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Burgundy & Provence With French Riviera
Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WLJQ
Overview
Destination:
France,
Start:French Riviera, France
Finish:Chalon, France
Finish:Chalon, France
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Travel Period
June 2025 - November 2026
Your holiday in France begins with two overnights in the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea before your French river cruise. 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!
Embark your Avalon Suite Ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, 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. Take a guided walk through Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards and a 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 seen on postcards.
About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travellers 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 honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
Embark your Avalon Suite Ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, 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. Take a guided walk through Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards and a 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 seen on postcards.
About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travellers 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 honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
Standard inclusions
- 9 breakfasts.
- 6 lunches.
- 7 dinners.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1 - NICE
Welcome to France.
Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
Day 2 - NICE
The "Queen of the French Riviera"
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city-an area which has changed little since the 1700s. (B)
Day 3 - NICE-ARLES (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,D)
Day 4 - ARLES
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
Visit the Adventure Centre 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 Amphitheatre in this visually stunning city.
Take free time to stop in Le Cafe Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
Day 5 - 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 Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone 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-Benezet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
Day 6 - 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 a late 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Day 8 - LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, 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 Rhone and Saone rivers meet.
Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS (B,L,D)
Day 9 - TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saone
DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Maconnais 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 on board your ship.
Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAONE (B,L,D)
Day 10 - CHALON-SUR-SAONE (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.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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$6,524*
per person
9 nights
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