Art, Cuisine, Wine, History and Eco-Beauty Along France’s Rhône River

Arles & Avignon: Roman Sites & Lavender

Boarding Viking Heimdal at Avignon in southern France, “I hadn’t been overseas for some years, so I found myself deliberately working on reducing jet lag and quickly reorienting my body clock,” explains Lewis. To do that, he and his daughter immediately began exploring Provence.

During Viking’s “Arles Walking Tour,” Sarah and Lewis “did as the Romans did” by strolling into Les Arènes, a massive amphitheater built in 90 A.D. Back in the day, up to 20,000 Romans flocked there to witness chariot races and gladiators in hand-to-hand battles. Today, this well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts bullfighting and summer concerts. The walking tour also takes travelers to the Antique Theater, a Roman site that once seated 10,000 people; Place de la République, where a Roman circus performed back in the day; and Espace Van Gogh, a cultural center that was once a hospital that treated Vincent Van Gogh.

“I’m a huge art history fan,” Sarah emphasizes. So, after the walking tour excursion, she and her dad headed out independently. “I was so excited to walk in the steps of where Van Gogh lived and created his sunflower paintings and to search for the Yellow Café.”

In Avignon, the father-daughter duo booked Viking’s “Avignon Walk and Pope’s Palace” excursion. Top highlight? Gazing in awe at the impressive Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), Sarah and Lewis learned that during the 14th century, one sitting Pope abandoned Vatican City and fled to Avignon. For seven decades, this Provençal city served as the “City of Popes.” During this same excursion, the duo also viewed ruins of the 12th century Pont d’Avignon, a bridge immortalized in a popular children’s folk song and dance — it’s often a hoot for travelers to view this bridge as they just can’t help humming or singing that familiar tune.

The Rhône River region is also a wine lover’s dream, so not surprisingly, Sarah and Lewis also sipped and savored local vintages during Viking’s “Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Tasting” excursion.

Among other Viking excursions from Avignon are “Pont du Gard Aqueduct,” for jaw-dropping views of a three-tiered Roman structure built 2,000+ years ago, and “Lavender Fields of Provence,” for fragrant scents and a deep dive into local agriculture.

Life Aboard Viking Heimdal

During their sailing, Sarah and her dad stayed in a 205-square-foot Veranda Category B stateroom, cabin #233. Sarah describes that accommodation as “spacious,” while Lewis — as a new river cruiser accustomed to larger hotel rooms — calls it “a bit small but well-appointed.”

Both enjoyed the stateroom’s private veranda, easily accessible via their cabin’s floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door. “One day we headed onto that balcony after returning from a walking tour in Viviers, and a fun surprise awaited,” quips Sarah. “Two swans actually swam up to greet us!”

Inside this Veranda B category stateroom, a queen-sized Viking Explorer Bed easily converts into two twin beds, each outfitted with luxurious linens and pillows. The stateroom bathroom offers a glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, Premium Freyja toiletries, and an anti-fog mirror.

Overall, Viking does a great job in utilizing the space on its river ships, both in public venues and accommodations. We could store our suitcases under the beds and place our clothes in what I’d describe as a surprisingly plenty amount of closet space, which kept our personal items out of the way. — Sarah, Pavlus Travel & Cruise

On a Rhône River cruise, Viking’s guests sail aboard a luxurious river vessel, so they relax and socialize, with much crew pampering. They sip creative libations and savor exceptional cuisine, listen to VIP guest speakers, learn more about the region’s cuisine, culture, heritage and lifestyle, and enjoy live musical entertainment.

“On Viking Heimdal, we’d enjoy quiet time, view gorgeous outdoor scenery, attend a port talk, read a book, watch a chef’s presentation, sip tea or a favorite drink, and much more,” says Sarah.

From a first-time river cruiser’s perspective, “the opportunity to experience the ship in motion from the decks was a joy,” Lewis emphasizes. “It was quite a pleasure sitting in the sun with a glass of wine.” He also hadn’t ever been aboard any ship as it navigated through multiple river locks, so he enjoyed watching river level changes as the 443-foot-long Viking Heimdal sailed northbound.

The open-air deck atop the river vessel is among the onboard spaces delivering incredible views, and “I particularly liked how Viking organized the shuffleboard and putting green up there as well,” Sarah adds. That outdoor deck also attracts many walkers eager to exercise. No, Viking’s river vessels typically don’t have interior exercise/fitness centers or equipment, but at certain times guests might find offerings of Pilates or group fitness activities such as yoga. Of course, guests who desire active adventures can also head ashore on Viking’s curated walking, biking, or hiking excursions.

“It’s important to recognize that all river cruise brands offer different types of experiences,” says Sarah. “That’s why we at Pavlus believe it’s so important to match our customers with the ‘right vacation product,’ based on their personal vacation style and personality. It’s not one size fits all.” She adds that Pavlus also strives to provide travelers with the best pricing and added value perks at times — and the travel agency never charges a service fee.

Tournon & Viviers, France

As Sarah and Lewis continued to sail northbound on Viking’s “Provence to Lyon” itinerary, they also ventured ashore at both Tournon and Viviers in southern France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. They “rode the rails” during Viking’s easy, 3.5-hour “Tournon Steam Train” excursion. Traveling on the Train des Gorges, a meter-gauge steam train, they gazed at gorgeous scenery throughout the pristine Doux Valley.

During a separate “Viviers Walking Tour,” Sarah, Lewis, and many of their fellow Viking guests “explored a medieval town that almost seems frozen in time from its cobblestoned streets to its cathedral,” Sarah emphasizes. “I really enjoyed learning about the different historical perspectives.” Following that walking tour, “we then went on our own to a Viviers boulangerie for coffee and pastries,” Sarah mentions. Lewis points out that he learned so much throughout the river journey from interactions with local shopkeepers: “They provided me with a good sense of the country, the local lifestyle, and attitudes.”

