Mind’s Eye Travel
Enriching the lives of people who are visually impaired or blind
Lyon & Provence
Rhône River Cruise aboard Viking Longship Buri
A 10-day adventure with eight days of cruising through
southeastern France and two days in elegant Aix-en-Provence
April 4 - 13, 2027
Introduction
Cruise the Rhône River with us and experience the quaint towns of Provence and the French countryside. Along the way, we’ll delight our taste buds in Lyon, the culinary capital of France, savor local vintages in a Beaujolais winery, explore Avignon’s magnificent Palace of the Popes and, in Arles, we’ll sit in an ancient amphitheater, still in use today, and imagine life during Roman times. After eight days in the serene comfort of a Viking longship, we’ll move into a fine hotel for two more days to explore the “city of a thousand fountains,” Aix-en-Provence.
Please Call 207-542-4438 to check availability for this trip.
Itinerary
DAY 1 — Sunday April 4, 2027
Lyon, France
The city of Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône rivers and, after Paris, is France’s most significant cultural center. Amid red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon reveal a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate Medieval traboules, unique passageways. The city also boasts a wealth of museums, cultural treasures and superb eateries.
Once we’ve settled into our staterooms, we will have a Mind’s Eye Meet & Greet on the Aquavit Terrace and perhaps a walkabout of the nearby neighborhood. This evening we’ll dine aboard ship in The Restaurant at our private tables.
DAY 2 — April 5
Lyon
Lyon, surrounded by farms that grow wonderful produce, is also the food capital of France. (It is not uncommon for Parisians to travel two hours by train to Lyon for dinner.) Whether they prepare classic recipes the traditional way or elevate them with their own signature touches, the great chefs of Lyon enjoy celebrity status. Their meals may be paired with light, fruity Beaujolais from the north or bold red Rhônes from the south.
Our included excursion is a guided tour of Lyon, one of Europe’s densest concentrations of Renaissance buildings. Most date back to the 15th Century, when Lyon’s silk trade began and wealthy merchants built elegant townhouses, some of which are now museums. We’ll go from the Basilica of Notre Dame atop Fourvière Hill to the peninsula between the rivers that is the Presqu’île shopping district. We’ll visit the St. Jean Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Palace of Justice, then stroll the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon, Old Lyon, where the famous traboules wend through buildings and courtyards. Finally we’ll hit the shops, perhaps for some of the silk for which Lyon is still famous. (Other excursions are offered as well, for a fee.)
Optional today is a private Mind’s Eye Food Tour led by a passionate local gastronome. Our guide promises unusual sights and tastes and will show us the secrets of Vieux Lyon’s historic district. This is a unique opportunity to discover Lyon’s remarkable cuisine. (An extra fee will apply.)
Day 3 — April 6
Lyon
Today’s excursion will be to the rolling hills of the Beaujolais wine country. Vineyards stretch for miles here along the Saône, where the granitic soil and warm climate are ideally suited to grapes that produce a light and delicate flavor. We’ll stroll through a village while our guide explains the art of winemaking. Naturally, we will also visit one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars to enjoy a tasting with a wine expert.
Day 4 — April 7
Vienne
Today we’re docked in Vienne, in the Côtes du Rhône region. Vienne is one of the oldest towns in France, with a history that can be traced to its Roman roots. Our excursion is a leisurely morning walking tour. We’ll meet our guide at the pier and set off to see the spectacular amphitheater, one of the best-preserved in France, and the Temple of Augustus & Livia, built in the First Century and used until late in the 19th Century. We may also explore the Garden of Cybele, once a Roman neighborhood, and then browse the shops or relax at a sidewalk café before returning to the ship.
This afternoon we’ll cruise through the Rhone Valley, between soaring mountains and past charming villages that still echo of Roman and Medieval times. We recommend taking a glass of wine to the bow of the ship as we pass through the locks that have tamed these waters, which were once choked with rapids, shallows and whirlpools. Today, the voyage is a pleasant, gentle experience.
day 5 — April 8
Tournon & Viviers
Secluded Tournon, which dates back to Celtic times, and its ancient castle lie between the river and vineyard-blanketed hillsides. This wine-producing region, Tain-l’Hermitage, is named for the hermit who planted vines here after returning from the Crusades. Today, his vines produce a port-like wine and some stellar whites.
Viviers, a charmingly sleepy village, was a 5th Century Roman settlement that became a bishop’s seat and then, in the warlike Middle Ages, was fortified. During the Renaissance came a period of peace and prosperity when many fine houses were built. Time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, dominated by the 12th Century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass windows.
Today we have two included excursions. The first is a walking tour of Viviers with a local guide who knows it intimately. We’ll take in its beautiful mountain setting, amble along its sycamore-lined avenue, linger in the Place de la Roubine and visit the Maison des Chevaliers, the Knights’ House, a Renaissance treasure that is the oldest house in town. We’ll also stop at the smallest cathedral in France, the 11th Century St. Vincent Cathedral, standing meditatively in the town square.
