Lyon & Provence

  • Europe
  • Operator: Viking Cruise
  • Start: Lyon, France
  • Finish: Avignon, France
  • Destination: Europe
  • Type: River Cruise
  • March 2027 - November 2028
8 days, 7 guided tours, 1 country. Sail along the scenic Rhône River through the beautiful French countryside. Discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes d’Arles and the Pont du Gard. Explore the world’s largest Gothic palace at Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes. Excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy.

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Hightlights

Lyon, France
Arles, France
Avignon, France

Tour lands of fine wine & cuisine

Sail along the scenic Rhône River through the beautiful French countryside. Discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes d’Arles and the Pont du Gard. Explore the world’s largest Gothic palace at Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes. Excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy. Savor local wines, hunt for truffles and see how chèvre cheese is made. Come witness the beauty that inspired artists like Cézanne and Chagall on this eight-day voyage.

 

FLIGHT ON US 
Economy airfare or flight credit included of up to $2,800pp* 
Expires 30 November 2026

 


 

Viking inclusive values

More features, services and excursions included

*One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
*Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
*All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties & always available classics
*Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
*24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water
*Port taxes & fees
*Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
*Visits to UNESCO Sites
*Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
*Onboard gratuities

 

Our stateroom includes

*River-view stateroom
*Bottled water replenished daily
*110/220 volt outlets
*Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
*Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror
*Premium Freyja® toiletries
*Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
*40″ or 42″ flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX &      more
*Telephone, safe, refrigerator
*Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

 

 


Booking terms & conditions

*Prices are per person, in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy and correct at time of publication. Prices include all advertised discounts, and all offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. All offers are only valid for new bookings and only on selected departures made between 01 April – 30 November 2026 at 7:00pm (AEST) unless sold out prior.  Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. View the Passenger Ticket Contract for full booking terms and conditions. Itineraries are subject to change and may vary by departure date. Map depicts the standard itinerary offered.

River Offers Term & Conditions

Itinerary

Day 1. Avignon, France

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Avignon’s narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable medieval buildings. This “City of Popes” was the papal seat for 70 years during the 14th century after the sitting pope abandoned Rome and fled here. The massive church-fortress Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the center of the Christian world during that controversial period. It remains a work of Gothic splendor. Another of Avignon’s notable structures reaches into the Rhône, the ruins of the Pont d’Avignon. The 12th-century bridge, immortalized in folk song and dance, once spanned the river.

* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.

Day 2. Arles, France

In the last days of the Roman Empire, Arles was the capital of Roman Gaul and boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins including Les Arènes; this ancient amphitheater seats 20,000 and is still used today for bullfights and plays. The town has an energetic feel, attracting farmers from the countryside to the frequent and famous Provençal market. It also enjoys a rich artistic heritage; the Mediterranean sunlight here inspired legendary Impressionist Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works. Many of Arles’s sights are immortalized in his paintings.

Shore Excursions (Included)

City of Rome, City of Art

Experience the celebrated city of Arles, where Roman ruins and vibrant colors have inspired artists. Upon arrival, you will explore by foot, allowing you to immerse yourself in this energetic city of diverse architecture at the edge of Provence. Begin with a stroll to the massive Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater able to seat 20,000. Continue to the Antique Theater, peering inside as you pass. This 1st-century wonder stood three stories tall and seated 10,000. Follow the Rue du Cloître to the Place de la République, a bustling square that once hosted the ancient Roman Circus. Here, you will see the 15th-century Church of St. Trophime, a Romanesque triumph named for a 3rd-century bishop. A walk down the Rue de la République delivers you to the Espace Van Gogh, the local hospital that treated the artist and today serves as a cultural center.

Day 3. Avignon, France

When the Catholic Church acquired Avignon during the 1300s, it quickly transformed the quiet riverside village into a major religious and cultural center. Evidence of the makeover is everywhere. In addition to the enormous palace, the church constructed a wall around Avignon and provided mansion-like residences to its cardinals. Avignon Cathedral was dwarfed by its neighbor, the Palace of the Popes. Centuries after the papacy returned to Rome, the Vatican called for a gilded statue of Mary to be placed atop the cathedral; her golden gaze still welcomes visitors today.

Shore Excursions (Included)

The Remarkable Home of 14th-Century Popes

Visit the monumental palace, once the seat of seven popes, and explore its medieval city. Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as the “City of Popes” because the papacy was relocated here from Rome, amid great controversy, from 1309 to 1377. With a local guide, follow the historic center of narrow streets to the Place de l’Horloge, the city’s central square, a scene of balconies, elegant facades and shading trees. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour. This fortress-church—the Middle Ages’ largest Gothic building—is gigantic, dwarfing even the neighboring cathedral. After, continue to the Market Hall, an iconic indoor market with a vertical garden, cafés and stalls selling local produce, meats and cheeses. Enjoy free time to browse the offerings, before returning to your ship.

