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Grand France With French Riviera & London

Operated by Avalon Waterways

Tripcode: WLP1

Overview

Destination:

France,

United Kingdom,

Start:French Riviera, France
Finish:London, United Kingdom

Duration:20 days

Type:Group tour (max 90)

Style:

River/Small ship/Barge,

Travel Period

June 2025 - November 2026

This fantastic European river cruise holiday showcases France’s breathtaking views, amazing history, and legendary culture. Your adventure begins with two overnights on the French Riviera, then travel to Arles to board your Avalon Suite Ship. You’ll sail north up the scenic Rhône and Saône Rivers to explore Arles, Avignon, delightful Viviers, medieval Tournon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, and fascinating Beaune.

Take a high-speed train to Paris, and embark your second ship to begin your Seine River cruise into the picturesque Normandy region. In Vernon, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or magnificent Bizy Castle. Continue to Les Andelys, home of dramatic Château Gaillard, then on to Caudebec, with your choice of an excursion to Normandy’s historic landing beaches or an interesting “Taste of Normandy” tour. Visit Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen and, in Conflans, choose between excursions to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Return to Paris for guided sightseeing and take in the most famous sights of this magnificent city. Then, transfer to London for three exciting nights.

Your holiday in London includes guided sightseeing to see the must-see sights—Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and more, including VIP access to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The perfect end to a remarkable river cruise holiday!

Standard inclusions

19 breakfasts.
12 lunches.
14 dinners.

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Itinerary

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Day 1 - FRENCH RIVIERA

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 - 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 3 - FRENCH RIVIERA-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 that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh. 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. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. In the early afternoon cruise to Lyon. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)

Day 8 - LYON

La Vie En Rose in Lyon 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! Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising along the majestic Saone River. 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) BEAUNE-DIJON-PARIS (EMBARKATION)

Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris. CLASSIC Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France's architectural highlights. This afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris to board your Suite Ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)

Day 11 - VERNON

Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crepes du Jour Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, 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 crepes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration. This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. LES ANDELYS Serenity on the Seine ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D) *Monet's House is closed in March and November. During this period this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle **This excursion will not be operated in November

Day 12 - 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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)

Day 13 - CAUDEBEC. EXCURSIONS TO NORMANDY

Heroic 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 centre, and the Beny-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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B,L,D)

Day 14 - 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: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen-home of the martyred Joan of Arc-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)

Day 15 - 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 Chateau de Malmaison*-home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles-home to a succession of French kings. EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS (B,L,D) * Chateau de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Chateau de Chantilly

Day 16 - PARIS

Cafes, 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 Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees. Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary cafe on the Left Bank. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)

Day 17 - PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)-LONDON

Say goodbye to your Avalon portion of your holiday after breakfast. An included transfer delivers you to the train station. Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class).

Day 18 - LONDON

England's Exciting Capital CLASSIC Enjoy a morning Guided Sightseeing including all of London's famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall's mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister's Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London's skyline. (B)

Day 19 - LONDON

Free Time on the Thames Enjoy a free day to explore this spectacular city at your own pace. You could take a flight on the London Eye for fantastic views over the city, or visit Windsor Castle, for a tour of the magnificent State Apartments. In the evening, see one of the dozens of celebrated West End shows, or enjoy dinner at a traditional London pub, followed by a relaxing nighttime cruise on the Thames River. There are so many possibilities to make your stay unforgettable. (B)

Day 20 - LONDON

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (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

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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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Price from

$14,167 $13,513 *

Member price from

$13,513*

per person

19 nights