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Cruising during French lavender season, this exceptional 5-day luxury cruise is short, sweet, and utterly magnifique—the perfect introduction to the unforgettable South of France! Embark in Lyon with its secret passageways and best-in-the-world foodie culture, then hit the river in total luxury aboard your Riverside ship and experience Vienne; Viviers, France’s tiny-yet-fragrant city with its fields and fields of lavender; the fine wines and chocolates of Tain-l`Hermitage; and exquisite Châteauneuf-du-Pape with...what else? A wine tasting beyond compare! Enjoy special features galore as well as daily opportunities to personalize your cruise with the activities of your choice! From history and culture to fine French wines and cuisine...even active pursuits and nature at its stunning best, this popular getaway packs a mighty punch!
Lyon is the destination for fine food fans. 2000 years of rich history. Musée des Beaux-Arts. The old town with cobblestone streets. The Basilica Notre-Dame and a magnificent view over the city and the countryside. Silk painting in the smart working-class district of La Croix-Rousse. The gourmet temple of Les Halles de Lyon de Paul Bocuse. The finest cuisine in the region’s typical “Bouchon” style. So much sensuality. So much pleasure.
This city is a jewel for people interested in both yesterday and today. Vienne is a small town, but already boasted 30,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century. Trade and steam navigation brought an upswing in the 19th century. And what can you expect to see? Definitely the Archaeological Museum, the St-Romain-en-Gal museum complex with the “House of the Ocean Gods” and the remains of the former thermal baths. And afterwards, it’s best to sit down in a café and enjoy the present.
Just opposite Tournon, Tain-l'Hermitage is a town in the Drôme department, to the north of Valence. Côtes du Rhone wine and gourmet chocolate make Tain-l’Hermitage a popular destination with epicurean travelers and are the main attraction for visitors. All excursions to Tournon will be operated from here.
If you like historic towns, you will love Viviers! Thanks to Bishop Charles de la Font de Savine, Viviers was spared from the destruction during the French Revolution and has kept its medieval structure until today. The best way to explore the divided city is on foot, but be careful, the stairs to the upper town are numerous. It is worth it, however, if only for the view. Visit the Saint-Vincent Cathedral. It is said to be the smallest cathedral in France.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally translates to "The Pope's new castle," and indeed, the history of this area is firmly entwined with papal history due to its proximity to Avignon. It is renowned for its stunning wines, producing full-bodied red wines made primarily from Grenache grapes, often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. The town is presided over by its stern castle with a history dating back to the 9th century.
It is a city of unparalleled beauty. It curves its way over the river Rhône, and has done so since 1840. The Pont Saint-Bénézet acquired international fame through the song “Sur le pont d’Avignon”. Crossing it, you find yourself immediately in front of the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval buildings in Europe. It arose, it must be said, out of sheer laziness: For the Archbishop of Bordeaux did not wish to travel to Rome for his papal consecration. He had himself crowned in Lyon and had a palace built in Avignon. A monument.