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Grand France for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WPL-T7 81107
Overview
Destination:
France, 
Duration:15 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
November 2028 - November 2028
15 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles
On this France river cruise vacation, enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful views, and stops in the most charming and historical parts of France. Sail along the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. In Vernon, choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” Go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the Gothic Rouen Cathedral. Before you depart the beautiful Seine River, spend time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic cities! Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of this enchanting city.

Transfer to Lyon and board your second Avalon Suite Ship®. A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Visit Lyon, sitting at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, France’s third-largest city and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour to Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards. Sail to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. In historic Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world– and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. Situated on the Rhône River, Arles is famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.

About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honored to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!

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.
  • Departure November 7th will operate the itinerary in a revised order: Day 1 Paris, Day 2 Paris, Day 3 Conflans, Day 4 les Andelys-Rouen, Day 5 Caudebec, Day 6 Caudebec. Normandy excursions, Day 7 La Roche Guyon, Days 8 to 15 as per regular program. Day 8 Lyon, Day 9 Mâcon-Lyon, Day 10 Lyon, Day 11 Lyon-Tournon, from Day 12 back to regular program.

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. Get acquainted with 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

(D)

Day 2 - 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:

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.

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

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

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN 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 3 - CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

Enjoy a relaxing sailing morning to Conflans or join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LES ANDELYS

(B,L,D)
Day 4 - 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.

Later, enjoy a beautiful cruise to Rouen.



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:

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 Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.

This evening, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN

(B,L,D)
Day 5 - ROUEN. 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 (until the end of May replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)
Day 6 - CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

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

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

(B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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 a Pastry Demonstration.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PARIS

*Monet’s House is closed in March. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle

(B,L,D)
Day 8 - PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)–LYON (EMBARKATION)
Board the TGV train to Lyon where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS

(B,D)
Day 9 - LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon

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

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its lively cafés, monuments, and maze of medieval alleyways where history comes to life.

DISCOVERY Later, join a lecture on board about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)
Day 10 - LYON–MÂCON
Silk Heritage and French patisserie

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

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 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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MÂCON

(B,L,D)
Day 11 - 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. Enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!

DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)
Day 12 - 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. The tour also includes a wine and chocolate tasting at the Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona.

After lunch, enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Viviers.



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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON

(B,L,D)

Day 13 - 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.

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 entertainment on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,L,D)
Day 14 - 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.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(B,L,D)
Day 15 - ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.

(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
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*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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