Day 1: Lyon, France

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

Day 2: Lyon, France

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

Day 3: Lyon, France

One of Europe’s densest concentrations of urban Renaissance buildings, Old Lyon is pure pleasure to explore. The dwellings of this UNESCO site date back to the city’s silk weaving success during the 15th century, when Italian merchants and bankers put their profits into building town houses; today some of their elegant residences house museums. St. Jean Cathedral lies in the heart of Old Lyon and is a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It has weathered periods of political turmoil and religious wars and is now one of the city’s most prominent symbols.

Day 4: Vienne, France & Scenic Sailing along Rhône River

Situated between France’s Burgundy and Beaujolais regions, Vienne is the gateway to Lyon’s countryside. It is one of the oldest towns in France, with a history that can be traced through its architecture. Among its Roman remains and artifacts, the Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia dates back to the 1st century AD. Its Roman amphitheater, nestled in the hills of Mont Pipet, is one of the best preserved in the nation. Vienne also boasts remarkably preserved medieval buildings and market ruins. Other landmarks include the Abbey of Saint Pierre and the Church of Saint-André-le-Bas.
The lure of fine cuisine, charming villages and breathtaking vistas is never-ending along the Rhône River. Journey along this graceful waterway, meandering past vine-clad banks, and incredibly preserved echoes of medieval times and the days of the Roman Empire. The several locks through which the ship passes have helped to tame its waters, once unnavigable because of rapids, shallows and whirlpools. Today, a voyage along this stretch is a pleasant, gentle experience, surrounded by the hills and soaring mountains of the Rhône Valley.

Day 5: Tournon & Viviers, France

Tournon lies secluded between the river and the vineyard-blanketed granite slopes that nurture fine vintages. An ancient castle, built snugly into a rock, overlooks the riverside setting. A settlement has perched on this hill since Celtic times, but the stunning views from its overlook have never changed. The name of its neighboring wine-producing region, Tain-l’Hermitage, comes from the hermit who planted vines here after returning from the Crusades. Today, his vines are awash in sunshine and produce a port-like wine and some stellar whites.
The sleepy town of Viviers was founded during the 5th century. This former Roman settlement became a bishop’s seat, and conflicts during ensuing centuries required the town to be fortified. With the Renaissance came a more stable period of wealth that allowed many new houses to be built, including a fine example of the era that still stands, the Maison des Chevaliers. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town, dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful windows.

Day 6: Arles, France

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

Day 7: Avignon, France

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

Departures: Multiple departure dates available in 2025, 2026 & 2027 in Lyon to Avignon or vice versa direction.

*Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 29 October 2025 and correct as at 16 January 2025. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge.

Prices are subject to availability and change. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for availability and current pricing.

March 2025

*Prices are per person, in Australian Dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts, and correct as at 16 January 2025. Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 29 October 2025, other departures available at seasonal surcharge. Prices are subject to availability and change without notice.

^Fly free up to $2400 per person: Fly Free Economy Flights up to the value of AU$2400 pp when booking flights with Viking. Fly Free is economy flight(s) for both guests up to the value of AU$2400 per person (pp) to/from Australia/New Zealand. If the flight cost exceeds AU$2400pp the guest will cover the difference. If flights are cheaper than AU$2400pp the unused portion of the air funds will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person. A guest can use the AU$2400pp to instead upgrade to business class or premium economy (booked through Viking) with the difference to be covered by the guest. Any flight cost difference is to be paid at the time of flight booking. Applicable if flights are booked through Viking and must be booked in conjunction with a selected 2025/2026/2027 Viking River cruise. Flights are Viking’s choice of airline for selected major gateways in AU/NZ: ADL/AKL/BNE/CBR/CHC/CNS/DRW/HBA/LST/MEL/OOL/PER/SYD/WLG. Guest must return their air form to Viking within 14 business days of receiving request for flights, otherwise Viking reserve the right to remove the free air promo and apply the respective in lieu of flights discount. Valid on bookings made by 31 March 2025. Guest may not request to change to flights included promotion post campaign end date of 31 March 2025. Viking will reach out to you or your travel advisor once flights are in the date range, at this point you may nominate your preferred departure/arrival dates. Both guests must be on the same airline booking (PNR) and fly together in both directions. Solo guests for River can use up to AU$4800 towards their flights. Any unused portion of the air funds will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person or booking.

Save AU$2400pp and book flights independently: Guests are eligible to get a discount of AU$2400 per person (pp) off the cruise fare at the time of booking in lieu of the Free Economy Class flights. Solo guests for River are eligible to get a discount of AUD$4800 per booking off the cruise fare in lieu of the free flights. Guests book their own flights independently of Viking. Valid on bookings made by 31 March 2025. Guest may not request to change to flights included promotion post campaign end date of 31 March 2025. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability.

Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.