Cruising the Rhone River

River cruising continues to grow in popularity and the Rhone is one of Europe’s major waterways, originating high in the Swiss Alps and flowing southward through France to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way it passes through the rugged Ardeche and the scenic landscapes of Provence. Cruise itineraries operate in both directions and usually offer pre- or post-cruise stays in Paris. Here are some of the historic towns and cities you may visit on a Rhone River cruise.

River Cruise Vessels Docked in Lyon

Afternoon in Arles

Arles, July 2012 - This was the last day of our Burgundy and Provence river cruise with Avalon Waterways. We'd spent the morning in the French countryside touring an olive farm and the hilltop town of Les Baux de Provence. Following lunch on board ship our afternoon was dedicated to a walking tour of Arles.

Tour de la Cavalerie and Arles City Gate

"Q" is for Quay

This is Day 17 for the

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

for 2013.

Today's topic is quay (or quai in French), a waterside platform by a river or sea.

A quay can provide docking facilities for the many cruise vessels travelling the major rivers of Europe.

Quai on the Saône River, Tournus

Avignon and the Pont du Gard

Avignon, July 2012 - The Avalon Scenery sailed at night and we woke up in Avignon, the City of Popes. We'd finally arrived in Provence!

Avalon Scenery double-docked in Avignon

Avalon River Cruising

I  travelled with Avalon Waterways last summer on their Burgundy and Provence cruise southbound on the Saone and Rhone Rivers. After a two-day stay in Paris we were transferred by motor coach to the town of Chalon-sur-Saone to board our ship, the Avalon Scenery.

Avalon Scenery

New River Cruise in Italy

This morning I was contemplating river cruises. I took my first voyage on the Rhone River in France last summer and now I'm hooked. But Italy is where I'm hoping to travel to next – too bad you can't do a river cruise there.

I got curious about the navigability of the Po River, Italy's longest, so I headed to Google. And to my surprise – and delight – I found a new Uniworld river cruise itinerary for 2013: Venice & the Po River.

Gondolier, Venice

French Wine, Chocolate and Music

Tournon, July 2012 - This morning we entered the Ardèche region of France, which is known for its chestnuts. We began our day with a walking tour of the town of Tournon, on the west bank of the Rhone.

Tournon sur Rhone, France

Lyon - Silk and Gastronomy

Our second day in the city of Lyon begins with an optional excursion (39 Euros) to the city's Silk Museum and a foodie's paradise, Les Halles Paul Bocuse. The tour began at 8:30 a.m. with our departure for La Maison des Canut in the Croix Rousse area, where the art and history of silk weaving in Lyon were explained.

The Silk Museum of Lyon

Lyon - Frescoes and Traboules

I heard the ship's engines start up about 5:00 a.m. - it was a very quiet rumble. We had a late breakfast (including a mimosa), bid farewell to the resident swans and the remainder of the morning was spent cruising the Saone River to Lyon, the third largest city in France after Paris and Marseille.

Swans on Saone River at Macon

Tournus and the Mâconnais

Tournus, July 2012 - We awoke in Tournus this morning. The town dates from Roman times and became an important monastic center. The key site is the Romanesque Abbey of St. Philibert.

After breakfast we stepped off the ship and onto the quai to begin a walking tour of the town.

Avalon Scenery in Tournus

Beaune, Wine Capital of Burgundy

Paris, July 2012 - Today we departed Paris and headed south by bus into Burgundy to board our river cruise with Avalon Waterways.

France Revisited

Paris, July 2012 - I'm back in France and it's the day after Bastille Day. When our flight arrived mid-morning, the city was still recuperating from the previous night's festivities so our transfer from Charles De Gaulle Airport to the Pullman Montparnasse was unimpeded by heavy traffic.

The Champs-Elysées dressed up for Bastille Day 2012