viking river cruise lyon to avignon reviews

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LYON TO AVIGNON - Viking Cruises France

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We are posting this in tandem to the one about the French river cruise and are suggesting that if... read more

Really great boat, service and food impeccable but it is really a cruise for the oldies, we are 60... read more

LYON TO AVIGNON

Our tour starts out in Paris, 2 days visiting the city. Then the group of 28 board a bus for Dijon, after a 2 day visit to the city and vineyards we arrive in Lyon to board our Viking ship. On arrival we were impressed with the cleanliness and spaciousness of the ship. Everyone aboard, the crew, wait staff and wine stewards were very helpful and courteous especially Monika and Anette. We sat at their station every nite and received first class treatment. The shore excursions were very interesting except for the cobble stone streets, which were extremely hard to walk on. The local guides were very knowledgeable and made it all very interesting. The food was exceptional, Breakfast lunch and dinner offered so many choices. We met many interesting people from England, Canada and of course the United States. Thank you Viking you did a great job!

Great cruise but we were not able to cruise Lake Nasser (if we had this would be a 5*). Pyramids, temples, the Nile, balloon ride over Valley of the Kings (MUST do), camel ride, Falucca cruise- all great! Street vendors an absolute nuisance (not Vikings fault). Walid and Ake were GREAT Program Directors! Papyrus shop and Carpet school were best places to shop! On board vendor for cartouches was convenient and hassle free.

Exceptional experience from start to finish. We will do it again. The crew, service, food, entertainment and organized tours were all above expectations. Very professional in every way.

Have just had a wonderful week on Viking Delling from Avignon to Lyon. This was our first river cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff on our particular cruise were the best we have ever encountered anywhere on our extensive travels. Nothing was too much trouble. They clearly enjoy their jobs as they were so happy and friendly yet professional. The boat was spotless. The cleaning staff do an exemplary job. The food was plentiful and delicious. We had the silver beverage package which meant we were spoilt for choice of alcohol and as this was a gift to us from our travel agent, we were very lucky. The actual cruise was enjoyable. Time on board was relaxing. Plenty of places to sit and relax. Our cabin 118 was small as expected but good storage. It was comfortable (although being on the lower deck means no fresh air which can be a bit claustrophobic). It was noisy when the boat was moving which during the night made sleeping difficult. Next time I would choose a cabin with a balcony on a higher floor. The optional excursions were good, although a lot of older people found the uphill cobblestone paths very difficult. I did pay $250 for a taste of Provence tour which I was extremely disappointed with. The cooking class was basic to say the least and the meal was horrible. Definitely not worth the money paid for this optional tour. I would definitely do another Viking River Cruise. Fabulous holiday.

Three years ago, we took our first Viking cruise, which far exceeded our expectations. It was on the “Viking Mekong.” Thus, we were highly anticipating our second Viking voyage in Europe. We booked the “Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest” (August 21 to September 4, 2017) with a pre-cruise extension in Amsterdam. Unfortunately our Viking Modi experience did not “exceed our expectations,” and in fact may have made us sick. The problem was our standard cabin #122, located on the “Main deck.” When booking, we had no idea our quarters would be below the waterline with only a slit window. This made a small cabin seem almost cell-like. The window was the least of our worries, however. The main problems were these: 1. Mildew/mold in the cabin: The mildew could be smelled every time we entered the cabin. During the trip, both my husband and I developed upper respiratory problems—cough, runny eyes and nose—allergy symptoms. We both returned home sick. Certainly mildew/mold should not be expected on a new and well-maintained vessel. 2. Excessive noise seriously compromised rest and enjoyment of the trip: When the ship was underway, sounds sometimes could be as loud as the inside of a jet aircraft cabin. Frequent humming from electrical equipment, perhaps the air conditioning units, made rest and sleep difficult and at times impossible. It is hard to understand why Viking would locate guest cabins in such noisy areas. The Modi is a beautiful, stylishly appointed ship plying the waters of some of the most stunning scenic areas in the world. We generally found the staff competent, efficient and ever-ready with a friendly greeting. Sadly, the conditions in our cabin made what should have been a “beyond expectations” trip fall very far short. Viking Cruise Lines literature should make clear what at “water level” means. Naming the area in which we stayed, the “Main deck,” is deceptive. It was more like “the hold.” Our high regard for Viking was diminished greatly after this trip. From our experience, we would warn travelers to avoid booking cabins on the Main deck.

