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Eight reasons why a journey on the Rhône should be your next holiday

The Papal Palace in Avignon is one of many cultural gems along the Rhône - Getty
The Papal Palace in Avignon is one of many cultural gems along the Rhône - Getty

Some 505-miles long and the only major river flowing into the Mediterranean, the Rhône is navigable on the 192-mile stretch from the French foodie capital of Lyon – where it joins the Saône – to the sea.

River cruises transport passengers on scenic and culture-rich itineraries to cities variously encircled by medieval walls and immortalised by Vincent Van Gogh along with natural marvels, such as the Ardèche Gorge.

Here are some of the historic highlights you’ll discover on a Rhône sailing:

Lyon

A flourishing trading city since it was founded in 43BC by Romans who named it Lugdunum – Raven’s Hill – the historic centre Le Vieux Lyon is a Unesco World Heritage site with one of Europe’s largest concentration of Renaissance buildings. 

Get a fantastic panoramic view of the river and cityscape by taking the funicular railway to the top of the hill. The Musée des Confluences, opened in 2014, in a striking metal and glass building, is a fascinating anthropology museum that’s up there with the world’s greatest historic institutions. 

Musee des Confluences - Credit: iStock
The striking Musee des Confluences Credit: iStock

Temple d’Auguste et de Livie

Built in 10BC as a tribute to Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia, this impressive temple with its unbroken wall of Corinthian columns is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Vienne, which is a designated City of Art and History.

Other sights in this walkable city include the vast amphitheatre. Built to seat 13,000, it is now the dramatic backdrop for the annual jazz festival (taking place from June 28 to July 13, 2019), and the intriguing 50ft Pyramide, which is thought to have been a turning point marker for chariot races.

Ardèche Gorge

Tournon is gateway to the breath-taking Ardèche Gorge and most excursions are aboard the atmospheric Vivarais steam railway, which provides fantastic views of the towering 1,000ft limestone cliffs.

Ardeche Gorge - Credit: iStock
Sometimes known as the European Grand Canyon, the Ardèche Gorge is a natural marvel Credit: iStock

Located on a plateau is Grotte Chauvet, a cave containing more than 1,000 examples of the world’s oldest prehistoric art uncovered by cavers in 1994. Although the cave isn’t open to the public, the €55 million Caverne du Pont d’Arc is a spectacular full-size recreation with images of numerous painted animals, including mammoths, bears and horses, which brings the amazing discovery to life.

Viviers Cathedral

Dating back to the 11th century, the Cathedral of St Vincent is one of the smallest in France. It’s noted for its Gothic architecture, vaulted ceiling, marble high altar and ornate 18th-century Gobelins tapestries depicting scenes from the life of Jesus.

The cathedral is part of a heritage trail in this small medieval town and other points of interest include the former bishops’ palace built in 1731 (and now the town hall), the Knights’ House with its Renaissance façade decorated with bust medallions and the Grand Rue lined with elegant mansions.

The altar in Cathedral of St Vincent - Credit: Getty
The altar in the Cathedral of St Vincent Credit: Getty

Avignon’s Palace of the Popes

Called “The City of the Popes”, between 1309 and 1378 Avignon was the hub of Roman Catholicism and home to seven successive popes. The Unesco-listed Palace of the Popes is among the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.

An amalgamation of two palaces built over 20 years by Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI, more than 25 rooms are on show. Another Avignon landmark is the 12th century bridge over the Rhône – of which four of the original 22 arches remain – immortalised in the song Pont d’Avignon.

Arles

Weary of Paris, Vincent Van Gogh moved south to Arles in 1888 attracted by the light and colours in the South of France. Although he only lived in Arles for 15 months it was one of the most productive periods of his career. He painted more than 300 pieces of work including Café Terrace at Night and The Langlois Bridge at Arles – now called Van Gogh Bridge – which are still instantly recognisable today.

Arles Roman Ampitheatre - Credit: Getty
Stop off at Arène ampitheatre, which dates back to the first century BC Credit: Getty

Arles is also renowned for Roman ruins, including the 20,000-seat Arènes amphitheatre that once hosted gladiatorial battles.

The Camargue

Situated between Arles and the Mediterranean and covering more than 360 square miles, the Camargue Regional Nature Park is part of western Europe’s largest river delta.

It is famous for its semi-wild white (technically grey) horses; a tough and ancient breed that has lived on the marshes and wetlands for centuries. Today they share the plain, cut off from the sea by sandbars and circled by reed beds, with pink flamingos and black bulls with distinctive upward pointing horns. The lush habitat is also used to cultivate the Camargue’s unique red rice.

A herd of Camargue Horses - Credit: Getty
You might catch sight of Camargue horses, thought to be one of the world's oldest breeds Credit: Getty

Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer

The sun-bleached seaside town of Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer takes its name from three saints, Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary of Clopas, and is an important pilgrimage site for gitans, an ethnic group of gypsies from France, Spain and Portugal well-known for their flamenco-style music.

Constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries, the town’s fortified church was built to defend against invasions and protect the relics of saints, such as Sara, the patron saint of the gypsies. Every May and September thousands gather to pay homage when her statue is carried down to the sea.