An Epicurean adventure cruising Burgundy and Provence
We arrive by Air France at Lyon-Saint Exupery for our 9-day European river cruise on the Saone and Rhone rivers with Uniworld. We are greeted by a Uniworld representative and transfer to the River Royale docked in Chalon sur Saone, and the five-star Uniworld treatment begins.
After being shown to our stateroom, followed by a brief introduction to the ship’s staff and procedures in the Main Lounge (a glass of Champagne in hand), we enjoy our first dinner, prepared by River Royale’s gourmet chefs. The restaurant, with open seating, linen tablecloths, and beautiful views through the walls of windows, is a marvelous setting to meet new friends and dine on the culinary delights of each region we traveled through. The evening meal is served le by genteel waiters with free flowing wines paired to the selection of one’s choice.
Each morning after feasting on an amazing European and American style breakfast buffet guests gather for the included morning tour. Departing by motorcoach, our first venture is to Beaune, nestled inside its 15th century ramparts. We ride through vineyards with our English speaking guide telling us of the history, wine and architecture. The highlight is visiting the Hospices, a charitable institution founded in 1443 with its fabulous tiled roof. It is still a working hospital for the poor, with modern facilities standing alongside the Hotel-Dieu.
While cruising, there are several locations onboard from which to enjoy the views: the sundeck, the exercise room, your stateroom, the main lounge and the restaurant. Often while the ship is enroute, guests have the choice to take advantage of going ashore on irresistible optional tours Uniworld offers. While some prefer to relax, others enjoy the opportunity to visit more ashore. On this itinerary it is a chance to tour the countryside, with its famous vineyards, country castles and visit cathedrals of Southern Burgundy and Provence.
We reach the confluence of the Rhone and the Saone Rivers where Lyon thrives as the second largest industrial city in France. It is the principal center of the French textile industry, particularly silk production. Julius Caesar founded the city about 2,000 years ago. A highlight of our included tour is the view from Fouviere Hill of the Alps and Rhone Valley. We visit Lyon’s hallmark basilica, Notre Dame de Fouviere. On the Presquile we walk through les traboules, famous passages hidden behind doors of Renaissance facades. Throughout history, Lyonnais made use of these secret pedestrian tunnels.
Traveling down the Rhone we arrive at the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hemitage. Our walking tour takes us across the Marc Seguin Bridge, the first suspension bridge, to one of France’s oldest cities. The feudal castle dates back to the 10th century. In Tain l’Hemitage we sample some of the famous Cotes du Rhone wines produced from syrah grapes harvested on the steep slopes of the river. The spring flowers are in full bloom, and it is gorgeous.
Part of the adventure is going through the locks. On the sixth day we arrive in Viviers to enjoy our guided tour of the village. Our entry is through a 100 year old Sycamore Alley to the Medieval streets of this quaint village. Walking up the hill we pass 16th century Renaissance-style houses to the 12th century St. Vincent’s Cathedral where we relax and a pipe organ recital is performed just for us.
An optional tour takes us by motorcoach over the Rhone to a rare truffle farm to learn about this delicious “black diamond of the Drome Provencale.” Enroute we pass lavendar fields and gorgeous vineyards as we continue on to the Chateauneuf Du Pape Appellation for a wine tasting.
One of my favorite locations was the ancient city of Avignon, inside the medieval city fortification wall. The English speaking guides that Uniworld arranges for our tours are very knowledgable in the history and sights we explore, enhancing the experience. We stroll to the main square, Place de l’Horloge, to Clocktower Square and the Pope’s Palace Square, with the Palais des Papes, built between 1335 and 1364, a gathering place to enjoy street musicians and nearby shops. There is so much to see and learn: the Saint Benezet Bridge (Pont St.- Benezet), the Romanesque Saint Nicholas Chapel, the Pont du Gard aqueduct and Uzes village were facinating. The Pont du Gard became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. It was constructed in the 1st century AD, designed to carry water across the valley and built without the use of mortar.
We continue to Arles. This Mediterranean town is known for its unique Provencal light. Vincent van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings here. Arles has been around since the 6th century BC. In the Roman amphitheatre, known as Les Arenes, gladiators once fought. Today bull fights are watched in the arena.
Our last optional tour is to an olive farm where we walk through the grove and visit the mill, learning about the growing, harvesting and pressing process involved in the making of olive oil. We then venture on to the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence perched on a prominent rock in the Alpilles Mountains. We are told of the history of the fortress erected by the lords of Les Baux, descendants of Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men, and the family line of the Grimaldi Prince of Monaco. Walking up the stone paths to the village church we pass art galleries, shopping arcades and café terraces.
Throughout our trip we have been using the fabulous L’Occitane en Provence beauty and bath products provided by Uniworld in our stateroom. Our accomodations and amenities are of the five star quality. The stateroom design is well thought out with plenty of storage in the closet, night stands, underbed drawers and desk area. It is all very comfortable.This was truly a marvelous cruise I highly recommend and I look forward to enjoying another Uniworld excursion in the future. Read more about Uniworld River Cruises or European river cruises.
Annette L. Pattison
annette.p@travelstoreusa.com
Tags: annette pattison, France, provence, river royale, Uniworld
