{"id":7493,"date":"2025-11-01T23:59:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T23:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=7493"},"modified":"2025-11-01T23:59:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T23:59:37","slug":"review-riviera-travels-history-and-art-of-the-rhone-river-cruise-days-5-to-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=7493","title":{"rendered":"Review: Riviera Travel\u2019s History and Art of the Rh\u00f4ne River cruise \u2013 Days 5 to 8"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We\u2019re half-way through Riviera Travel\u2018s epic Rh\u00f4ne River cruise. A journey from Avignon to Lyon, through vine-clad hills and the ghosts of Roman civilisation. Countless stories of history and art, accompanied by superb cuisine and excellent wines, continue as we join the Sa\u00f4ne after Lyon.<\/p>\n

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History is being ticked off; we\u2019ve seen the majesty of Avignon\u2019s papal palace, Arles\u2019 Roman amphitheatre and the towering Pont du Gard aqueduct.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve done equally well on Art. Two Van Gogh oils introduced an Arles contemporary exhibition. Whilst the Ardeche\u2019s 36,000-year-old Chauvet cave painting, has a strong claim to be the \u201cWorld\u2019s First Masterpiece.\u201d Throw in some Botticellis in Avignon too.<\/p>\n

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These experiences are thoughtfully curated with Riviera\u2019s 40 years of travel experience. Unsurprisingly drawing guests from all over the world to a luxurious ship: the majority are from the UK, but others have travelled from Ireland, America, Australia, Canada, China and Spain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Day 5 \u2013 Vienne<\/h2>\n

As our arrival in Vienne is not scheduled until around 2pm, it\u2019s an opportunity for a lie-in and a relaxed breakfast. Alongside the boulangerie, charcuterie, patisserie, fruit buffet and hot buffet, there are also eggs cooked to order. Then, Diana, the Course Director, gives us an introduction to the historic city.<\/p>\n

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Next there is a chance to head for the gym, have a dip in the small pool, sharpen golf short games on the putting green or have a massage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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There is also time for a leisurely lunch in the intimate Brasserie, with an open kitchen, that has just 24 covers. Selecting French onion soup followed by a goat\u2019s cheese salad or croque monsieur or moules marini\u00e8re makes for a quintessential French lunch. Advance bookings for dinner in the Brasserie are essential as it is a popular choice.<\/p>\n

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Long ago, Vienne vied with Lyon for the title of France\u2019s most important Roman City. The Temple of Augustus, an amphitheatre, odeon and city wall remnants, all provide evidence that Vienne was a significant Roman city.<\/p>\n

Alison, our guide, opts to begin at the cathedral with more recent history.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll start with destruction and finish with death,\u201d she jokes. Back in 1944, when retreating German forces blew up Vienne\u2019s bridge they also shattered the centuries old stained-glass windows; replaced in the 1950s by modernist geometrical designs. Death came from France\u2019s King Phillip the Fair burning members of the Knights Templar Order at the stake after the rigged Council of Vienne in the early 14th century. The \u201cFair\u201d epithet came from his appearance, certainly not a sense of justice.<\/p>\n

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Back on board, during the cocktail hour, Pierre and his partner Nicole, give a dancing demonstration. Whilst Nicole rapidly changes dresses and eras between dances, Pierre, who has danced at Blackpool, gives hilarious commentary on the differences between British ballroom and more relaxed French dancing.<\/p>\n

Day 6 \u2013 Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne and Beaune<\/h2>\n

