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Avignon River Cruises

About Avignon

Not just one the most historic cities you’ll visit on a Rhone River cruise but also one of the most historic in the whole of France, Avignon is a fascinating and fantastic port to explore. Renowned for its medieval ramparts and winding streets, the old part of the city is understandably where the majority of tourists head for but also where thousands of its inhabitants still live. The city enjoys a unique historical standing, in that it was where the papacy was based during the 14th

 century. It seems strange to think that Catholic popes have resided anywhere but Rome but in truth, seven different pontiffs were based in the city and even a long time after papal power moved back to Italy’s capital, the city remained in Roman hands, only being reclaimed by France in the wake of the French Revolution in 1791.

Exploring Avignon

The City of Popes boasts a wealth of other architectural and historic attractions to discover and many river cruise excursions will give you the opportunity to explore the celebrated palace and more. Immortalised in song, the Pont Saint Benezet is one of the city’s key landmarks, being destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout the centuries before finally being abandoned, this picturesque stone bridge is always popular with visitors. Don’t expect to use it to get anywhere though, as it is now an abandoned state, it ends in the middle of the Rhone. Place de l’Horloge is the go-to area to soak up the atmosphere and perhaps sample a glass of the local wine, while the 12th century Notre Dame Cathedral is another popular historical site, originally Romanesque but subsequently being endowed with a tower during the time of the city's papal occupation. If a deeper immersion in the region’s cultural history is what’s called for, then Avignon delivers with a good choice of informative museums. Musee du Petit Palais offers the bonus of being an architectural gem and offers a wide selection of artworks from the 14th and 15th century, while the Calvet Museum offers an excellent selection of 18th and 19th-century works, including a good number from Avignon’s own Joseph Vernet.

Avignon tips

Avignon’s also known for its world-famous festival, so if you’re a lover of the arts, visiting during the three weeks that the event is staged will be a bonus. If you’ve time for a quick bite, Avignon’s the perfect place to try some authentic Quiche Lorraine and also great for fish dishes. 

Avignon Itineraries

Lyon

Idyllic Rhône with Highlights of Paris

2 sailing dates July 2024 to August 2024
9 Nights From Paris, to Tarascon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £5269pp
Lyon

Idyllic Rhone - Lyon to Marseille

3 sailing dates April 2024 to August 2024
7 Nights From Lyon, France to , Tarascon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4359pp
Paris

Ultimate France - Bordeaux to Arles

29 sailing dates March 2024 to October 2025
21 Nights From Bordeaux, France, France to Arles
Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £10199pp
Avignon

Christmas in Southern France -Marseille- Marseille

1 sailing date December 2023
4 Nights From Marseille, France, to Marseille, France
Emerald Cruises logo CALL
Lyon

South of France with Highlights of Paris

4 sailing dates May 2024 to September 2024
12 Nights From Paris, to France , Lyon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £5259pp
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence from Avignon

22 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
7 Nights From Avignon, France to Lyon

Enjoy a free Superior drinks package worth £400pp per week on all 2024 European river cruises

Riviera Travel logo FROM £1749pp
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence from Lyon

22 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
7 Nights From Lyon, France to Avignon
Riviera Travel logo FROM £1899pp
Lyon

Essence of Burgundy & Provence from Arles

25 sailing dates March 2024 to October 2025
7 Nights From Arles, France to Chalon-Sur-Saône
AmaWaterways logo FROM £2459pp
Lyon

Essence of Burgundy & Provence from Chalon-sur-Sao

2 sailing dates March 2024 to November 2025
7 Nights From Chalon-Sur-Saône, France to Arles
AmaWaterways logo FROM £2559pp
Salamanca

Discover the Rivers of France &Portugal from Porto

3 sailing dates April 2024 to July 2024
14 Nights From Porto, Portugal to France , Nice, France
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £5879pp
Avignon

Colors Of Provence - Lyon to Arles

36 sailing dates March 2024 to December 2025
7 Nights From Lyon, France to Arles
AmaWaterways logo FROM £2499pp
Avignon

Colors Of Provence - Arles to Lyon

34 sailing dates December 2023 to December 2025
7 Nights From Arles, France to Lyon

Save up to 20%. Call us to add flights and transfers

AmaWaterways logo FROM £2249pp
Tournus

South of France - Lyon to Lyon

15 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
10 Nights From Lyon, France to Lyon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4349pp
Viviers

Sensations of Lyon & Provence from Marseille

28 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2025
7 Nights From Marseille (Provence), France, to France , Lyon

Book now to take advantage of HUGE savings | Includes flights and overseas transfers.

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £1699pp
Viviers

Idyllic Rhone - Marseille to Lyon

4 sailing dates May 2024 to September 2024
7 Nights From Tarascon, to France , Lyon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3419pp
Tournon

Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Nice

8 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
10 Nights From Nice, France, France to Lyon
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2669pp
Viviers

Sensations of Lyon & Provence from Lyon

32 sailing dates March 2024 to October 2025
7 Nights From Lyon, France to , Marseille (Provence), France

Book now to take advantage of HUGE savings | Includes flights and overseas transfers.

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £1699pp
Lyon

Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence River

1 sailing date November 2024
7 Nights From Lyon, France to Avignon
Riviera Travel logo FROM £2349pp
Arles

Paris & Sensations of Lyon and Provence from Paris

6 sailing dates April 2024 to September 2024
9 Nights From Paris, to France , Nice, France
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3179pp
Lyon

Discover the Rivers of France &Portugal from Nice

2 sailing dates May 2024 to June 2024
14 Nights From Nice, France, France to Portugal , Porto
Emerald Cruises logo CALL

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