Rhône Rhapsody With Rhône Delta & Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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.

Situated in the heart of the Rhône Valley near Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is, without a doubt, firmly entwined with papal history. Highlights include the remnants of 800-year-old Châteauneuf-du-Pape Castle, which was built to help the popes escape the summer heat of Avignon—and where the popes planted the town's first vineyards. The Old Town is also particularly inviting with its medieval ambiance, round clock-towered Town Hall, and many shops for tasting and buying the delectable Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

Viviers is tiny in size only! This remarkable village in France's Ardèche is like an open-air museum of ancient architecture with its Town Hall, Bishop's Palace, St. Vincent Cathedral (said to be France's smallest cathedral), 16th-century Knights' House, and mansion-lined Grande Rue. The many stairs leading to the Upper Town reward the effort with outstanding panoramic views over the city below and the beautiful Rhône Valley.

Just across the river from Tournon, Tain-l'Hermitage is well known among epicures. A large number of large and small wineries call Tain home—as well as the famous Hermitage and Crozes Hermitage AOP wines. Another gem is the interactive Valrhona City of Chocolate gourmet chocolate factory. Here, visitors can learn what contributes to the very chocolate used by some of the world's most discerning chefs and can taste the amazing products as well!

Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, Lyon is hailed as France's gastronomic capital and home to the gourmet "temple" of Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city's incredible food market since 1859. It also boasts 2,000 years of amazing history, with Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architectural treasures, like iconic Place Bellecour, one of Europe's largest town squares; the Old Town's fascinating traboules (secret passageways); the Museum of Fine Arts; Fourvière Basilica; and the Roman Amphitheater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.