s where chef Paul Bocuse transformed French cooking with his lighter “nouvelle cuisine” approach. The bouchons (local bistros) are everywhere, serving up traditional Lyonnaise dishes that will make you want to kiss your fingers like a cartoon chef. I became slightly obsessed with Lyon’s pink praline brioche – this sweet bread studded with crushed candied almonds that’s absolutely divine with coffee.
The ship’s chefs worked magic incorporating South of France flavors into our meals. One night we’d enjoy delicate quenelles (these heavenly fish dumplings in cream sauce), the next night a traditional Provençal beef daube with herbs. They sourced ingredients from local markets along our route, which made everything taste so fresh. My favorite lunch quickly became a glass of crisp local white wine with a perfectly prepared salade niçoise on the sun-drenched Aquavit Terrace. And for those days when I’d overdone it on shore excursions (hello, pastry shops!), the ship offered plenty of lighter options to balance things out. The best part? You could indulge guilt-free knowing you’d be walking it off on the next day’s tour!
The Best Stops on Our Rhone River Cruise
We sailed from Lyon to Avignon on this Rhone River Cruise, but you could also do the reverse route and start in Avignon. As always, cruise itineraries and stops can change from cruise-to-cruise, but here are the highlights we experienced!
Lyon
I’d highly recommend adding a few days in Lyon either before or after your Rhone river cruise since there’s so much to do. The view from Fourvière Hill is spectacular and it’s the perfect spot to take photos since you can see the whole city spread out below you. It’s included in Viking’s city tour excursion, but you can also go on your own. Instead of walking up the hill, I recommend taking the funicular instead. It costs about one Euro.
Lyon also has 17 Michelin-starred restaurants and countless traditional bouchons, so food enthusiasts could spend weeks exploring Lyon’s food scene. Don’t miss trying Lyon’s pink praline brioche! They are sweet, rose-colored treats that are a local specialty and they’re absolutely delicious. They taste a bit like butter and candied almonds, so decadent for sure.
Beyond the incredible food scene, the old town (Vieux Lyon) is filled with hidden passageways called “traboules” that were used by silk merchants centuries ago. It was fun to use these hidden passageways to wander the city taking photos. They’re also a convenient way to get around!
Beaujolais & Truffles Excursion
On our second day in Lyon, we decided to do the optional Beaujolais & Truffles excursion, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. We visited a goat cheese farm where we learned about traditional cheese-making methods and sampled several varieties of fresh chèvre. Then we headed to a truffle farm for lunch where they demonstrated how dogs are trained to hunt these culinary treasures. The meal featuring local truffles was outstanding. We finished with a visit to a family-owned winery where we tasted several Beaujolais wines.
Vienne and Tournon
Vienne surprised us with its remarkably preserved Roman ruins, including a temple and amphitheater dating back to the 1st century. Our local guide brought the ancient history to life, explaining how this was once an important Roman colony.
The rest of the afternoon was spent sailing to our next destination. It was a treat to sit on our balcony, sipping wine, and watching France float by.
Ardèche Gorge and Viviers
One of the most beautiful days was our excursion to the Ardèche Gorge, often called the “European Grand Canyon.” The scenery was absolutely stunning. We also visited a lavender farm and while the lavender wasn’t in bloom during our visit, we got to sample lavender products and learn about the cultivation process.
Local specialties we tried for lunch were a highlight, including a hearty beef stew, chestnut pie, and a sweet chestnut liqueur that packed quite a punch. We also spent time in the charming village of Vogüé, which truly looked like something out of a storybook with its medieval castle and stone houses cascading down the hillside.
That evening, we arrived in the medieval village of Viviers. Walking through its narrow streets at twilight was like stepping back in time or wandering into a Van Gogh painting. The ancient stone buildings glowed in the fading light, and the cathedral at the top of the hill offered panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Returning to the ship, we were welcomed with mulled wine upon boarding. It was the perfect end to the day, sitting on the Aquavit terrace and sipping our mulled wine while sailing down river at night.
Arles
Arles has such a special connection to Van Gogh, and seeing the actual spots that inspired paintings like “Café Terrace at Night” and “Garden of the Hospital in Arles” was incredible. The Roman amphitheater is mind-blowing too. It’s about 2,000 years old (though of course it’s had some renovations) and still used for events today! You don’t often think about Rome when visiting France, but it just goes to show how vast the empire stretched.
Delights of Provence Excursion
In the afternoon, we took the “Delights of Provence” excursion to an olive oil farm in Fontvieille, where we learned about olive cultivation and enjoyed a tasting of different varieties of olive oil, olives, and tapenade. We also visited Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, another town with strong Van Gogh connections. While the excursion was enjoyable, I wish we’d had more time to explore Arles itself. There’s so much to see in this compact, history-rich city and I felt like a morning there just wasn’t enough.
Avignon
Avignon was the perfect final stop on our Rhone river cruise. The massive Palace of the Popes is awe-inspiring. You can’t fully appreciate its scale until you walk through it. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the papal residence during the 14th century when the papacy relocated to France from Rome.
After our guided tour, we had time to wander the charming streets and shop for souvenirs. I picked up bottles of local wine, lavender products, and beautiful watercolor paintings from a talented street artist capturing Avignon’s historic scenes. The city’s pedestrian-friendly center made exploring easy, and we found a lovely café for a final glass of rosé before returning to the ship.
Quick Tips If You Go
- Pack good walking shoes – European cobblestones are charming but brutal on your feet. In Europe, it’s even perfectly acceptable to pair a summer dress with sneakers.
- Consider Spring or Fall – Shoulder seasons are perfect for a Rhone river cruise as there are fewer tourists and perfect weather. Just pack layers of clothing. If you want to see the lavender, go a little later in May, but before the June summer crowds begin.
- Book popular excursions early – There are some delicious excursions offered on this cruise. Things like the Beaujolais & Truffles tour fill up fast. So if you have your heart set on one, book it prior to boarding the cruise.
- Arrive a day early – If your schedule and budget permit, I’d plan an extra day or two at the start of your cruise. Lyon deserves extra time, and it helps with jet lag
- Bring a reusable water bottle – Staying hydrated is a must with the walking tours and wine tastings. Viking has filtered water stations throughout the ship.
- Leave room in your suitcase – I always like to check my carry on bag on the way home so I can bring back things like wine, olive oil, and other delicious souvenirs. If you don’t have room in your suitcase, pack a small foldable duffle bag that you can put dirty laundry in at the end of your trip to make room.
Final Thoughts
This Rhone river cruise wasn’t just checking boxes off a travel list, it was one of those rare trips that completely exceeded my expectations. The combination of amazing food, incredible scenery, fascinating history, and zero travel stress made it one of my favorite vacations.
The rhythm of river cruising feels just right. There are active mornings exploring new places, relaxing afternoons sailing through gorgeous landscapes, and evenings enjoying excellent food and wine. If you’ve been considering a European river cruise, I’d highly recommend the Rhone route for its perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and beautiful scenery.
