viking river cruise lyon & provence reviews

• River Cruising

Trip Report - Lyon & Provence - Viking Denning 15 - 21 August 2023

By pontac , September 11, 2023 in River Cruising

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Introduction

This was our 13th river cruise since 2012 and the 12th with Viking. We’d originally booked the Great Lakes cruise from Duluth, Minnesota to Toronto, Ontario but after seeing it on Viking TV realised it was too active for us. We’d have lost our deposit by cancelling but a phone call to Viking told me that we could transfer to another cruise for an admin fee of £100 each. Asked which cruise we wanted I plumped for the Rhone, and since we’d cruised downriver in 2015 I chose up-river from Avignon to Lyon. Not losing the deposit was such a relief I didn’t realise till later that the cabin they’d suggested wasn’t a Veranda Stateroom but a Veranda Suite.

The Veranda Suite has a bedroom with a French Balcony and a living room with a Veranda. So now this was the fourth type of Viking Longship cabin we’d stayed in. Surprisingly it had less personal storage. The other cabins had two sets of three drawers under the desk, plus two drawers in the wardrobe: the Veranda Suite had just the two in its wardrobe. Also there was a lack of power points. The living room had a 220 (Europlug socket) and 110 (USA flat pin socket) at the desk, but the 220 was used to charge the Quietvox. There was one 220 by the bed. The USB socket didn’t charge devices quickly, if at all. I’d brought a Europlug with four USB sockets and used the bedside 220 socket. Thus we could charge two Kindles and two phones.

But there was a bottle of Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut NV in a cooler with two flutes, and the fridge was filled with soft drinks and two 250ml bottles of white wine and on top were another two 250ml bottles of red wine and wine glasses. These were refilled daily, but since we only drink wine now, and the Silver Spirits Beverage package was included we didn’t make much use of them. Since we could have glass of Champagne anytime the bottle of Jacquart came home with us and will be drunk in memory of this cruise.

Daily shoeshine and free laundry was included, and the wardrobe had towelling robes and sandals. This cruise, as is usual currently, included free Silver Spirits package and gratuities.

The boat was Viking Delling, the same boat we’d cruised down the Rhone in 2015. Four Viking boats cruise up and down the route, crossing at Tournon where both sets of passengers go on the steam train ride.

Note: All times are in 24hr format, thus 03:00 means 3 am and 15:00 means 3pm

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DAY 1 Tuesday 15 August - London>Avignon

Check-in was quick and flight from Heathrow to Marseille was on time. It was an afternoon flight and I’d calculated that with the extra hour time difference that we’d reach the boat at the start of dinner at 19:00. We’d checked in two identical cases and one was the third or fourth to come out on to the carousel at Marseille. We waited for the other case till the carousel powered off and the lighted sign showing our flight number was extinguished. A lot of people were missing their bags, and a long line was forming at the missing bag desk.

When we exited Arrivals we were greeted by the Viking rep who led us to some tables she’d commandeered at a café and we sat with the others till all remaining Viking passengers had reported missing bags and exited Arrival.

It’s just over an hour’s drive from Marseille airport to Avignon where the boat was moored. We got to the ship at about 20:20 and went straight to the restaurant for dinner.

After dinner Joan rinsed  her clothes in the bathroom.

DAY 2 Wednesday 16 August - Arles

Joan received a text to say her bag would be delivered 10:00 – 20:00

While we slept the boat departed down-river for Arles, arriving there at 08:00. We took the included walking tour at 09:15, Joan wearing one of my shirts. 

Temperature was in the high 30˚s and Joan bought a hat from a street stall. Arles is most famous for two sites; its amphitheatre (not Coliseum insisted our guide who said there’s only one and it’s in Rome) and the hospital where Vincent van Gogh stayed and painted that and around 300 other Arles views. There are other Roman ruins and the town centre is close to the river, compact and easily walkable.

The amphitheatre is impressively large. We sat on one of the seating tiers while the guide told us its history and showed picture of how it looked in Roman times. It is still used to day for public shows.

Then a few minutes later we were in the courtyard of van Gogh’s hospital. It had several different roles subsequently before coming into public ownership. The garden was recreated from van Gogh’s paintings and letters. 

Our guide mused on the various pronunciations of van Gogh’s name. Go (o as in ‘owe’) is usual in USA, while Goff (o as in ‘ox’) in UK and Gock (gh as in a cough crossed with throat clearing) in his native Netherlands.

During the walk the guide pointed out where van Gogh had rented rooms, the café terrace in his 1888 painting   Café Terrace at Night   and other scenes.

We made our own way back to the boat for a coffee instead of waiting around in ‘free time’.

After lunch we walked the short distance back to Arles where Joan bought a t-shirt.

The boat cast off at 18:00 to return to Avignon. Joan’s bag did not arrive.

Day 3 - Thursday 17 August - Avignon 

When we woke we were moored again at Avignon. The city is surrounded by a serious wall, with battlements and regular forts along it. The included excursion ‘Avignon Walk and Pope’s Palace’ set off at 09:00 but we didn’t join it. We’d done it in 2015 and Joan didn’t want to trudge again through the crowds packed in the palace which would be very stuffy in the current temperature. Instead we had a lazy breakfast during which Joan got a text that her bag had arrived, but reception said it hadn’t arrived.

We decided to explore Avignon ourselves, but tried, without success, the two cruise boats moored next to ours in case Joan’s bag had gone to the wrong ship. 

The marble pavements in Avignon, polished by generations of feet, were very slippery. After viewing the outside of the Pope’s palace, glad we were not in the crowds queuing for entry, we returned to the boat.

At 14:00 we joined the coach going on the optional excursion ‘Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tasting’. For 70 years in the 14thC Avignon had been the home of the papacy and seven Popes had ruled there. 

They built a chateau   (now a ruin, above)   among vineyards on a hill to escape the summer heat of Avignon. That new chateau now gives its name to the wine of the surrounding area, which is made of a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre but 18 or 13 (sources differ) are be allowed. 

Millennia ago the region used to be the Rhone river bed and the soil comprises large smooth river-bed stones. These take in the day’s heat and release warmth during the night, adding to the richness of the wine. 

Chateauneuf du Pape wines, in bottles embossed with Papal keys, are expensive which explained to us the high cost of the optional tour. We were taken to the ruins on the new Chateau, surrounded by vineyards and had a short time to take photos, before being bussed down to the village below. 

We were led from the coach to Chateauneuf du Pape village centre and given just over 20 minutes ‘free time’. The blurb for this says this is where we’d    ‘meet the vintners whose families have lovingly cultivated these vineyards for generations. They invite you to browse their winery cellars and learn the delicate blending process behind their extraordinary wine. Toast your experience by sampling the distinctive bouquet and finish of these very special wines in the place of their birth'.   There was not enough time to ‘meet vintners’, ‘browse winery cellars’ ‘learn the delicate blending process’ and sample their wines. I didn’t see any vintners, let alone receive any invitations. The description was highly misleading.

Then we were bussed to Alain Jaume & Fils winery where we were shown their cellars before going for a tasting. Only three wines were presented, one not exported white and one red Chateauneuf du Pape wine. The third wine was a €10.20 rosé from Tavel. The hostess seemed keener to encourage wine shipments to the USA than to tell us about the wines.

Then back to the boat. I felt we were overcharged at £154 for a couple and that while two Chateauneuf du Pape wines might technically be a Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tasting, it wasn’t in the spirit. Alain Jaume makes four different red Chateauneuf du Pape wines. Not recommended.*

When we got back Joan’s bag was in our room. The boat left at 18:30 heading up-river to Viviers.

* On my return I wrote to Viking about my concerns with this tour – as detailed in the post. They offered   generous On Board Credit for our next cruise, and said that the excursion and my comments would be discussed by the board. I am satisfied with their response

Day 4 - Friday 18 August – Viviers

We arrived at Viviers at 01:30, and after breakfast we took the included excursion ‘Viviers Walk’ starting at the civilised time of 09:45. As we waited by our guide I heard laughing from one of the other groups. Their guide seemed to have them in stitches.

Viviers is small sleepy riverside town of fewer than 4,000 inhabitants and in August there were few people about and fewer moving cars. It had once been important and there was a cathedral on a high rocky crag that overlooks the town.

Untouched since 1546  is the ornately carved façade of the ‘Knight’s House’, all the more strange as it is in a long terrace of houses with plain frontages. The house was owned by a salt merchant who wanted to flaunt his riches. He was given the job of tax collector by the Bishop, got even richer and ended as ruler of the town.

Our guide took the group up a steep, cobbled street to the cathedral. I stayed behind looking at the façade and heard laughing people coming towards me. It was the leisurely group. Their guide was a short wiry Frenchman, in his late 60s or early 70s, and I listened as he told the history of the Knight’s house. But, unlike the guide with our group, he peppered his explanation with jokes and shrewd comments. 

While the earlier guide had pointed out the carving of knights with lances as a joust, he said that as some of the knights were using the lances on fallen men it was surely a battle scene as jousts were a contest between mounted knights.  

