So why choose to river cruise the Rhone? For argument’s sake, let’s say that you’ve narrowed your choices and that you’ve settled on France for your river cruise. You could do the Seine, which is lovely, setting off on your journey on a gorgeous evening from beneath the Eiffel Tower for an adventure that takes you to Normandy and back. See It’s Time To Return To France. You could cruise Bordeaux, a beautiful city that serves as the hub for wine-inspired excursions by bike, hike and motorcoach. See AmaWaterways ‘Taste Of Bordeaux’.

The Rhone is for those who love Provence. In fact, a Rhone River cruise delivers you to the epicenter of this fascinating region of France. I  experienced the Rhone on AmaWaterways during a weeklong voyage from Lyon to Arles. Come along and explore with me some of AmaWaterways’ curated excursions that will help you get the most from your cruise on the Rhone.

Start In Lyon

I arrived from Paris via TGV, about two hours, and found my ship, AmaCello, docked at Quai Claude Bernard in Lyon. Cabins would not be available until 3 p.m. so AmaWaterways had organized a fun cooking class in the center of Lyon.

Exploring Lyon. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Lyon is, in fact, the perfect gateway to a Rhone discovery. France’s third-largest city, Lyon is richly historic. During a walking tour, I explored this beautiful city crossing bridges and strolling along old Roman roads past gorgeous buildings and expansive squares. I discovered remnants of Lyon’s ancient Roman past as well as the city’s contemporary beauty.

AmaCello cruising up the Saone River in Lyon. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Explore The Medieval Village, Oignt

After a day in Lyon, we cruised the next morning through Lyon and up the Saone River, where we docked for an excursion to the beautiful hilltop village of Oignt. I found Oignt to be a golden opportunity to appreciate France’s medieval architecture. Limestone rich with iron oxide give the buildings in Oingt their trademark yellow hue.

Oingt, France. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Within sight of the village, I discovered the earth’s jewel-toned wines at a gorgeous vineyard where the owners told us about wine production and then invited us for a wine-tasting. The glasses were brimming with fresh-from-the-vine goodness, one of the true pleasures for those who cruise the Rhone.

The Roman City Of Vienne

Our next stop was Vienne, which served as an urban center of the Roman empire during the reign of Julius Caesar. A hike to the summit of Mont Pipet provided the perfect panorama over the famed Roman Amphitheater.

Later, I pedaled with a small group for 16 miles into the surrounding countryside to Condrieu. The guided bike tour along the Rhone was gorgeous and invigorating.

A Turn In Tournon

In Tournon, I walked across the pedestrian bridge leading to the town of Tain L’Hermitage to hike among verdant, vineyard-strewn hills. Here, the vines are sunkissed by southern rays and graced by the beauty of the Rhone Valley.

In Tournon, it’s all about tastes and the wonderful aroma of wine. On another excursion from the town, a local expert took my palate on a decadent journey, balancing the wine’s notes of berries and cloves with the sweetness of chocolate.

Evening in Tournon. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Train lovers could not to better than to chug along on a steam locomotive through a gorge and up to a mountaintop to a small village. I enjoyed watching the engineers shovel coal into the boiler to turn the train around before beginning a beautiful journey back down the mountain.

Engineers for our train journey. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Steaming along. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Friendly vendors of honey. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Ageless Avignon

In Avignon, the highlights are a walking tour of the famed medieval bridge that stretches only halfway across the river and a stroll through the Pope’s Palace …but for those who want to continue epicurean exploration, look no further than the city’s covered market, Les Halles.

The labyrinth of cheese wheels, mounds of shellfish, olives, and herb-infused specialties serve as key ingredients for a cooking lesson in Provençal fare.

AmaCello in Avignon. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Another must for the Francophile food lover: a visit to Grignan Village, with its beautiful castle, and then onto a local truffle farm to uncover how cute tuber-sniffing canines help harvest these tasty morsels.

Artists In Arles

It’s no wonder that artists were so enamored by this region of Provence.

From Arles, we visited an old quarry where masterpieces are projected on a cave-like quarry façade in an unforgettable exhibition of sight and sound.

Cave Art. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Perhaps no artist conveys the beauty and emotion of Provence like Vincent Van Gogh. During an artist’s tour, I visited the the Saint-Paul Asylum where the self-admitted patient painted some of his famous works.

Van Gogh checked himself into the asylum in Saint Remy. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Later I pedaled through Arles to discover the city’s ancient Roman remnants, including a Roman coliseum and the city’s new Roman Museum.

In Arles. © 2017 Ralph Grizzle

Another excursion from Arles is to Les Baux, an ancient fortress carved into the side of imposing rock cliffs. The fortress survived a turbulent past until it was destroyed in 1483. Now in ruins, Les Baux has been brought to life by archers, blacksmiths and siege weapons designed to defend this [once] mighty castle.

Wrapping Up The Rhone

For those who appreciate world-class wine, there’s no place like the Rhone. Yet the charms of this region stem far beyond vineyards, with Provençal traditions revealed in its cuisine and crafts, art and architecture.

A journey along the Rhone indulges the senses with a variety of experiences, undoubtedly underscoring the river’s singular appeal.

Want To Go?

Check out AmaWaterways’ seven-night voyages on the Rhone, billed as the Colors of Provence. with cruise-only rates as low as $2,149 per person. Pre- and post-cruise extensions to Barcelona and Paris are available for an additional fee.