Colors of Provence: Rhône River Cruise with AmaWaterways

Sailing Through Provence with AmaWaterways

In November 2025, I was lucky enough to go on my first river cruise with AmaWaterways aboard the AmaKristina, sailing from Lyon to Arles on their Colors of Provence itinerary, before continuing on to Aix-en-Provence and Nice for a couple of extra days.

If you’re looking for an easy way to see multiple parts of France without constantly packing and unpacking, this is honestly one of the best ways to do it.

I’ll be honest, river cruising was never really on my radar, but this trip completely converted me.

From Lyon’s Food Markets to Christmas Magic

We started in Lyon, known as the food capital of France, and it definitely lived up to the reputation. From the famous Les Halles market to the Christmas markets, there was food everywhere. Cheese, pastries, fresh produce, wine and some of the biggest oysters you’ve ever seen… it’s a great place to begin any French holiday.

Visiting at the end of November turned out to be a great time to go, especially with the Christmas markets starting to come alive. The markets added something really special to the trip, with each location offering its own Christmas theme and atmosphere. We visited markets in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence and Nice, all filled with festive decorations, ornaments, local food, and plenty of mulled wine. Noel Nice Christmas Markets were by far the biggest and most impressive.

The AmaKristina Experience

Once onboard the AmaKristina, everything just felt easy. Our twin balcony cabin was comfortable and well laid out, with views straight over the Rhône. It was the perfect place to unwind between each stop.

The ship has a relaxed feel, not too big and not too formal, just a really nice space to come back to at the end of the day. The crew were amazing throughout the whole trip, always friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming.

A big mention to our Cruise Director Antonio, who kept everything running smoothly and made each day easy to follow, and also to our wonderful AmaWaterways host Ian, who made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived and looked after us the entire time.

The Ease of Exploring with AmaWaterways

Dining was another highlight. Meals are made using fresh local ingredients from each region, and there is no shortage of great food or wine. The Chef’s Table dining experience was a standout and well worth trying.

There was also plenty to do onboard while we were sailing, with things like music trivia, wine tastings from the local regions, and gelato taste testing. The evenings were just as enjoyable, with special guest performers and great music played by our musical host Roberto, often finishing the night with a bit of dancing.

It’s the kind of travel where everything is taken care of, so you can just relax and enjoy where you are each day.

As we cruised south, each stop was different. One of the great things with AmaWaterways is that shore excursions are included, so you simply choose what suits you best each day.

Beaujolais, River Locks and Mistral Winds

In the Beaujolais region in Lyon we visited a winery and enjoyed the beautiful countryside, then back on board we continued along the Rhône, passing through the many river locks, which was really interesting to watch and experience.

Further down the river, we had the mistral winds come through, which definitely made things a bit colder than expected, but it added to the adventure and helped with getting our steps in to warm up.

Steam Trains, Scenic Views and Unexpected Adventures

In Vienne, we explored a quieter town with plenty of history, and in Tournon we took a scenic steam train through the Gorges du Doux. This turned into a bit of an unexpected adventure when a large tree had fallen across the tracks. The train crew quickly stepped in with a chainsaw on hand, cut up the tree so we could continue on our way, definitely a memorable moment.

The Best Way to Explore Avignon

Avignon was a mix of activity, history and fashion. We started the day with a bike ride around part of the island before heading into town to explore.

It’s a great way to see a bit more than you would on foot.

Arles: A Grand Finale in Provence

Our final stop was Arles, a city full of character and history, famous for inspiring the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Exploring the old town and Roman Amphitheatre was a great way to finish the cruise, along with the Carrières des Lumières art display, where a former quarry has been transformed into an immersive show of images set to music, followed by a quick visit to Les Baux de Provence, a small quaint village perched on top of a hill.

Views were breathtaking, and the mistral winds literally took your breath away!

Why Aix-en-Provence Deserves More Than a Day

After the cruise, we said our goodbyes to the wonderful AmaWaterways crew and the special friendships we made and headed by train to Aix-en-Provence.

It’s a beautiful, relaxed town with plenty of cafes and restaurants, the most divine ‘Faux Gras’ with markets and little streets to wander, perfect for slowing things down, especially with a hot chocolate stop along the way.

One day here was definitely not enough!

The French Riviera: A Fitting Finale

We finished in Nice on the French Riviera. Even with limited time, it’s easy to see why people love this part of France.

The coastline, the food, and the atmosphere made it a great way to end the trip.

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