Cruising the Rhone & Picturesque Provence

Arles reveals its Roman past through an amphitheatre and town walls, while Van Gogh’s fascination with the region’s light adds a textured layer to the visit. Midway, two days in Avignon draw attention to its papal history and the half-ruined Point Saint-Bénézet bridge stretching into the Rhône. Trévoux and Tournon-sur-Rhône provide quieter moments to explore medieval streets or sip local wine as the river’s scenery slips by.

The tour concludes back in Lyon with a walking tour and a visit to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, where views across the city underline the region’s long history and cultural layers. The pace is unhurried, with some free time tucked in for those who want to wander or linger on their own.

New to France? Our France guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

Avignon, the century the popes ruled from France

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