Don't hesitate to drop me a question if you have any....as I could keep writing all day about our trip. As I spent each day on the river cruise I was thinking of what I liked and what I would change if I could. We took Castles & Legends>Munich to Budapest. This included a pre-cruise stay of 2 nights in Munich and 2 nights in Salzburg. First part of my review will be about the pre-cruise hotel and tours. Next part of my review will be the on boat itinerary, 8 days – 5 countries: Passau, Cresky Krumlov (Linz), Melk, Vienna, Bratislava Slovakia, Budapest Viking booking. We booked our cruise directly by calling Viking call center who were very helpful. After we received our flight details from Toronto to Munich we found out we had a 3 hour layover in Paris. I called Viking back and asked for Viking Air which is $50.00 per person to change the flights to one without a layover. I can’t say this for certain but from what I heard on the boat most people are booked with a lay over in hopes you will pay the extra price to select another faith. It felt like a game. Our package also included $300 onboard credit + all gratituties were included. We were able to use our onboard credit to take extra excursion in Vienna and bought some items from the onboat shop. Land portion of our trip. From the time we stepped off the plane a Viking representative was with us to help guide us along the way. Day 1, 2: Munich hotel: Westin Grand Munich. We were not keen on the location. There is nothing nearby. We wandered both evenings to get something to eat and although there are a few restaurants nearby the hotel they were certainly not what I expected. The hotel has no gift shop or vending machines. If you think you want a snack, bring it with you or plan to shop early. There is a super market a couple blocks away from the hotel but it closes at 8pm and not open Sundays. The hotel was beautiful and included an awesome yummy breakfast. During our stay in Munich the included tours 1) was a bus drive to: Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Palace. This was an all day long excursion and well worth it. I won’t go into details of the castle and palace as there are various reviews on those. 2) Munich panoramic tour of the city Day 3, 4: Salzburg hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel. Loved loved this hotel. This hotel is a very old beautifully restored hotel offers 5-star accommodation while preserving its medieval details. When we arrived we did not like our room so they graciously moved us to one with a better view. This hotel is right in the heart of walking to major attractions. The tour included was 1) Walking tour of Salzburg, it was ok. 2) Sound of Music bus tour. I suppose if you are a fanatic of sound of music you would enjoy this bus tour I found it a bit cheesy but worth some of the beautify stops the bus made along the way. Salzburg was my most favourite city we visited! Boat portion of our trip in summary we never felt we had enough free time after guided tours. Day 5: brought by motor coach from Salzburg hotel to the Viking boat Hermod in Passau Germany, arriving in time for dinner on the boat and welcome dinner Day 6: Passau Germany. 1.5 hour walking tour of Passau and then 1 hour on our own to walk around town and then must be back on the boat as it was leaving. We really enjoyed the walking tour and hearing the history of Passau but I would have preferred more free time Day 7 Linz Austria – Cesky Krumlov Czech Republic. 8:30am – 5:00. Bus drive to Cesky was just over an hour. A walking tour and then free time. Loved loved this little town Day 8 MELK Austria. This stop was too short. 1.5-hour walking tour and then 1 hour free time…not enough for this beauty of a town Day 9 Vienna Austria. We took the bus and then walking tour. 8:30 – 12:00. I personally found Vienna too busy, crowded and we were constantly warned of pickpocket people. Good, glad they told us but made many people scared to relax. For me….been to Vienna, I would not rush back. We did an extra optional excursion in the evening. Heurigen. Which was a bus ride to a bar where we were able to taste some new wines. We were lead to believe that we would be taken to a family type tavern and mingle with the locals and taste wines but in fact, our bus was taken to a back room on our own. There was some entertainment but they played American type music. We used our onboard credits for this excursion and just glad we did not put money out for it. Day 10 Bratislava, Slovakia. 1.5-hour walking tour and 1 hour free time. AGAIN not enough free time to explore. Had to be back on the boat by 11:30am. I really liked this town and would like to stop there again some time. Day 11 Budapest Hungary. We arrived here in the evening and it was beautiful to see the buildings all lit up. Next day was spent in Budapest. We did 1-hour walking tour and then the rest of the day free time. For our free time we walked about town and went to the market. I was not sure why everyone raves about the market. It was nice but with no air conditioning in the market, we did not stay in there long. Budapest as beautiful as it was….I do not have the desire to see it again. Day 12 Fly home. Here is my review what I liked and what I would have changed. . The land portion of this tour was awesome! So glad we spent the extra money and time for it. . The best part of this boat was the food. I am a fussy eater but loved everything and tried foods I would never usually try. Mid week they did a great Oktoberfest night with entertainment during dinner. all the well known Oktoberfest type foods and beer. . Gender neutral washrooms onboard behind the main lobby. Enough said. Most of the elderly people were not impressed and would make their way back to their cabin instead. . Our cabin - we had a balcony cabin and although some people we met said it wasn't worth paying extra for. We used ours and it was worth paying the extra. Even on the cooler and rainy days it was nice to sit out on the balcony with a beer and see the sites. The cabin is a typical size, it was clean and comfortable. We received towel art one day. The bathroom has heated floors and found although we were there in August and it was hot the heated floors helped one day we had rain....laying our running shoes on the floor helped to dry them out. The mini fridge in the room was great as we picked up beer/liquor when in town and stored it in the fridge. . There is no gift shop or store or vending machine. If you think you want a late night snack or a chocolate bar you are best to bring it or buy it in town when visiting. The gift shop is just Viking merchandise you can buy . The boat has a walking track on the top level and on day 1, you will be told you cannot walk the track before 8:30am as you would be walking right over top of rooms. Most people wanted to walk the track before 8am as buses leave for excursions by 8:30am. . the program Director on our boat was ok but not overly friendly and I found near the end of our trip she down-graded herself. We sat with quite a few elderly couples onboard and they could not understand her when she spoke with her accent. Don't get me wrong she was ok and if you went directly to her and ask a question she was helpful but curt. I just found she never was not very visible. This is my opinion only....others found no problem with her. . The people we met. Ok I didn't take this cruise to meet people, we thought that having to sit at a table for breakfast, lunch and dinner with different people very day was going to be painful. However, I was wrong. I have to admit it was a bit like first day of school where we sat at a table and thought is someone going to come and sit with us? We loved meeting new people from Canada and the U.S. and even made some good friends along the way. And it was a bit like that first day of school where certain people sat at your table and you just didn't jive with and couldn't wait for the dinner to end. . Our excursions. This is something I wish I could change. By the end of the trip, I felt “bussed out”. On a bus off a bus, on a bus off repeat and repeat again. I know this is part of a cruise. I felt some stops just were not long enough. You sit in a bus for an hour to get somewhere, get off the bus to hear about something and then given 1-hour free time – this is not enough time to explore. Each tour guide was happy to say please spend some of your money in this little town and sit and have a coffee and pastry but most stops did not allow the time. If I could change one thing, I probably would have taken the bus to the town and said to the tour guide, see you later, went, and did our own thing. And yes we could have done that but didn’t really realize that until near the end of the trip. Lessons learned. . You really are not aware of how much time you get to spend in one city until the night before. The online marketing material will not say that we were only in Bratislava for 3.5 hours; we found that out the night before. .

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Viking Lyon to Provence River Cruise - Viking Cruises France

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We are posting this in tandem to the one about the French river cruise and are suggesting that if... read more

Really great boat, service and food impeccable but it is really a cruise for the oldies, we are 60... read more

Viking Lyon to Provence River Cruise

We cruised in Viking’s Heimdal on the Rhône in June 2019, our third Viking River Cruise, and it was another great vacation. Starting in Lyon for 3 nights, we had plenty of time to see this lovely city, plus the two included excursions, one of which was to visit a winery in The Beaujolais Villages. Beautiful countryside. Next we moved on to Vienne, our only disappointment if the trip. Mainly because it rained all day, but not sure we would have found it very pretty had the sun been out. Tournon and the included steam trip trip made a pleasant change of pace. Our late evening tour of Viviers was very special, and favourite part of the trip. Then on to Arles, with its cobbled streets and Roman ruins, not to be missed. Back up to the historic walled town of Avignon, famous for its bridge. A great place to walk about. Then sadly it was the end of the 8 day cruise, the impeccable service, and great food you always expect from Viking. We had a veranda cabin as usual, which has everything you need. And time to say goodbye to all the friendly people you meet on the boat, passengers and crew. Viking then took us by coach, a four hour ride, to Nice for 3 nights, where they had booked us at the Le Meridian Hotel. Great position on the Promenade des Anglais, central to everything. Viking has great excursions, and they find marvelous guides who really make the whole experience very special. Definitely recommend this cruise. We had previously been on the Rhine and Danube with them, also great cruises.

Just returned from 14-day Amsterdam to Budapest with 3-day Prague extension. I've done a lot of cruising, so was really looking forward to Viking's "superior" experience, and was really disappointed. The ships' crews were great. FYI, if you're on the Modi or Skirnir, there's a broken lock on the Main, and they'll give you 48 hours notice on an "unfortunately" announcement about switching ships (we docked at Nuremberg, toured, and were bused 3 hours to Regensburg, where we boarded the Modi with a new crew, same room, etc.). Transfer was handled smoothly, but they've been doing this since lock broke on June 5th - they should be more up front about it. Before I booked the 3-day Prague extension, I read that Viking promised train transfer, but used people. When I booked, I was assured we would transfer by train. Not true - was a 9 hour coach ride, which the onboard guide told me they'd been doing for 5 years. Also - that's your whole first day. We got in at 5 p.m. and were exhausted. Hotel about 2 mi out of old town Prague, so long walk. For what we paid for that extension ($699 per person), I could have put us on train for the 2.5 hr ride, and a closer hotel, at half the price tag. Again, my main gripe is the build-in dishonesty about the company. The stops on this itinerary were all great, and local guides were usually pretty good. Service on Skirnir was mediocre, but food was great. When we switched to Modi, service was excellent, but food was mediocre and we started skipping meals. Do not use their add-on "flight concierge" service. We paid for it, to get window/seats together, and to avoid the east coast airports. Flights changed 7 or 8 times (airlines and/or connecting cities). When I went to check in, I had to pay Delta and additional $54 for a window seat because flight concierge completely doesn't keep up on your reservation and preferences once they make the original booking. Not worth it. Last complaint is about the almost daily reminders from our tour director that we could tip extra for excellent service. We pre-paid the $20/day per person gratuities so we didn't have to worry about it. But the daily hustling and reminders from Wez were tacky and uncomfortable. I thought that was really unprofessional for a supposed "luxury" company. We know we can tip extra for great help (and we did) - but the daily harangues were off-putting.