He moved the group on to the nearby small square to get everyone seated, before telling a tragic story about his mother’s family who were living in Viviers in the 1940’s under German occupation and of an American commando raid through the town that fought German troops as they headed to destroy anti-aircraft guns sited on the rocky crag. 

If you go on this excursion I recommend leaving whatever group you’re in and joining his laughing one. If it’s the leisurely group you won’t get to the cathedral but you’ll have a great time and learn a lot.

We cast off at 13:00 and we lunched as the boat cruised, Most preferred to eat inside where it was air-conditioned, but we revelled in the heat and took every opportunity to eat outside.

We started with Champagne, and got refills during lunch.

During this cruise we went through several locks. Some had pairs of doors that swung open (like this one) some had gates that sank below the water and some had gates that lifted high out of the water and dripped on the boat.

At 18:15 was the Viking Explorer Society Party for passengers who’d travelled before with Viking. I remember when this was a minority of people, but now it is the vast majority and there was no move to exclude anyone. Trays of cocktails were there for the taking. 

The Programme Director was absent dealing with an emergency so it was an unstructured gathering, during which the Captain explained about Aquavit having to twice cross the equator and anyone who wanted shots got them. 

Dinner today had my highlight starter of the cruise -  Red Pepper Tartlet.

Although it looked nothing special  such was the intensity of flavour that the first mouthful made me stop and go 'wow'.  From the regional specialities menu I had an excellent coq au vin as the main course and a delicious decadent walnut tart as dessert. The wine was a local Cozes-Hermitage by Maison des Alexandrins.

After dinner we found two shot glasses in our cabin. 

We moored at Tournon at 22:00 at the end of a most enjoyable. day

Day 5 - Saturday 19 August – Tournon

09:00 was the included excursion for a ride on the Tournon Steam Train. This is a heritage railway with a one metre gauge. 

I’d been tempted by the optional Vineyard Hike, but decided it was too strenuous for my current health after viewing Viking’s “Beyond the Brochure,” video featuring Jean Newman Glock.

It’s a short coach ride to the railway station and we are there with ample time to spare before the train is due to depart. There is a gift ship and a separate (free) museum and the steam engine itself attracts attention as the crew get the steam up.

Train carriages are open, more like goods wagons with roofs and have wooden benches. There are many groups on the trip. Some have their name on chalkboards, but the carriages that Viking uses have a metal holster that takes Viking’s paddle. Each of the four groups from our boat has their own carriage. Guests from Viking Heimdal that departed Lyon to go to Avignon on the same day we departed Avignon to cruise to Lyon are on the train. Capacity of the train is 500 passengers.

We are given a map of the route and can see where the track crosses the gorge. The best views are from the right side, but our guide asks us to swap sides coming down, so everyone gets view from both sides.

It’s been a dry summer and when the train sets off it is closely followed by a diesel locomotive pulling a water bowser to extinguish any trackside fires that sparks from the steam engine might cause. We are told that in flood the River Doux sometime reaches the height of the track, but on our August trip the river consists of pools separated by dry stony river bed a long way below.

After 35 minutes the train stopped and we can get out. Many rushed to the turntable where the de-coupled engine reverses onto and is turned so it is ready to pull the train back down. We swapped sides in the carriage as the train headed back down reaching the terminus in 26 minutes.

Delling departed Tournon shortly after we left so the coaches took us up-river to Andance where Delling is waiting for us to embark for lunch before setting off again. During the afternoon the wheelhouse is open for visits and there are French pastries available in the lounge and a demonstration of how to make Chocolate Fondant.

We enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising and pass vineyards of Cote Rotie.

The boat is scheduled to moor at Vienne 16:45 for an included walking tour of this historic town, but it is delayed and arrived after dinner so the Vienne excursion is cancelled.

Day 6 - Sunday 20 August – Lyon

Viking Delling departed Vienne at 05:00 and three hours later moored in Lyon, our final stop.

At 09:00 is an included excursion. A coach tours us through the city and up to a high promontory with a cathedral and fine view over Lyon and its two rivers, Saone and Rhone.

Close by is the Eiffel look alike tower now used as a TV and radio transmitter.

When the coach takes us down to the Saone and the guide prepares for a walking tour we bale out and make our own way back to the boat. It is stifling hot in the city and the prospect of a coffee on board is more attractive than looking at buildings followed by ‘free-time’.

We miss the afternoon Enrichment Lecture on WWII Lyon and the Resistance in the lounge and also the Programme Director’s disembarkation briefing at which 'at least one person per cabin' is supposed to attend. But we need only to know three things: when to put cases outside our cabin, when to vacate our cabin and when we’ll be taken to the airport. As we have an afternoon flight and we know from experience that the answer to the first two questions is 08:00 and that everything we need to know about disembarkation will be placed in our room.

Day 7 - Monday 21 August – Lyon

This is the last full day of the cruise.

At 08:45 we join an included excursion to Beaujolais Wine Country. We travel north as the guide tells about Beaujolais. The appellation Beaujolais, which includes the once famous young wine Beaujolais Nouveau, but the best wines come from the ten ‘crus’ which use their name instead of Beaujolais – although all the red wines of the region are made from the same black grape variety Gamay. About 5% of production, rarely seen outside the area, is white wine made from Chardonnay.

We go to Chateau des Ravatys in the hills about Mount Brouilly which gave its name to two of the ‘crus’, Brouilly and Cote de Brouilly. 

First we go to a vineyard to see vines with plump bunches of black grapes, then we get a tour of the underground cellars before being seated in a barrel aging cellar for a tasting. 

We are poured four wines, a white, a red Brouilly and two Cote de Brouilly  and nibbles are passed around. The excellence of the Beaujolais excursion emphasises just how overpriced was the optional  Chateauneuf du Pape visit. And while we can buy the wines if we want, there isn't the hard sell we got in Chateauneuf du Pape

We are moored on the Rhone at Lyon and some people wander off into the city in the afternoon. At 17:00 we attend a demonstration in the lounge given by two people from a silk factory. They explain how complicated pictures are imprinted on silk by multiple additions of dye through a screen. After 25 minutes the talk turns to various ways women can wear silk squares and I lose interest and return to the cabin.

Day 8 - Tuesday 22 August – Lyon > London

The latest time to depart the cabin is 08:00, which means we have only really had the suite for six full days since we arrived so late on Day1. We are not due to depart until 14:45 so have a leisurely breakfast and later the buffet embarkation/disembarkation lunch. 

When not eating we sit, after a short spell on the sun deck, in the lounge. The earliest departure was 03:30 and the latest is twelve hours later at 15:30. Two other couples are on the same flight as us and Viking have booked a people-mover taxi for us.

There is no delay getting to the airport where we have to wait 20 minutes for check-in to open. Then we’re homeward bound. Both cases arrive with us.

Reflections on the cruise  

I like the heat and we ate out on the prow almost every lunch and dinner, and most of the others in the open were Brits and Australians. The majority of Americans preferred being inside with air-conditioning. It was also the first time I could spend any length of time on the veranda, and some evenings after dinner I sit there with a glass of white wine from our fridge while reading my Kindle.

Cooking seemed to have less flair on this cruise. As a non-cheese eater I was most aware of just how many dishes had cheese; there didn’t use to be as many.

This cruise the bottle of wine chosen from the wine list was left on the table for us to pour subsequent glasses. We preferred this, rather than the waiter taking the bottle away then coming back to top up glasses.

Since we were cruising through the famous Rhone wine region I found it disappointing there were only two red Rhone wines on the list included in the drinks package. The one Chateauneuf du Pape, at €120, was not included in the package.

 There were about ten people in their twenties or thirties, the majority in the 40-50 range and a sprinkling of 60-70 year olds. It shouldn’t be assumed that the leisurely walking groups were only for the elderly, one of the youngest women on the cruise was so large she had difficulty walking and chose the easy group.

Anyone considering a trip to France in August ought to be aware that French people take their holidays in August and many places are closed.

I welcome questions about the cruise

Canal archive

Thank you Pontac, brings back memories especially about the train trip where as with you the weather was nicely warm but it meant we viewed far more of the French than we expected to!

Great report. It gives everyone who is considering this cruise exactly what to expect. Thank you for taking the time to attach all the photos, menus and other info. 

Thank you very much. We're taking this trip next fall (in the opposite direction) and are looking forward to it. 

Thank you.  Considering this cruise in October of next year - and have never been on a river cruise before.  Definitely gives me a better idea of "the flow".  

Great write up, thanks.

Nice that Viking took care of you after your poor experience on the optional cruise.

From a business sense, it would be foolish of them not to respond to legitimate issues from such a long term customer as yourself.  Judging by the tone of your writing style, I'm thinking it was a non-ranting style note you sent, and you were taken care of to your satisfaction.  Cheers!

I didn't rant.

I stated what happened, how it didn't match the description, that I thought it overpriced, and proposed an amount I thought it worth, and requested a refund of the difference. Viking were more generous.

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Rolling on the Rhône: My Fabulous Week on the Viking River Cruise to Lyon and Provence

Bonjour mes amies!

