10 Incredible Ports On A Rhone River Cruise

If you are looking for a relaxing and breathtaking vacation across France, you need to book a Rhone River cruise. These cruises will take you to some of the most incredible cities in all of France while relaxing on a boat and taking in the gorgeous views of the French countryside.

Some of the main Rhone River cruise ports include Lyon, Avignon, and Arles, but there are so many more that are sure to amaze you. So today, we will cover all the ports that a Rhone River cruise could stop at so you can decide how long of a cruise you want to take and what ports you want to see the most.

1. Rhone River Cruise Ports

There are lots of ports that a Rhone River cruise can stop at along its journey. The Rhone River is 500 miles long and starts in Lyon and ends in the Mediterranean. Hundreds of cities line its banks and they are all stunningly beautiful.

I’m only going to be discussing the major ports that the boats will stop at so you can choose a cruise based on what your favorite ports are.

2. Vienne

First on the list, we have Vienne. This city on the Rhone is located just 20 miles south of Lyon and just seeing it from the water will take your breath away. Its colorful buildings against the green hills look like something you would see out of a fairytale. 

There are lots of castles and museums here and they even have an ancient Roman amphitheater. This isn’t the only thing they have from the Roman era. They also have a Jardin Archaeologique de Cybèle which has multiple Roman temples, buildings, and walkways. ​​Le Pyramide is another Roman artifact in this city and is now used as a roundabout.

Vienne Cathedral is a medieval church built in 1130 and is hands down one of the most beautiful churches you’ll ever see. It looks like a duomo you would see in Milan or Rome, but it’s just right on the side of the river in this perfect little town.

3. Arles

Arles is the second to last port before entering the Mediterranean. It’s known for its ancient Roman buildings as well as being the place where Van Gogh painted his famous “Starry Night Over the Rhone”. Van Gogh wasn’t the only famous artist who lived here. Pablo Picasso also based himself here in 1957 and did many exhibitions at the Réattu Museum.

Some highlights of this city include the Roman Amphitheater of Arles, the St. Trophieme Church, and the Abbaye de Montmajour. The view of this city from the river isn’t as impressive as some others on this list. However, once you are inside the city and able to see the buildings up close, you will fall in love with it instantly.

4. Avignon

This is such an amazing place to visit. If you want a city that is full of castles and wonderful architecture, then Avignon is the place for you. It’s located in the ​​south-eastern Provence region of France and from 1309 to 1377 the Palace of the Popes was the seat of the Catholic popes.

As you sail into the city, the first thing you’ll see is the Pont Saint-Benezet. This medieval bridge used to stretch across the entire Rhone River, but now only four arches of the bridge remain. This is because of multiple floods over the years that destroyed the bridge and before they could repair it, another flood would hit and ruin their work. 

Another famous landmark in the city is the ​​Avignon Cathedral. It’s right next to the Palace of the Popes and was built in the 12th century. It’s where the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon is located, which is a big deal since the popes used to visit here often.

5. Viviers

This city is perched high on a hill along the Rhone River. It is mostly hidden when you’re on the water, but once you enter the tiny hilltop town of Viviers, you will not be disappointed. The Viviers Cathedral is the main spectacle of the town and towers over this small village. The construction of the church began in the 11th century and has had to be rebuilt multiple times. 

From the outside, this Roman Catholic church is built in the traditional Gothic style and has towers and spires that surround the church. On the inside, it has a tall domed ceiling with stained glass windows. The church is the main attraction, but there are a couple of other things to do here, such as the House of the Chevaliers, and walking the cobblestone streets of the old town.

6. The Camargue

This region of France is known for its amazing wildlife and natural beauty. It is right on the edge of the Mediterranean and covers over 360 square miles of land. The Camargue Regional Nature Park is what this region is known for. This Park consists mainly of wetlands and has a large bird population. Another animal that lives here, which the park is most famous for, is wild horses. Seeing them galloping across the wetlands is one of the most magical sights you’ll ever see. You can also book a horse riding tour if you want to see the Park by horseback. Some birds that live here are a variety of gulls and terns, Night Herons, Bitterns, and Squacco Herons. 

If you want to see what else is around the area, then head to the Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau, where you can see flamingos and many other bird species. Also nearby are the pink salt lakes of Aigues-Mortes where you can find massive pink lakes that make for an incredible Instagram picture. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might be lucky enough to watch the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer bull games. Here, professional bullfighters get into the ring with the bulls and dodge and weave as the bulls charge them.

7. Port-Saint-Louis

This is the last city that you’ll hit as you make your way down the Rhone River. It is at the mouth of the river, which means it’s the point where the river flows directly into the Mediterranean Sea. This means that there are beaches in this city! Some of the most famous ones are Plage Napoléon, Plage Nord, and Plage de Piemanson. The city of Port-Saint-Louis doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing, but the area around this city is incredible.

8. Martigues

Martigues is a little seaside village that has colorful houses that line the water’s edge. If you are looking for the best view of the village, then go to the Miroir aux Oiseaux. Here you can get a postcard-worthy photo of the small boats and buildings that define this wonderful town. 

Then there’s the Le Quartier de l’Île which is where the canals of the city are located. This area is known as the Venice of the Provence. Last, we have the Église Sainte-Madeleine-de-l’Île. This 17th-century church is one of the most beautiful in the region. The interior is covered in beautiful frescos and the walls are decorated with gold accents. The main beach of the city is called Plage de St Croix. It’s located in the south of the city and has white sand and crystal-clear water. 

9. Lyon

Lyon is the city where most of the Rhone River cruises begin. This is the second largest city in France and is known as Paris of the East. It’s the capital city of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is at the crossroads of two rivers, the Rhône and Saône Rivers. First on the list of things to see in Lyon, we have the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière. This church sits high about the city, which gives you an incredible view of the Old Town below and the Rhone River. 

Then we have the huge Parc de la Tête d’Or with its massive green space and botanical gardens. You can walk around here for hours and still not see the whole thing. There’s also another Roman amphitheater called the Théâtre Gallo Romain de Lyon-Fourvière. It was built in the 15th century and is now a place where concerts and festivals take place. Lyon is also called the food capital of France and has dishes like Quenelles, Andouillette, and for dessert, Tarte Aux Pralines. This city is truly magnificent and cannot be missed.

10. Tain L’Hermitage

If you like wine, then you’ll love this city. There are three major wineries in this city, the Maison M. Chapoutier, Caves de Tain, and Paul Jaboulet Âiné. All of them produce white and red wines from local vineyards in the area. Wine is not the only thing they are famous for. 

They also have a chocolate museum/cafe called the Cite du Chocolat Valrhona where you can experience the chocolate-making process and learn about its history. There’s also the Parc Jouvet which is a beautiful park with fountains and places for children to play. In the center of the city, we have the Fontaine Monumentale with its multiple tiers and a statue on top. From the water, this town looks incredible, with its tall churches and lovely bridges.