Rhone cruises

Few settings are as perfect for a river cruise as France's Rhone river, which begins its 505-mile journey to the Mediterranean on the tranquil shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

From there the river arches westwards to Lyon before turning south into beautiful Provence, seen by many as the country's most laid-back and traditional region. Wine-lovers will be familiar with the next stretch of river, with Ctes du Rhne wines such as Chteauneuf-du-Pape ever-popular on British tables.

Before reaching the Med, the river snakes past Avignon, a charming town of gardens and parks, and Arles, where Vincent Van Gogh painted many of his best-known works here during a fertile 15-month spell in 1888-89. The landscape and the light inspired him and they are every bit as appealing today.

Popular Rhone river cruises