I’m back from France and can’t wait to tell you all about my fabulous week on the Viking River Cruise to Lyon and Provence . The Viking team invited me to join a group of media peeps last month for an 8-day voyage on the River Rhône. It would be my first international trip since the pandemic and my +1 was my sister N, one of my favorite traveling companions. *

My traveling companion for the trip was my sister N (pictured left)

The Viking Hermod took us through the beautiful French countryside from Lyon to Avignon. It had been five years since my first vacay to Lyon with my BFF L for our mutual 60th birthdays and over 10 years since my retirement celebration in Avignon with my daughter A and son D. I was excited to see all that had changed and what new discoveries Viking had in store for this visit.

We traveled on the Viking Hermod Longship on the River Rhône from Lyon to Avignon

An award-winning cruise line

Having traveled with Viking before (you can read about my other trips here ), I knew I was in for a treat especially since the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

In January 2023, Viking had its most successful single month of bookings following recent years of strong growth. Since 2020, Viking has welcomed 16 new ships to its fleet—including eight new Viking Longships on the rivers of Europe, new purpose-built vessels on the Mekong, Nile and Mississippi rivers; three new ocean ships; and Polar Class expedition vessels. BTW, Amanda from Viking’s PR team told me that Viking River Cruises on the Nile are sold out thru February 2024, so if you want to book for later in 2024 or 2025 do it soon.

Viking Cruises have been honored with multiple accolades

Viking continually wins accolades. The popular online cruise resource, Cruise Critic®, recognized Viking with six First Place awards in the 11th Annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards ,  including Best River Line for the second consecutive time. Viking’s ocean and expedition voyages also earned the top two placements in nearly every eligible category including Best Overall Line (Small Ship Category). And in its first year of operation, Viking’s expedition voyages claimed First Place in the Best Dining category too. Viking was also named both the #1 Ocean Line and #1 River Line by both  Travel + Leisure  and  Condé Nast Traveler .

Can you see why I’m a fan? Viking won over my sister N too.

What I like about river cruising

“I like Viking River Cruises. It’s nice to be on a smaller ship (190 people) and not have to move your luggage to different hotels or Airbnbs. I like being able to walk off the ship into the city at each stop,” said N. It was her first-ever river cruise and she said she really enjoyed traveling this way and said she would recommend it to others.

Viking chefs prepare meals using local ingredients and feature recipes of the region

I agree that river cruising is the way to go when you want a great vacay and don’t want to spend months planning. Viking Cruises makes it easy — just say book my cruise and they will: arrange your airfare, manage your transfers, help you select a cabin to your liking, provide fantastic meals with local ingredients and recipes, offer an included excursion at each port (optional excursions are offered at a price) and add in touches like heated floors in cabin baths and large bath towels to that make you feel pampered. (FYI Viking Ocean Cruises provide bathrobes.)

Verandas provide an outdoor space to view the river while sailing

It’s true that there is only one dining room and elaborate evening entertainment is not something you’ll find on a Viking River Cruise. However, what you will find is surprising locations and fascinating cultural activities while ashore and on ship; hours to spend relaxing on deck during afternoon sailings; and inviting evening events in the lounge if you desire a dance or song before bedtime. You’ll likely take home wonderful memories and a few new friends you’ve met while on board.

A visual peek at our Viking River Cruise to Lyon and Provence

Have I peaked your interest in taking a Viking River Cruise during your life after 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90? I’m going to entice you even more with a visual peek at our fantastique  River Rhône itinerary. It’s just a sneak preview. I’ll be sharing every morsel about the places we saw, the people we met, and the things we did in future posts.

During our time in Lyon we hiked around Vieux Lyon with a funicular ride up to Fourviere Hill to see the landmark 19th-century church

We visited a Chateau to sample reds in Beaujolais wine country

We sampled coussin, an amazing marzipan candy filled with chocolate at Voisin chocolate shop–it was the best marzipan I ever ate and I don’t even like marzipan

We hiked steep hills in Vienne, to get a view from above of one of the oldest towns in France

Our full day excursion while in Tournon brought us to Charming Ardeche where French lavender grows– it was disappointing that the fields weren’t purple –next time we’ll have to return in July for the bloom

It was dark when we arrived in Viviers for a night walk in this well-preserved medieval town

We visited the city of Arles, known equally for its Roman ruins as well as for its rich artistic heritage — it was the city where impressionist Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration for many of his paintings including Le Jardin

In Avignon, the “City of Popes,” we went inside Chateâuneuf-du-Pape to learn about the remarkable home of 14th-century popes

We spent our last hours in Avignon walking through Les Halles food hall, eating and eating and eating and shopping and shopping and shopping — ooh, ooh, ooh, it was a best-ever day — wait until I share all the photos in my upcoming post — what a grand finale

Au revoir pour le moment, il y a beaucoup plus à venir,

P.S. – If you decide to take the Viking River Cruise to Lyon and Provence, I highly suggest you journey in the southern direction from Lyon to Avignon like we did. It was nice to end in Avignon where you can save the best shopping for last.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” Viking Cruises provided me with a complimentary press trip on the Viking River Cruise to Lyon & Provence. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

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Every time I see a commercial for those Viking cruises, I know that it will be at the top of my bucket list.

Karen, a Viking cruise is a great way to travel during your life after 50.

I must, must, must do this! Lovely pictures!

Diane, thanks. I agree, you must take a Viking cruise.

Reader S said: “Great summary Judi. Thanks so much. I’m so tempted but it’s not good for handicapped.”

Thanks S. I will have to look and see how they manage handicapped passengers. There are elevators on the ship but likely there would have to be handicapped equipped rooms.

Reader J said: “ Tres bon! Looks wonderful.”

Dear J: It was a wonderful trip.

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• Expeditions
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• Avignon to Lyon
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Lyon & Provence

• From $3,699
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
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Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

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Viking River Cruise: 15 Things to Know Before You Go

By Helene Sula

The moon shone brightly on the smooth Rhône River as we sailed silently, passing dimly lit chateaus and castles. I took a seven-day Viking River Cruise through France’s Provence and Lyon region and was not only enthralled with the scenery but adored the ship itself. 

If you're considering a Viking Cruise or want to know what it's like to sail on a river, this post will guide you through everything you need to know before you go.

I boarded the Viking Buri on a windy spring day in Avignon, France. Upon arrival, waiters greeted me with a lemongrass scented towel and a glass of ice water. After briefly looking at our passports, the Maître d' himself ushered our luggage into a cozy stateroom and explained the features of the room.

Was this really a cruise? Yes. And it only gets better from here.

Viking Cruises offers excursions on the sea and river. I was delighted to spend seven days along the Rhône River on the Provence and Lyon itinerary .

Viking features a number (over 60 in fact!) of river cruises on their fleet. I've outlined what you can expect on a river excursion.

15 things to know before you take a Viking River Cruise

It’s stress-free..

When I set sail on Viking I was immediately met with many questions, the most frequent, why take a cruise? To me, taking a cruise is probably the most relaxing vacation.

Travel planning usually takes a lot of time: where to stay, eat, sleep, and most importantly, what to see. But when taking a cruise much of this (and more) is done for you. With a Viking cruise, you know they've taken care of everything. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery around you. No need to stress. When I really want to relax I choose Viking.

See my first time cruising with Viking, here:

Stress-Free Travel with Viking Ocean Cruises

Very few “extra” costs

I hate being nickel and dimed. When paying for a vacation, I want to know all of my costs up front. This is one thing I love about Viking. Once you pay for your cruise, you’re pretty much all set. Included is a tour every day, all of your meals, and unlimited beer and wine at lunch and dinner. If you want an alcoholic drink at any other time, you can purchase the reasonably-priced “Silver Spirits” package which includes unlimited top-shelf liquor, specialty beer, and wine — available whenever you want.

Once you book your cruise, you’ll receive extensive details about your journey and options for booking tours. Of course, you can stick to the included tours. We spent more to take a few optional tours. For example, we took a truffle, cheese, and wine tasting tour outside of Lyon — one of my favorite experiences on the trip. We also purchased an additional trip to a Les Baux to see “Carrieres de Lumières” — an incredible display of Van Gogh’s artwork on an old stone quarry wall. Set to music, it felt like walking through a real life “Fantasia” and as if I was part of the artist's masterpieces. I think these tours were all well worth the additional cost. 

At the bottom of this post I share my exact trip itinerary.

It’s surprisingly casual

I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t have enough formal wear for dinner at night, as is required on some cruises, but not to worry. Viking River cruises are somewhat casual.  I loved that I could wear jeans or a dress at dinner. I would suggest packing a nice pair of flats, blouse, and jeans or pants, to wear for dinner (no shorts or t-shirts). You don’t have to wear a long black dress every night. I did also pack a few dresses, leggings, and I ended up buying a Viking fleece on board. I wasn’t anticipating how chilly France would be in May! I always pack my tennis shoes and a few lightweight sweaters. 

You won’t spend tons of time in the room, but opt for a balcony

The itineraries with Viking sometimes mean you might visit one or two places in a day. That means you’ll have lots to see and do. But, when you are cruising, it’s absolutely wonderful to see the sights from the comfort of your room’s balcony. We spotted stately chateaus, vineyards clutching the sides of cliffs, and hilltop towns nestled beside fortresses. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as you watch the world sail by. It’s a not-to-miss experience!

