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Tour Arles Avignon Aw_Arles Aw_Europe Aw_France Aw_Lyon Aw_Nice Aw_Paris Aw_Rhone River + 23 More Aw_Saone_River Beaujolais Region Beaune Burgundy Camargue Chalon-Sur-Saone Dijon Europe France French Riviera Lyon Nice Provence Rhone Rhone River River Cruise Saone Saone River Tournon Tournus Viviers Avalon Waterways 12 Day River Cruise Paris to French Riviera

Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too!

This French river cruise adventure 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® on the Saône in Chalon-sur-Saône, and cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour to Beaujolais, in the famous wine region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, is the city of Tournon a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river cruise through France to historical 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. Enjoy your last two nights on the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise!

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: DIJON–BEAUNE–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (EMBARKATION)

Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune. CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to discover Burgundy’s rich wine culture through an immersive, interactive experience, and enjoy a wine tasting.This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS (B,D)

Day 4: TOURNUS

Pearl of Southern Burgundy CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.DISCOVERY Join an excursion that will take you to a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting.DISCOVERY Later, join a lecture on board about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)

Day 5: LYON

La Vie En Rose in LyonSail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to 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 6: LYON

Adventures in Food and Wine DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D)

Day 7: TOURNON

A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting), OR: 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 after lunch. 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 onboard entertainment. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D)

Day 9: 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.DISCOVERY Join an onboard wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,L,D)

Day 10: ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)–FRENCH RIVIERA

Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean CoastAfter 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 11: 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 12: FRENCH RIVIERA

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 12

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: DIJON–BEAUNE–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (EMBARKATION)
Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune. CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to discover Burgundy’s rich wine culture through an immersive, interactive experience, and enjoy a wine tasting.This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS (B,D)
Day 4: TOURNUS
Pearl of Southern Burgundy CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.DISCOVERY Join an excursion that will take you to a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting.DISCOVERY Later, join a lecture on board about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)
Day 5: LYON
La Vie En Rose in LyonSail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to 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 6: LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D)
Day 7: TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting), OR: 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 after lunch. 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 onboard entertainment. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D)
Day 9: 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.DISCOVERY Join an onboard wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,L,D)
Day 10: ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)–FRENCH RIVIERA
Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean CoastAfter 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 11: 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 12: FRENCH RIVIERA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

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