Our second excursion today is a unique narrated journey on the historic Train des Gorges, a meter-gauge steam train that follows the Doux River through its verdant valley, a conservation area where panoramic views appear around every turn. The valley is inaccessible by road, making it a serene wilderness of unparalleled beauty.
day 6 — April 9
Arles
In the last days of the Roman Empire, Arles was the capital of Roman Gaul and it still boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins, including the ancient amphitheater of Les Arènes, which seats 20,000 and is still used for bullfights and plays. The town has an energetic feel; farmers from the countryside flock to its famous Provençal market, and Arles enjoys a rich artistic heritage too. The Mediterranean sunlight inspired Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works here.
Our excursion today is a walking tour of Arles, the “City of Rome, City of Art.” Along with the famous amphitheater, we’ll visit the Antique Theater, a First Century wonder that seated 10,000, and the Place de la République, a bustling square that was once the site of the Roman Circus. Our tour will also include the 15th Century Church of St. Trophime and the Espace Van Gogh, the hospital that treated the artist and today is a cultural center.
day 7 — April 10
Avignon
Avignon’s narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable Medieval buildings. This was the papal seat during the 14th Century after the sitting Pope abandoned Rome and fled here. For 70 years, Avignon’s Palace of the Popes, a massive Gothic church-fortress, was the center of the Christian world. The city also features in the one French song that everyone knows—"Sur le pont d’Avignon”—and of course we will visit the ruins of this famous bridge that spanned the Rhône 800 years ago.
Today’s excursion is a guided walking tour of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that will include the bridge and Palace of the Popes as well as the city’s bustling main square, the Place de l’Horloge, and the Market Hall, an indoor market with a vertical garden, cafés and stalls selling produce, meats and cheeses. Here we’ll have free time to browse or simply take in the elegant balconies, facades and shade trees that line these streets.
day 8 — April 11
Aix-en-provence
A new morning, a new destination, and here we leave our ship. We’ll disembark after breakfast and set off on a motor coach through the Provençal countryside, a stunning mix of red cliffs, rugged mountains, dense woodlands and rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves. When we reach Aix-en-Provence, we’ll check into our hotel and then we’re at leisure for the rest of the day. This evening, you might choose to explore the city’s gastronomic scene, perhaps sampling a calisson, a delicious regional specialty. We’re on our own today for lunch and dinner.
day 9 — April 12
Aix-en-provence
After breakfast we’ll set off on a walking tour with a local guide along the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, passing elegant mansions, shady squares and lively cafés. We will visit the Old Town and soak up its colorful history that reaches back to Roman times, and admire sights like the striking Aix Cathedral. Afterward, the day is ours to explore further with our sighted guides. Don’t miss the bustling markets offering delectable regional cheeses, olives, wines and lavender. We’re on our own for lunch, and then tonight is our Mind’s Eye farewell dinner in the hotel, where we’ll share our experiences over a glass (or two) of local wine and bid our fellow travelers adieu—or, perhaps more fittingly, Au revoir, until we meet again.
day 10 — Tuesday, April 13
Aix-En-Provence
After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport in Marseille for our flights home.
Features & Amenities of a Viking Longship
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All staterooms are outside with a river view.
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Every room has 110-volt US-standard electrical outlets & USB ports.
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The Restaurant and The Lounge & Bar have floor-to-ceiling windows.
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The open-air Aquavit Terrace offers al fresco dining.
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The Sun Deck has a shaded sitting area with lounge chairs and tables.
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The Sun Deck also has a walking track and an organic herb garden.
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The middle and upper decks are connected by an elevator.
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Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
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Laundry service is available for a fee.
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Complimentary bottled water
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Beer & wine service during meals
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Nightly after-dinner entertainment in the Lounge
Prices per person, double occupancy
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Standard lower-level stateroom (150 square feet) – $10,950
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Veranda stateroom (205 square feet) – $12,990
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Veranda suite (a true two-room suite, 275 square feet) –$15,950
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If you prefer single occupancy or wish to bring your own sighted guide or a guide dog, please call for special pricing.
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A nonrefundable deposit of $750 is due with your booking; the balance will be due 60 days later or as Viking requires.
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There is a $100 cancellation fee; any amount paid to that point will be applied to a future Mind’s Eye Travel booking.
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We also recommend booking your flights through Viking as this includes ground transportation on both ends of the trip.
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Airfare is not included, but Viking Air flights for this cruise start at $999.
Included in the prices
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One sighted guide for each visually impaired traveler
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One excursion at each port as described (excursions may have to change with circumstances)
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All meals unless otherwise noted above
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Standard shipboard & Viking tour guides gratuity
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Ground transportation with Viking Air purchase.
Please Note
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Mind’s Eye Travel strongly recommends trip insurance.
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Our trips are non-smoking & perfume/cologne free.
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Prices do not include alcohol (beyond beer & wine provided at Viking meal service), personal items or meals off the ship.
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You may bring your own beer or wine to enjoy onboard, free of charge.
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In addition to knowledgeable local guides, Viking walking tours always include one group that moves at a more sedate pace, for our comfort.
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Excursions other than the ones included here are also available, for a fee.