For me, one advantage of a river cruise is the luxury of having all your belongings in one place. I travel a lot and am often hauling my stuff from place to place. With a cruise, I can easily visit multiple places across the country, or even countries, and have the convenience of putting everything in one spot and knowing all my meals, transfers, and sleeping is in one convenient and comfy spot.

Bring Your Cruise Documents

This might sound like a no-brainer, but the two things you shouldn't forget are your passport and your cruise documents. The documents outline all the details you need to know about your trip and also include things like handy luggage tags.

You'll also find important information such as currency, language, and flight details if you booked with Viking.

Something to note is that Viking provides transfers to and from the airport, so you won't need to worry about getting to and from. Since I was exploring France a bit before my cruise, I found my own way to the ship. But they provided transfers from the ship to the airport when I was departing.

Leave your converters at home

Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. Is that a crazy thing to say?! Yes. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed that your curling iron won't blow up is a nice feature. On the Viking ships you'll find American plugs (as well as European), making it easy to plug in your electronics.

Basically, Viking thinks of everything — just one reason I love this company.

Tell the staff about your special occasions

Michael and I were celebrating our 8th (!) wedding anniversary aboard the ship. I casually let the ship staff know about it. To our delight, on the night of our anniversary, the waitstaff surprised us with a delicious cake, candles, then serenaded us to “It's Now or Never.” It was such a memorable moment!

Viking goes out of its way to make you feel special, especially if you're celebrating an important event. So feel free to let them know.

The ship has WiFi, but it's limited

Yes, they advertise WiFi on board the Viking ships, but it's not going to be lightning fast Internet like you're used to at home. Just something to keep in mind. The Internet is good enough to check your emails or social media, but not quite strong enough to upload a video. This is not the case on ocean cruises, but I did find this on the river.

It's all about the destination

Yes, the cruise ship is incredible. But get off the boat! When you dock ashore, Viking includes an activity each and every day. This makes Viking different from other ships. They want you to get off the ship and find out more about the places you're visiting.

If you want additional help you can also use the onboard concierge to plan additional experiences or things to do. I highly recommend using these services to find unique options, food, and things that interest you.

Seven days isn't enough? No worries! Viking offers trip extensions so you can see even more of the cities and learn more about the history.

The food alone is worth the cost of the trip

All the Swiss-trained chefs prepare the food fresh every day. Viking menus emphasize specialty dishes from the region where you’re cruising. All the delicious food on Viking is included and starts with a breakfast buffet and a choice to order off-the-menu. You can also grab pastries in the Aquavit terrace.

Lunch is served in two locations: the dining room for a more formal order off-the-menu, or pasta and salad from the buffet. The Aquavit terrace grill serves burgers, hot dogs, and more. Dinner is served in the dining room or Aquavit and you’ll order off-the-menu.

You’re encouraged to order a starter, main dish, and dessert. Don’t worry if you can’t choose. They’ll bring you both! I particularly enjoyed the savory soups such as mushroom truffle and French onion. There’s also a coffee and water station with soft, fresh baked cookies. They're dangerous — I couldn’t pass by without grabbing one. The exceptional food on Viking is worth the cost of the cruise alone. 

Almost everyone on the ship has sailed with Viking before

The first night of our arrival we received welcome drinks and listened to music in the Aquavit lounge. The staff went over important information before introducing themselves. Then the guests were asked if they had sailed with Viking before. Nearly every hand shot up! A true testament to the Viking experience. 

There's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there.

The cruise is great for adults of any age

Viking doesn’t allow children on board. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. Most of the time you’ll find a bit of an older crowd. But that’s not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. There are activities to appeal to all ages. 

River cruising differs greatly from ocean cruising

Having sailed with Viking on both ocean and river, I can tell you the experience is not the same. Ocean cruises feature a much larger ship, a wider variety of restaurants and entertainment, and a bigger crew. The Viking River cruises are more intimate. You usually dock overnight at many of the ports, leaving you the option to explore in the evening if you choose. 

Leave time to explore your ship

The Viking Longship is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian design. Clean lines and beautiful, modern decor are featured throughout the vessel.

We sailed on the Viking Buri — well equipped with everything you could need and more. A glamours marble entryway leads to a lovely staircase toward a library, beautiful dining room, sun deck, bar, lounge, as well as many tucked away corners where guests can relax. 

The staff are world class

One day I mentioned that I preferred Diet Coke over coffee in the morning. Every morning after that, the waiter or waitress brought me a Diet Coke with a fresh glass of ice, I never had to ask again. They specialize in that personal touch, even making a point to remember names!

Intent on making the trip the best ever, the staff are fun, personable, and helpful. They not only cook, clean, organize, and serve, but they also entertain. One reason I and others keep coming back to Viking is because of the incredible staff. One important note: you tip additionally per day, per person. I recommend to also tip any staff you feel went above and beyond. For us, it was the Maître d, bartender, and piano player.

Here’s a look at our exact 7-day Viking Buri Provence and Lyon Excursion:

Day 1 – arrival and avignon.

We arrived in Avignon and headed to the ship where a light lunch was provided. Our luggage was whisked right into the room and we had time to explore the boat and meet our fellow passengers on the ship.

Day 2 Arles

At Arles, known as the place where Van Gogh cut off his ear, we did a walking tour, saw the incredible Roman ruins, and walked the lovely sun-drenched cobblestone streets. Here we also went to Les Baux to see the “Carrieres de Lumières” exhibit in the quarry.

Day 3 Avignon

Heading back to Avignon, we walked through the city walls and explored the Pope's Palace- one of the most important historical sites in France. Now, it's used for a theater festival each year. We also went to the market and sampled oysters and candied fruits.

Day 4 Viviers

Lavender is extremely prevalent in Provence. On a tour of a lavender museum, we learned the many uses of this beautiful flower. Driving through small towns near the area I spotted house after house with blue shutters — a signature color in Provence.

Day 5 Tournon

After exploring the small town of Tournon, we hopped on a steam train! Yes, this was an included tour — incredible. We passed beautiful churches, bridges, and a gorge. Afterward, we took a walking tour of Vienne with its lovely church and Roman temple.

This, my second time to Lyon, reminded me of what makes this city so special — the incredible church, the views all around the city, the intricate and historical murals that explain its history. Because we were docked in Lyon that night, we could stroll the streets and take in the well-lit city after dark.

Day 7 Lyon and Excursion

Today we left Lyon on a bus tour that started with learning and tasting wine in the Beaujolais region. After wine, we had a feast of truffle flavored delights followed by a truffle hunt with an adorable dog. We finished off the day learning about goat cheese making, and we brought home salted caramel sauce.

Day 8 Departure from Lyon

On our final day, we packed up our stuff, had a delicious breakfast, and Viking assisted us straight to the Lyon airport. I was so sad to go, but know I'll be booking another Viking cruise soon!

How to choose a Viking cruise:

First and foremost think about the length of time. You can opt to spend seven days cruising the river or opt for two weeks cruising in the ocean.

Are you adventurous? Do you prefer seeing the sights like castles and walking cobblestone streets? Consider what you like to do or what's on your bucket-list and let the cruise fit your options.

If you're still feeling stuck, just remember, you can't really go wrong. Viking prides itself on going to astonishing and enriching destinations. I find Viking to be really exceptional. We left feeling they made every possible effort to make our trip special. And it was. 

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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Viking River Cruise Review for Lyon & Provence on Viking Delling Long Ship

At first glance, including a Viking River Cruise review on a blog dedicated to RV travel might seem a bit unusual. We took a Viking River Cruise in France on the Lyon and Provence trip on the Rhone River. We were on the Viking Delling ship and thought we should share our experiences with others.

Yet, this cross-over introduces RVers to the charms of cruising Europe’s rivers, blending the thrill of discovery with the luxury of having every detail managed.

This Viking River Cruise review serves as a bridge between two distinct travel passions, illustrating how each offers unique adventures and insights. It’s a way to diversify travel experiences, appealing to those who love the open road but are curious about the serenity and cultural richness offered by a river cruise.

Why Review Our Viking Cruise?

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While our main focus is on the freedom and adventure of RVing across the United States, we truly love all travel, European river cruises included. (Although we did also post about our trip to Cuba and RV’ing options there!)

So, why are we dedicating a single one-time blog post to our review of a Viking River Cruise on the Viking Delling? Let us explain.

• Shared Wanderlust : At the core of it, both RV travel and river cruises share a common thread: wanderlust. Whether you’re cruising the open road in your RV or traveling the scenic waterways of Europe, the desire to explore new places, experience different cultures, and create unforgettable memories remains the same. Our blog is all about celebrating that shared spirit of adventure.
• Expanding Horizons : Travelers often have a wide range of interests. While we primarily cover RV travel, we recognize that our readers’ interests extend beyond the highways and campgrounds of the USA. By exploring European river cruises, we’re expanding the horizons of travel possibilities and catering to the diverse tastes of our audience.
• Seek New Inspiration : Sometimes, the best inspiration comes from venturing outside your comfort zone. We believe that by sharing our story of a European river cruise, we’re not just offering insights into a specific type of travel but also encouraging our readers to seek new inspirations and adventures that go beyond the open road.

