Example sailing
Avignon → Lyon (round-trip Chalon-sur-Saône) · 8 nights · Late Nov – Dec · 2026 & 2027
The sailing
Viking's Southern France Christmas sailing explores the Rhône and Saône between Lyon and Avignon, timed for the Lyon Fête des Lumières (Dec 8). The markets here are gastronomic — truffle stalls, foie gras, and Côtes du Rhône vin chaud — and the December weather is milder than the German rivers.
Best for food and wine lovers who prefer milder december weather.
The ports of call
From Lyon to Avignon — the Christmas markets on this Rhône sailing.
France
Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, hosts a Christmas market on Place Carnot during the famous Fête des Lumières festival of lights.
Early Dec – late Dec
ExploreFrance
Avignon's Christmas market sits before the Palais des Papes (the popes' 14th-century palace), with Provençal santons and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Late Nov – Dec 31
ExploreMore from this line
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