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A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
Operated by Avalon
Tripcode: WLJ-T2
Overview
Destination:
Start:,
Finish:,
Finish:,
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Travel Period
March 2026 - March 2026
8 Day River Cruise Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône
Take a wondrous journey through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Indulge in the legendary cuisine of France on this culinary focused cruise through Burgundy and Provence. With a Master of Wine on board for a special tasting and wine-pairing dinner, with special culinary highlights throughout your cruise, you’ll sample regional French specialties with onboard cheese tasting, pastry demonstration, and with a unique dinner featuring a marvelous menu created just for you in the tradition of famous Chef Paul Bocuse. Embark your ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards.
Take a wondrous journey through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Indulge in the legendary cuisine of France on this culinary focused cruise through Burgundy and Provence. With a Master of Wine on board for a special tasting and wine-pairing dinner, with special culinary highlights throughout your cruise, you’ll sample regional French specialties with onboard cheese tasting, pastry demonstration, and with a unique dinner featuring a marvelous menu created just for you in the tradition of famous Chef Paul Bocuse. Embark your ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards.
Itinerary
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Collapse allARLES (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingFlights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm.Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES(D)
ARLES
A Brush with GeniusVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city. Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon. DISCOVERY Enjoy a crêpes lunch onboard.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON(B,L,D)
AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region. Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON(B,L,D)
VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country VillageEnjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Explore the charms of Viviers on this extraordinary guided walk through the Old Town with an included tasting of the local culinary delights. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L’HERMITAGE (B,L,D)
TAIN L'HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Explore Tournon by foot as you follow your Adventure Host for a morning hike in this beautiful town along the Rhone, OR:CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.In the early afternoon cruise to Lyon. DISCOVERY Enjoy a pastry demonstration hosted by a French chef on board your ship.Tonight, your Master of Wine will escort you through a French cuisine tasting dinner with wine pairing on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON(B,L,D)
LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of FranceDISCOVERY Take a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard unique dinner inspired by legendary chef Paul Bocuse.Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS(B,L,D)
TOURNUS–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards, the wines produced here, and to attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard.Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE(B,L,D)
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Lyon airport before 8 am.(B)
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Avalon Waterways
Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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7 nights
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