Offer applies to new bookings deposited from April 9, 2024 and is capacity controlled which may be removed at any moment without notice. Promotion is not combinable with Viking vouchers. Offer is combinable with all Viking offers Additional restrictions apply. Onboard credit amount varies by length of cruise and has no monetary value and is non-refundable and non-transferable, may not be used toward service charges, cannot be redeemed for cash, and unused portions will become void after sailing is complete.
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Avignon’s narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable medieval buildings. This “City of Popes” was the papal seat for 70 years during the 14th century after the sitting pope abandoned Rome and fled here. The massive church-fortress Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the center of the Christian world during that controversial period. It remains a work of Gothic splendor. Another of Avignon’s notable structures reaches into the Rhône, the ruins of the Pont d’Avignon. The 12th-century bridge, immortalized in folk song and dance, once spanned the river.
In the last days of the Roman Empire, Arles was the capital of Roman Gaul and boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins including Les Arènes; this ancient amphitheater seats 20,000 and is still used today for bullfights and plays. The town has an energetic feel, attracting farmers from the countryside to the frequent and famous Provençal market. It also enjoys a rich artistic heritage; the Mediterranean sunlight here inspired legendary Impressionist Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works. Many of Arles’s sights are immortalized in his paintings.
Avignon’s narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable medieval buildings. This “City of Popes” was the papal seat for 70 years during the 14th century after the sitting pope abandoned Rome and fled here. The massive church-fortress Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the center of the Christian world during that controversial period. It remains a work of Gothic splendor. Another of Avignon’s notable structures reaches into the Rhône, the ruins of the Pont d’Avignon. The 12th-century bridge, immortalized in folk song and dance, once spanned the river.
The sleepy town of Viviers was founded during the 5th century. This former Roman settlement became a bishop’s seat, and conflicts during ensuing centuries required the town to be fortified. With the Renaissance came a more stable period of wealth that allowed many new houses to be built, including a fine example of the era that still stands, the Maison des Chevaliers. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town, dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful windows.
Tournon lies secluded between the river and the vineyard-blanketed granite slopes that nurture fine vintages. An ancient castle, built snugly into a rock, overlooks the riverside setting. A settlement has perched on this hill since Celtic times, but the stunning views from its overlook have never changed. The name of its neighboring wine-producing region, Tain-l’Hermitage, comes from the hermit who planted vines here after returning from the Crusades. Today, his vines are awash in sunshine and produce a port-like wine and some stellar whites.
Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country’s most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourvière Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries.
Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country’s most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourvière Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries.
Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country’s most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourvière Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries.
8 Days 7 Guided Tours / 1 Countries
Daily Shore Excursions: 7 included guided tours
Port Charges: Included on all itineraires
This was our fourth Viking cruise, and we have never been disappointed. This company has consistently been excellent in terms of quality, service and value.
At his was our second Viking River cruise and it was excellent. Highly recommend.
We chose France's Finest on Viking based on the itinerary and because our anniversary is on Bastille Day and we wanted to be in France one year for our anniversary. Viking is very service oriented and always rate above average in my opinion. We took the included tours which gave an overview of the places we were docked. I especially enjoyed the small towns where we were docked and could walk from the boat. To get from the Rhoen river to the Seine river, we took the TGV fast trains. Viking took our luggage by truck and it was waiting in our stateroom when we boarded the second ship. The whole train trip was seamless as Viking reserved 1st class seats and their representatives guided the group from the ship to train and they were waiting for us in Paris. Entertainment was good as they brought groups on for evenings, food was also very good with selections for even the picky eaters but we are not foodies so for us it was very good. Viking is not upscale which suits us but if people like dressing up they should look at other ships. I guess you could says we like the Viking brand as this was our 5th & 6th Viking River cruises.
Viking always proves to be a pleasant experience. I feel they are on top of every situation and truly make everyone feel comfortable.
Viking did a great job of taking care of the guest on this cruise. Food was excellent, service fantastic and the crew(s) were attentive to your every need. Our two Program Directors did a great job of keeping everyone informed and engaged in each day's activities or excursions.
The local tour guides and trip directors for the tour and cruise portions of the trip were informative and personable. We enjoyed all parts of the trip - cruise food, personnel, airport transfers, excursions. Everything seemed well planned.
Everything on the trip went well. Planning was good; information received in a timely manner.
This was our second experience with Affordable Tours and Viking Cruises. Everything that both agencies did was perfect. We can't wait to use Affordable's services again. Looking forward to our next Viking journey also.
Post cruise to Paris was in a lovely hotel, Saint James Albany, perfectly located to walk to the major museums - Louvre, d'Orsay, Orangerie. Hotel was across the street from Tuileries Garden.
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This was our second River cruise with Viking and several excursions were disappointing.