Discovering the Rhone River: A Journey with Avalon River Cruise
- sblume0
- Sep 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 17
Avalon River Cruise Lines handled all the arrangements for our trip. From the private airport transfer to the oceanfront hotel, everything was seamless. They even included cocktails with our cruise director to welcome everyone and kick off the festivities.
Excursions are included with Avalon, and we chose the half-day city tour. It was fantastic! The tour provided some history and helped us get acquainted with the area. We received plenty of dining suggestions, which was a bonus.
As our time in Nice concluded, our small group of 28 adults set off to board our ship, the Poetry II. On the way, we paused in Aix-en-Provence. Here, we had the option of taking a tour or enjoying some free time to explore. I opted to explore and was enchanted by the charming cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings.
Exploring Aix-en-Provence with Avalon River Cruise Lines
The expansive open-air market was a highlight. It was bustling with vendors offering everything from fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheese to clothing, jewelry, and artwork. Aix-en-Provence is also the birthplace of painter Paul Cézanne. From the moment of arrival, it was clear why he cherished it so much. The sheer beauty, with its numerous fountains and quaint yet inviting streets, makes it truly magical.
The boarding process for the Poetry II was efficient and enjoyable. There were no long lines for check-in. It only took a few minutes to walk across the gangway, sign some final paperwork, and receive your key card. Meanwhile, the crew placed your luggage in your cabin. With a total of 106 guests on our sailing, the process went smoothly for everyone.
Arles: A Step Back in Time
Our first destination on the river cruise was the historic city of Arles. It's absolutely stunning, featuring cobblestone streets and preserved remnants of the ancient city walls. You can opt for a power walk with your adventure host, a painting class to learn Van Gogh's techniques, or a walking tour to explore the attractions. I chose the walking tour and had the opportunity to visit some of the sites where Van Gogh once painted.
During his 15-month stay in Arles, he produced 150 paintings, including some of my favorites like Starry Night and Sunflowers. Our group also toured the Roman Amphitheater, a replica of Rome's Colosseum. Built in 90 A.D., it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed from 60 arches without mortar, using only keystones, the amphitheater is still in use today for bullfights and concerts. It can hold up to 20,000 people and is the largest Roman artifact in France.
Avignon: The City of Popes
Avignon, often referred to as the fortress city, is nicknamed the "City of Popes" because it was the location of the first Vatican. The Popes built the city wall, which extends for 2.3 miles. The Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was home to nine popes during the 1300s and 1400s. Visitors can explore various rooms, including the pope's apartment, the cloisters, and the gardens.
For those seeking an active excursion, our adventure host organized a biking trip. We observed many individuals kayaking to the Pont Saint-Bénézet. This UNESCO World Heritage site, originally constructed in the 12th century, now only has a portion remaining, but you can still walk on the part that is left.
Some guests opted to visit the ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Pont du Gard. Constructed in the first century, the Pont du Gard was designed to supply water to the city of Nimes.
In the afternoon, our small group visited the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards for wine tasting. It was a delightful way to spend the afternoon, sampling wines from the Popes' vineyards with a sommelier who guided us through the wine-making process. We then had free time to explore the hilltop castle ruins and vineyards, offering stunning views of the valley below.
Viviers: A Hidden Gem
Avalon's Poetry II made the experience of sailing feel like gliding up the Rhone River to Viviers. This quaint village is perched on a hill, with some streets presenting a challenging incline. However, the cathedral at the summit is worth the effort. Inside the cathedral, we were delighted by a brief performance of the opera Carmen. One of the town's residents, a world-renowned opera singer, had just returned from a residency in New York. The performance was truly wonderful.
Following the performance, our local guide led a group of about 10 of us on a walking tour of the town. He shared stories about the Nazi occupation and took us to the small square in front of his family's ancestral home. There, they hid a Jewish family from the Nazis for two years until the village was liberated by the Americans. It was a profoundly moving story that deepened our connection to Viviers as Americans.
Tain L'Hermitage: Chocolate and Wine
Tain is renowned for its chocolate and as a wine-producing area in the Northern Rhone Valley, just south of Lyon. It is globally recognized for Valrhona chocolate, crafted sustainably using high-quality cocoa beans from the finest growers worldwide. The shop in the town center offers a sensory delight from the moment you enter this chocolate paradise.
Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, features a 16th-century castle that now serves as a museum open to visitors. It offers stunning views of the hillside vineyards.
Lyon: The Gastronomic Capital
Our next destination was Lyon, known as the gastronomic capital of France. Lyon boasts one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the nation. The city offers a striking mix of old and new architecture. You can discover the La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, a 19th-century basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with its intricate stonework and stained glass. This is alongside the ultra-modern, all-glass Musée des Confluences, a science and anthropology museum situated at the meeting point of two rivers.
The views from La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, not only of the breathtaking city of Lyon but also, on a clear day, of the pre-Alps, are definitely worth exploring.
Lyon is uniquely characterized by its traboules, which are covered passageways that traverse buildings and connect streets. During World War II, these passageways were used by the resistance to hold meetings right under the noses of the Nazi occupiers.
After enjoying a lavish buffet lunch with carving and pasta stations on board, a group of us took a short bus ride through the French countryside to explore the medieval village of Pérouges. One of our initial stops in the village was the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. This beautiful stone church is unique because it also serves as a fortress. You can see the stone cutouts where archers once shot arrows.
A Culinary Delight
A delightful surprise for the group was a tasting at the Hostellerie du Pérouges, a medieval stone and timbered restaurant and hotel. They served us Galette de Pérouges. This dish was created back in the 12th century when the village was under siege and food was scarce. It's essentially a flattened brioche dough rolled out to cracker thickness, topped with sugar, and baked. It caramelizes and becomes sweet yet crunchy. The servers wear period costumes, and the surroundings transport you back in time.
The Poetry II glides so effortlessly that you can hardly notice its movement. I thoroughly enjoyed sliding all the large glass panels of our cabin wall to transform our cabin into a spacious balcony, a feature unique to Avalon ships. It was wonderful to relax on the bed with a glass of wine, watching the vineyards and castles pass by.
In the evening, it was even more spectacular to have the doors open and savor charcuterie with cocktails on the sofa while sailing beneath illuminated bridges and seeing all the villages aglow. Avalon did an outstanding job. On my voyage, there were 106 guests and 44 crew members. Not a single guest had a complaint, which speaks volumes to me. The staff is incredibly professional yet makes you feel very welcome. They go above and beyond to ensure each guest is well taken care of.
On my sailing, the average age was 55. We did have a younger group in their mid-thirties, and they had a fantastic time. Avalon docks overnight in several ports, so many people enjoyed partying the night away in town or went out for after-dinner drinks. Mostly Americans were on board, but we also had groups from Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia.
Dining on the Poetry II
Avalon offers a more refined dining experience, providing excellent quality food and dining options. And speaking of choices! You can decide where to dine and enjoy a 4-course meal. If you prefer a quieter and more relaxed setting, you can sample dinner options in the panorama lounge. If you feel like staying in your stateroom, complimentary room service is also a great option. Every meal felt like a special occasion, and if you didn’t care for the menu, they offered other choices so you could essentially create your own menu. Avalon is also very considerate of allergies and dislikes.
For more information and to view our interview on Real Travel Experts please click the link below:
We will be hosting a group sailing in October of 2026, so if you are interested in sailing with me or on your own, please reach out to Sue at www.PersonalEscapeTravel.com or via email at Sblume@personalescapetravel.com. If you prefer to chat, our number is 516 352 5402.
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