Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence River Cruise

Anyone who visits Avignon will quickly see why it's such a raved-about port on Rhone River cruise itineraries. Nestled in the heart of France's Provence region, the small city is quaint and intimate, with a chic vibe. You'll find stone buildings with pastel-colored shutters, boutique shops and hotels, and lively little squares -- including Place de L'Horloge, a roughly 10-minute walk from the pier. It literally feels as if you've stepped foot inside a postcard from the South of France. Looks aside, the "City of Popes" is rich in Roman Catholic history. Between 1309 to 1377, popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome, due to unstable political conditions at the time. Avignon is home to the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the largest gothic palace in the world, and adjacent Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral (known as the Avignon Cathedral). Avignon is also conveniently located about an hour outside Marseille (which has the nearest, major international airport). This makes it a prime embarkation and disembarkation point for a number of river cruise lines. Heading there in July? Try to plan for a glimpse of the annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world.

Anyone who visits Avignon will quickly see why it's such a raved-about port on Rhone River cruise itineraries. Nestled in the heart of France's Provence region, the small city is quaint and intimate, with a chic vibe. You'll find stone buildings with pastel-colored shutters, boutique shops and hotels, and lively little squares -- including Place de L'Horloge, a roughly 10-minute walk from the pier. It literally feels as if you've stepped foot inside a postcard from the South of France. Looks aside, the "City of Popes" is rich in Roman Catholic history. Between 1309 to 1377, popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome, due to unstable political conditions at the time. Avignon is home to the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the largest gothic palace in the world, and adjacent Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral (known as the Avignon Cathedral). Avignon is also conveniently located about an hour outside Marseille (which has the nearest, major international airport). This makes it a prime embarkation and disembarkation point for a number of river cruise lines. Heading there in July? Try to plan for a glimpse of the annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world.

Arles is one of the southernmost ports on France's Rhone River, not far the Mediterranean Sea. The city is massive, but the Old Town area feels like its own little village and is quite walkable. Once inside the heart of the city, it's easy (and we encourage you) to get lost in the plethora of winding cobblestone alleyways. You might even get a sense of deja vu. A number of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings feature scenes from Arles -- most notably, the Cafe Van Gogh from "Cafe Terrace at Night," which is nestled in a lively square among shops and other eateries. Perhaps the city's most well-known feature, however, is its collection of some of the earliest Roman monuments. The arena, theater and cryptoporticus all date back to the 1st century BC The arena is still in use today. The city is approximately a five-minute walk from the pier. On days when Arles' pier is overcrowded, riverboats dock at the nearby village of Tarascon and take a 20-minute shuttle ride to the city. A number of river lines use Arles as either an embarkation or disembarkation point for their cruises, as the city is also within close proximity to Marseille (the nearest, major international airport).

Vienne is a charming city nestled along the banks of the Rhône River in south-eastern France. Known for its rich history and Roman ruins, Vienne offers visitors a glimpse into the past with its well-preserved amphitheatre and temple. The city also boasts beautiful architecture, delightful cuisine, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Chalon-Sur-Saone in east-central France has been an important port since ancient times. Caesar chose it as his winter headquarters and in the 6th century it was the capital of the Kingdom of Burgundy. Chalon's fine quays border the Saône river at its junction with the Canal du Centre. The town holds a few carnivals and traditional festivals each year: one of giant masks (March), street performers (July) and film (October). It has several museums displaying stone-age tools and a history of photography and spy equipment. The former cathedral (now church) of Saint-Vincent was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. The church of Saint-Pierre has two steeples and was built in the late 17th century. There are a number of old houses, a 15th-century Episcopal palace, and remains of ancient ramparts. The town's museum of fine arts and archaeology is one of the finest in Burgundy. The town is the birthplace of Nicephore Niepce, who invented photography, and there is a museum in his honour. It is the commercial centre of the Saône valley and a good start for excursions to Dijon.