Vive La France
By Stacey Zable
Vive La France
By Stacey Zable
Discover French cuisine and vintages as you sail France’s rivers with Viking.
Viking’s river voyages are designed to immerse you in the culture and local regions they are visiting. Among the highlights of this experience is Viking’s focus on authentic culinary excursions, including those they offer during their voyages that feature France. You are whisked off the ship and into the cities, villages, and countryside of destinations to get an up close look at the local foods and beverages. On board, regional specialties are featured with beer, wine, and soft drinks always included for lunch and dinner.
Among Viking’s European voyages, these exciting itineraries highlight French food and wine, as well as additional gastronomic treasures when you travel beyond France’s borders.
Above Images (from left): Explorer Suite Veranda; Tournon-sur-Rhône, France; Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France
Lyon & Provence
This seven-night voyage along the Rhône River combines the beauty of a region that inspired some of the world’s greatest artists with opportunities to taste culinary treasures. Sailing between Avignon and Lyon—the capital of French gastronomy, you’ll have plenty of chances to dine on the region’s best offerings. While in Lyon, visit a wine château and two working farms producing truffles and chèvre (goat cheese) in Beaujolais or take a walking tour enjoying the flavors of Lyon along the way.
Visit a family-operated countryside olive mill in the heart of Provence during your port stop in Arles. Sample the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with an excursion from Avignon. A Vienne excursion features a walk through Rhône Valley vineyards that produce Hermitage wine. You can discover more about the history of the area and sample the regional wines and locally-produced Valrhona chocolate.
“Visit a wine château and two working farms producing truffles and chèvre (goat cheese).“
“Visit a wine château and two working farms producing truffles and chèvre (goat cheese).“
Above Images (from left): Seared scallops; Vineyard, Bordeaux, France; Bordeaux, France
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
Sail for seven nights along the Gironde, Dordogne, and Garonne Rivers on this voyage that begins and ends and even features a stop along the way in the city of Bordeaux. Featured excursions can take you to Arcachon, where you’ll learn about the life of an oyster farmer, taste the day’s catch, and dine on a fresh seafood lunch at Cap Ferret. Another excursion choice has you sample regional specialties with Viking’s onboard chef at Le Marché des Capucins, the covered market of Bordeaux.
“You’ll learn about the life of an oyster farmer, taste the day’s catch, and dine on a fresh seafood lunch.”
“You’ll learn about the life of an oyster farmer, taste the day’s catch, and dine on a fresh seafood lunch.”
Hunt for truffles in Périgord or visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Saint-Émilion region for a three-course lunch with wine tasting while in Libourne. A Privileged Access® excursion in Blaye has you dining on a three-course lunch with wine at a distillery and creating your own personal blend of Cognac. Sampling wines and visiting vineyards in the Médoc region and in Sauternes can also be a part of your voyage.
Above Images (from left): Bernkastel-Kues, Germany; Breakfast Terrace; Champagne tasting, France
Cities of Light
For a choice of a longer itinerary, Viking’s eleven-night Cities of Light combines France with Germany and the Czech Republic. Start or finish with a land stay in Paris paired with a voyage along the Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers with Prague on the other end.
In Paris, enjoy a café au lait in outdoor cafés and dine on French cuisine during a cabaret performance as part of your capital city discovery. Take a Moselle Valley excursion to Bernkastel-Kues for a walking tour and local wine tasting of such delights as sweet Riesling. Dine on a Czech meal served family-style paired with folk music and dance for a special dinner in Prague.
“Dine on a Czech meal served family-style paired with folk music and dance.“
“Dine on a Czech meal served family-style paired with folk music and dance.“
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After more than 25 years as a restaurant General Manager, I’ve taken my passion for five-star service and shifted it from the dining room to destinations around the world. I’ve spent the last four years planning seamless, stress-free vacations that are as unforgettable as the people taking them.
I bring the same dedication to detail, vendor management, and quick problem-solving that I used to deliver in the hospitality industry—now applied to curating flawless travel experiences. My clients are more than just customers—they’re VIPs, and I treat each trip as if I were planning it for myself.
As the owner of Vacation Planners of West St. Louis County, I’m proud to combine my personalized service with the tools, resources, and perks of a nationally recognized brand. Whether it’s a honeymoon, a family getaway, or the ultimate bucket-list adventure, I listen closely, plan meticulously, and make sure my clients return home already dreaming of their next journey.
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