Another morning of cruising north and the leaves are turning a golden brown as autumn takes hold. A month earlier the Rhone had been a flight path for millions of birds migrating south: black and red kites, cranes and cormorants amongst them. Cruise the Rhone in spring or autumn and it\u2019s worth packing binoculars for Nature\u2019s show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Leaving the Rhone, we moor up at Chalon-sur-Sa\u00f4ne where the world\u2019s first photograph was taken by Nicephore Niepce in 1824. Even though Daguerre stole the fame, Chalon marks his achievement with a statue. \u201cHe was a serial inventor. A cross between Heath Robinson and Wallis from Wallis and Gromit<\/em>,\u201d says our guide as we head for Beaune, The Wine Capital of France.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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As we enter the astoundingly ornate H\u00f4tel-Dieu Museum, we are told, \u201cMaybe it was called the Hospital of God because God was your best hope of recovery.\u201d Medicine was primitive and putting two patients in a bed only increased fatalities. Prayer and surrounding the patients with religious art aimed to prepare them for the next world. Worryingly for patients, at the bottom of Rogier van der Weyden\u2019s The Last Judgement<\/em> altarpiece they saw more people heading for Hell than Heaven.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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We return to the ship via the grand cru vineyards of the C\u00f4te d\u2019Or, where the grapes are hand-picked, increasingly golden as autumn bites. Yet, the vines are struggling with global warming. Some winemakers are eyeing up acres in the South of England.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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After farewell drinks and thanks to the crew we take our seats for The Captain\u2019s Dinner, a four-course culinary extravaganza.<\/p>\n

Day 7 \u2013 Lyon<\/h2>\n

Through the night we cruise back south along La Sa\u00f4ne to Lyon where, giving up its name in marriage, the feminine river joins the masculine Le Rh\u00f4ne. It is said that the two rivers run away like lovers to the Mediterranean.\u00a0<\/p>\n

High on a hill, the Basilica looks like an extravagant wedding cake. From the neighbouring square, looking down over Lyon we learn of the city\u2019s penchant for nicknames. As a thin office block is called The Pencil, its neighbour is The Rubber. Whilst the Opera House, glowing red at night, is The Toaster. Later we learn the classical columns of the Town Hall make it The Radiator.<\/p>\n

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Among the cobbles of Old Lyon, amongst Renaissance houses and shops, menus and deli produce remind us, as we walk the ancient streets of Lyon\u2019s claim to be France\u2019s gastronomic capital. Also, Lyon once claimed to be the world\u2019s silk capital, its narrow streets echoing with the clacking of silk weaving looms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Yet, Lyon\u2019s fame began long before silk. An afternoon visit to the Ludnungum Museum, built into the side of the hill hosting the amphitheatre, tells the story of the development of a Roman colony vital to supplying the Empire\u2019s northern regions.<\/p>\n

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Everything you need to plan your trip in 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Day 8 \u2013 Departure<\/h2>\n

Sadly, we pull out our cases from under the bed to pack, leaving them out in the corridor, as we head for one last breakfast. Meanwhile, the crew put our luggage on the coach for the transfer to the airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The cost<\/h2>\n

An 8-day cruise begins from \u00a31,899 based on two people sharing a cabin.<\/p>\n

The final verdict<\/h2>\n

Riviera Travel provides care-free travel, eliminating the uncertainties. They organise itineraries and admissions, recruiting top-quality guides for a river cruise that could have been curated by Roman Gods, bygone Popes and master vintners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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And as one experienced Riviera Travel cruiser said, \u201cThe Rh\u00f4ne is even better than the Danube and Rhine, far more variety. Better wine too!\u201d He had already booked for another Rivera Rh\u00f4ne cruise next spring that also took in the Camargue.<\/p>\n

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Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Riviera Travel.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Michael Edwards<\/h3>\n

Michael Edwards is a travel writer from Oxfordshire, UK. Although Michael had his first travel pieces published nearly four decades ago, he is still finding new luxury destinations to visit and write on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Source: https:\/\/www.aluxurytravelblog.com\/2025\/11\/01\/review-riviera-travels-history-and-art-of-the-rhone-river-cruise-days-5-to-8\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re half-way through Riviera Travel\u2018s epic Rh\u00f4ne River cruise. A journey from Avignon to Lyon, through vine-clad hills and the ghosts of Roman civilisation. Countless stories of history and art, accompanied by superb cuisine and excellent wines, continue as we join the Sa\u00f4ne after Lyon. History is being ticked off; we\u2019ve seen the majesty of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}