Hi, Heather. While we’re delighted to hear that you found the ships’ crew to be excellent, we regret to learn of your disappointed with certain aspects of your experience. To continue this conversation and further discuss your concerns, we welcome you to reach out to us directly at the email address located in our contact information at the top of the page. We look forward to hearing from you through that outlet, Heather, and thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

The cruise was 10 out of 10 The food was excellent and accommodations were top notch. The stops along the way featured everything one could imagine. From old towns to Roman ruins. The staff on board were friendly and attentive.

This was our third Viking Cruise, other two were very enjoyable and we had been recommending Viking to friends and family. We just finished the Paris to Normandy breaches and were NOT impressed. We only had one hour at Juno Beach and that was the idea of the tour, to spend time at the beaches. We spent most of our time on the bus and stopping at numerous uninteresting places. On the way back to the boat the bus let us off at a different bridge and I fell down 6 to 8 stairs. The staff was kind enough to bandage up my hand and arm. The next day I did go see a pharmacist and received wonderful care. We had added the three day extra tour of the Loire Valley. Don't waste you time on this, just too much traveling by bus...9:30 AM to 9 PM. We were booked for two nights in a Chateau which was lovely I had inquired about an elevator due to my mobility issues after my fall and was assured an elevator was available. NOT SO...we were given a small room on the top floor, no elevator on our side of the Chateau which meant I had to climb up three flights of stairs which just made this part of the trip very unpleasant. We will not go with Viking again. Also an issue with the gratuities. We found the front reception personnel not very friendly. Very disappointing after spending a fair amount of cash on this cruise.

While we’re pleased that the medical support you received onboard was helpful, Lorie, it’s disappointing to learn other aspects of your trip did not meet expectation. We appreciate you sharing your experience, and have arranged for a member of our Customer Relations team to follow-up with you directly. We look forward to connecting with you, and thank you once again, for reaching out.

We had been planning for our Romantic Danube cruise on the Viking Var for over a year. Eight of us were traveling together to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We have never spent this much money on a vacation ($12,000) before and we were so excited to cruise from Budapest to Nuremburg. The first four days of our trip was a dream. The crew on the Var was fabulous and we could not have been happier. On the 4th day, rumors started circulating around the ship that we were going to have to change ships. We understood from our contract with Viking that river levels or other issues could cause a change in itinerary, but how Viking handled the change is completely unacceptable. Viking has known a lock on the Danube between Regensburg and Nuremburg was broken since a Viking ship broke it on June 5th. We did not sail until June 28th, Viking knew about this itinerary change and did not notify its customers. We were told the night before a ship change that we had to have all our things packed and outside our cabin doors by 8:15 am to be transferred to a new ship. Here’s where it got worse: 1) We were bussed (1.5 hours) to Passau, Germany for that day’s tour and then bussed for 4 hours to Roth, Germany where our new ship, the Viking Tor, was docked in a dirty industrial canal. 2) When we boarded our new ship after four hours on a bus, not a single crew member apologized, a drink wasn’t offered…nothing. 3) At that night’s port talk, we were told that if we wanted to go to Regensburg, we would have to be bussed 1.5 hours each way for a two-hour city tour. We declined to take that tour and found our own way to the Roth train station and made our way to Nuremburg on our own and at our own expense. We were only 30 minutes from Nuremberg and the Viking crew would not help us arrange something different than what they had planned. 4) We then sat in Roth, in a dirty industrial canal for two days. 5) We sailed to another industrial canal in Nuremburg and disembarked the next day. Upon arriving home, I contacted Viking Customer Service to provide feedback and to ask for compensation for spending a third of our “Romantic Danube” cruise on dirty canals. I was told by Ross (Agent for Viking) that Viking Executives were reviewing compensation for all of the passengers. He told me that after I received that communication if I was not happy, I should call him back. About two hours later, I received an email from Viking offering us each a $250 voucher for another cruise. That is roughly 4% of the cost of our trip when we spent almost a third of our trip either on a bus or a dirty canal. What an insult from Viking. All of Viking’s advertising touts their world class service…that’s all true when everything is going fine, but when issues arise, Viking takes no responsibility or accountability with their customers. When I called Ross back, he confirmed that $250 was the offer and that it was “more than generous”. He also explained to me how itinerary changes are made by Viking and that the experience I explained to him was not what had happened. Frankly, I was on the ship…Ross was not. He offered me $500 each for an ocean cruise, “but, that is the best I can do and we are at an impasse.” He was nice in our first call and very rude in our second. Here’s the truth: 1) Viking knew about the lock before we boarded our ship. They chose not to disclose it. Other river cruise companies did and offered their customers options. One company put their guests up in a 5 star hotel rather than keeping them on the ship in a dirty canal. 2) Viking gave us 10 hours’ notice of the change. No one ever apologized. If they would have offered everyone a free drink in the bar that night after a 4 hour bus ride, that would have gone a long way. 3) We spent one-third of our vacation in a dirty canal and Viking could care less. I will never take a Viking cruise again, I will never recommend Viking, I will proactively tell my friends and family to never take a Viking cruise and I will use all social media and cruise review sites I can to tell my story. What a truly disappointing experience. Viking is dishonest and does not care about its customers…plain and simple.

While our records indicate we’ve been in close contact with you, Debra, we regret to hear of your lingering disappointment. We look forward to continuing the conversation, and have arranged for a seasoned member of our Customer Relations team to reach out to address your comments further. Thank you for sharing your feedback, and have a great day.

Once you cruise with Viking, you are hooked! We've had two river cruises (Rhine, Danube) and just got back from an ocean cruise to Alaska. Viking Cruises offer superior customer service, very high quality food made fresh every day, great wine selection with an upgrade plan (although they charge the upgrade fee per cabin), very good entertainment and 1 included excursion at each port. The ship never feels crowded and there are numerous seating areas to read, relax, play games, listen to music, or just be! Our gigantic ocean cruises housed 910 passengers and 450 crew members including 80 chefs, 3 magnificent restaurants in addition to buffets and bars and theaters. All Viking rooms have balcony, are spacious and showers in particular extra spacious with good quality shower products. It is all about service and we are hooked on Viking. These cruises are not cheap, rather pricey; generally there are no kids and demographics is mid 50s and older. Ocean cruises have a fantastic gym and offer complimentary self-service laundromat on each deck. River cruises are longships and do not have a gym or laundry. Both types of ships are well-decorated and maintained; extremely clean and organized. I overheard one manager on the ocean cruises telling his staff to clean the legs of all chairs in the buffet restaurant when he noticed on chair leg was scuffed! The only thing you want to do your homework is pricing the for-fee excursions as they do have a VERY high markup on those. We did several excursions on our own and saved a bundle!

