Tag Archives: Rhone River Cruise

Lyon: Home of Great Food and Architecture in France

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No tourist can say he has experienced the best of France without setting foot in the charming city of Lyon. Situated right in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, it is located where two rivers – the Rhone and the Saone – smoothly meet.

Because of this unique location, the Lyon has become a staple stopover in many Rhone River Cruises, including the Arosa Stella, offering short 5 – 7 night cruises.

The city has been around for quite a while. It was occupied as early as 43 BC, when the Romans turned the land into a village for refugees of war. Today, it is the third largest and most populous city in France, but the influence of the early settlers is beautifully preserved in architecture and art.

Lyon is primarily known today for their exquisite cuisine. But before you indulge in their great food, there are numerous sights you must definitely see.

One of these sights is the Opera Nouvel. This historical landmark showcases the architectural creativity of both the old and modern French. The horseshoe-shaped structure standing today was first built in 1756 and improved in 1985. Despite the different architectural trends, the designers decided to preserve the old building and only make minor renovations. The renovated building turned out to have more efficient use of space inside and has been hailed as one of the most genius works of engineering and architecture in the world.

Other scenic places include the Fourvière Basilica, where you can feast your eyes on grand architectural designs on the outside. Inside is the Museum of Sacred Art, where beautifully crafted masterpieces by talented goldsmiths abound.

The Lyon Cathedral, Basilique Saint-Martin d’Ainay, and Iglesia de St-Nizier are a few other cathedrals that are equally as remarkable.

When going on a Rhone River Cruise, make the most out of your stop in Lyon. The city is best explored on foot or by bike. See the sights, learn the history, and – more importantly – eat the food. Only then can you say that you experienced the best of France.  Check out the Arosa Stella video.

The Arosa Stella offers 5, 6 and 7 night round trip Lyon – Rhone River Cruises, starting at $1079 for 2018 cruises. Rates include the cruise, beverage package, all meals and free Wi-Fi.

For more information contact europeanbarging at 888-869-7907 or jan@europeanbarging.com River cruise and barge cruise specialist since 1998.

The Charming Village of Le Baux de Provence- Rhone River Cruise

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Rhone River CruiseThis Rhone River Cruise Brings Passengers To The Village of Le Baux De Provence

Le Baux de Provence is an exceptionally picturesque village, more famous as a tourist site than being an active village. And with the surrounding Alpilles, it is extremely beautiful.

When you arrive at the village, you are astonished by the out-and-out scale, not only of the surrounding countryside but of the village itself. Les Baux de Provence was, and still is, more like a strong, fearsome stronghold than a pretty little village. In 1998, it was added to the elite official category of “The Most Beautiful Villages of France”.

Les Baux de Provence indeed remains a village officially as the population in the inner walled city is only 400. The number shrinks to just 22 in the winter months. Nevertheless, the dimensions of the buildings – the Château and its massive keep, the opulent Saint Vincent’s Church and grandiose Renaissance private mansions – are a testimony to Les Baux’ former wealth and power.

The village had an exceptional royal history. Though between the 17th and 19th centuries, it was almost a discarded and deserted place. It was only after the discovery of the mineral bauxite (the name is derived from “Les Baux”) in the neighboring hills that life came back to the village. The tourists started visiting the place and have more recently transformed it. Today, the number of visitors exceeds 1.5 million each year.

The tourists usually flock to the village during the day with the crowd thing rapidly after around 5 p.m. or so, depending on the season. So, it will be great to turn up rather late and enjoy the splendid castle in relative peace. The cultural heritage of Les Baux is exceptionally rich, with 22 architectural treasures classified as “Historic Monuments”, including the church, chateau, town hall, hospital, chapels, houses, doorways and such, without counting items of furniture and a collection of paintings.

You can visit the village only by foot and will admire the ancient houses that have been carefully restored, beautiful Renaissance facades and several magnificent “hotels particulars”, which presently serve as art galleries or museums. There is a winding steep road up to the town and the street of the town are steep as well.

While moving around the village, you will discover many craft shops selling Provençal products and souvenirs. Food lovers will be particularly happy to discover that several restaurants at Les Baux boast international reputations. Indeed, such quality dining is so hard to resist!

The Rhone River Excursion Is One To Remember

Les Baux de Provence is often offered as an excursion from Provence barge and Rhone River cruises. Contact us for more information! Europeanbarging 888-869-7907

Wine and Barge Cruise in the Cote Du Rhone of France- Rhone River Cruise

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Rhone River Cruise- Do Not Miss The Opportunity

Rhone River CruiseA wine-growing Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for the Rhône wine region of France, Côtes du Rhône may be used throughout the region, also in those areas which are covered by other AOCs. In a limited part of this long narrow region, the AOC Côtes du Rhône-Villages may be used, in certain cases together with the name of the commune.

The Cotes du Rhone appellation was introduced in November 1937 with the purpose to provide a catch-all title for Rhone wines of admirable quality, but which come from less well-known viticulture areas. The Cotes de Rhone- Villages appellation is way ahead from this, being given to those communes that show particular viticulture qualities.

Côtes du Rhône stands for the basic regional red, rosé and white wines covering the length and breadth of the Rhone Valley in eastern France generally dominated by Grenache (reds and rosés) or Grenache blanc (whites).

A Well Known Wine Town- Rhone River Cruise

Côtes du Rhône is such a well-known wine, almost a synonym for a not-too-fancy French red. Still the fact remains that few wines can match Côtes du Rhône in exemplifying the countless changes which have brought a revolution in the French wine industry in the last 20 years.

At the most exacting level of distinction, a total of 16 crus are permitted to be recognized by their village name without requiring the mention of Côtes du Rhône on the label. With the distinctive exception of Château-Grillet, a white septentrional within the AOC Condrieu, a feature of the nomenclature of CDR wines is that at the top level they are named only after their villages, and not after châteaux as usually happens in the case of Bordeaux wines.

Regardless of the fact that it does not share the honour associated with Rhone’s more famous names (such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cote Rotie and Hermitage), the Cotes du Rhone title stands for some very fine wines indeed. Often you will find that your fine Cotes du Rhone comes from a particularly dedicated winemaker whose vineyard happens to be justoutside the boundaries of the famous appellations.

We offer the 18 passenger Le Phenicien barge and several Rhone river cruises in the Cote Du Rhone region of France. So book one of these and visit the beautiful Cote Du Rhone!