In a nutshell, this one-off blog post about European river cruises is an extension of our passion for travel and exploration.

It’s a testament to our belief that travel is a diverse and enriching tapestry, with every mode of exploration offering its unique rewards.

Besides, we spotted numerous RVs throughout France!

While docked at our port in Viviers, we found ourselves next to a sizable campground filled with fellow RVers.

We provide many photos and a description below to give a sense of what it was like on the Viking Delling cruise.

We also encountered several RVs on the roads of France, including our visit to Lyon.

In late September 2023, I had the opportunity to connect with an old friend on a Viking River Cruise ship in France that traveled for a week up the Rhone River.

We were on Viking’s Lyon & Provence river cruise.

We had a great time, albeit a few complications, and since we’ve had so much interest from friends and family about what the trip was like on the Viking ship, I thought a blog post was in order.

Here I provide details on the positives and negatives of my experience with the Viking River Cruise, along with a summary of suggestions.

Travel from the USA to France and Return

Our Viking River Cruise review starts in the United States.

Viking gives you the option of having them book your travel, including all transfers to/from the airport.

I would not recommend this; instead, book your own tickets. Others I spoke with on the cruise said the same thing.

Here are a few reasons:

Viking is in charge of picking your flights.

They choose the least expensive flight options, meaning the flights were at the worst times – either very early morning (i.e., 6 AM’ish) or very late flights. We could not change these.

Initially they booked the wrong departure airport for me.

To change this, I had to call back and be on hold for a long time (i.e., 30+ minutes) to reach a customer service agent whose accent was difficult to understand.

Viking booked me on discount airlines with bad reputations.

You do not have a say in which airlines they book.

Any travel changes that you’d like to make have to go through their travel agents.

You cannot change your seat, upgrade, etc. Only the travel agent can do this for you.

This requires a long phone call.

My outgoing and return flights were both canceled, but no one told me, not the travel agency, airline, Viking, or anyone else.

I only found out from another Viking passenger on the way to the airport at 4:30 AM.

It was a nightmare to rebook them as I had to call the emergency contact for Viking travel and sit on hold for about an hour while they figured it out. (Which is one reason you want to be sure to have cell service for your trip.)

I ended up with middle seats for both long flights (including one 10 ½ hour flight) since I was rebooked on a different flight at the last minute and no other seats were available.

If I had control of my booking, this would have been a lot easier.

On the way to France, my luggage was lost. However, Viking did great with this issue and retrieved my bag for me when it was available at the airport.

The next step in our Viking River Cruise review is embarkment on the ship.

Passengers arrive at various times throughout the day, and the check-in procedure is straightforward.

However, meal times, specifically lunch and dinner, are scheduled.

If you arrive between these designated times, you may find yourself waiting for your next meal. This can be a bit challenging, especially after a long flight with limited opportunities to eat.

It would be beneficial if Viking River Cruises could consider offering a simple buffet during these transition periods to accommodate travelers who have had a long day or two of journeying.

We were traveling on the Viking Delling ship . It is a long river boat, with space for a little under 200 guests.

My initial impressions were that it was spotless, shiny, and very well kept. This remained the same throughout the trip. The staff kept the interior of the ship very clean and tidy.

When you first enter the door, you enter a lobby with a reception desk.

There are three floors.

An elevator is available if needed.

There is a small library on the third floor with seating and books.

One of my favorite things was the availability of a help yourself coffee station that made fabulous coffee, tea, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, etc, at the push of a button.

The coffee was great and available 24 hours a day. For this aspect, I give this Viking River Cruise review an A+.

Review of the Staterooms on the Viking Delling

There are hallways on each floor, going in two directions from the main lobby area.

The hallways are wide and easy to walk down. The video below shows a quick walk down one of the hallways in the Viking Delling.

Our room was on the lower level, i.e., the cheap seats. We were in room 125.

In my opinion, paying for a higher grade stateroom on a Viking River Cruise is not really worth it.

In many of the room with windows and balconies, those features were not very useful as when we were docked, we were typically either right next to the dock wall or parked next to another Viking ship, blocking the view from the windows or balconies.

We had a little window that gave us natural light, which was fine.

When the ships were docked right next to each other, passengers from the far ship had to go through the lobby on the near ship to get to the dock.

Plus most of our traveling was done at night when we were sleeping, so the idea of sitting on your balcony and enjoying the sights didn’t really work out for those who paid extra for those rooms.

We found that we spent very little time in our stateroom anyway, as most of the time when we weren’t sleeping we were out doing something or sitting on the decks of the Viking Delling.

We had two single beds, each with a small side table.

The beds were very comfortable. There is room under each bed to store your suitcase.

The staff clean your room twice a day, including a turn down service. (Please excuse our mess!)

Our stateroom had a closet for hanging clothes, shelves, a safe, and a chest of drawers.

There was plenty of storage for everything for two people.

However, there weren’t really enough hangers for both of us to use for our clothes, so you may want to bring extras.

A full length mirror is available behind the door.

American type electrical outlets were available (but no USB outlets, so bring a USB plug so you can charge your phone, etc.).

We also had a mini refrigerator.

There are outlets by the dresser and also ones behind the pillows on each bed.

The bathroom was extremely nice for a cruise ship and much better than I expected. This part of the Viking River Cruise review gets high ratings.

The floor was heated and the shower pressure was great with lots of hot water. It was also much larger than you’d find on other cruise ships.

The bathroom was spotless and cleaned twice a day.

A hair dryer is provided, along with travel size toiletries (e.g., shampoo, lotion). Fresh towels were always available.

The video below shows a walk-through of our stateroom. It’s a little messy, so please ignore that! But it will give you a sense of the size of the bathroom and overall space.

Dining on the Viking River Cruise

Meals are served at set times on Viking River Cruises. We found the chef-prepared meals to be really delicious.

On the chef’s day off, they bring in a caterer, which offers a little variety.

There are two areas for dining: the formal dining room and also an outdoor patio area.

The weather during our trip was fantastic, so we tried to grab a table outside on the patio whenever we could.

This area was popular, so we had to get there early and usually shared our table with other travelers, which livened up the experience.

Sitting on the patio at the front of the ship was also very fun when we went through the many river locks along the way.

When you sign up for the cruise, it asks for your dietary preferences.

The meals were designed to accommodate vegetarians and gluten free diets, etc. along with the regular fare. This is another positive aspect of our Viking River Cruise review.

Every day we had a choice of two breakfasts: a continental breakfast on the patio or a full breakfast in the dining room.

We usually had the lighter continental breakfast, but it was the exact same food every day. Even the layout was exactly the same.

This got a little old as it seemed Viking could have come up with some different pastries or something each day.

Lunch is a choice of meals that are representative of the region that change every day as well as other options that stay the same and are available every day.

Dinner is different every day as well on Viking River Cruises. Again, an A+ for this review of Viking River Cruises.

It includes a choice of starters, main courses, and dessert. There is always one vegetarian option available.

The dinners were really delicious and enjoyable times to share our experiences with others and make new friends.

Bar and Lounge Area on the Viking Delling

The bar area includes a bar, lounge type tables and chairs, dance floor, and a piano which was usually played in the evening.

One evening was particularly entertaining as the cruise staff led people to dance to the YMCA song, do the chicken dance, make a conga line, and other wedding type dances. It was hilarious to watch as everyone was having a great time on this Viking River Cruise.

Viking River Cruises provides a choice of complimentary wines, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.

There is also the option to purchase the Silver Spirits upgrade package, which includes premium wines, cocktails, etc. It cost $25 per day on our cruise. We purchased this and found it to be a good value.

Even though we are not heavy drinkers, it was nice to be able to upgrade our wine or enjoy a cocktail whenever we wanted.

The bartenders and servers will ask for your stateroom number, and will add the cost of alcohol upgrades to rooms without the Silver Spirits package.

Wi-fi service is available and worked well.

Along our route, we also had excellent cell service with our American telecom providers. Be sure to contact them prior to your travel to determine the ability to use your phone overseas. They usually offer a way to connect as normal.

There are also two computers with Internet access available for use on the third floor. We never saw anyone using them, however.

We didn’t think we’d need our cell phones, but ended up using them frequently to contact each other, even while on the ship.

We also dropped pins for the ship’s location when we arrived at a port and went off exploring on our own. That made it easy to find our way home.

We also went through several river locks on the Rhone River. Many of these were at night when we were asleep, but we were able to go through a lock from the front of the ship’s patio dining area which was fun.

See the Rhone lock video below.

The upstairs deck of the Delling was fabulous. Another A+ for the Viking River Cruise review.

There were only a few times that we spent on the deck while cruising, as most of the time when we were awake we were docked somewhere, so we got off the ship to explore.

There is a shuffle board and putting green, that many of the cruisers on our ship enjoyed.

