Chalon-sur-Saône was once a key trading centre and port, situated at the meeting of Roman roads, the river Saône and several other inland waterways. The city’s distinguished history is reflected in its handsome buildings, and this is an excellent base from which to explore the southern Burgundy wine regions.

The riverside town of Tournus is known for the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert, of which the Romanesque 11th-century church is the main surviving element. Other nearby sights include the splendid Château de Cormatin, the medieval village of Brancion and the Mâconnais wine region, home of the Chardonnay grape.

The twin villages of Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage sit on opposite banks of the Rhône, around 50 miles south of Lyon. Visit Tournon’s hilltop castle and charming old town, then sample some of Tain l’Hermitage’s excellent wines and the famous Valrhona chocolate.

The former papal stronghold of Avignon cuts a dramatic figure, perched above the Rhône and ensconced behind towering walls. The Palais des Papes was home to a succession of 14th century pontiffs, and still looms large over Avignon’s atmospheric old town.

The charming little town of Arles sits at the head of the Rhône delta, on the northern fringe of the sprawling marshlands of the Camargue. It’s a town with a long history, as evidenced by an impressive array of Roman ruins, and it's a great place to sample the essence of Provençal culture.

The little town of Viviers, on the right bank of the Rhône, is a delightful place to explore on foot, with its narrow, cobbled medieval streets and elegant cathedral. A lot of history is packed into a small space, including Roman remains and the Renaissance era Maison des Chevaliers.