Lyon & Provence
with Viking
- A complimentary shore excursion included at every port of call
- Enrichment lectures & destination performances
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunches & dinners
- Fly free up to $2400 per person^
Sail along the scenic Rhône River through the beautiful French countryside.



Sail along the scenic Rhône River through the beautiful French countryside. Discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes d’Arles and the Pont du Gard. Explore the world’s largest Gothic palace at Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes. Excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy. Savor local wines, hunt for truffles and see how chèvre cheese is made. Come witness the beauty that inspired artists like Cézanne and Chagall on this eight-day voyage.
The Viking difference
When most cruise lines are building bigger ships, Viking Cruises provides a thoughtful, authentic and well-designed small ship experience that brings you closer to the world’s cultures. The ‘Viking difference’ is used to identify what sets them apart from other cruise lines, all the things that Viking doesn't offer — because Viking's aim is to provide more of what you really need and less of what you don’t.
No casinos | No charge for alternative restaurants | No smoking | No children under 18 | No charge for Wi-Fi | No waiting in lines | No umbrella drinks | No charge for use of self-service laundry | No formal nights, butlers, or white gloves | No photographers | No entrance fee for The Spa | No nickel-and-diming | No art auctions | No spa sales pressure | No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner | No inside staterooms
Viking inclusive value
At Viking you should not have to open your wallet every time you want a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or an excursion ashore. Viking's goal is to provide you with great value, so the cruises are designed to give you more for your money, with a cruise fare that includes everything that you need — from meals and beverages to shore excursions and Wi-Fi.
Applicable across all Viking river, ocean and expedition cruises
- One complimentary shore excursion at every port of call
- Enrichment lectures & destination performances
- Unlimited free Wi-Fi
- Beer, wine & soft drink served with onboard lunches & dinners
- 24-hour access to specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- All port taxes & fees
- Airport transfers with Viking Air purchase
Additional inclusions on ocean and expeditions cruises
- Multiple dining venues, including alternative restaurant dining & daily afternoon tea
- 24-hour room service
- Complimentary access to our top-rated spa & state-of-the-art fitness centre
- Self-service launderette with iron & ironing board
Inclusions exclusive to expedition cruises
- Complimentary onshore excursions; from 2-seater kayaks to a fleet of military pro zodiacs
- Viking excursion gear, boots and expedition kit for you to use on land and sea excursions
- A complimentary Viking Expedition Jacket for you to keep (on polar itineraries)
- Internal flights
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.
Stateroom | Price per person |
Standard | From $3995 |
French Balcony | From $5195 |
Veranda | From $5895 |
Suite | From $7695 |
*Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 14 November 2027 and correct as at 1 April 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.
*Prices are per person, in Australian Dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts, and correct as at 1 April 2025. Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 14 November 2027, other departures available and may attract a seasonal surcharge. Prices are subject to availability and change without notice.
^Discover More for Less Campaign - Save up to $4800 per couple: Prices include all advertised discounts, and all offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. All offers are only valid for new bookings and only on selected departures made between 01 April - 30 June 2025 unless sold out prior.
Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.