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• Avignon to Lyon
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Lyon & Provence

• From $3,699
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

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Trip Report - Lyon & Provence - Viking Denning 15 - 21 August 2023

By pontac , September 11, 2023 in River Cruising

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pontac was awarded the badge 'Great Review'

Introduction

This was our 13th river cruise since 2012 and the 12th with Viking. We’d originally booked the Great Lakes cruise from Duluth, Minnesota to Toronto, Ontario but after seeing it on Viking TV realised it was too active for us. We’d have lost our deposit by cancelling but a phone call to Viking told me that we could transfer to another cruise for an admin fee of £100 each. Asked which cruise we wanted I plumped for the Rhone, and since we’d cruised downriver in 2015 I chose up-river from Avignon to Lyon. Not losing the deposit was such a relief I didn’t realise till later that the cabin they’d suggested wasn’t a Veranda Stateroom but a Veranda Suite.

The Veranda Suite has a bedroom with a French Balcony and a living room with a Veranda. So now this was the fourth type of Viking Longship cabin we’d stayed in. Surprisingly it had less personal storage. The other cabins had two sets of three drawers under the desk, plus two drawers in the wardrobe: the Veranda Suite had just the two in its wardrobe. Also there was a lack of power points. The living room had a 220 (Europlug socket) and 110 (USA flat pin socket) at the desk, but the 220 was used to charge the Quietvox. There was one 220 by the bed. The USB socket didn’t charge devices quickly, if at all. I’d brought a Europlug with four USB sockets and used the bedside 220 socket. Thus we could charge two Kindles and two phones.

But there was a bottle of Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut NV in a cooler with two flutes, and the fridge was filled with soft drinks and two 250ml bottles of white wine and on top were another two 250ml bottles of red wine and wine glasses. These were refilled daily, but since we only drink wine now, and the Silver Spirits Beverage package was included we didn’t make much use of them. Since we could have glass of Champagne anytime the bottle of Jacquart came home with us and will be drunk in memory of this cruise.

Daily shoeshine and free laundry was included, and the wardrobe had towelling robes and sandals. This cruise, as is usual currently, included free Silver Spirits package and gratuities.

The boat was Viking Delling, the same boat we’d cruised down the Rhone in 2015. Four Viking boats cruise up and down the route, crossing at Tournon where both sets of passengers go on the steam train ride.

Note: All times are in 24hr format, thus 03:00 means 3 am and 15:00 means 3pm

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DAY 1 Tuesday 15 August - London>Avignon

Check-in was quick and flight from Heathrow to Marseille was on time. It was an afternoon flight and I’d calculated that with the extra hour time difference that we’d reach the boat at the start of dinner at 19:00. We’d checked in two identical cases and one was the third or fourth to come out on to the carousel at Marseille. We waited for the other case till the carousel powered off and the lighted sign showing our flight number was extinguished. A lot of people were missing their bags, and a long line was forming at the missing bag desk.

When we exited Arrivals we were greeted by the Viking rep who led us to some tables she’d commandeered at a café and we sat with the others till all remaining Viking passengers had reported missing bags and exited Arrival.

It’s just over an hour’s drive from Marseille airport to Avignon where the boat was moored. We got to the ship at about 20:20 and went straight to the restaurant for dinner.

After dinner Joan rinsed  her clothes in the bathroom.

DAY 2 Wednesday 16 August - Arles

Joan received a text to say her bag would be delivered 10:00 – 20:00

While we slept the boat departed down-river for Arles, arriving there at 08:00. We took the included walking tour at 09:15, Joan wearing one of my shirts. 

Temperature was in the high 30˚s and Joan bought a hat from a street stall. Arles is most famous for two sites; its amphitheatre (not Coliseum insisted our guide who said there’s only one and it’s in Rome) and the hospital where Vincent van Gogh stayed and painted that and around 300 other Arles views. There are other Roman ruins and the town centre is close to the river, compact and easily walkable.

The amphitheatre is impressively large. We sat on one of the seating tiers while the guide told us its history and showed picture of how it looked in Roman times. It is still used to day for public shows.

Then a few minutes later we were in the courtyard of van Gogh’s hospital. It had several different roles subsequently before coming into public ownership. The garden was recreated from van Gogh’s paintings and letters. 

Our guide mused on the various pronunciations of van Gogh’s name. Go (o as in ‘owe’) is usual in USA, while Goff (o as in ‘ox’) in UK and Gock (gh as in a cough crossed with throat clearing) in his native Netherlands.

During the walk the guide pointed out where van Gogh had rented rooms, the café terrace in his 1888 painting   Café Terrace at Night   and other scenes.

We made our own way back to the boat for a coffee instead of waiting around in ‘free time’.

After lunch we walked the short distance back to Arles where Joan bought a t-shirt.

The boat cast off at 18:00 to return to Avignon. Joan’s bag did not arrive.

Day 3 - Thursday 17 August - Avignon 

When we woke we were moored again at Avignon. The city is surrounded by a serious wall, with battlements and regular forts along it. The included excursion ‘Avignon Walk and Pope’s Palace’ set off at 09:00 but we didn’t join it. We’d done it in 2015 and Joan didn’t want to trudge again through the crowds packed in the palace which would be very stuffy in the current temperature. Instead we had a lazy breakfast during which Joan got a text that her bag had arrived, but reception said it hadn’t arrived.

We decided to explore Avignon ourselves, but tried, without success, the two cruise boats moored next to ours in case Joan’s bag had gone to the wrong ship. 

The marble pavements in Avignon, polished by generations of feet, were very slippery. After viewing the outside of the Pope’s palace, glad we were not in the crowds queuing for entry, we returned to the boat.

At 14:00 we joined the coach going on the optional excursion ‘Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tasting’. For 70 years in the 14thC Avignon had been the home of the papacy and seven Popes had ruled there. 

They built a chateau   (now a ruin, above)   among vineyards on a hill to escape the summer heat of Avignon. That new chateau now gives its name to the wine of the surrounding area, which is made of a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre but 18 or 13 (sources differ) are be allowed. 

Millennia ago the region used to be the Rhone river bed and the soil comprises large smooth river-bed stones. These take in the day’s heat and release warmth during the night, adding to the richness of the wine. 

Chateauneuf du Pape wines, in bottles embossed with Papal keys, are expensive which explained to us the high cost of the optional tour. We were taken to the ruins on the new Chateau, surrounded by vineyards and had a short time to take photos, before being bussed down to the village below. 

We were led from the coach to Chateauneuf du Pape village centre and given just over 20 minutes ‘free time’. The blurb for this says this is where we’d    ‘meet the vintners whose families have lovingly cultivated these vineyards for generations. They invite you to browse their winery cellars and learn the delicate blending process behind their extraordinary wine. Toast your experience by sampling the distinctive bouquet and finish of these very special wines in the place of their birth'.   There was not enough time to ‘meet vintners’, ‘browse winery cellars’ ‘learn the delicate blending process’ and sample their wines. I didn’t see any vintners, let alone receive any invitations. The description was highly misleading.

