The Rhone River

About the Rhone
Rhone River Ports
Sail thorough idyllic Provence France on your Rhone Saone River Cruise

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the Rhone River

Along the Rhone River and nearby you can find these amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visits to some may be included in your river cruise itinerary, but some may require some creative travel planning by your River Cruise Artist in order to visit.  Learn more below about these UNESCO Sites and the history you can experience when you visit them. Let River Cruise Your Way take you away to the history around the Rhone River.

Historic Site of Lyon

The historic city of Lyon, France, was settled by the Romans in the 1st century BC to be the capital of the Three Gauls and continues today to play a significant role in Europe’s political, cultural and economic development. The history of Lyon is clearly visible through its urban fabric and the many fine historic buildings from all periods that are prevalent throughout the city. Lyon, at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers, is a favorite river cruise port for travelers seeking to explore this historic and culturally rich region of France.

Decorated Cave of Pont D’Arc, also known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont D’Arc, Ardèche

Found in a limestone plateau of the Ardèche River in southern France, this ancient cave site contains the earliest-known and best-preserved figurative drawings in the world, dating back as early as the Aurignacian period making it a prime example of prehistoric art. The cave was closed off by a rock fall more than 20,000 years ago and remained covered until its discovery in 1994. Over 1,000 drawings and carvings are contained on its walls, combining a variety of anthropomorphic and animal motifs. They include several dangerous animals difficult to observe at that time, such as mammoth, bear, cave lion, rhino, bison and auroch, as well as 4,000 inventoried remains of prehistoric fauna and a variety of human footprints.

Roman Theatre and Its Surroundings and The “Triumphal Arch” Of Orange

Found in the Rhone River valley, the ancient theater of Orange, with its 337 feet long facade, is one of the most well-preserved of all the Roman theaters of its time. Built between 10 and 25 AD, the Roman arch is one of the most beautiful and interesting surviving examples of a provincial triumphal arch from the reign of Augustus. It is decorated with low reliefs commemorating the establishment of the Pax Romana.

Historic Center of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge

In the 14th century, Avignon, in the South of France was the seat of the catholic papacy. The Palais des Papes, an austere-looking fortress lavishly decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti, dominates the city, the surrounding ramparts and the remains of a 12th century bridge over the Rhone. Beneath this outstanding example of Gothic architecture, the Petit Palais and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms complete an exceptional group of monuments that testify to the leading role played by Avignon in 14th century Christian Europe. As your Rhone River cruise excursion takes you to Orange be sure to take in the breathtaking history that is laid out before you.

Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments

Arles, France, is a prime example of the ability of an ancient city to adapt to medieval European civilization. Found in Arles are some impressive Roman monuments, of which the earliest – the arena, the Roman theater and the cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries) – date back to the 1st century BC. During the 4th century Arles experienced a second golden age, as attested by the baths of Constantine and the necropolis of Alyscamps. In the 11th and 12th centuries, Arles once again became one of the most attractive cities in the Mediterranean. Within the city walls, Saint-Trophime, with its cloister, is one of Provence’s major Romanesque monuments and very worth a visit on your Arles Rhone River cruise port time.

Your Rhone River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Rhone River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.