We left Port St Louis early for our first lock and entered the Rhône. The river itself presented no depth problem provided we stayed in the marked channel, and the first day’s run took us to Arles.

River cruising

Moving upstream was a completely new experience. Locks replaced anchorages and the river banks replaced the open horizon. The route led through Avignon and Vienne towards Lyon, with towns, markets and life ashore becoming as important as the day’s navigation.