Then we were bussed to Alain Jaume & Fils winery where we were shown their cellars before going for a tasting. Only three wines were presented, one not exported white and one red Chateauneuf du Pape wine. The third wine was a €10.20 rosé from Tavel. The hostess seemed keener to encourage wine shipments to the USA than to tell us about the wines.

Then back to the boat. I felt we were overcharged at £154 for a couple and that while two Chateauneuf du Pape wines might technically be a Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tasting, it wasn’t in the spirit. Alain Jaume makes four different red Chateauneuf du Pape wines. Not recommended.*

When we got back Joan’s bag was in our room. The boat left at 18:30 heading up-river to Viviers.

* On my return I wrote to Viking about my concerns with this tour – as detailed in the post. They offered   generous On Board Credit for our next cruise, and said that the excursion and my comments would be discussed by the board. I am satisfied with their response

Day 4 - Friday 18 August – Viviers

We arrived at Viviers at 01:30, and after breakfast we took the included excursion ‘Viviers Walk’ starting at the civilised time of 09:45. As we waited by our guide I heard laughing from one of the other groups. Their guide seemed to have them in stitches.

Viviers is small sleepy riverside town of fewer than 4,000 inhabitants and in August there were few people about and fewer moving cars. It had once been important and there was a cathedral on a high rocky crag that overlooks the town.

Untouched since 1546  is the ornately carved façade of the ‘Knight’s House’, all the more strange as it is in a long terrace of houses with plain frontages. The house was owned by a salt merchant who wanted to flaunt his riches. He was given the job of tax collector by the Bishop, got even richer and ended as ruler of the town.

Our guide took the group up a steep, cobbled street to the cathedral. I stayed behind looking at the façade and heard laughing people coming towards me. It was the leisurely group. Their guide was a short wiry Frenchman, in his late 60s or early 70s, and I listened as he told the history of the Knight’s house. But, unlike the guide with our group, he peppered his explanation with jokes and shrewd comments. 

While the earlier guide had pointed out the carving of knights with lances as a joust, he said that as some of the knights were using the lances on fallen men it was surely a battle scene as jousts were a contest between mounted knights.  

He moved the group on to the nearby small square to get everyone seated, before telling a tragic story about his mother’s family who were living in Viviers in the 1940’s under German occupation and of an American commando raid through the town that fought German troops as they headed to destroy anti-aircraft guns sited on the rocky crag. 

If you go on this excursion I recommend leaving whatever group you’re in and joining his laughing one. If it’s the leisurely group you won’t get to the cathedral but you’ll have a great time and learn a lot.

We cast off at 13:00 and we lunched as the boat cruised, Most preferred to eat inside where it was air-conditioned, but we revelled in the heat and took every opportunity to eat outside.

We started with Champagne, and got refills during lunch.

During this cruise we went through several locks. Some had pairs of doors that swung open (like this one) some had gates that sank below the water and some had gates that lifted high out of the water and dripped on the boat.

At 18:15 was the Viking Explorer Society Party for passengers who’d travelled before with Viking. I remember when this was a minority of people, but now it is the vast majority and there was no move to exclude anyone. Trays of cocktails were there for the taking. 

The Programme Director was absent dealing with an emergency so it was an unstructured gathering, during which the Captain explained about Aquavit having to twice cross the equator and anyone who wanted shots got them. 

Dinner today had my highlight starter of the cruise -  Red Pepper Tartlet.

Although it looked nothing special  such was the intensity of flavour that the first mouthful made me stop and go 'wow'.  From the regional specialities menu I had an excellent coq au vin as the main course and a delicious decadent walnut tart as dessert. The wine was a local Cozes-Hermitage by Maison des Alexandrins.

After dinner we found two shot glasses in our cabin. 

We moored at Tournon at 22:00 at the end of a most enjoyable. day

Day 5 - Saturday 19 August – Tournon

09:00 was the included excursion for a ride on the Tournon Steam Train. This is a heritage railway with a one metre gauge. 

I’d been tempted by the optional Vineyard Hike, but decided it was too strenuous for my current health after viewing Viking’s “Beyond the Brochure,” video featuring Jean Newman Glock.

It’s a short coach ride to the railway station and we are there with ample time to spare before the train is due to depart. There is a gift ship and a separate (free) museum and the steam engine itself attracts attention as the crew get the steam up.

Train carriages are open, more like goods wagons with roofs and have wooden benches. There are many groups on the trip. Some have their name on chalkboards, but the carriages that Viking uses have a metal holster that takes Viking’s paddle. Each of the four groups from our boat has their own carriage. Guests from Viking Heimdal that departed Lyon to go to Avignon on the same day we departed Avignon to cruise to Lyon are on the train. Capacity of the train is 500 passengers.

We are given a map of the route and can see where the track crosses the gorge. The best views are from the right side, but our guide asks us to swap sides coming down, so everyone gets view from both sides.

It’s been a dry summer and when the train sets off it is closely followed by a diesel locomotive pulling a water bowser to extinguish any trackside fires that sparks from the steam engine might cause. We are told that in flood the River Doux sometime reaches the height of the track, but on our August trip the river consists of pools separated by dry stony river bed a long way below.

After 35 minutes the train stopped and we can get out. Many rushed to the turntable where the de-coupled engine reverses onto and is turned so it is ready to pull the train back down. We swapped sides in the carriage as the train headed back down reaching the terminus in 26 minutes.

Delling departed Tournon shortly after we left so the coaches took us up-river to Andance where Delling is waiting for us to embark for lunch before setting off again. During the afternoon the wheelhouse is open for visits and there are French pastries available in the lounge and a demonstration of how to make Chocolate Fondant.

We enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising and pass vineyards of Cote Rotie.

The boat is scheduled to moor at Vienne 16:45 for an included walking tour of this historic town, but it is delayed and arrived after dinner so the Vienne excursion is cancelled.

Day 6 - Sunday 20 August – Lyon

Viking Delling departed Vienne at 05:00 and three hours later moored in Lyon, our final stop.

At 09:00 is an included excursion. A coach tours us through the city and up to a high promontory with a cathedral and fine view over Lyon and its two rivers, Saone and Rhone.

Close by is the Eiffel look alike tower now used as a TV and radio transmitter.

When the coach takes us down to the Saone and the guide prepares for a walking tour we bale out and make our own way back to the boat. It is stifling hot in the city and the prospect of a coffee on board is more attractive than looking at buildings followed by ‘free-time’.

We miss the afternoon Enrichment Lecture on WWII Lyon and the Resistance in the lounge and also the Programme Director’s disembarkation briefing at which 'at least one person per cabin' is supposed to attend. But we need only to know three things: when to put cases outside our cabin, when to vacate our cabin and when we’ll be taken to the airport. As we have an afternoon flight and we know from experience that the answer to the first two questions is 08:00 and that everything we need to know about disembarkation will be placed in our room.

Day 7 - Monday 21 August – Lyon

This is the last full day of the cruise.

