Scenes of Southern France with Rhône Delta

While other cities boast they emerged from great battles or great commerce, Avignon arose from...great laziness! The ancient walled city's claim to fame, the awe-inspiring Pope's Palace, one of Europe's largest and most important medieval structures, all came into being when the Archbishop of Bordeaux didn't want to travel to Rome for his papal consecration. Instead, he had himself crowned in Lyon and built a palace in Avignon. Other highlights include the pretty Old Town as well as St. Bénezet Bridge, inspiration of the famous song, Sur le pont d’Avignon.

Surrounded by some of Europe's prettiest natural parks, the Pearl of Provence is one history-packed little city. From a Roman Empire-era port hub, it evolved into a thriving city during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Highlights include the prominent, two-tiered Roman Amphitheater; the thermal baths dating back to the 4th century; and the Church of St. Trophime pilgrimage site. Arles is also where Van Gogh was most inspired—and the Van Gogh Pedestrian Path shows the likely spots where the artist painted many of his masterpieces.

We will enjoy delightful evening drinks on the Sun Deck (weather permitting) as your ship moves quietly through the spellbinding Rhône Delta.

Tarascon is certainly colorful, its very origin story tells of a mighty water dragon that terrorized river traffic in the 1st century. With a beginning like that, any visit is bound to be interesting! The city is home to an imposing 15th-century fortress, whose dungeons once held doomed French Revolution prisoners, and an inviting Old Town with a fascinating Jewish quarter, Baroque Town Hall, bustling market squares, and the half-Romanesque/half-Gothic St. Martha’s Collegiate Church, where tradition claims the Biblical figure Martha is buried.