Otherwise people read, enjoyed the sun, or enjoyed a glass of wine as we cruised down the Rhone river.

We passed beautiful sights along the way, but also passed a huge nuclear plant, which was interesting.

The video below is of us cruising up the Rhone River, while enjoying the sun on the upper deck of the Viking Delling.

Every evening you will find a daily newsletter for the next day’s activities.

It includes a calendar of activities and excursions, meal times, and where you will be each day. This is useful as you will usually wake up in a different place than where you were when you went to bed.

The newsletter also includes a short summary of the area we are exploring, with a short history lesson and highlights of the area.

Review of Viking Excursions

Viking includes some excursions for free at each port, while others are add-on expenses.

We did a few of each, including some walking tours, visits to wineries, a steam engine train ride, and tours of historic buildings.

The video below is of our steam engine train ride. (It is similar to the narrow gauge steam engine train ride between Durango and Silverton in Colorado, although that one is more scenic as it goes through the San Juan Mountains.)

The scenery was outstanding, which was also helped by us having sunny 80 degree weather every day, which is not usual for late September in France.

The Viking cruise line has its own tour buses that will take you from location to location.

Everyone gets a card with their name on it that they use to scan at the door when they arrive or depart so that the ship knows if they’re missing anyone.

You will be assigned to a specific group each time.

There’s usually about 3-4 separate groups for each tour. The group leader carries a “lollipop” on a stick so you can follow along.

Each passenger also gets a headset so they can hear whatever the tour guide is saying. This was useful in some places and not as useful in other areas.

It also made the tour group following the tour guide very quiet, which seemed to surprise people looking at the tour group walking down the street in silence. Everyone was listening to their headsets and not speaking to one another.

We found the excursions to be a little slow paced (likely due to the average age of the cruisers), and sometimes the tour guides were great, but other times they were not. So this gets mixed results for our Viking River Cruise review.

We ended up leaving one tour to explore Lyon on our own, which ended up being the better option.

I’d recommend exploring on your own at times, if you are comfortable, to really get a taste of the culture.

About 90% of the passengers on our ship were Americans. The others were usually British or Australian.

English is the language used for everything.

The average age on our cruise was easily over 70 years old, if not older.

We thought it was really great to see them out doing things and enjoying retirement, rather than sitting at home in the USA. Viking definitely caters to this demographic, so it seemed everyone felt comfortable.

Even though all of the passengers were incredibly nice, being younger than this, we found there to be a bit of a generational gap.

We wanted the tours to move faster, for example.

We ended up finding a group of younger people that we socialized with frequently and shared meals with, which turned out to be really nice.

However, it’s clear that Viking knows their target demographic, and that’s upper middle income older retirees from the USA.

Viking expects everyone to dress for dinner in “elegant casual” which you can interpret in any number of ways.

Most people on our cruise wore casual dresses or slacks with button down shirts for dinner. But by the end of our cruise, people were becoming more casual and showing up in jeans and shorts.

No one cared, or even noticed.

For all other times, you can wear whatever you want. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for the amount of walking you will do.

Viking Staff

Most of the Viking staff were Eastern European on our ship. They were all (with the exception of one!) incredibly nice and friendly.

When you sit in the same place for lunch and dinner every day (although that’s not required, most people end up in the same place), you get to know your servers.

We had very friendly relationships with ours who were usually great at their job. They work very hard at ensuring everyone is happy.

However, we did notice that service began to slack off a bit towards the end of the cruise. Tables weren’t cleared as frequently, etc.

Additionally, they appear to be a bit understaffed and getting a glass of wine could take forever. We noticed some of the other cruisers becoming impatient.

We usually ended up going directly to the bar to get quicker service.

Viking bills each passenger a set tip amount per day to be shared with all the staff.

On our cruise, it was $20 per day, which came to $140 for the week.

Cruisers also have the option of choosing to increase or decrease this amount, and/or provide tips directly to the staff with whom they interacted the most. This makes the process easy but also flexible for each passenger’s preference.

For the excursion tour guides, we tipped them each individually.

Some were great; others complained about France’s tax system the entire time, which was humorous. This seemed to be a theme among the tour guides, according to other passengers we spoke with.

There are other cruise lines that travel up and down European rivers, similar to Viking.

We frequently saw Avalon Waterways on our journey, but a quick Google search will also show other options. We are not familiar with any of those, so cannot offer recommendations or reviews.

Viking advertises so heavily in the US that for some reason I hadn’t considered there to be other options.

These lines all have various features, typical passengers, etc., so do your homework on these lines as well.

• Book your own travel.
• Eat before you embark or bring food with you if you are hungry.
• Don’t upgrade your stateroom. Book the inexpensive option.
• You do not need electrical converters.
• Bring USB plugs.
• Bring extra hangers for your clothes.
• Buy the Silver Spirits alcohol package.
• Contact your mobile phone carrier to arrange for international service.
• Be willing to explore the towns on your own, if you’re comfortable not being a part of a tour.
• Bring comfortable shoes.
• Bring a small crossbody bag for securely carrying your items while on tours.
• Enjoy the top deck. Take in the sights while traveling during the day.
• Consider other European river cruise lines to see which is the best fit for you.

I was not prepared for the amount of mail and brochures that Viking would be sending through the mail to my home address once we got home. I receive at least two brochures a week. This is a negative for this review of Viking River Cruises.

These are multi-page well-designed booklets, so Viking is spending an insane amount of money on designing, printing, and mailing these to past and future passengers.

Overall, the cruise on Viking was enjoyable and I would consider taking another cruise. However, I’d make a few modifications to my plans, based on the tips outlined above.

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Viking River Cruise - Lyon to Provence - Viking Cruises France

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The Viking staff was always courteous and friendly. The food and dining room service were very... read more

We are posting this in tandem to the one about the French river cruise and are suggesting that if... read more

Viking River Cruise - Lyon to Provence

My wife and I took a Viking River Cruise from Lyon down the Rhone River to Avignon. It was, in brief, wonderful. The Viking staff was excellent and the food was great. The staterooms are small but completely functional and comfortable. The lounge, bow deck, and restaurant and great as well. No complaints! We were well taken care of the whole trip. The daily excursions were amazing; it was fun to see these old French cities and their sites.

My wife and I took our first Viking river cruise and we would definitely do another from booking to leaving they were like clock work! Food service and staff top notch. We had the veranda suite which added to the nice trip with a little more room. The ship Kara was top notch modern and very quiet and full of great areas on board. With the excursions and plenty of time to do your own thing. The excursions are well planned and if your excursion includes a bus, The Viking buses are like new and great views from windows and plenty of room. I can’t say how well the staff preformed from start to finish. And the onboard entertainment was form each region and again very well arranged with great talent. This was a trip to remember and we met plenty of friends we are still in contact with to this day! And please don’t think of it as an old folks cruise as I’m 50 and plenty of younger folks were on board..

We booked a fall excursion for an eight day Viking River Cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg and we not disappointed; however, a couple of recommendations to make the trip more satisfying. We arrived in Budapest two days before Viking departure which gave us the additional time that one needs to really explore this fascinating city. We hired a guide who met us at our hotel on day one which I recommend for first time visitors. The eight day Viking River cruise itself was all that it was advertised. All Viking River boats are fairly new; ours was about 3 years old. The stateroom accommodations were tight as expected but immaculate and attentively cared for every day. Balconies are over-rated you don't need one.The dining and lounge areas are beautifully appointed and the outdoor dining deck is a delight in fair weather. Cannot say enough about the attentive and friendly staff from the waitresses to the barmen (who never forget your favored aperitif) to the activity planners who make sure your every need is addressed. The shore excursions were generally worthwhile. We signed up for all of the "included" morning tours and opted in for two of the plans that were extra at an added cost. Both were worthwhile especially the day trip to Salzburg. After disembarking in Nuremberg we traveled by bus to Prague where we spent another two days exploring another fascinating city before flying home. All in all I give this vacation an A. Would I do another River Cruise? Perhaps but the strict itinerary and pre-planning were ideal for this kind of European tour I will likely get behind the wheel of a rent-a-car for our next get-away. But if if we decide the Rhine deserves our attention in the future it will definitely be with Viking. P.S. You can get a very good presentation of the Viking accommodations on YouTube.

We traveled on two of Vikings long boats along the Rhine, Main and Danube over 15 days. We were on the. Viking Gefjon and Ve. Wonderful experience and Viking and its crew members did an extraordinary job. They’ve thought of everything. Food and service were extraordinary and the shore excursions made the trip a success. Viking meets you at the airport and takes you to your ship. We extended for two days in Budapest and their service continued while we stayed at the hotel and until we boarded the plane for home. If you are considering a river cruise in Europe, you should seriously consider Viking. We will be back on another cruise next year.

Out trip was 100% prepaid on booking for a family cruise. Our dad got quite ill 2 weeks before the cruise and had to undergo brain surgery. We purchased the travel insurance before on booking. To this date we are still plagued with getting a full refund as their insurance provider is playing nasty games. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PURCHASING the cruise with INSURANCE. 5 years ago we took the cruise and enjoyed it but this time we where not fortunate.

