Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2024 - BASIC

Ready for an exciting adventure? From Viviers the bus will take you to the kayak station. After a briefing with detailed information you will paddle on one of the world's most famous kayak trails. Through calm waters and exciting rapids, you will experience the beautiful landscape. In between, you can have a picnic before you paddle back to the valley station.

Join us on a journey to the breathtaking Ardèche, a hidden jewel of France that awaits you not only with breathtaking nature but also with exquisite wine. Your first stop is a lavender museum, typical of Provence, where you will learn about the diversity of lavender species and their use in medicine. On your onward journey to the Château des Amoureuses, you will stop at the famous Pont d'Arc for a photo stop. Be mesmerised by the majestic gorges and imposing rock formations. Once you arrive at the Châeteau, experienced winegrowers will explain the secrets of the local grape varieties and introduce you to the art of winemaking. Enjoy a wine tasting characterised by the aromas and nuances of the region.

Up to 300 metres deep, the Ardèche has carved out the typical limestone, forming one of the most beautiful landscapes in France. This includes the fairy-tale grottos. Along the river you will drive to one of the numerous grottos of the area, such as the Grottes des Madeleines with its subterranean halls. Continuing your trip to one of the lavender producers in the Ardèche-area, you will be shown the different types and species of lavender, as well as their usage in medicine, decoration and perfume production.

The Rhône crosses the landscape like a dark green ribbon. And you will cycle along the bank, beginning in Viviers. First you will pass the Hausberg, a local mountain and cycle through the pretty town of Donzère. Then it becomes a bit more demanding: you will cycle on a former route of the Tour de France with a longer climb. Your guide will adjust speed to ensure that everyone can keep up. And the effort is definitely worth it: the magnificent descent back to Viviers takes you past Châteauneuf-du-Rhône.

Your private English-speaking guide will pick you up in front of the ship and show you Arles according to your wishes. Stroll through the most beautiful city in France, at least that's what the French say. Discover the city centre with its numerous Roman buildings or take a look at the amphitheatre. Let the Roman era pass by and experience the city where even Vincent van Gogh spent a year creating numerous masterpieces.

The Camargue is a paradise not only for the white wild horses, but also for riders. The Mas Saint Germain, a typical ranch in the national park, awaits you and takes you on a one-hour tour through the magnificent landscape. Of course, you will also prepare the horse for your ride and bring it back to their pasture or stable afterwards.

Where land and sea merge, something wonderful is created. The Camargue is a natural wonder. And you will experience it first hand on this bus tour - with its flocks of flamingos and the famous white horses, the fauna is truly unique. Today, the free-roaming white Camargue horses and Camargue cattle are not wild animals anymore, but are kept on wide pastures that are typical for the region. We will continue to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a major pilgrimage site and a touristic hub of the Camargue. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer church from the 9th century houses sacred relics of Marie Saloné and Marie Jacobé. Since 1448, a pilgrimage to the church has been held twice per year. The centre of veneration of Saint Sarah, also known as Sara the Black, is also here in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a place of pilgrimage for Roma. After a short walk you will have some free time.

Discover and observe numerous bird species in their natural environment. The Parc Ornithologique covers 60 hectares and is home to the birds of the Camargue. Walk through the park, enjoy the birdsong and hundreds of pink flamingos. Then set off by jeep on a wonderful adventure across the Camargue. The Camargue is an Eldorado for nature lovers and freedom lovers. Say hello to the white wild horses and enjoy the unique nature and beautiful landscapes.

Quaint villages, white wild horses and pink flamingos - that is the Camargue. Explore the untouched flood plain in the saddle of your A-ROSA bicycle. You will cycle past vast rice fields and the famous Camargue bulls - the meat is a real delicacy - until arriving in Étang de Vaccarès. With a little luck, we will see some flamingos here at the salt water lagoon. The next stop is Arles, which is a well-known thanks to Van Gogh's masterpieces. During a coffee break, you can admire the imposing amphitheatre from the Roman period.

Immerse yourself in the comic world of Spirou & Fantasio and meet various park mascots, such as Spirou himself or Luky Luke. Unique attractions for young and old, specially designed for Parc Spirou, await you. Discover various roller coasters, such as the Free Fall Tower or test the ingenious invention of perfectionist Gaston. We wish you lots of fun!

That’s what the French say, anyway. But the only way to be sure is to experience the charm of Provence’s former capital for yourself. We recommend that you begin your excursion by sampling some delicious calissons d’Aix, local sweets made with almonds and melon. Preferably in one of the many cafés along the elegant Cours Mirabeau. Or you could follow in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne, the great Impressionist artist, who had a studio in Aix. And after you’ve had a look around the city, there’ll still be enough time to purchase a typical Provençal souvenir, such as herbs or soap.

In the 14th century, Avignon was the centre of Christianity. Its cultural richness, as well as monuments and city walls that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have contributed to Avignon becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2000. Avignon's most famous feature is the bridge sung about in the famous children's song. The Papal Palace with its ornate chambers and chapels is also worth a visit. Visit the multifaceted city with your English-speaking tour guide according to your wishes and preferences.

Today you’ll feel like a VIP. Near Avignon you can climb a Cessna or Piper with a maximum of three people. Such small machines can fly particularly low and are very manoeuvrable, making for an exceptional flying experience. During your 30-minute round trip you will enjoy a unique view of the Pont du Gard, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux, Alpilles and the cities of Beaucaire and Tarascon.

In the morning, Avignon is still wonderfully quiet. The perfect time to explore the city and its exciting history by bike. After witnessing the sun rise over the Rhône, you will explore the enormous Pope's Palace and many other sights. The relocation of the Pope's seat to Avignon in the 14th century also provided the city with gothic churches, monasteries and other splendid buildings. The morning light also illuminates the small island Barthelasse with a fantastic atmosphere. Here, you will cycle through lush nature.

Through narrow alleys and past the numerous small city palaces, chapels and churches, this excursion will lead you to the famous Palais du Pape. In the beginning of the 14th century Pope Clemens V settled here, followed by further popes and cardinals. The visit of this fortified site takes you to the great halls, to the chapels, to the private chambers of the Pope and to the terrace with magnificent views of Avignon and the Rhône. Each year in July, one of the largest theatre festivals in the world takes place around the palace. After visiting the palace you will pass the church of St. Agricol and to the ruins of the famous Pont d’Avignon.

The indoor food market of Lyon is named after Paul Bocuse – and with good reason. This star chef was based in Lyon and so he often shopped here. There are plenty of tasty specialities for you to sample here. But France’s second-largest metropolis has a lot more to offer beyond that. Your tour will continue through the city centre, where you’ll take in some wonderful sights.