I woke up this morning to a view that made me pause and just breathe it all in—Tournon-sur-Rhône looked like a watercolor come to life. The soft light over the Rhône, the hills, the quiet of the early morning… it was the kind of moment that makes you instantly grateful to be exactly where you are.
We started our day with a walking tour through town. Tournon-sur-Rhône is full of charm, and it was a treat to explore its cathedral, the bustling Saturday market, and its little side streets.
I wandered into a small bookstore and asked if they had any French children’s books to help me practice the language. The lovely bookseller recommended a series called Les P’tites Poules, which she described as very, very French, and that these were a lot of French children’s first books. I picked up two—I’m genuinely excited to see how much I can understand (and learn).
Remy was quite taken with the market too—he admired all the cheeses and even made a new pig friend. He insists the pig was just saying bonjour.
Just before it was time to meet up, the sky opened up with a light rain. We boarded the bus and rode to meet our ship, which had already sailed ahead while we explored.
After a relaxing lunch onboard—complete with not one, but two glasses of a perfectly chilled rosé.
I returned to my room, opened the wall of windows in my Panorama Suite, and dozed off as we glided down the Rhône. I woke to the soft patter of rain and the sound of the river flowing by. Pure serenity.
As the rain cleared, we docked in Viviers and set off on a guided walking tour of this fascinating little town. Our guide was a cheeky British woman with a wicked sense of humor, and I wish we could have had her with us the entire trip.
She brought the town’s history to life, especially the story of Noël Albert—a wealthy salt merchant who rose to power during the 16th century. He climbed his way to the top both literally and figuratively, eventually being tried and executed for treason. The irony? We climbed to the very top of the town ourselves during the tour, hearing his story as we stood where he once ruled.
Viviers itself is full of narrow winding streets, quiet courtyards, and unexpected views. Between the history, the humor, and the hillside setting, it was one of the more memorable stops on this journey.
At the top of the hill, we reached the Cathedral of Saint Vincent, the oldest cathedral in the Rhône Valley still in use. It’s a quiet, weathered place with an air of solemn history. Inside, one detail immediately stood out—a striking crucifix above the altar featuring a skull and crossbones beneath the feet of Christ. Our guide explained that this imagery is meant to symbolize Golgotha (the “place of the skull”), where Jesus was crucified. She also offered up a few more theories, one from her son that claimed there were pirates in the church! 🏴☠️
I’d never seen a crucifix quite like it before—it was both haunting and powerful, a reminder of how deeply local symbolism and tradition shape the way stories are told through art.
Before dinner, I decided to try something new during happy hour—an Aperol Spritz—and I really liked it! Refreshing and light, it was the perfect apéritif before heading to the dining room.
Dinner tonight hit the spot. I was so hungry I didn’t even think to take pictures! I went with the filet mignon (which is offered every night on Avalon), but there were also options like lamb, fish, pasta, and a vegetarian dish. For those who like familiar favorites, there’s always salmon, filet mignon, or chicken available.
Dessert was the real highlight for me: a scoop of amazing cherry sorbet and a made-to-order crêpe drizzled with just the right amount of chocolate and caramel sauce. Sweet, simple, and delicious.
Today was a gentle reminder to slow down, savor, and enjoy the unexpected moments—whether that’s a quiet rainstorm, a charming bookshop, or a walking tour that leaves you laughing and learning at the same time.
As one of our guides said earlier today:
“Life is too short to drink bad wine.”
After a day like this, I wholeheartedly agree.
Cleared For Take-Off! 