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Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)

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Operated by Avalon
Tripcode: WLJE-T7
Overview
Destination:
Start:,
Finish:,
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
October 2025 - November 2026
10 Day River Cruise Arles to Paris
Take a wondrous French river cruise along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in famous French locales, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems too! A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise in France with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Begin your Avalon YourWay river cruise through France in Arles; see its 1st-century Roman amphitheater still used today, and attend a painting workshop in the style of Van Gogh, who was inspired here.

Cruise to Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world— and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. Continue to Viviers for a guided walk through its charming village. Nestled among vineyards and Roman ruins are the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage. Take a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and 16th-century castle.

You’ll visit Lyon, a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture, as well as France’s gastronomic capital. Lyon offers wonderful sights, including the popular Place des Terreaux with its famous fountain seen on postcards. Then take a guided tour to Beaujolais and the following day to Chardonnay, where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines. Cruise to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. In Dijon, tour Beaune’s Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital—built in 1443 and home of Van der Weyden’s “The Last Judgement.”

Continue your French vacation your way with two overnights in Paris—the “City of Light.” Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of the city’s rich history or take a tour to see the iconic landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. A classic French river cruise vacation—made even better your way.

About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honored to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
Itinerary
Expand all Collapse all
ARLES (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights 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 Genius

Visit 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 Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Master of Wine.

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.

DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.

Later, enjoy live onboard entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)

VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village

Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.

ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on an afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L’HERMITAGE

(B,L,D)

TAIN L'HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

Join 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 an onboard chocolate and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine while sailing to Lyon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)

LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France

ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, 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.

DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.

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 and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine.

Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

(B,L,D)

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–DIJON–PARIS
Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris.

CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and one of France’s architectural highlights.

(B)

PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour that shows the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.

Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre and visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.

(B)

PARIS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Departure dates

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Travellers

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. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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