We travelled at the end of October and it was very warm (19 degrees), we were lucky in that it didn't rain at all. The food on board the Viking Forsetti was very good. I am not saying excellent as we were disappointed that it was similar to the Normandy cruise and there was altogether too much fish. The wine choices were excellent and we had no need to upgrade to the silver drinks package at £120 but most of the others did. There were only 11 British aboard but everyone was friendly, fun loving and chatty so we made lots of friends. I will go anywhere with Viking simply because of the 5 star service, the dedication of the staff and the quality of service and food. This was my least favourite cruise out of the 6 that we have done. This is because apart from the Citadel at Blaye I feel that all we saw were vineyards and chateaus. A chateaux is not a castle, a lot of people were expecting them. It's a wine farm, some were a bit Disney but most are just big houses with the winery out at the back. I learned more than I thought on the trip but I didn't enjoy it. I am not a fan (my hubby is) and I felt that I need more. Bordeaux is lovely, good shopping, Cadillac is boring, we had a small tour on a Sunday, we learned about a women's prison and the cars and there was one postcard shop, Bourg was my favourite stop off (the Citadel which has a village inside its walls), Libourne(more wine), St Emillion (more wine shops per head of population than anywhere on earth, nice abbey and church) and Pauillac (more wine). We actually came home with money. If you are looking for some Christmas presents like I was then you will be sorely disappointed. It would be a good holiday if you like the wine tasting and wine buying and wine explanations and wine wine wine but I am afraid that out of all that Viking do, it was the biggest disappointment to me. I am going back to the Romantic Danube next, then the Rhine. Trust me, if you aren't a fan of the Red stuff then do another cruise. Hubby did like it better than me. One point is that the rivers are tidal and they have to sail at high tide, the tides aren't high enough to get into some places so the trips are done on different days or clumped together to be able to get them in. I like to browse the booklet and learn about where I am going and on what day. This made a bit of a mess of my itinerary. There was a paper in my cabin explaining the changes to the itinerary and we were kept informed. The ships crew were perfect as usual, nothing is too much trouble. The waiters at dinner are very stretched and i do wonder if more staff are needed. On the whole, a nice rest from work but I wouldn't do it again which for us is very telling.

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Viking River Cruise Shore Excursions Provence

The Viking River Cruise shore excursions on their Lyon & Provence sailing were absolutely magical. Going through my photos has me smiling all over again. 

The food! The wine! The friends! It was an experience of a lifetime. Viking Cruises does such a great job of taking care of their guests, from the excursions to the treats onboard, like the special Taste of Provence meal on the Viking Rhone River Cruise .

You will also be able to spend time in the cities you start and end in, and with this cruise, there are so many things to do in Basel Switzerland . It’s such a lovely and fun city.

Sailing on a Viking River Cruise is obviously different from sailing on an ocean cruise. The ship is much smaller, of course, which brings an intimacy to the trip that you don’t usually have on an ocean cruise.

Because there are only 95 staterooms on a Viking Longship, you’ll find less than 200 guests.

(Update: I do have to add that Viking now has ocean ships! I sailed with them in 2023 and it was an incredible trip, from Venice Italy to Athens Greece. Save this list of things to do in Venice Italy in one day so you can see it all before you sail!)

Whether you’re sailing on a Viking River Cruise with your significant other, a friend, or even by yourself, you will meet new friends. My husband and I met quite a few people we plan to see again, and the people really made this cruise special for us. 

This is not to say that we don’t meet people on ocean cruises, because we definitely do. It’s just a more intimate experience on a river ship and that intimacy extends to the excursions.

In fact, what really set this cruise apart for us was the Viking River Cruises shore excursions. I had only been to Europe once before, to Italy, about 12 years ago.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see much of the history of Italy because it was a business trip. Though it was fun, I wish I had been able to experience more of Italy’s rich heritage.

Seeing the Gallo-Roman ruins in Arles while on a Viking River Cruise shore excursions, including the Les Arénes amphitheater that can seat 20,000 and is still used today, was mind-blowing.

Again, because each group was relatively small, we were able to experience each excursion with friends. The transportation to excursions was provided by a comfortable motorcoach, and the guides were exceptional.

If you’re thinking about taking your family on a river cruise, I can tell you it was a trip of a lifetime taking out daughters with us to France.

Our younger daughter was 18 and our older daughter was 21 the year my husband and I were married 25 years. We decided to take a Viking Rhine River Cruise with our family, and it was magical. Our favorite of Viking River Cruise shore excursions on that cruise was the one in the Black Forest Germany . 

My husband and I also sailed the Danube  If you do this cruise, you must spend one day in Budapest . We loved it.

Excursions on Viking River Cruise Lyon & Provence

A gorgeous protected wildlife preserve, you may be lucky enough to see the wild horses that roam there. We did see them from a distance, but were not able to get close enough for photos, except for this guy that that seems to live at the house instead of in the field!

What we were able to see were the guardians, the modern-day cowboys who still herd the bulls on horseback. In fact, we were guests of Gilbert and Stephanie Arnaud, who own the farm. Experiences like this are what really set a trip on a Viking River Cruise apart.

Learning about the way the bulls are bred and “kept” in Camargue was fascinating.

At least four mares of reproductive age graze freely on at least 49 acres, according to Haras Nationaux, the French National Association of Horse Breeders.

What’s different about this way of raising cattle is that no extra feed is given, and the role of the guardians is minimal. It’s a very natural environment for the animals.

We also learned about the Course Camarguaise , the age-old tradition of the razeteurs , young men dressed in white, trying to pluck the rosettes off the bull’s forehead. I like this tradition so much better than bullfighting, and wish we could have seen it in action.

After a tractor-drawn carriage ride through the cattle fields to see the bulls up close, we sat down to an amazing lunch served by Stephanie Arnaud. This was definitely one of my favorites of all the Viking River Cruise shore excursions.

We were treated like friends visiting the Arnaud home as they served us a delicious stew, rice, and bread. I absolutely loved the food from this region.

In fact, I found out there is red rice that comes specifically from Camargue. It’s incredibly healthy and delicious. You can buy this variety of rice in specialty stores.

Try this recipe for Camargue Red Rice and let me know what you think!

Of course, there was wine, too.

This is how I dreamed an afternoon in the south of France would be! We hated to leave, as you can see. My husband made another new friend. 

Lyon Cooking Workshop

This excursion was on Day 6 of our Viking River Cruise, and we didn’t want it to end! We were about to learn how to make Choux Chantilly, or as we know it, Cream Puffs. 

We headed to In Cuisine to meet with a French pastry chef. Everything was ready for us when we arrived.

We stood next to the chef learning each step of making the pastry. 

There was a lot to learn! 

We all took part in the mixing of the dough, cutting the small wafers that would be placed on top, making the delicious caramel sauce, and finally, preparing the Chantilly Cream. My husband was hard at work making the pastries.

Amber was concentrating on her work, filling the “puff” with that delicious Chantilly Cream.

But still had time for a camera opp!

Eric really did work hard, but I caught him in a moment of relaxing.

We laughed at each other’s lack of skills, and marveled at how we managed to create something so spectacular!

Drawing on the plate with caramel wasn’t as easy as we thought, but I held my own!

We ended our excursion with a dessert of a few Choux Chantilly, and of course, wine. I do have the recipe and plan to try my hand at what I learned soon.

I did make this incredible beef stroganoff recipe and this apple tarte tatin from the Viking Cruises cookbook. It was easy and so delicious.

Truffle and Goat Cheese Farm

It was Day 7 and my husband and I were contemplating trying to somehow stow away on the ship, but we had one of the Viking River Cruises shore excursions on our schedule that would take us to two farms.

We began the afternoon with a visit to a truffle orchard, where we were able to see a dog actually hunting for truffles.

My husband and I have been to a truffle dinner before, and use truffle oil in our cooking. However, seeing truffles in the ground was a first for both of us.

This was a bucket list item as my husband and I are fans of Peter Mayle who writes about life in France through the eyes of an Englishman.

He is forever talking about truffles in his books, so seeing it first hand was quite a treat. Our host explained the training process and we watched the dog at work. I can’t imagine what this truffle would go for in a market. 

We were all excited once we realized what we were looking for.

And speaking of treats, we were invited to taste truffle butter with…you guessed it… a glass of wine.

The truffle-hunter ate quite a few pieces of truffle, so I had to ask, was it his favorite food? The answer was no, but he sure wanted some of that truffle butter.

We also found out this farm grows saffron. I have been experimenting with saffron lately but had never seen a dessert recipe using it.

Our host offered us saffron pudding, and it’s on my list now of recipes to try.

We were having such a great time, but the goats were waiting, so we headed to our next excursion, the goat cheese farm.

Our first task getting to know some of the local inhabitants. This guy was my favorite.

I knew goat cheese was a fairly major export for France. I didn’t know it was also one of the earliest made dairy products. One of our go-to party appetizers is fresh figs stuffed with goat cheese.

We learned about the different types of goat cheese, as well as how it’s made. Our host did not speak much English, but our interpreter explained everything. The guides on the Viking River Cruises shore excursions are fantastic.

