Nice
We flew into Nice for a couple of days before our cruise and really enjoyed the atmosphere, winding streets and food options we chose.
The main memory to take home was the winding cobblestone alleys in the Old Town, the stores we bought souvenirs from, the food we experienced and the scent of Provençal cuisine—leaving us with memories as vivid as the city’s sunlit facades.
There was always a surprise around the corner. We experienced walking around the Cours Saleya Market bursting with fresh produce, flowers, and local specialties. We strolled along the Promenade des Anglais with azure waters on one side, the grand Belle Époque buildings on the other and an ornate merry-go-round to photograph.
We climbed to Castle Hill (Colline du Château), where the city, the port, and the sparkling Mediterranean unfolded beneath us. We were fascinated with the colours of the cathedrals from the top of the hillside and sought them out on foot. An elevator is available from the bottom of the hill from the Promenade and the walk down takes you to the Old Town.
Our first night we ate at an inviting terrasse shaded by striped awnings, where we lingered over dishes while we watched people walking past.
Emerald cruise
Once we settled into our suite, the rhythm of the river became the backdrop to each day’s adventure. The ship itself felt like a floating boutique hotel—lounges with panoramic windows, a welcoming crew and a daily schedule that blended relaxation with discovery. Mornings began with the aroma of fresh pastries and coffee in the dining room, while afternoons were often spent watching the changing landscapes of terraced vineyards and medieval villages drift by.
The cruise became more than a means of travel—it was an experience in itself, a gently unfolding journey through the heart of France, with the comforts of good company, fine food, and the promise of something memorable always just around the next bend.
On board, every meal was a celebration of local cuisine—delicate pastries, Provençal stews, and regional wines that told the story of the countryside we glided through. The evenings brought their own flavor of delight: themed dinners with laughter and camaraderie, lively quizzes that sparked friendly competition, and live music including a spirited violin duo.
Medieval city of Le Baux
The bus drove us from the ship and dropped us off at the edge of the old quarter, where the only way forward was upward to the town. The walk up took us to the old 11th-century castle fortifications with an old trebuchet. The cobblestone streets spiraled up to the view of the silvery olive groves and sunlit vineyards from the top.
There was plenty of time on the walk down to linger. Artisan shops lined the winding streets, their displays spilling out in a riot of colour— painted pottery in every window and lavender soaps perfuming the air. Eateries tucked into stone alcoves beckoned with the promise of Provençal specialties, their terraces overflowing with laughter and the clink of glasses. Each step brought something new: the scent of fresh bread, the shimmer of olive oil, and the warmth of local hospitality. The town’s spirit lingered long after we left, woven into the tapestry of our travels.
Les Baux and olive farm
At a nearby olive farm, we were welcomed by rows of gnarled trees, their branches shimmering in the breeze. In the cool shade of the mill, we learned how the olives were pressed, sampling oils so fragrant and peppery they seemed to capture the very essence of the landscape. The experience was as rich as the Provençal sun—earthy, golden, alive.
Pont du Gard Aqueduct
The bus dropped us at the underground museum, offering stories of Roman daily existence and the immense collaborative effort required to create such a lasting wonder. You could feel the weight of the years in the dim and dusty hall.
Today, the golden stone arches rise above the river, weathered but enduring, inviting visitors to marvel at the ingenuity of those who—two thousand years ago—sought to harness nature for the flourishment of their city. A gentle walk over the aqueduct takes you to a good spot to view the arch and take good photos.
Pont du Gard was designed to carry water from the Eure spring near Uzès to the Roman colony of Nîmes, crossing the Gardon River in a series of gracefully stacked arches. Spanning nearly 50 kilometers, the aqueduct supplied the city with fresh water for fountains, baths, and daily life, until neglect and the passage of time led to its gradual disuse.
Avignon
Avignon shimmers with the echoes of grandeur and pilgrimage. The Palace of the Popes, rises above the tiled roofs—a labyrinth of echoing halls, stone staircases, and secret chapels. Within its walls, we wandered beneath ribbed vaults and faded frescoes and secret chapels.
Outside, the city’s pulse is unmistakable. Bustling squares and café terraces beckon beneath fluttering plane tree leaves. The Rhône River, glints under bridges that have inspired song and legend.
As dusk fell, Avignon’s spirit seemed to soften, the golden glow of lamplight warming ancient streets. That night, we experienced a concert of Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi, each note reverberating through vaulted ceilings, entwining harp, flute, and cello. We went on the small passenger train back to the ship once it was dark with the melodies lingering after we left the concert venue.
Low water levels
There were bridges and locks we couldn’t use so there was a change in plans resulting in long bus times to get to some of the destinations. We decided to have a day on board the ship. It’s relaxing to spend time in the lounge and enjoying afternoon tea. The mistral wind had picked up so it was too cold to spend time on the upper deck, but it was still worth it to watch the river run past and experience a few of the many locks on the route.
As we sailed along, we saw more villages, always with a castle lookout. On the slopes above and beside the villages were row after row of vines, disappearing into the hills. The air was fragrant with the scent of sun-warmed earth and the promise of wine yet to come.
Viviers
We walked along the medieval cobblestone streets to breathe in the history of this village. We walked towards St. Vincent’s Cathedral, the smallest cathedral still in use in France.
Vienne
Vienne reveals its layered past and lively ambiance as you wander through the town center. Visitors on gentle walking tours can relax at cafe tables shaded by stately plane trees, planted by Napoleon’s troops for summer respite. The streets are animated by the colours and scents of a bustling farmer’s market, while history unfolds in the carefully restored castle—still inhabited to this day. Among the town’s treasures, the ornate cathedral stands out with its distinctive round tower, and the oldest house façade bears the initials commemorating a romantic bond between two houses. Vienne seamlessly blends ancient heritage with everyday life, inviting travelers to linger and explore.
Lyon
Lyon, sprawling between the meeting currents of the Rhône and Saône, exudes a quiet majesty shaped by centuries of trade, silk, and revolution. The city reveals itself in tiers: from the riverside, where barges drift and stone bridges curve gracefully, up to the winding lanes of Vieux Lyon, a district woven with Renaissance façades and hidden passageways that once ferried merchants and resistance fighters alike.
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière crowns the skyline, its towers a beacon for pilgrims and wanderers. Inside, sunlight dances across mosaics and marble, casting a kaleidoscope of colours that seem to whisper the histories held within these stones.
In the heart of Lyon, the allure of silk lingers not only in history but in the hands of contemporary artisans. We went into a sunlit atelier tucked between ochre walls, where the silk painting workshop unfolded—a celebration of colour and tradition.
Long tables draped with luminous silk awaited us. The instructor guided us in the ancient techniques that were once the city’s famed silk industry. With each stroke, liquid dyes blossomed across the fabric. Patterns emerged, some bold, some subtle, each piece a personal souvenir woven with memory and light.
