Viking Lofn: 169 departures, and an asymmetry nobody mentions
Measured on 25 August 2026: 169 departures, of which 73 from Lyon to Avignon and 40 from Avignon to Lyon.
The Rhône is sailed downstream almost twice as often as up
This is not particular to this ship. Adding up the four ships we sell on the Rhône, the 25 August measurement gives 292 departures downstream against 152 upstream. Close to two to one.
The likeliest explanation is access: Lyon is linked to the rest of Europe by an international airport and by high-speed rail, whereas Avignon depends on Marseille or on a train. It is simpler to start a trip at Lyon. That is a reasonable hypothesis, not a statement from the line — but the imbalance itself is measured.
What to take from it is practical. If your week is fixed, look first for a departure from Lyon: you double your chances. If you want to finish in Lyon rather than in Provence, book earlier than you otherwise would, because inventory in that direction is half as thick.
What direction changes on this river
Downstream, you leave a major city and arrive in the light of the south, and the trip ends with Arles and Avignon. Upstream, you begin in Provence and finish in a metropolis with an airport, which simplifies the way home and the final hotel night.
The hull: a Longship, 190 berths
135 metres, 190 guests, 53 crew, 95 staterooms: 25 Standard, 22 French Balcony, 39 Veranda, 7 Veranda Suites and 2 Explorer Suites. One crew member for every 3.58 guests, a ratio belonging to the Longship class — it does not hold across the rest of Viking's river fleet, where it falls to 1.71 on the Nile.
Viking Heimdal offers 206 departures on this river, Viking Buri 182 and Viking Delling 173.
Lofn, who grants permission
Lofn is a minor goddess with a precise function: to obtain from Frigg and Odin leave to unite those who had been refused it. Snorri writes that she is gentle and is invoked for that purpose. The Old Norse word lof means both permission and praise, which is no accident of language.
Getting there from Montreal
No direct flight to Lyon or Marseille: one connection, usually through Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam.
Going through an agency is not optional here
Try it from home: Viking's reservations site redirects Quebec addresses to a page announcing it is unavailable and inviting travellers to reach an agent. 30 seconds is enough to see it. On this line, a Quebec client has no other way in.
Our Viking River Cruises advisors give you in writing, before you book, the exact fare, the inclusions, the exclusions and the conditions. AquaTerra Travels follows Quebec consumer protection rules and participates in the compensation fund for travel agency customers.
