CULINARY CRUISING: RIVERSIDE RAVEL IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE

Savoring France Aboard the Riverside Ravel: A Rhône River Cruise for Food and Wine Lovers

From the moment Andrew and I stepped aboard the Riverside Ravel, we knew this Rhône and Saône River cruise was going to be as much about the table as it was about the stunning landscapes outside Ravel’s floor-to-ceiling windows. In the Bistro, a lavish welcome buffet set the tone–French pastries, artisan cheeses. and sparkling wine that hinted at the culinary journey ahead.

The Gerlach family, renowned hoteliers and owners of the Seaside Collection, has transformed three ships into floating boutique hotels. On Ravel, every polished detail—from butler-serviced suites to the glass-ceilinged Palm Court—was designed for travelers who see food and wine as integral to the voyage. This was a ship where the river was the stage, and dining was the headline act.

The Culinary Star Onboard

Chef Benoit, a French-born culinary magician from Brittany, was our guide to the flavors of the Rhône Valley. Watching him weave through the stalls of Lyon’s legendary Paul Bocuse Market was like seeing an artist gather paints for a masterpiece. Every local treasure he plucked—wild mushrooms, golden apricots, aged Comté—would appear on our plates that very evening. Ravel’s kitchens are temples to craftsmanship. The onboard Pastry Chef turns out croissants so delicate they shatter at the touch, house-made preserves that rival anything in a Provençal market, and breads still warm from the oven. Each evening’s menu reflected the landscapes we had just sailed past—Boeuf Bourguignon rich with local wine, fish kissed with citrus and herbs, seasonal vegetables presented like edible art. Chewing The Fat has more than one recipe for Boeuf Bourguignon.  Click here and see 3 variations from some very famous chefs…https://chewingthefat.us.com/?s=Boeuf+Bourguignon.

And need we tell you…Oh the wines!

The onboard sommelier was a revelation, offering vintages far, far beyond the typical end-aisle Supermarket offerings passed off as Premier Crus on most European river cruises. Riverside even brought aboard Jezebel, a captivating wine expert whose tastings felt like intimate dinner parties, where a Syrah’s peppery finish could spark a story and a Mourvèdre’s depth felt like a memory in a glass. There were wine tours at virtually every stop…one even involved pedalling to a vineyard on the ship’s complement of electric bicycles. 

A Truffle Hunt in the Ardèche

One of the most memorable days began in the rugged hills of the Ardèche at the Domaine de Cordis Truffle Farm. This wasn’t a staged tourist demo—it was the real deal. Guided by a passionate trufficulteur and his energetic, truffle-sniffing dogs, we wandered through oak groves in search of the elusive black diamond, the prized tuber melanosporum. The air was thick with the earthy perfume of freshly unearthed truffles. Back at the farmhouse, we sat down to a feast where every course—from velvety scrambled eggs to delicate ravioli—was kissed with truffle. It was a reminder of why truffles command such reverence in French cuisine.

The Valrhona Chocolate Experience in Tain-l’Hermitage

Another highlight was our visit to the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum, a temple to chocolate lovers everywhere. Founded in 1922, Valrhona has supplied the world’s greatest pastry chefs for generations. In their interactive “Cité du Chocolat,” we explored the journey from cacao bean to glossy, tempered perfection. The grand finale was a wine and chocolate tasting—a marriage of two Rhône Valley specialties. Sips of Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph wines mingled with bites of 70% dark Manjari, silky milk Jivara, and the caramelized blond Dulcey, proving that chocolate and wine can be as complex and rewarding a pairing as any fine cheese.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: A Sunset to Remember

And then there was Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the legendary wine village crowned by the ruins of a 14th-century papal castle. Riverside arranged an evening visit that felt like stepping into a postcard. We wandered the cobbled lanes, learning how this region’s unique galet stones store the sun’s heat, nurturing Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre vines. As the sun dipped below the Rhône, painting the sky in shades of rose and gold, we tasted bold, spice-laden reds at the Pavillon at Maison Bouchon. The glasses never seemed to empty, and the laughter was as full-bodied as the wines.

Unexpected Detours, Perfectly Handled

When high water threatened to strand us in Lyon, Riverside turned what could have been a setback into a gift: an extra day to wander markets, savor bouchon fare, and enjoy a private excursion to the wine capital of Beaune. There, a guided stroll through the medieval Hôtel-Dieu, a tasting in a vaulted cellar, and a lingering lunch at Le Cheval Noir sealed the deal—this was a cruise line that delivers not just what’s promised, but what’s possible.

If river cruising is often sold as a way to see the world slowly, Riverside Ravel reminds you that you can taste France slowly, too—and that sometimes the best souvenirs aren’t the ones you pack in your bag, but the ones you carry home on your palate. For everything you need to know about Riverside cruises, go to https://riverside-cruises.com/en/