water levels in France

Any problem there ? Leaving in 2 weeks !

While water levels are regional to some degree, I think people could help you better if they knew what river in France and from where to where.

jc

The Seine ( paris to Normandy) and the Saone ( Chalon to Avignon )

We are doing Viking's "Portraits of Southern France" next week. The couple we are traveling with called Viking yesterday and asked about the water levels and if there was any impact on the cruise. She was told "no issues.....you should be fine". Of course, anything could happen within the next week, but that's doubtful.

We are doing Viking's "Portraits of Southern France" next week. The couple we are traveling with called Viking yesterday and asked about the water levels and if there was any impact on the cruise. She was told "no issues.....you should be fine". Of course, anything could happen within the next week, but that's doubtful.

And Viking is not know for it's honesty with passengers.

Let me know how your cruise goes !

It was WONDERFUL!!!! We were on the "Viking Hiemdal". It's a newer ship and really lovely. 42" flat screen TV in the cabin, standard MSNBC/BBC/a sports channel/CBS News, a few recorded TV shows, a comp movie channel, a fridge, down pillows and conformer. Hair dryer, quality bath amenities, heated bathroom floor. Automatic night light in the bathroom, closet lighting that comes on/off when opening/closing doors, in room safe. Maybe just a tad smaller then an "ocean liner" cabin, but higher quality fit and finish. Dining was quite good! Caquilles St Jaques, frogs legs, filet mignon, mimosas with breakfast and your wine glass is NEVER empty until you say "no thank you". Outstanding staff and service. Good and very well organized tours, good guides, ample time to see and explore and "free time". Very good and knowledgeable concierge service. ONe day we did and "adventure" on our own to Grenoble one day which was totally smooth and seamless thanks to the assistance of the ship's concierge. We were on the Rhone and Saone rivers. No issues with water levels. This is not Paris but I was surprised that folks (not on our cruise) were as casually dressed as they were. Shorts, T-shirts and flip flops on just about everyone whilst we were wondering around the towns. The French are usually quite stylishly dressed at all times. Maybe because they were "all on vacation"...as it is August. The majority of the folks on our cruise wore shorts during the day (it was hot!) No dressing up in the evenings. I think I saw one or two sport coats, no ties, on men and nice outfits, but not "dressy" on the women. We thoroughly enjoyed it adn would highly recommend it!

Thanks for your report, Marco!

Anyone know how things are on the Rhone south of Lyon?

Here's a website that tracks ship activity at each of the locks from Lyon to the Med:

https://www.inforhone.fr/inforhone/en/commun/message.aspx?libchapitre=naviguer

It has been showing predictable movement through all the locks in the last few days [which is all I've been watching]. I've been tracking our ship, AmaDagio, for our upcoming cruise -- and it has been on schedule.

After you accept their terms, click on "Traffic at locks" and then on the lock where you expect your ship to have been recently -- a window will soon populate with the names of all the ships reported at that lock, click on the ship you are following to learn when it reported its position there.

Thank you. This is very helpful. We have a booking on the MS Camargue heading south from Lyon on October 20th.

Any problem there ? Leaving in 2 weeks !

Low water levels should not be a problem since river-only boats draw about 6 feet, whereas barges that come from the Mediterranean draw 15 feet.

Thank you !

My observation is that there would be a problem if the water levels were too high. On our boat they had to fold down the side rails, remove the furniture and awnings from the top deck, contract the wheel house and we still cleared some of the bridges with only a few inches to spare.

My observation is that there would be a problem if the water levels were too high. On our boat they had to fold down the side rails, remove the furniture and awnings from the top deck, contract the wheel house and we still cleared some of the bridges with only a few inches to spare.

It was WONDERFUL!!!! We were on the "Viking Hiemdal". It's a newer ship and really lovely. 42" flat screen TV in the cabin, standard MSNBC/BBC/a sports channel/CBS News, a few recorded TV shows, a comp movie channel, a fridge, down pillows and conformer. Hair dryer, quality bath amenities, heated bathroom floor. Automatic night light in the bathroom, closet lighting that comes on/off when opening/closing doors, in room safe. Maybe just a tad smaller then an "ocean liner" cabin, but higher quality fit and finish. Dining was quite good! Caquilles St Jaques, frogs legs, filet mignon, mimosas with breakfast and your wine glass is NEVER empty until you say "no thank you". Outstanding staff and service. Good and very well organized tours, good guides, ample time to see and explore and "free time". Very good and knowledgeable concierge service. ONe day we did and "adventure" on our own to Grenoble one day which was totally smooth and seamless thanks to the assistance of the ship's concierge. We were on the Rhone and Saone rivers. No issues with water levels. This is not Paris but I was surprised that folks (not on our cruise) were as casually dressed as they were. Shorts, T-shirts and flip flops on just about everyone whilst we were wondering around the towns. The French are usually quite stylishly dressed at all times. Maybe because they were "all on vacation"...as it is August. The majority of the folks on our cruise wore shorts during the day (it was hot!) No dressing up in the evenings. I think I saw one or two sport coats, no ties, on men and nice outfits, but not "dressy" on the women. We thoroughly enjoyed it adn would highly recommend it!

Thanks for your summary of your cruise. We are on the same ship in 8 weeks and are looking forward to our few days in Paris before we embark.

We have just returned from the Viking Buri - Portraits of Southern France. We did not have any trouble with water levels, except the Captain did run aground once. He said the sand had shifted.