Bargain River Cruises

The Rhône offers the perfect combination of natural and cultural wonders, so travelers can savor the sights as well as broaden their minds. The river has inspired centuries of impeccable French cuisine and laces through the most well-regarded vineyards of Burgundy & Provençe. The art and architecture of the towns along the riverbanks reflect an intriguing blend of Celtic, Roman, Greek and French historical influences. A cultural lifeline for centuries, the Rhône Valley is home to an unending array of experiences to delight all the senses.

One of Europe’s longest rivers, the Rhône originates from a glacier located more than a mile high in the Swiss Alps. For about 100 miles, it flows through deep, picturesque Alpine valleys before entering Lake Geneva. The city of Geneva lies at the river’s outflow from the lake. Flowing into France, the Rhône is joined at Lyon by the Saône, its principal tributary. Winding its way through the villages and vineyards of central France, the river is surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring vistas in the world. Fed chiefly by the melting snow of the Alps, the Rhône’s most rapid flow occurs in spring and early summer. In the south, it enters the Mediterranean region and winter rains lead to a secondary high level in November and December.

MelkThe Rhône River has been an important lifeline for Western Civilization dating back to Greek and Roman times. It was the main trade route from the Mediterranean to the heart of ancient Gaul. As such, it helped convey Greek cultural influence to the people living along its banks.

Until the 20th century, navigation on the Rhône was difficult due to fierce currents, floods in the spring, and droughts in the late summer. Before the advent of the steam boat in the late 18th century, passengers traveled along the river in coches d’eau (water coaches) pulled by men or horses on shore. Trade flourished via giant barges which were pulled upstream by as many as 80 horses at a time.

One of the earliest experimental steamboats was built in Lyon in 1783, but regular services did not begin until 1829. Steam vessels strolled down the river at a leisurely 12 miles per hour, and could make the downstream trip from Lyon to Arles in a day.

In 1933, the French government established Compagnie Nationale du Rhône to increase the navigability of the river. Some progress was made, but World War II brought work to a halt. In 1942, Italian military forces occupied southeastern France up to the eastern banks of the Rhône.

After the war and liberation of France, the government started construction once again on a series of locks and canal cuts, improving the flow of the river and generating electricity. Today, about eight percent of France’s electricity is now supplied by the harnessed power of the Rhône.

Sail by fields of lavender downstream from Lyon to visit the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, nestled between the river and the vineyard-covered slopes of The Hermitage. Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, impresses visitors with its imposing 16th-century castle. Vienne and Viviers, quaint villages that line the shores of the Rhône, are surrounded by breathtaking beauty and bathed in history.

Further south, the white-stoned city of Avignon is located in scenic Provençe. Known as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century and its immense papal palace overlooks the river. Nearby, visit the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a taste of more than six centuries of wine-making tradition.

AvignonAs the Rhône rolls toward the Mediterranean, Arles is a sparkling city full of inspiration. In fact, Vincent Van Gogh spent one very prolific year along these banks, painting more than a dozen masterpieces. The city also boasts a pristinely-preserved coliseum from Roman times, the church of St. Trophime, and an ancient Gallo-Roman burial road—earning it the nickname “Little Rome of Gaul.”

The overarching theme of the Rhône is relaxation. It’s nearly impossible to hold on to stress or worry as you float alongside fragrant fields in bloom, sleepy hillside villages and lost-in-time castles and churches. In short, it’s the perfect place to simply let go and soak in some of the world’s finest pleasures.