14 nights · France · River cruise · Departs Avignon (France) · Visiting Arles, Viviers-sur-Rhone, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Vienne, Lyon, Basel, Breisach am Rhein, Kehl-Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz, Cologne, Kinderdijk, Amsterdam · Aboard Viking River Cruises on the Viking Buri
Image courtesy of Viking River Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Rhone and Rhine, departing Avignon.
| Cruise line | Viking River Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Viking Buri |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 15 |
| Departures | 18 sailings |
| Year built | 2014 |
| Guests | 190 |
| Cabins | 95 |
| Crew | 50 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 29 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Avignon rewards a slow first look: medieval ramparts frame a city shaped by popes, merchants and the Rhône. Inside the walls, the immense Palais des Papes recalls the 14th-century era when the papacy moved here. Nearby, the broken span of Pont Saint-Bénézet reaches into the river, made famous by the French song. Leave time for shaded squares, Provençal markets and a glass of local wine before the Rhône carries you onward.
Arles stands on the Rhône in Provence, where Roman monuments and a working southern French city share the same streets. The UNESCO-listed Roman theatre and amphitheatre remain central landmarks, built when ancient Arelate prospered. Vincent van Gogh painted here from 1888 to 1889, drawn by the region’s clear light. Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh, then explore the old town’s Provençal markets and café terraces.
Avignon rewards a slow first look: medieval ramparts frame a city shaped by popes, merchants and the Rhône. Inside the walls, the immense Palais des Papes recalls the 14th-century era when the papacy moved here. Nearby, the broken span of Pont Saint-Bénézet reaches into the river, made famous by the French song. Leave time for shaded squares, Provençal markets and a glass of local wine before the Rhône carries you onward.
Viviers stands on the Rhône in Ardèche, a compact medieval town best explored on foot. Stone lanes climb toward the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent, whose Romanesque origins and later additions reflect centuries of ecclesiastical power. Look for bishops’ residences, sculpted doorways and views across the river valley. Beyond town, Ardèche landscapes invite excursions to vineyards, limestone gorges and hill villages, while Viviers rewards those who linger.
From the Rhône’s western bank, Tournon-sur-Rhône faces the celebrated vineyards of Tain-l’Hermitage, just across the river. Its medieval castle now houses a museum, while steep lanes climb past stone houses and old town walls. A suspension bridge links the two towns, making vineyard visits and tastings easy. Come for the northern Rhône’s Syrah, then return to the quay for river views and a slower, distinctly French afternoon.
Vienne sits on the Rhône, 20 miles south of Lyon, where Roman history remains part of the everyday streetscape. Its first great sight is the Temple of Augustus and Livia, remarkably intact beside the cafés of the old town. Climb to the Roman theatre, cut into Pipet Hill, for broad views across rooftops and river. Across the Rhône, Saint-Romain-en-Gal preserves mosaics and evidence of a thriving Roman quarter. Allow time for the cathedral and a leisurely lunch.
Where the Rhône meets the Saône, France’s third-largest city joins Roman foundations, Renaissance streets and contemporary architecture. Walk Vieux Lyon’s covered passageways, then climb to Fourvière for broad views over terracotta roofs. Come hungry: Lyon’s bouchons serve regional dishes, while Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse brings together the city’s finest producers. Allow time for the riverbanks, museums and a meal that makes Lyon’s culinary reputation tangible.
Basel sits where Switzerland meets France and Germany, with the Rhine running through its centre. A short walk from the river leads to the red-sandstone Rathaus and Münster, whose terraces open across the rooftops. The city rewards unhurried exploring, from medieval lanes in the Old Town to galleries and renowned art collections. Cross the river by ferry, or use Basel’s efficient trams to reach museums, cafés and the lively Marktplatz.
Breisach rewards a short walk uphill: its old town gathers around St. Stephen’s Minster, above the Rhine. Inside, the minster’s carved altar and medieval murals offer a close encounter with Upper Rhine art. Across the river lies Alsace; inland, the Kaiserstuhl’s volcanic slopes are known for vineyards and distinctive wines. Allow time for the compact center and its river views; Breisach makes a rewarding pause between Freiburg and Colmar.
Strasbourg rewards visitors with a rare blend of French elegance and German character. Its historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, threaded with canals and half-timbered houses. At its heart, Strasbourg Cathedral rises above the old streets, its pink sandstone façade a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Take time for a table of Alsatian cooking, where French technique meets hearty regional tradition. Then follow the riverfront lanes and discover a city shaped by centuries on Europe’s border.
Speyer’s red-sandstone cathedral dominates a historic city on the Rhine. Begun in 1030 under Emperor Conrad II, it is among Europe’s finest Romanesque churches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its vast crypt holds the tombs of German emperors and kings. Beyond the cathedral, explore the old town’s lively squares and medieval Jewish heritage. The Technik Museum offers an unexpected finale, with historic aircraft and spacecraft on display.
Rüdesheim is a rewarding first stop on the Rhine, with vineyards climbing steep slopes above the water. It stands at the southern gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, famed for castles and dramatic river scenery. Explore the old lanes and Drosselgasse, then take the cable car through the vines to the Niederwald Monument. From its hilltop setting, the Rhine spreads below in a view worth lingering over.
Koblenz stands where the Rhine and Moselle meet, beneath the watchful gaze of the Deutsches Eck. From here, river valleys, vineyard slopes and hilltop castles make an easy day’s exploration. Ride the cable car across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, whose ramparts command sweeping views. The compact old town is readily explored on foot, with cafés and riverside promenades within easy reach.
Cologne announces itself from the Rhine with the soaring twin spires of its Gothic cathedral. Step ashore to explore a compact old town, Roman remains, and museums holding major works of art. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, anchors the city centre. Enjoy Kölsch in a traditional brewery, then cross the river for a view of the skyline.
Kinderdijk is where the Dutch fight against water becomes unmistakably visible. Nineteen historic windmills stand among canals and green fields, built in the eighteenth century to drain the Alblasserwaard polder. Recognised by UNESCO, this working landscape rewards a slow walk beside the waterways. Selected mills open as museums, revealing how generations kept farmland dry. Arrive by waterbus from Rotterdam for a memorable approach, then explore at your own pace.
Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.
Published August 6, 2026
Last updated October 26, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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