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France Unveiled: Seine & Rhône WWII Remembrance & History Cruise with 2 Nights in French Riviera

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WRLE-T8
Overview
Destination:
France
Duration:19 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
May 2027 - May 2027
19 Day River Cruise Paris to French Riviera
Calling all history lovers—this is the trip you’ve been waiting for. Cruise the Seine and immerse yourself in the stories that shaped World War II, brought to life through captivating storytelling by our onboard history expert while cruising the Seine. You’ll travel from Paris to Normandy, where you can walk in the footsteps of heroes at the iconic landing beaches and visit the powerful Allied monuments. Along the way, we’ll stop at Monet’s gardens, explore the medieval streets of Rouen, and take in the local flavors of the region. Back in Paris, you can join a specialized WWII tour or spend time seeing the city’s most famous landmarks. Spend two days in Paris exploring world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks and the artistic charm that capture the true spirit of this enchanting city.

The adventure continues in the South of France, where your Avalon Suite Ship® awaits in Lyon—the culinary heart of France, sitting at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Drift past sun-warmed vineyards and indulge in tastings of the region’s renowned Chardonnay wines. Marvel at the Renaissance and Roman heritage of Tournon, wander through Avignon’s massive Palace of the Popes, and walk where Van Gogh once found his inspiration amid the Roman ruins and golden light of Arles.

Wrap up your French river cruise vacation with two nights on the French Riviera, where the Mediterranean’s blue waters set the scene for your grand finale.

Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Highlights:
Itinerary
Expand all Collapse all
Day 1 - PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Explore the City of Light today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

(D)

Day 2 - VERNON
Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet’s enchanting gardens and home, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.

DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes followed by an onboard history presentation.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.



Serenity on the Seine

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 3 - CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a guided excursion to a V-1 flying bomb launch site, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

DISCOVERY Onboard lecture about WWII hosted by your history expert.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - ROUEN
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser-known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Dieppe, where Operation Jubilee (Dieppe Raid) took place during WWII, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Vimy Memorial and the Battle of the Somme battlefield, the largest battle on the Western Front. Continue Beaumont-Hamel and visit the memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

DISCOVERY Onboard history lecture hosted by your history expert.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

(B,L,D)

Day 6 - CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

(B,L,D)
* Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly

Day 7 - PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a WWII tour of Paris which will include a visit to the museum of Les Invalides, dedicated to the Ordre de la Libération which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, OR:

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 featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
The City of Light

Disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel in Paris.

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own. Consider browsing Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience, or have your portrait sketched by a Parisian artist in the square at Place du Tertre.

(B)

Day 9 - PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

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

(B)

Day 10 - PARIS–LYON (EMBARKATION)
On to Lyon!

Board the TGV train to Lyon where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,D)

Day 11 - LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon

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 lively cafés, monuments, and maze of medieval alleyways where history comes to life.

DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)

Day 12 - LYON–MÂCON
Fine Silk and French Sweets

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Explore Lyon’s silk heritage with a museum visit, a Walking Tour of La Presqu’île, and a live demonstration of hand-printed silk serigraphy in a workshop. A rich journey through silk history!

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a Pastry Demonstration on board your ship, while sailing to Mâcon.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MÂCON

(B,L,D)

Day 13 - MÂCON
Wine on the Stunning Saône

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards and the wines produced here. Attend a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)

Day 14 - TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.

Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.



World History in a Charming French Country Village

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 AVIGNON

(B,L,D)

Day 15 - AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Discover Avignon by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

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 live entertainment on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,L,D)

Day 16 - ARLES
A Brush with Genius

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 at Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(B,L,D)

Day 17 - ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)–FRENCH RIVIERA
Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast

After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.

CLASSIC En route to French Riviera, stop in Aix-en-Provence and enjoy a Guided Sightseeing to discover the elegant beauty of Cezanne’s hometown.

(B)

Day 18 - FRENCH RIVIERA
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 19 - FRENCH RIVIERA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

Enquire now

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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