Rendez-vous on the Rhone

A rendezvous with the Rhône? Mh... what can I imagine it to be? A touch of southern French romance, paired with many exciting adventures and countless unique experiences!

At least that was what my 7 nights river trip Rhone Route Rendez-vous with the A-ROSA STELLA looked like. A varied meeting, so to speak, just as the area around Lyon is flat: Fascinating landscapes, historic cities and culinary delights as far as the eye can see.

I'll tell you: If the real rendezvous in everyday life were like this, a dream would come true. But until that's the case, I'd rather stay with the Rhône, because the happy ending is already pre-programmed 😉

On the way in southern France on the Rhône

Lyon: View of the city

Our itinerary - From Wild Jeep Safaris to Majestic Palaces

We begin our journey in Lyon, the third largest city in France. But I don't have a look for them today - better explore the ship first! I move into my comfortable cabin on deck 2, enjoy my great French balcony and make myself comfortable on deck. The hustle and bustle of the big city can be watched from here very relaxed. I'm looking forward to the coming days and the experience of Southern France. And so our 4-day rendezvous with the Rhône starts!

Day 1: Viviers

Our journey starts with half a river day, on which we relax and let the beautiful landscape of Southern France pass us by. There are above all rugged rock formations, which alternate with small isolated villages and give the scenery something unique. A great introduction to the excursion that awaits us in the afternoon. We want to explore the famous nature of the Ardèche by bus - wide lavender fields, steep gorges and even mystical stalactite caves await us. I did not know before that this region is such a scenic jewel and therefore I am all the more impressed! For this excursion I also wrote you an extra blog-entry Excursion to the Ardèche - from deep canyons, wild nature and enchanted grottos, as a little inspiration for your next holiday!

If you don't feel like a trip, explore Viviers on your own in the afternoon. Later, fellow travellers tell me that the small village is really still completely original, almost abandoned and as if time had simply stopped here at some point. Certainly also an exciting experience!

Day 2: Arles

Today it goes for me already somewhat earlier than usually from the feathers. In the morning at 08.30 my excursion of a somewhat different kind already begins: With the jeep I will explore the national park of the Camargue! A 4-hour safari to the flamingos awaits us, where we cross the wild prairie. On the way we come across the famous white horses and Spanish bulls, which are still traditionally trained for bullfights in arenas. Our driver, a true southern French ranger, tells us exciting stories about the flora and fauna of the region and shows us the most beautiful places in the area. Our safari takes us down to the sea, where we even find time for a short walk on the beach. On the way back we meet again and again groups of riders who make their way through the wide rice fields. Some real cowboys are even among them - how exciting!

In the afternoon all these impressions and experiences have to be processed before we reach the papal city Avignon in time for sunset. The mooring of our A-ROSA STELLA offers a perfect panoramic view of the old town, which is now beautifully illuminated in the evening.

Day 3: Avignon

Wake up with a view of the Papal Palace? Today we experience exactly that! So my goal for the day is already set: I want to explore the most famous sight of the city. Just 10 minutes on foot and I have already arrived at the palace. I pay 10 Euro entrance fee, but I also get an audio guide and a so-called "Histopad". This kind of tablet PC accompanies me on my ramble through the historical halls in which the popes once resided. Exciting facts from the past are presented to me on the screen and I totally immerse myself in the times long past. Really: rarely have I had so much fun visiting a museum!

To round off my excursion in Avignon, I then stroll a little through the alleys of the old town, pay a short visit to the extravagant market hall and simply enjoy the relaxed flair on this somewhat grey November day. A nice mixture of exciting sightseeing and a leisurely stroll through the city. For a late lunch I come back on board, and so we already start to the last stop of our journey: With Lyon a very special highlight awaits us tomorrow!

Day 4: Lyon

On day 4 of our A-ROSA Rhône cruise we are back in Lyon. At the end of the river trip we want to enjoy the last hours of Southern France again. I decide to go for a city walk on my own, during which I explore the wonderfully dreamy old town of Lyon. I stroll past sweet shops, small cafés and discover romantic hidden backyards. The old house facades on my right and on my left move me like into another, somehow more relaxed world and I let myself drift in it. Little French delicacies are tempting everywhere and I can't just pass by some of the delicacies. Do you already know the sugar-sweet, fiery red "Pralines" that you can buy in Lyon at almost every corner? No? Then you'll have to try them if you want to return to the city on your next Rhône river cruise!

Finally I climb the mountain de la Fourvière, where the impressive basilica awaits me. I'm literally slain by its splendour, I just stand there for eternities and look at the elaborately designed murals. A truly worthy conclusion to this journey! If you also want to experience this special flair of Lyons, then I have summarized my best tips for your trip on your own in the A-ROSA BLOG. A visit to 😉 is worth it.

My highlights of this Rhône river trip

On board

My best moment on board? The exit from Avignon! The champagne corks pop while we are wrapped in thick blankets and let the scenery of the old town with the Papal Palace pass us by. The loudspeakers sound accordingly: Sur le pont d'Avignon, l'on y danse...

Ashore

Clearly: the jeep safari! To experience real flamingos in the wild and the unique landscape of the Camargue with its wide rice fields, crowned by a short visit to the sea - the day could not have been more unique!

My conclusion - Southern France from its most beautiful side!

The south of France presents itself on this journey particularly varied and with all its numerous facets. Nature lovers get their money's worth just as much as gourmet connoisseurs, shopping queens and culture lovers. Small dreamy villages line up next to pulsating metropolises and turn every day into a new exciting adventure. And no matter what you do, where you go or who you meet on the way, this charming French joie de vivre is always in the air - the lightness that seems to radiate a certain magic. Those who get involved can dive down here as if into another world, let themselves be completely surrounded by the flair à la francais.

Would you like to learn more about my exciting experiences on board the A-ROSA fleet in the future? Then you should visit the A-ROSA BLOG every now and then, where you will find all new articles and videos at any time in the first place.

And where we are on a river cruise through France - how about discovering the north? My river trip on the Seine from Paris was really at least as beautiful as the river trip on the Rhône, let yourself be inspired by my adventures on land and on board. Have fun browsing!