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Tour Arles Avignon Aw_Arles Aw_Europe Aw_France Aw_Lyon Aw_Paris Aw_Rhone River Aw_Saone_River + 19 More Beaujolais Region Beaune Burgundy Camargue Dijon Europe France Lyon Macon Provence Rhone Rhone River River Cruise Saone Saone River Tournon Viviers Avalon Waterways 10 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles

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.

This river cruise through France begins in style with two overnights in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! Explore the “City of Light” with a guided city tour to see its famous landmarks. A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your French river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon—also a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture where the Rhône and Saône Rivers meet. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Sail to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. You’ll walk through the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled between the vineyards, on a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river 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. On the Rhône River sits Arles, known for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and site of its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. You’ll revel in the relaxing and inspiring views and culinary delights during your vacation in Paris and river cruise through France.

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!

Day 1: PARIS, FRANCE

Bienvenue en France!Take free time today to fall in love with the world’s most romantic city. Get inspired by its architectural icons, exquisite cuisine, chic boutiques, and priceless artistic treasures.

Day 2: PARIS

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light 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. 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 3: 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)* On departure 1109 ship will sail in the evening to Mâcon

Day 4: LYON*

La Vie En Rose in LyonACTIVE 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: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 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 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)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 5 and the excursion through the Maconnais region originally planned for day 4 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Macon in the morning and sail to Lyon in the afternoon.

Day 5: 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, OR:DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.Later, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MÂCON(B,L,D)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 6 and the excursions originally planned for day 4 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Lyon the whole day.

Day 6: 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)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 4 and the excursions originally planned for day 5 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Lyon in the morning and sail to Tournon in the afternoon.

Day 7: 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. 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 8: 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 9: ARLES

A Brush with GeniusACTIVE 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 10: ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.(B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 10

Itinerary ▼

Day 1: PARIS, FRANCE
Bienvenue en France!Take free time today to fall in love with the world’s most romantic city. Get inspired by its architectural icons, exquisite cuisine, chic boutiques, and priceless artistic treasures.
Day 2: PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light 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. 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 3: 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)* On departure 1109 ship will sail in the evening to Mâcon
Day 4: LYON*
La Vie En Rose in LyonACTIVE 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: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 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 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)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 5 and the excursion through the Maconnais region originally planned for day 4 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Macon in the morning and sail to Lyon in the afternoon.
Day 5: 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, OR:DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.Later, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MÂCON(B,L,D)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 6 and the excursions originally planned for day 4 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Lyon the whole day.
Day 6: 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)*On departure 1107 the excursions planned on this day have been moved to day 4 and the excursions originally planned for day 5 will take place on this day. Ship will dock in Lyon in the morning and sail to Tournon in the afternoon.
Day 7: 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. 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 8: 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 9: ARLES
A Brush with GeniusACTIVE 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 10: ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.(B)

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