Vienne’s Roman history is a huge draw for tourists. Before being occupied by the Romans, the city was the Gallic capital of The Allobroges, and following Roman occupancy, the city was an important early seat of the legendary bishop Crescens. This long and fascinating history will appear all around you during your cruise to Vienne. From the Roman remains to the Gothic cathedral and Romanesque church of St-André-le-Bas, you may wish you had more than a day to explore Vienne’s myriad historical attractions.
Away from the historic attractions and museums, Vienne is surrounded by beautiful natural parks and gardens. Ile Barlet is a charming public park on the banks of one of the Rhône Rivers lônes or secondary arms of the river. Here, you can rent bikes and follow trails. If you fancy taking your bike further than a lap of the park, you can follow ViaRhôna, a dedicated cycle path that lies parallel to the river all the way from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, although we don’t recommend you cycle the whole way.
Every weekend, Vienne city centre holds France’s second-largest market. More than 400 stalls line the city’s streets selling local food, drink, clothing and crafts. The market spans more than 5 kilometres and wandering through, sampling delicious local tastes here and there is a perfect way to spend a morning.
Each July, Vienne celebrates the wonderful world of jazz. Since its creation in 1981, more than 200,000 jazz lovers head to the city each year to experience the magic of this varied and rich musical genre. With a variety of more than 400 jazz concerts and events from over 1,000 artists, exhibitions and fusion art encounters, the festival and the city itself come to life for this electric and opulent event. Make sure to visit Vienne in July to see the magic for yourself.
Which cruise lines sail to Vienne?