At 08:45 we join an included excursion to Beaujolais Wine Country. We travel north as the guide tells about Beaujolais. The appellation Beaujolais, which includes the once famous young wine Beaujolais Nouveau, but the best wines come from the ten ‘crus’ which use their name instead of Beaujolais – although all the red wines of the region are made from the same black grape variety Gamay. About 5% of production, rarely seen outside the area, is white wine made from Chardonnay.

We go to Chateau des Ravatys in the hills about Mount Brouilly which gave its name to two of the ‘crus’, Brouilly and Cote de Brouilly. 

First we go to a vineyard to see vines with plump bunches of black grapes, then we get a tour of the underground cellars before being seated in a barrel aging cellar for a tasting. 

We are poured four wines, a white, a red Brouilly and two Cote de Brouilly  and nibbles are passed around. The excellence of the Beaujolais excursion emphasises just how overpriced was the optional  Chateauneuf du Pape visit. And while we can buy the wines if we want, there isn't the hard sell we got in Chateauneuf du Pape

We are moored on the Rhone at Lyon and some people wander off into the city in the afternoon. At 17:00 we attend a demonstration in the lounge given by two people from a silk factory. They explain how complicated pictures are imprinted on silk by multiple additions of dye through a screen. After 25 minutes the talk turns to various ways women can wear silk squares and I lose interest and return to the cabin.

Day 8 - Tuesday 22 August – Lyon > London

The latest time to depart the cabin is 08:00, which means we have only really had the suite for six full days since we arrived so late on Day1. We are not due to depart until 14:45 so have a leisurely breakfast and later the buffet embarkation/disembarkation lunch. 

When not eating we sit, after a short spell on the sun deck, in the lounge. The earliest departure was 03:30 and the latest is twelve hours later at 15:30. Two other couples are on the same flight as us and Viking have booked a people-mover taxi for us.

There is no delay getting to the airport where we have to wait 20 minutes for check-in to open. Then we’re homeward bound. Both cases arrive with us.

Reflections on the cruise  

I like the heat and we ate out on the prow almost every lunch and dinner, and most of the others in the open were Brits and Australians. The majority of Americans preferred being inside with air-conditioning. It was also the first time I could spend any length of time on the veranda, and some evenings after dinner I sit there with a glass of white wine from our fridge while reading my Kindle.

Cooking seemed to have less flair on this cruise. As a non-cheese eater I was most aware of just how many dishes had cheese; there didn’t use to be as many.

This cruise the bottle of wine chosen from the wine list was left on the table for us to pour subsequent glasses. We preferred this, rather than the waiter taking the bottle away then coming back to top up glasses.

Since we were cruising through the famous Rhone wine region I found it disappointing there were only two red Rhone wines on the list included in the drinks package. The one Chateauneuf du Pape, at €120, was not included in the package.

 There were about ten people in their twenties or thirties, the majority in the 40-50 range and a sprinkling of 60-70 year olds. It shouldn’t be assumed that the leisurely walking groups were only for the elderly, one of the youngest women on the cruise was so large she had difficulty walking and chose the easy group.

Anyone considering a trip to France in August ought to be aware that French people take their holidays in August and many places are closed.

I welcome questions about the cruise

Canal archive

Thank you Pontac, brings back memories especially about the train trip where as with you the weather was nicely warm but it meant we viewed far more of the French than we expected to!

Great report. It gives everyone who is considering this cruise exactly what to expect. Thank you for taking the time to attach all the photos, menus and other info. 

Thank you very much. We're taking this trip next fall (in the opposite direction) and are looking forward to it. 

Thank you.  Considering this cruise in October of next year - and have never been on a river cruise before.  Definitely gives me a better idea of "the flow".  

Great write up, thanks.

Nice that Viking took care of you after your poor experience on the optional cruise.

From a business sense, it would be foolish of them not to respond to legitimate issues from such a long term customer as yourself.  Judging by the tone of your writing style, I'm thinking it was a non-ranting style note you sent, and you were taken care of to your satisfaction.  Cheers!

I didn't rant.

I stated what happened, how it didn't match the description, that I thought it overpriced, and proposed an amount I thought it worth, and requested a refund of the difference. Viking were more generous.

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The 10 finest French river cruises to take this year

The problem with river cruising is that you often get blindsided by “star rivers”. There are several iconic waterways around the globe that just must be travelled, but benefits can be found if you shop around. Nowhere is this truer than in France .

A short ferry, train or plane ride lets you explore the châteaux of the Loire and the wonders of Paris on Seine, while a trip down the Rhône brings you Van Gogh’s favourite café and the opportunity to dance “sur le Pont d’Avignon”, for a small fee.

The trouble is, stars come with crowds, so looking beyond the obvious is a good idea. I defy anyone to gaze at the roof of the Hospices de Beaune on the Saône and not be mesmerised by its geometrical beauty, or walk the streets of Strasbourg on the Ill and not believe you’re back in medieval times. Sail the great rivers, of course, but don’t forget the little guys.

1. The Seine

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the highlights of this cruise with a personal commentary on the 1066 Norman invasion as you move along its length. The Cathedral in Bayeux is also worth a visit, as is that of Rouen , the ancient capital of Normandy .

A visit to the D-Day beaches at Arromanches is soothed by walking around the harbour at Honfleur, with its narrow five story houses that seem to have been squashed together like the keys on a piano. Do try the local Calvados.

Riviera Travel (01283 893924: rivieratravel.co.uk ) has the 8 day ‘The Seine, Paris and Normandy River’ cruise from £2,229 per person. Price includes Flights/Eurostar, Free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Paris, Giverny, Rouen, Caudebec. Departs 2024 23 rd September.

2. The Gironde, Dordogne and Garonne

Bordeaux is a world capital of wine , so as you might expect, names normally associated with supermarket shelves such as Saint-Emilion and Cadillac are part of this cruise. Entered through one of its seven medieval gates, St Emilion has a charming cobblestone village where Grands Crus Classé wines and beautiful architecture are a perfect match.

Similarly, part of the central square in Libourne is surrounded by the traditional arcades and is especially lively on market days. At Blaye, Vauban’s 17 th century citadel is a military masterpiece complete with village and ramparts to explore.

Scenic (0161 516 5548; scenic.co.uk ) has the 8 day ‘Bordeaux Affair’ cruise from £2,532 per person. Price includes Flights, Free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Bordeaux, Lilbourne, Blaye, Cadillac, Bordeaux. Departs 2024 11 th October.

3. The Rhône, Saone and Seine

Exploring France by travelling on three of its rivers, with extended stays at ports of call to explore their hinterland, is a great way to truly discover the country. This cruise offers a private, after dark concert in Rouen’s cathedral and a visit to the Normandy beaches.

You’ll also lock eyes on the towering 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and view the private rooms at Versailles as Marie Antoinette saw them. In Beaune, taste local camembert along with some of the world’s finest Chardonnay wines, and in Giverny, take a stroll through Monet’s beautiful garden at the house where the painter lived for over 40 years.

Uniworld (0808 168 9231; uniworld.com/uk ) has the 15 day ‘Grand France’ cruise from £5,849 per person. Price includes flights, free wifi and drink/beverages package. Calling at Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Lyon, Mâcon , Rouen, Paris. Departs 2025 23 rd March.

