A cruise down the Rhône is an excellent way to appreciate the river and some of the special sights to be found close to its banks - most organized cruises stop to offer passengers an opportunity to visit places of interest (of which there are many).
Most end-to-end cruises start at Chalons-sur-Saône, to offer an entrée to wine country, in the form off those splendid Beaujolais and Mâconnais vineyards, all within easy reach of Bordeaux. The rivers merge at Lyon. From there the first port of call is Vienne, capital of the Roman province of Viennoise. As the ship heads for Tain l'Hermitage this too, is wine country - the famous vineyard-clad Cotes du Rhône slide by as the cruise passes Valence and Montelimar before reaching the delightful medieval village of Viviers.
Below Viviers, the boat traverses the extraordinary Bollène Lock and cruises down to Avignon, home of 14th and 15th century Popes and Antipopes. It then continues to Arles, the important Roman city that retains many well-preserved reminders of that era. From there, you have a choice of route as the Rhône splits, its two arm (Grand Rhône and Petit Rhône) forming the Delta as they proceed to the Mediterranean.
For those who do not wish to take an extended luxury cruise there is, of course, a huge variety of day cruises and it is also possible to hire self-drive boats.
HOW
By boat
WHEN TO GO
April to September
TIME IT TAKES
A typical cruise from Chalons-sur-Saône to the sea, with daily sightseeing trips, will last six days.
HIGHLIGHTS
Exploring the traffic-free narrow streets and alleys of the famous old St.Jean Quarter in Lyon.
The famous medieval Pont d'Avignon as immortalized in song, and the impressive Palais de Popes.
The ruined Crussol Castle near Valence - one of the most impressive sights in the entire Rhône Valley.
A visit to those famous free-roaming bulls and white horses in the Camargue's extensive marshlands.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Once steam propulsion came in during the 1830s, Rhône steamers cut the journey time from Lyon to Arles to just one day - horse-drawn barges took up to three weeks.
