Rhône Route Classique

Lyon, the ‘Gate to the South’, is a city that really appeals to the senses. It is home to producers of the finest silk fabric, playful Renaissance buildings and France’s world-famous gourmet cuisine. Situated at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is characterised by the typical French savoir-vivre – the appreciation of the good life. The two rivers flow through the middle of the old town, Vieux Lyon, in which the narrow streets are connected to each other by passageways called traboules. Often covered with pointed arches and richly decorated with beam ceilings, they lead into picturesque inner courtyards.

Macon is a city in central Georgia. Ocmulgee National Monument has large Native American earthen mounds from around 1000 A.D., and its museum displays artifacts spanning thousands of years. The Tubman Museum’s exhibits on African-American art, history and culture include a huge mural and the Inventors Gallery. The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House shows memorabilia in the rock band’s former home.

Stroll through the old town, past charming half-timbered facades and right onto the square in front of the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, which dates back to the eighth century. Then, enjoy a cool glass of local Chardonnay. In Chalon-sur-Saône, millennia-old history meets modern lifestyle and culture – as in so many other small towns and cities along this tranquil river. The city is also known as the birthplace of photography: the Musée Nicéphore Niépce, a photography museum at the Quai des Messageries, is clear evidence of this.

Tournon-sur-Rhône is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.

Lyon, the ‘Gate to the South’, is a city that really appeals to the senses. It is home to producers of the finest silk fabric, playful Renaissance buildings and France’s world-famous gourmet cuisine. Situated at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is characterised by the typical French savoir-vivre – the appreciation of the good life. The two rivers flow through the middle of the old town, Vieux Lyon, in which the narrow streets are connected to each other by passageways called traboules. Often covered with pointed arches and richly decorated with beam ceilings, they lead into picturesque inner courtyards.

Viviers is a commune in the department of Ardèche in southern France. The administrative and religious capital of Vivarais, the town of Viviers, on the right bank of the Rhône, in southern Ardèche, retains an important heritage from its rich past, including many listed monuments.

In 1888, Vincent van Gogh saw the sun in Provence as blazing, with the most intense yellow rays, like golden rain. Arles, at the heart of this region, is where he mixed the bright yellow paint for his famous Sunflowers series. Although the artist only lived in the city on the Rhône for a short time, his paintings brought it worldwide fame. Everyone knows The Langlois Bridge at Arles. Two thousand years earlier, it was the Romans who had settled here on the banks of the river. The two-storey Arles Amphitheatre and the Roman Theatre of Arles, which was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, bear witness to this. Arles is also home to great museums: the Musée Réattu’s collection includes paintings by Pablo Picasso. A unique city and a true artistic treasure.

In 1888, Vincent van Gogh saw the sun in Provence as blazing, with the most intense yellow rays, like golden rain. Arles, at the heart of this region, is where he mixed the bright yellow paint for his famous Sunflowers series. Although the artist only lived in the city on the Rhône for a short time, his paintings brought it worldwide fame. Everyone knows The Langlois Bridge at Arles. Two thousand years earlier, it was the Romans who had settled here on the banks of the river. The two-storey Arles Amphitheatre and the Roman Theatre of Arles, which was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, bear witness to this. Arles is also home to great museums: the Musée Réattu’s collection includes paintings by Pablo Picasso. A unique city and a true artistic treasure.

In the early 14th century, the papal seat suddenly had to be transferred to Avignon due to power struggles in Rome. This was to change the city forever. The most obvious impact was on the cityscape. As well as the mighty new Palais des Papes, Avignon was also given Gothic churches, monasteries and other splendid buildings that visitors can still marvel at today. The Pope brought more and more people to the city, too: scholars, sculptors, architects, craftsmen and merchants. They helped make Avignon what it is today: one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

In the early 14th century, the papal seat suddenly had to be transferred to Avignon due to power struggles in Rome. This was to change the city forever. The most obvious impact was on the cityscape. As well as the mighty new Palais des Papes, Avignon was also given Gothic churches, monasteries and other splendid buildings that visitors can still marvel at today. The Pope brought more and more people to the city, too: scholars, sculptors, architects, craftsmen and merchants. They helped make Avignon what it is today: one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Lyon, the ‘Gate to the South’, is a city that really appeals to the senses. It is home to producers of the finest silk fabric, playful Renaissance buildings and France’s world-famous gourmet cuisine. Situated at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is characterised by the typical French savoir-vivre – the appreciation of the good life. The two rivers flow through the middle of the old town, Vieux Lyon, in which the narrow streets are connected to each other by passageways called traboules. Often covered with pointed arches and richly decorated with beam ceilings, they lead into picturesque inner courtyards.