Technically, you’ll see more of Germany than France on this journey, but the River Ill, which surrounds the Unesco-listed Grande Île at the centre of Strasbourg, is worth an honourable mention.

The pink-sandstone facade of the Gothic-style Strasbourg Cathedral, with its cache of ancient murals and astronomical clock, looms large. Canals branch off from the main river course creating scenic walkways and bridges, adding to the allure of the ancient cityscape. Explore the red, half timbered houses of Bernkastel and play spot the castle as you sail further south along the Rhine Valley.

Avalon Waterways (0330 0588243; avalonwaterways.co.uk ) has the 11 day ‘Rhine and Mosel (Southbound)’ cruise from £3,620 per person. Price includes return flights, rail travel, free wines and beers. Calling at Amsterdam , Cologne, Kobelenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel. Departs 2024 9th October.

5. The Yonne and Loing

The waters of the Yonne north of Paris are too shallow for bigger boats, so this cruise lets you experience a quieter slice of French history and life. The Cathedral Saint-Etienne in Sens was one of the first gothic cathedrals to be built in France, while Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne lets you visit the grandeur and magnificence of Fontainebleau. Barbizon has a fascinating eponymous art museum and the studios of Rousseau and Millet, who lived and worked here.

Great Railway Journeys (01904 734 152; greatrail.com ) has the 7 day ‘Waterways of The Yonne, Paris and The Petite Seine by Barge’ cruise from £2,595 per person.

Price includes return rail travel from London, free wifi and drinks package. Calling at Paris, Melun, Barbizon, Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne and Sens. Departs 2024 4th September.

6. The Rhône and Saône

There is something magical about Arles. Not just that you can sit in the café where Van Gogh watched the world go by then walk a few yards to explore the virtually intact Roman amphitheatre, but the slow pace of life is all around.

Perched on the banks of the Saône, Mâcon has a café-lined promenade, while an overnight stay in Lyon lets you enjoy the city’s best restaurants and watering holes. At Avignon, you can explore the Palais des Papes as well as the huge indoor market to pick up Provençal snacks.

Newmarket Holidays (0333 060 1339; newmarketholidays.co.uk ) has the 7 night  ‘Rhône, Burgundy and Provence cruise’ from £2,340 per person. Price includes flights, free wifi, premium all-inclusive drinks package. Calling at Chalon-sur-Saone, Mâcon, Lyon, Avignon, Arles, La Voulte-sur-Rhône. Departs 2024  14th September.

7. Canal du Midi

The Mediterranean section of the 18 th century-built Canal du Midi is often referred to as both a technical innovation and a work of art. Between Portiragnes to Béziers alone, you’ll cross an aqueduct over the River Orb and ascend a seven-lock flight of unique, oval gateways. With a visit to the double walled city of Carcassonne and also Pézenas, Languedoc’s ancient capital, a truffle hunt, a private wine tasting and passing through Europe’s oldest canal tunnel, this cruise lets you get under the skin of Provence.

European Waterways (01753 598555; europeanwaterways.com ) has the 6-night ‘Classic Canal du Midi cruise’ from £4,850 per person. Price includes local transfers, all meals with wines on board, a 24/7 open bar, excursions/admittance fees as per the itinerary, bicycles and spa pool. Calling at Marseillan, Portiragnes, Béziers, Capestang, Sallèles d’Aude, Le Somail. Departs 2024 22nd September.

8. The Saône

Passing through Burgundy — a wine region that needs no introduction — this cruise lets you visit walled towns including Beaune with its beautiful 14 th century hospices complete with glazed tile roof and Tournus, which in turn offers its remarkable Romanesque Abbey Saint-Philibert. You’ll berth at towns that reverberate with the names found on sought after red wine labels, finally arriving at the culinary and architectural box of delights that is Lyon.

AmaWaterways (0800 520 2250; amawaterways.co.uk ) has the 7 night ‘Flavours of Burgundy Cruise’ from £2,754 per person based on a Cat E Stateroom. Price includes flights from London or Manchester and savings of £1,000 per couple.  Calling at Dijon, Seurre, Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus, Mâcon, Lyon. Departs 2025 27th March.

9. The Loire

The chateaux of the Loire will always be a draw, and while this cruise has an all-day excursion to discover them, Nantes is a jewel in its own right. The castle of the Dukes of Brittany, giant mechanical elephants — yes really — and taking coffee in La Cigale,  the wonderful 19 th century Belle Epoch Brasserie, are essential sites to tick off.

Explore Angers with its Terra Botanica, a plant-themed amusement park, the Château d’Angers and its Apocalypse Tapestry and the museum of St Nazaire. The 96-guest MS Loire Princess adds to the experience as a luxury paddle steamer designed specifically for the river.

CroisieEurope (01756 691269; croisieurope.co.uk ) has the 6 day ‘The Loire Valley, a Royal Legacy Cruise’ from £1,752 per person, including all meals, drinks and return flights from London Gatwick and overseas transfers. Calling at St Nazaire, Nantes, Anciens, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Nantes. Departs 2024 23 rd  July.

10. The Rhône and Rhine

This cruise offers something special. The chance to experience and compare the Provençal lifestyle of Arles with the Franco-German culture of Strasbourg. In essence a cultural journey along the Rhône and the Rhine. Explore Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes and Cologne’s majestic cathedral, both Unesco sites.

Savour Lyon’s rich culinary traditions and the Rhineland’s hearty flavours and admire the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh in the Netherlands and Provence.

Viking (0800 319 66 60; vikingrivercruises.co.uk ) has the 14 day ‘Lyon, Provence and The Rhineland’ from £5,390 per person. Price includes all meals, drinks and return flights from Gatwick and overseas transfers. Calling at Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne , Lyon, Burgundy, Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim. Departs 2025 21st May.

If you’re travelling by Eurostar , many cruise companies now offer regional airport and train station departures. Therefore, the price mentioned on the website can be different to what you actually pay. Plus offers come and go, so it’s always a good idea to look around before you book.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

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APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Lyon & Provence Avignon to Lyon

• River Cruise
• Partially Guided
• In-depth Cultural

Places You’ll See

• Day 1 Avignon, France
• Day 2 Arles, France
• Day 3 Avignon, France
• Day 4 Viviers, France
• Day 5 Tournon, France
• Day 6 Lyon, France
• Day 7 Lyon, France
• Day 8 Lyon, France

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Viking cruises ship.

Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator Viking Cruises 4.5
• Yasmine · 8th February 2023 Absolutely fabulous - best experience of my life! First time overseas and went with my 90 year old grandpa who also... Show more
• Cheryl · 9th April 2024 This was our first Viking cruise and loved the River Cruise as there are less than 200 guests on board. The staff... Show more
• Ian · 17th September 2023 The cruise from Budapest to Passau was beautiful. We stopped at very interesting places along the way. Viking made... Show more

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• November 2025
• August 2026
• September 2026
• October 2026
• November 2026
• Wednesday 1 May, 2024 Wednesday 8 May, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 8 May, 2024 Wednesday 15 May, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 12 May, 2024 Sunday 19 May, 2024 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (D) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 12 Jun, 2024 Wednesday 19 Jun, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 26 Jun, 2024 Wednesday 3 Jul, 2024 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (D) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 3 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 10 Jul, 2024 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (C) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 7 Jul, 2024 Sunday 14 Jul, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 10 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 17 Jul, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 14 Jul, 2024 Sunday 21 Jul, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 17 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 24 Jul, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 21 Jul, 2024 Sunday 28 Jul, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 24 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 31 Jul, 2024 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (D) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 31 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 7 Aug, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 4 Aug, 2024 Sunday 11 Aug, 2024 English Based on VERANDA (A) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 7 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 14 Aug, 2024 English Based on VERANDA (A) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 11 Aug, 2024 Sunday 18 Aug, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 14 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 21 Aug, 2024 English Based on EXPLORER SUITE (ES) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 18 Aug, 2024 Sunday 25 Aug, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 21 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 28 Aug, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 25 Aug, 2024 Sunday 1 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 28 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 4 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 1 Sep, 2024 Sunday 8 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 4 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 11 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 8 Sep, 2024 Sunday 15 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 11 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 18 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 15 Sep, 2024 Sunday 22 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 18 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 25 Sep, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 25 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 2 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 29 Sep, 2024 Sunday 6 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 2 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 9 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 9 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 16 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 13 Oct, 2024 Sunday 20 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 16 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 23 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 23 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 30 Oct, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 27 Oct, 2024 Sunday 3 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 30 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 6 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 3 Nov, 2024 Sunday 10 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 6 Nov, 2024 Wednesday 13 Nov, 2024 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (C) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 10 Nov, 2024 Sunday 17 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 13 Nov, 2024 Wednesday 20 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 17 Nov, 2024 Sunday 24 Nov, 2024 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Wednesday 19 Mar, 2025 Wednesday 26 Mar, 2025 English Based on VERANDA (A) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 23 Mar, 2025 Sunday 30 Mar, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 26 Mar, 2025 Wednesday 2 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 30 Mar, 2025 Sunday 6 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 2 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 9 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 6 Apr, 2025 Sunday 13 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 9 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 16 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 13 Apr, 2025 Sunday 20 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 16 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 23 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 20 Apr, 2025 Sunday 27 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 23 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 30 Apr, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 27 Apr, 2025 Sunday 4 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 30 Apr, 2025 Wednesday 7 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 4 May, 2025 Sunday 11 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 7 May, 2025 Wednesday 14 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 11 May, 2025 Sunday 18 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 14 May, 2025 Wednesday 21 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 18 May, 2025 Sunday 25 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 21 May, 2025 Wednesday 28 May, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 25 May, 2025 Sunday 1 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 28 May, 2025 Wednesday 4 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 1 Jun, 2025 Sunday 8 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 4 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 11 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 8 Jun, 2025 Sunday 15 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 11 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 18 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 15 Jun, 2025 Sunday 22 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 18 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 25 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 22 Jun, 2025 Sunday 29 Jun, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 25 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 2 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 29 Jun, 2025 Sunday 6 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 2 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 9 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 6 Jul, 2025 Sunday 13 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 9 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 16 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 13 Jul, 2025 Sunday 20 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 16 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 23 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 20 Jul, 2025 Sunday 27 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 23 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 30 Jul, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (E) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 27 Jul, 2025 Sunday 3 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 30 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 6 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 3 Aug, 2025 Sunday 10 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 6 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 13 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 10 Aug, 2025 Sunday 17 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 13 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 20 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 17 Aug, 2025 Sunday 24 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 20 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 27 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 24 Aug, 2025 Sunday 31 Aug, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 27 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 3 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 31 Aug, 2025 Sunday 7 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 3 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 10 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 7 Sep, 2025 Sunday 14 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 10 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 17 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 14 Sep, 2025 Sunday 21 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 17 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 24 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 21 Sep, 2025 Sunday 28 Sep, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 24 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 1 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 28 Sep, 2025 Sunday 5 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 1 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 8 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 5 Oct, 2025 Sunday 12 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 8 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 15 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 12 Oct, 2025 Sunday 19 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 15 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 22 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 19 Oct, 2025 Sunday 26 Oct, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 22 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 29 Oct, 2025 English Based on FRENCH BALCONY (D) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 26 Oct, 2025 Sunday 2 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 29 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 5 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 2 Nov, 2025 Sunday 9 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Wednesday 5 Nov, 2025 Wednesday 12 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Delling Not available in your region
• Sunday 9 Nov, 2025 Sunday 16 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Wednesday 12 Nov, 2025 Wednesday 19 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Hermod Not available in your region
• Sunday 16 Nov, 2025 Sunday 23 Nov, 2025 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 22 Mar, 2026 Sunday 29 Mar, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 29 Mar, 2026 Sunday 5 Apr, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 5 Apr, 2026 Sunday 12 Apr, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 12 Apr, 2026 Sunday 19 Apr, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 19 Apr, 2026 Sunday 26 Apr, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 26 Apr, 2026 Sunday 3 May, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 3 May, 2026 Sunday 10 May, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 10 May, 2026 Sunday 17 May, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 17 May, 2026 Sunday 24 May, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 24 May, 2026 Sunday 31 May, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 31 May, 2026 Sunday 7 Jun, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 7 Jun, 2026 Sunday 14 Jun, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 14 Jun, 2026 Sunday 21 Jun, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 21 Jun, 2026 Sunday 28 Jun, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 28 Jun, 2026 Sunday 5 Jul, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 5 Jul, 2026 Sunday 12 Jul, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 12 Jul, 2026 Sunday 19 Jul, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 19 Jul, 2026 Sunday 26 Jul, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 26 Jul, 2026 Sunday 2 Aug, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 2 Aug, 2026 Sunday 9 Aug, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 9 Aug, 2026 Sunday 16 Aug, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 16 Aug, 2026 Sunday 23 Aug, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 23 Aug, 2026 Sunday 30 Aug, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 30 Aug, 2026 Sunday 6 Sep, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 6 Sep, 2026 Sunday 13 Sep, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 13 Sep, 2026 Sunday 20 Sep, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 20 Sep, 2026 Sunday 27 Sep, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 27 Sep, 2026 Sunday 4 Oct, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 4 Oct, 2026 Sunday 11 Oct, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 11 Oct, 2026 Sunday 18 Oct, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 18 Oct, 2026 Sunday 25 Oct, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 25 Oct, 2026 Sunday 1 Nov, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 1 Nov, 2026 Sunday 8 Nov, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• Sunday 8 Nov, 2026 Sunday 15 Nov, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Buri Not available in your region
• Sunday 15 Nov, 2026 Sunday 22 Nov, 2026 English Based on STANDARD (F) Viking Heimdal Not available in your region
• 145 Other Unavailable Departures

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

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Good to Know

• Currency € Euro France

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 23rd August 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 23rd August 2024, a minimum payment of €0 is required to confirm your booking with Viking Cruises. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 125 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Viking Cruises" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Lyon & Provence

• From AU$3,995
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

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Viking Expeditions

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• Avignon to Lyon
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Lyon & Provence

• From £2,295
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Media Center
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises