Gliding along the Rhône river, David Whitehill fell under the spell of ancient hilltop villages, Roman architecture and wonderful natural landscapes. Combined with fantastic food and wine, it made for the holiday of a lifetime.
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A Journey Through Picturesque Villages and Ancient Wonders
Scenic Sapphire moored in Avignon, the gateway to the region of Provence. With a mild Mediterranean climate, the hills abound in vineyards, olive groves, orchards and lavender fields. On a Scenic Freechoice excursion to the villages of Luberon, David was fascinated by the medieval hilltop town of Gordes. Considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, the town is centred around an 11th century castle. Today the well-preserved village is a charming labyrinth of alleyways filled with cafes, boutiques and galleries to explore.
An Adventure on the Rhône River
For something a little different, next David chose a kayaking adventure along one of the Rhône river's tributaries, the Gardon. After navigating some exhilarating fast flowing parts, the reward at the end was the 2000 year old Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard. Kayaking under, or walking over, you can get up close to admire the exceptionally well preserved architectural masterpiece.
Culinary Delights Aboard Scenic Sapphire
During the cruise there is as much to do onboard as there is on shore. David joined a Scenic Culinaire cooking class to learn some of the secrets of French cuisine. With the guidance of Executive Chef Jhony, he mastered the traditional dish Coq au Vin, using lashings of butter and a fair amount of wine!
Exploring the Artistic Landscape of Provence
The next port was Arles, and from there David travelled to the village of Les Baux. The stunning rural town has an ancient castle high on rocky cliffs which provide impressive panoramic views of the region. Nearby, a former stone quarry has been transformed into an enormous visual and musical show. Stretching from floor to ceiling the works of notable artists are projected all around the cavernous site named Carriere de Lumieres.
A Journey Northward
As Scenic Sapphire made her way north on a fantastic summer's day, David said the best place to be was on the front deck, watching the world go by with a glass of wine. The crew had put on a magnificent BBQ on the top deck, incorporating the magical flavours of France. It was just the fuel David needed to explore the next charming village of Viviers.
The Medieval Charm of Viviers
The medieval town sits on the banks of the Rhône river, so it's easy to walk around straight off the ship. Saint Vincent Cathedral keeps watch over the cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards, where nothing much has changed since the 13th century. David's guide told him that during WWII, French resistance groups hid from the Gestapo behind secret doors in houses carved into the hillsides.
Exploring the Natural Wonders of the Ardèche
A short drive from Viviers lies the nature lover's paradise of the Ardèche National Park, where locals like to hike or canoe through the massive gorge and rich forests. David was excited to visit the Madeleine Caves. Discovered by a goat farmer in 1887, the vast underground chambers are filled with limestone stalactites, stalagmites, and the amazing 'curtains' which grow only 1cm every 100 years! Navigating the 250 steps is well worth the effort to view the magic of the subterranean world.
The Artistic Heritage of Lyon
After nearly 1000 kms of cruising through France, Scenic Sapphire delivered David back to Lyon. With more time to explore the wonderful city, he checked out the traditional Lyonnaise craft of silk frame printing. At Brochier Soieries, David was shown the 100 year old method of hand printing designs onto high quality silk fabrics. They are the last studio in France to use these processes.
A Musical Finale
That evening Scenic treated guests to an exclusive performance at Trinity Chapel, a 500 year old grand baroque church in the heart of Lyon. An a cappella choir not only lifted their powerful voices to the heavens, but also lifted the hearts of those lucky enough to be in the audience.
David thoroughly enjoyed his time travelling through France on the ultra-luxurious ship Scenic Sapphire. The food, the wine and the diversity of experiences gave him an incredible taste of the regions of the Saône and Rhône rivers. So until next time, it's au revoir!