We were able to sample both fresh and more mature kinds of cheese, with wine, of course.

There was a lot of cheese for sale, and I wish we could have brought some home.

I did buy a jar of Confiture de Lait, or milk jam, made with goat’s milk. The flavor is similar to caramel, but the texture is as smooth as silk. I couldn’t wait to try it at home.

The food was so good on the ship, we were looking forward to getting back on and going to the farewell dinner.

Our Lyon & Provence Viking River Cruise was an unforgettable experience, and we’re already thinking about where we would like to go next.

If you are planning a vacation, you must check out all the destinations Viking River Cruises serves. Local culture is what they are known for, so take a look at all the itineraries and start planning your Viking River Cruises shore excursions well in advance. The best ones do tend to sell out quickly.

My guess is that once you sail with Viking, you will want to sail with them again. I’ll be sharing more about our trip in the coming weeks. Have questions? Please ask in the comments below. If you’ve cruised, I’d love to hear about your favorite excursions, too.

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I’m so glad I found your site. I leave in 10 days for this cruise with the pre extension in Nice. I am booked for the Camargue and am gl ad to read your review. I am the only one in our group of 36! doing this tour. This is my 3rd Viking River cruise, with a 4th already booked ,Tulips and Windmills April 2019. Viking sets the bar really high! Now I want to book the Truffles and Cheese tour.

It was SO much fun, Roe! Can’t wait to hear about your trip when you get back! Please let me know! We did an extension in Amsterdam when we did the Rhine. Amazing! Also did the Danube last year. I adore Viking so much!!

Hi, I was very interested in your site. We just booked the Viking Homeland tour 15 Days on an Oceanliner. We have done the Rhine Riverboat Cruise and really enjoyed it.

Thanks for visiting, Marlys. I’ve done three Viking River Cruises and have loved every one. I’m going to tour the new Viking Sun next month and can’t wait to see it! The ocean cruises are supposed to be fantastic. Please come back and let me know all about it when you return!

Did you do the Taste of Provence Tour in Avignon? Was it any good – trying to decide if it is worth it. Thanks.

I did not go on the Taste of Provence, Julie, but I heard it was one of the best tours. I was so bummed I didn’t go on that one! Can’t wait to hear about your experience! Please come back and comment with your thoughts. 🙂

So funny that you chose the three I DIDN not go on! These looked fun too, as the ones I went on were amazing as well!

These excursions were my favorite too!! What a fun time we had! I am so happy that mom and I got to meet you and Tim. Cannot wait to travel more together. 🙂

• Expeditions
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Lyon & Provence

• From £2,295
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

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VIKING RIVER CRUISES 8 Days | Lyon and Provence Southbound

LYON TO AVIGNON Day 1 | Lyon, France. Embark. Fly to Lyon. Transfer from the airport to your ship. After boarding, take free time to explore this vibrant city, or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and get oriented. Head upriver along the Saône around dinnertime. (D) Day 2 | Macon. Beaujolais Wine Tour. After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep. See the legendary Moulin-à-Vent, the windmill that gives its name to one of the most prestigious wines of the region, learn about the art of winemaking in a small museum and enjoy a tasting in one of the Beaujolais’s famous cellars. Return to your ship for lunch. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Or, take an optional excursion to the picturesque Burgundy town of Cluny, known for its magnificent medieval abbey ruin. Return aboard for dinner. (B, L, D) Day 3 | Lyon. Wake up in Lyon this morning and take a tour of this city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for marvelous views. Visit the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive through town past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. A walking tour is next, through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), where you’ll have free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world famous. In the afternoon, your ship sails to Vienne, where you may participate in a tour of the extensive Roman ruins in neighboring St.-Romain-en-Gal. If you prefer, you may remain in Lyon for additional free time and enjoy a brief coach ride to Vienne. Dinner served aboard. (B, L, D) Day 4 | Vienne. Tournon. This morning take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town with an ancient Roman past. Visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia, the Roman amphitheater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice; then spend some time discovering more of this engaging riverside town on your own. In the afternoon, enjoy the rolling vine-clad banks of the river, as you sail through its wide meanders to Tournon. After dinner, enjoy a stroll along the riverbanks under the plane trees. (B, L, D) Day 5 | Tournon. Viviers. All aboard the Train de l’Ardèche this morning for a locomotive ride through the deep gorges of the Ardèche plateau, cut by the Doux River. You’ll return to your ship and enjoy lunch aboard as we cruise to Viviers, an engaging little town in a mountainous setting. After dinner, join your Program Director for an evening stroll through Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Enjoy free time before retiring for the evening. (B, L, D) Day 6 | Arles. Arrive during breakfast and take a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trôphime, completed in the 15th century. Return aboard for lunch followed by an afternoon on your own to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served as you depart. (B, L, D) Day 7 | Avignon. This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture that served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Your ship remains docked overnight. (B, L, D) Day 8 | Avignon. Disembark. After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Marseille airport for your return flight. (B) NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

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• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Avignon to Lyon
• Lyon to Avignon

Lyon & Provence

• From AU$3,995
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

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Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Avignon to Lyon
• Lyon to Avignon

Lyon & Provence

• From $3,699
• 7 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Avignon to Lyon Lyon to Avignon

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

John and Barbara

The itinerary was like a dream..

My wife and I were joined by two other couples, friends from CT. We all thought the itinerary was fabulous. The accommodations and meals were fabulous. The itinerary was like a dream. But the real story is the fabulous attention and care provided by the amazing staff.  

We will continue taking Viking cruises.

This was our third Viking trip in three years, all in France, and we have reservations for another 10-day Viking trip (Cities of Light) in early October 2019 from Paris to Prague. We will continue taking Viking cruises until we run out of interesting rivers or money!  

Donna & Paul

Our paris extension was fabulous..

After our river cruise of Provence we went on the Paris extension through Viking. It was wonderful. Their staff took us to the train station and made sure we got on the right train. Then Viking staff met us at the Paris train station and took us to our hotel. Their representative for Paris was wonderful. She was there every day helping us organize our days. She helped us on the logistics of the area (ATM, Metro, etc.). She helped us reserve a trip to Monet’s Garden. It made things so much easier. Our Paris extension was fabulous and should not be missed.  

Carol Haselden

So excellent..

My Viking river cruise in France was so excellent that I sent my two daughters and their husbands on the same trip. Now we are going together on a Viking ocean voyage in 2019. Thank you!  

Informative & unique

Value, outstanding service, excellent accommodations, informative and unique excursions.  

Satisfied Guest

Stateroom is well laid out..

Lots of free time and dining area choices. Good tours; stateroom is so well laid out.  

Especially enjoyed the veranda stateroom

This was our third river cruise with Viking. As expected, it was fantastic. Viking truly does it right... The staff was very accommodating in all aspects. All of the meals on the ship were excellent with a lot of varied menus and choices to satisfy every palate. This was our first voyage on the new Longship... I especially enjoyed the Veranda stateroom and it is highly recommended. I certainly recommend Viking for any river cruise that you may be considering in Europe, especially in France.  

Viking does a great job.

Overall experience very attentive. Viking does a great job from meeting flight to final departure. Very pleasant and helpful staff, great food.

Excellent excursions.

Quality of the ship/decor. Friendliness of the staff. Excellent excursions´with knowledgeable guides.  

Good mix of guests.

Clean, friendly and efficient vessel. Wi-Fi throughout which was fast and efficient, and free! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful and I liked the fact that the dress code was smart casual. A good mix of guests as well.  

Wouldn't change a thing.

The absolute BEST trip I have ever taken. The staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the guided tours were interesting and the rooms were clean and comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing about this cruise. Seeing more of France than just Paris was great. I will definitely cruise with Viking again.  

Connie and Steve

More beautiful than i imagined..

The ship was immaculate, the meals fantastic and . . . each of the staff members . . . treated us as if it was our own private cruise . . . knowing our names, remembering every drink and acting in such a professional manner. I would also like to recognize the staff that took care of engineering . . . for without them, there is no cruise. We had a wonderful time; the sites and cities more beautiful than I could have imagined, but the trip would not have been nearly as successful if not for the many wonderful people that made it so special. For this we offer you many thanks.  

Exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons.

My first cruise, and I found it exciting and enjoyable for all the right reasons. A good choice of excursions and I felt spoiled rotten. Very well looked after. And what fantastic food!

Mike & Marique

Enjoyed it immensely..

It was our first time in Europe and we enjoyed it immensely. The staff was first-rate, every one of them. We took some optional tours, and also left time for our own explorations of Arles, Avignon and Lyon. The veranda was a nice retreat and worth having.  

Sharon & Phil

Excellent tours and tour guides..

Superb tour. Provençale luncheon featuring all the fine foods of Provence exceeded our expectations. The tours and guides were excellent. The Program Director was enthusiastic and professional, and the Viking staff for our post-cruise extension in Nice made our stay and departure smooth and pleasant.  

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

5-Day River Sale

• Free Silver Spirits Beverage Package on select 2025 & 2026 river voyages
• Use offer code SW4