Seeking an all-day, super-robust excursion? In Viviers, for example, Viking’s nine-hour, added-fee “Charming Ardèche” excursion takes travelers to the stunningly gorgeous Ardèche Gorge, often called the “Grand Canyon of Europe.” A great location for selfies is in front of the Pont d’Arc, a natural bridge that extends nearly 200 feet across the gorge. This excursion also stops at the Lavender Museum, and guests view a distillery where essential oil is extracted from fragrant lavender flowers. Finally, the tour concludes at a local Viviers home where tour goers enjoy refreshments and learn about daily life from the home’s residents.

Viking Heimdal’s Onboard Cuisine and Wine

As for onboard culinary insight, Sarah and Lewis offer this feedback:

• Viking set up several French culinary demonstrations throughout the week. “In particular, I liked that they handed out recipes that we could take home,” mentions Sarah.
• During hosted afternoon tea service, “we were also presented with beautiful tea sandwiches and cookies,” she adds. “They also used loose tea and a tea infuser, rather than just providing a tea bag.”
• In its onboard dining, Viking takes both care and creativity with its presentation of cuisine. In concept, “we ate first with our eyes, then our nose, then our mouth,” Sarah adds. “The look and aroma of the food hits you first, making the first bite even more delicious.”
• Sarah and Lewis felt that the onboard dining included a wide range of delicious appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, and desserts. Menus offered French regional specialties, international dishes, and American-style burgers.
• Wine and beer at lunch and dinner are nicely included in the cruise fare, and an optional Silver Spirits unlimited beverage package can supplement that.

Lovely Vienne

Nestled within France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is lovely Vienne. “Dad and I had fun taking Viking’s ‘Vienne Evening Walk,’” says Sarah. “It’s a beautiful city yet one that also has a small town feel in many ways.”

Wandering by day or evening, river cruisers will discover quaint sidewalk cafés, the towering Vienne Cathedral, and such ancient Roman ruins as the Temple of Augustus and Livia and the Roman Theatre. Other top Vienne draws include Jardin de Ville and the Archeological Gardens of Cybele.

The valley is the birthplace of Syrah, one of the world’s most popular grape varieties. Travelers will vigorously hike through Tain l’Hermitage’s vineyards before receiving their savory rewards — tastings of full-bodied red wines and locally produced Valrhona chocolates!

For extremely fit guests, it’s good to know that Viking also offers a half-day “Rhône Valley Vineyard Hike,” a physically demanding excursion in wine country.

Captivating Lyon

Continuing northward on the “Provence to Lyon” itinerary, Viking Heimdal spends three full days (two overnight stays) in Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a photogenic city of red-roofed buildings, riverside promenades, and tree-lined boulevards.

Founded as Lugdunum by Romans in 43 B.C., the city is France’s third largest and lies at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. One great vantage point for spectacular city views is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Its grand terrace atop Fourvière Hill offers free access year-round (including evening hours for night views), and visitors can avoid the climb by using a funicular.

Many Viking guests opt for multiple curated shore excursions during the ship’s three days within Lyon. Sarah and her dad headed out on the line’s “Panoramic Lyon,” “Beaujolais Wine Tour,” and “Flavors of Lyon” excursions. “I’d recommend the ‘Flavors of Lyon’ excursion to anyone who loves learning about and tasting local fresh produce, spices, and other ingredients, as well as sampling favorite local dishes,” stresses Sarah.

Independently, “we also took a taxi to Old Town Lyon to shop,” Sarah explains. “We bought some incredible candies, silk scarves, and ties. But we also had quite the adventure getting lost trying to find our own way back to the ship.” Despite carrying a city map and taking one cell phone along, the cell signal wasn’t working well. Somehow the duo ended up on the wrong riverbank!

Fortunately, the ship was overnighting in Lyon, and “we were spared real complications by multiple French folks who took their time to help us,” Lewis stresses. He credits the friendly manager of a small hotel, a taxi driver, and a boatsman in helping them get back on track. “We can verify that it is hard to find your ship if you are on the wrong river,” he quips. But it’s a good travel lesson in how to “go with the flow.” Daughter and dad knew when to head for safe places to ask for directions or catch a cab. Ultimately, they figured it out!

Back aboard Viking Heimdal, travelers typically venture to the ship’s lounge to compare tales with fellow guests, enjoy libations, participate in enrichment programming, or hear from specialty guest speakers. “Lyon has had a long history in the silk trade over the centuries, so during our time in that city, Viking arranged for a well-known silk maker to come aboard the ship for a demonstration,” notes Sarah. Guests could also purchase a lovely silk scarf or other silk creation.

Parting Thoughts

Why Viking? Why Book with Pavlus Travel?

As one of America’s largest sellers of Viking River Cruises, Pavlus Travel delivers a $400 private couple’s discount, guaranteed lowest pricing, and insider expertise on every booking. So, you’ll get all that you deserve and more!

Viking River Cruises also offers its travelers many itinerary choices. Viking’s “Longships” sail Europe’s most iconic interior waterways including the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and Douro rivers. Guests will travel on luxurious, elegant Scandinavian-inspired vessels with award-winning service, immersive shore excursions, and regionally inspired dining.

The eight-day “Lyon & Provence” sailing that Sarah and Lewis took between Avignon and Lyon typically includes seven tours, an excellent value. At press time, this itinerary — available on multiple dates — was priced starting from $2,799 per person, double occupancy. But again, Sarah stresses that Pavlus provides the best pricing, and clients never pay a service fee.