Day 4. Viviers, France

The sleepy town of Viviers was founded during the 5th century. This former Roman settlement became a bishop’s seat, and conflicts during ensuing centuries required the town to be fortified. With the Renaissance came a more stable period of wealth that allowed many new houses to be built, including a fine example of the era that still stands, the Maison des Chevaliers. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town, dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful windows.

Shore Excursions (Included)

A Relaxing Stroll Through a Charming Town

Enjoy a leisurely idyll in a charming riverside village. Viviers is a typical small town in southern France—sleepy and laid-back amid a beautiful mountain setting. To appreciate it to its fullest, join a local guide who knows the town intimately for a delightful stroll that brings out its peaceful ambience. Amble along its picturesque sycamore-lined avenue, linger for a spell in the Place de la Roubine and see the Maison des Chevaliers, or Knights’ House, a Renaissance treasure that stands as the oldest house in town. Along the way, you will also see the smallest cathedral in France, the 11th-century St. Vincent Cathedral, standing meditatively in the town square.

Day 5. Tournon, France & Scenic Sailing: Rhône River

Tournon, France

Day 6. Lyon, France

Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country’s most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourvière Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries.

Shore Excursions (Included)

Part Parisian, Part Old-World France

See the magnificent highlights of this gastronomic and cultural center. You will begin with a drive to the Basilica of Notre Dame, at the top of Fourvière Hill. After exploring the interior of this spectacular church, enjoy sweeping views of the red roofs of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) and the narrow peninsula of land between the rivers comprising the atmospheric Presqu’île shopping district. Next, drive through town past the flamboyant Gothic St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice, stopping at the city’s famed Painted Houses, a breathtaking collection of outdoor murals depicting some 30 of the city’s famous figures. Then, continue with a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon, where the city’s famous traboules, unique hidden passageways made for busy merchants in medieval days, wend through buildings and courtyards. Later, you can shop for souvenirs, perhaps purchasing some of the fine silk for which Lyon is world famous.

Day 7. Lyon, France

Lyon is known as the food capital of France. It is not uncommon for well-heeled Parisians to travel to Lyon for dinner. The city is surrounded by towns and villages that produce excellent fresh produce, and gastronomic outlets are plentiful here. The great chefs of Lyon enjoy celebrity status, whether they prepare classic recipes the traditional way or elevate them with their own signature touches. Their delicious meals may be paired with a glass of light, fruity Beaujolais from the north or a bold Rhône red from the south.

Shore Excursions (Included)

Stunning Beauty Complemented by Light Fruity Vintages

Discover why Beaujolais is one of France’s most beloved wine regions during this flavorful and scenic excursion. In full, it is larger than any single district of its neighbor, Burgundy. Vineyards stretch for four miles along the Saône, and the granite soils and warmer climate make it ideal for growing grapes that produce a light flavor. Join your guide for a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep. Then, stop at a local village and enjoy a stroll with your guide as you learn about the art of winemaking, perhaps hearing about the popular Beaujolais Nouveau and the coveted crus that are produced here. You will also stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars to enjoy a tasting with a wine expert.

Day 8. Lyon, France

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

*Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Contact us for more information.

Dates and prices

From AUD $5,495 per person, twin share

All departures
Deals (28)
March 2027 4 sailings
April 2027 4 sailings
May 2027 5 sailings
June 2027 7 sailings
July 2027 4 sailings
August 2027 7 sailings
September 2027 4 sailings
October 2027 4 sailings
November 2027 5 sailings
March 2028 4 sailings
April 2028 5 sailings
May 2028 5 sailings
June 2028 5 sailings
July 2028 5 sailings
August 2028 5 sailings
September 2028 4 sailings
October 2028 4 sailings
November 2028 6 sailings

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FAQ's
  • Cancellation and change policies vary by cruise line and fare type. Refundable fares offer more flexibility, while non-refundable fares may incur penalties.

  • Yes, you can request an upgrade, and some cruise lines offer upgrade bidding programs. Availability depends on demand.

  • Booking early (12–18 months in advance) or during wave season (January to March) often provides the best deals and perks.

  • Cabin choices depend on your preferences: Interior: No windows, budget-friendly. Oceanview: Window or porthole for natural light. Balcony: Private outdoor space. Suite: Luxurious amenities and more space.

  • Yes, it’s recommended to book popular shore excursions early to secure a spot. Many cruise lines and third-party operators offer online bookings.

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