Experience Rhône River Tours

Quaint half-timbered houses, gastronomic delights and scenery that inspired one of the most famous artists in the world, all three and more combine to make sailing the River Rhône a delightful experience. The river reaches the Mediterranean Sea after originating in Switzerland and travelling through Lake Geneva, before arriving at Lyon in France and joining the Saône. With an approximate length of around 497 miles, the Rhône Valley offers some of the most beautiful views in all of France and some of the most delicious wines to go with it.

Many cruises on the River Rhône stop off or begin in the city of Lyon, the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region of France and a vibrant city famous for its gastronomy. There are many renowned chefs located in the area and the city is also extremely close to two of France's best-known wine growing regions, the Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais. As well as the food and wine there is a multitude of monuments and attractions to enjoy in Lyon, and Roman ruins of amphitheatres and museums dedicated to the city's rich history can be found alongside many buildings with Renaissance style architecture.

As you sail southwards on the River Rhône the city of Avignon appears on the left bank. Avignon was the home to several popes during the 14th and 15th centuries and its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is one of the most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Avignon has a rich architectural heritage, which is evident throughout the city, and there are a number of museums to reflect its history. Other famous monuments include the Pont Saint-Bénezet, a medieval bridge that originally crossed the River Rhône, and the Avignon Cathedral, a Romanesque building with a statue of the Virgin Mary mounted on top of a tower.

The Roman city of Arles also has many sights left over from Roman times, including a theatre, amphitheatre, a necropolis named Alyscamps, a cryptoporticus and an obelisk named the Obélisque d'Arles. The section of the Rhône River at Arles is particularly beautiful and was an important influence in some of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings, such as Starry Night Over the Rhône which captures part of the river at night. The River Rhône branches off into two upstream of Arles, forming the Camargue Delta. The Delta has a wide variety of flora and fauna, such as the Greater Flamingo and Sea Lavender, as well as the famous Camargue Horse and Bull.

Beaujolais is located north of Lyon and is a popular place to explore when on a cruise on the River Rhône. As one of the most renowned wine growing regions in France, Beaujolais produces a range of fine red wines that you may want to sample when sailing along the Rhône River. Flourishing vineyards and hill-top villages built from yellow-coloured sandstone make for great viewing in this beautiful area of French countryside. This part of France is picture perfect and away from the hum of tourists making it a great destination to visit near the River Rhône.

The Ardèche is home to beautiful landscapes and is surrounded by the Massif Central Mountains to the west and the Rhône Valley to the east. The River Rhône flows into the Ardèche River making it ideal for Rhone river tours, with much remarkable scenery to be seen in the region. Mountains and forests contrast against caves and waterfalls, while large fields filled with purple lavender add more colour to the landscape. There are many museums in the area where visitors can gain an insight into the history and culture of Ardèche, such as the Museum of Lavender, Museum of Life and the Archaeological Documentation Centre.